With many center fire cartridges, porting does indeed work to reduce recoil as you may have 20-30 times the pressure to work with. Center fire rifle muzzle break results do not translate to shotguns however, a vastly different application. Copyright 2012 by Randy Wakeman.
Full Answer
Is porting a shotgun necessary?
Porting is not appropriate for every shotgun, however. Porting increases the amount of noise heard by the shooter and those standing next to the shooter. Porting also results in a more visible flash when the shotgun is fired.
What does porting a shotgun barrel do?
When the shotgun is fired, some of the hot gases will escape through the port holes, rather than through the muzzle. Since the port holes are near the end of the barrel, there is virtually no effect upon the speed at which the shot or slugs exit the shotgun. Porting results in a reduction of recoil and a reduction in muzzle climb.
What are the port holes on a shotgun for?
These holes are placed along the upper sides of the barrel by a gunsmith (don’t try to drill them yourself!). When the shotgun is fired, some of the hot gases will escape through the port holes, rather than through the muzzle.
What is a modified Pro port shotgun?
A Modified Pro-Port Style is used on shotguns equipped with barrel bands and magazine extensions. These combat or competition style shotguns are effectively tamed providing better control under conditions of maximum stress. The Single Row of Pro-Ports consists of eleven ports in a single row.
Where does peak pressure occur in a shotshell?
In a shotshell, peak pressure occurs inside the shell casing. Most of the propellant is consumed in the first 18-20 inches of barrel. Beyond that, pressure and acceleration fall off rapidly, to the point where muzzle pressure can be only a five hundred to a thousand psi, or less, according to H.P. White data.
Does porting a shotgun barrel work?
Why Porting in a Shotgun Application Does Not Work. Although porting a shotgun barrel has been around for a very long time, it doesn't do much to reduce recoil. It does nothing to improve patterns, something rudimentary interior ballistics has shown for a very long time.
Does porting work on shotgun patterns?
This is why porting is one of those eternal Pet Rocks of Shotgunning. It cannot do anything for patterns and it doesn' t. As for the bogus claims of recoil reduction and reduction in muzzle rise, it can't be said that it doesn't work, just that it doesn't work significantly or noticeably.
Does a 22 rimfire burn powder?
A .22 rimfire doesn't burn much powder and after the powder decays in that first 15 inches or so, we have a combination of bullet drag and air pressure ( the air in the barrel) that can combine to slow the projectile down slightly. In a shotshell, peak pressure occurs inside the shell casing.
Do wads leave the muzzle?
Shot and wad leave the muz zle simultaneously, and of course there is still wad pressure on the shot, with the shot still being forced towards the base and sides of the shot cup, just as always. In the case of conventional wads, the petals open instantly like giant air brakes, the shot cloud continuing undisturbed.
Does porting a rifle reduce recoil?
With many center fire cartridges, porting does indeed work to reduce recoil as you may have 20-30 times the pressure to work with. Center fire rifle muzzle break results do not translate to shotguns however, a vastly different application. Copyright 2012 by Randy Wakeman. All Rights Reserved.
Is a bad forcing cone job worse than no forcing cone work?
A bad forcing cone job is far worse than no forcing cone work at all, and it sure is difficult to sand metal back on after modifications that hurt more than they help. It may "help patterns up to 10%" as some claim, but anytime you hear the word "may" it should also tell you that "may not" is a possibility as well.
Can you backbore a 20 gauge?
If you could back-bore a 20 gauge enough you might eventually reinvent the 16 gauge, obsoleting the 20 gauge if the back-bore theories held great value. Back-boring seems to achieve nothing significant in terms of patterning, but does help balance muzzle heavy scatterguns.
Do shotguns have hard chrome bores?
In the quest for better patterning shotguns, lengthening forcing cones ranks low on the list. Many of today's shotguns have hard-chrome lined bores, a fairly inexpensive process that makes cleaning easy, and also deters corrosion. To modify a forcing cone, what must happen is the removal of this hard-chrome lining.
What is porting a shotgun?
Porting is one of the most stylish additions to any shotgun while giving it a business like sound. How could anyone own a shotgun without porting, who cares if works or not.
Why don't shotguns work?
They don't work because shotguns do not operate at a high enough pressure to assist in any recoil reduction or muzzle climb. They're a sales gimmick that is wearing as thin as Polyglycoat and Rusty Jones did in the auto industry.
Is a 38 Super shotgun a shotgun?
Porting on a .38 Super is one thing but a shotgun is another entirely. A wast of money, reduces resale value, annoys fellow shooters and is potentially a danger. Only plus is that it fattens the wallets of the barrel smiths, assuming you happen to be a barrel smith.
Do ported barrels blow debris?
Ported barrels don't do anything other than blow debris on the outside of the bbl and the fellow shooting next to you and sometimes your face if the winds right. Also louder to others around you. Than there's cleaning the holes. That sucks. You need a tiny brush.
Is porting a shotgun loud?
Not all porting spe ws debris on to the nearest shooter; not all porting is objectionably loud to anyone near your muzzle. Proper porting does not create any issues with cleaning the bore. I will attest to the fact that most porting done to shotgun barrels is annoying to others via noise and flying combustion debris.
