Ported barrels on 12 guage pro/con

[jemidawes]

Does anyone have a ported barrel on there 12 guage? I have one on layaway that has the ported barrel. Does this really help?

What is your experience? It is a Mossberg 500A, I already have one. It is a much newer shotgun than I have now. I mainly hunt Turkey with this gun. What do you suggest? Should I steer away from this?
Thanks in advance!
Mike

[.300Savage]

Mike,
My 500A has a ported barrel, and I have no problem with it. Brian has the exact gun and he likes his too. I'm not sure if it makes that much of a difference on the recoil, since the gun I had before it was a single-shot. Put a 3" turkey load in a single shot and it will really "punch" your shoulder. So, I really can't compare the two, since the 500A is a heavier gun than my single shot....


Rocco

[pb]

Ported barrels are supposed to have less recoil, more noise, actually probably just keeps barrel from rising so much so you can get a quicker second shot. My Ithaca M37 has one, have a ported choke for a WW1300, Both kick hell out of me with 3". Haven't really noticed much difference one way or another. Get a limbsaver recoil pad for less kick.

[RDL270]

A ported barrel in a duck blind will not make you any friends...... Ported barrels are also harder to clean, the ports a pain to get clean. Recoil difference is neglible. A mecury recoil reducer and a good recoil pad are better option imho.

[Ky Headhunter]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">actually probably just keeps barrel from rising so much<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I'll second that opinion. Don't think it does much for your shoulder, but makes it easier on your cheek[:)]

As RDL270 mentioned, it really jacks up the noise. Since your main use will be turkey hunting, I wouldn't worry about it. Usually a one-shot affair, and a good chance you'll be alone anyway. If yours has a 24" barrel like mine, most folks wouldn't consider it an ideal waterfowl gun anyway. Mine is set up specifically for turkey, with a comfortable sling & Simmons Prodiamond scope. Works well for coyotes at close range as well[:0]