Magnaport, anyone?

[BJH65]

Not a rifle, but a .475 Linebaugh revolver. I won a gift certificate for a Magnaport job and although I could handle the recoil of the .475, decided to have the single port (one each side) added to the .475. Muzzle jump is definitely reduced (kind of regret not getting the double port). As far as noise, I haven’t noticed much, if any increased blast as the gasses are directed upward.
Magnaport is a class operation and the people were great to deal with. The late Larry Kelly started the company, and I’ve spoken several times with Larry’s son, Ken, who operates it with the same passion as his father.

Just sold my Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh with 6 inch barrel, a very high quality revolver btw. I believe Freedom Arms are the finest SA factory revolvers made and a great company to boot. One can order the Freedom Arms with Mag-na-porting as well and I can understand why since my 475 Linebaugh was a painful revolver to shoot! It is an excellent enhancement to their line of revolvers chambered in 454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh and 500 Linebaugh.

 

[Papa72]

View attachment 658553
Here is my custom Robar/AHR Brno 458 Lott that Jack Lott himself originally put together for an editor of Petersen’s hunting many years ago, purchased from AH member Luvthunt. It does have a detachable muzzle brake in addition to the Mag-na-port but I keep the thread protected screwed in lieu of the muzzle brake. While recoil is “brisk” with this 9.5 lb rifle, It feels no worse than my CZ 416 Rigby.

I love that the muzzle rise is greatly reduced. I see this as a great benefit while I imagine recoil is only minimally reduced with just the 2 ported slots. You’ll have more felt recoil reduction on your 416 with the traditional 4 Mag-na-port slots, All of my practice is shooting off tripod sticks and I always wear my PAST recoil pad on my shoulder. Luvthunt mentioned this and I agree, this is really a perfect setup for a PH! Whether there is a reduction in value due to the Mag-na-porting, I don’t care, this rifle is to be used on DG game and I see it as a benefit.

According to their website, I am limited to 2 slots due to the banded front sight on this rifle.

 

[BJH65]

According to their website, I am limited to 2 slots due to the banded front sight on this rifle.

Hmmm…I would give them a call, maybe email them a photo of the muzzle and front sight of your rifle. I have seen Mag-na-ported 4 slots on banded barrels like in the attached photo. I’m not quite sure how effective the recoil reduction is with just the 2 slots? Wouldn’t hurt to contact them and hear what they say, they seem like nice folks.

 

[Sarg]

I’m amazed at all the anti commends against the Magnporting & mostly from folks who haven’t even shot a rifle so adorned & some who might not even know what it is ?

We had racks of lightweight custom Mauser 98’s in .458Win in Brown Precision stocks, Magnported all, they were Ok to use even at 8lb to 8.5lbs.

I hate breaks or porting of any type other than Magnport, on a cheaper custom/work type rifle it won’t effect the value but will increase your enjoyment & usage.

I did see a very nice A&N Webley actioned 450NE Magnported & I'm very sure that it’s value was negatively impacted !

 

[BJH65]

I’m amazed at all the anti commends against the Magnporting & mostly from folks who haven’t even shot a rifle so adorned & some who might not even know what it is ?

We had racks of lightweight custom Mauser 98’s in .458Win in Brown Precision stocks, Magnported all.

I hate breaks or porting of any type other than Magnport, on a cheaper custom/work type rifle it won’t effect the value but will increase you enjoyment & usage.

I did see a very nice A&N Webley actioned 450NE Magnported & I'm very sure that it’s value was negatively impacted !

Thank you, agreed!

 

[RR 314]

Well, at least 50%. I looked at this fine rifle probably 25 times online as it lingered at MNR. It would have sold for 2x without the porting. I know this is accurate because I would’ve bought it for 2X. I have a couple friends that would’ve done the same.

On fine rifles, you greatly limit your buyer pool/value. Then again, if you are not bothered by the work (or actually even better—like the work), like in this instance, you can pick up a great rifle and an absolute bargain. Well done by Buckstix!

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Beautiful and practical piece! I dare say the value of this rifle has not been reduced by 2/3 as was previously mentioned on this thread. I see it as an enhancement!

 

[BJH65]

Well, at least 50%. I looked at this fine rifle probably 25 times online as it lingered at MNR. It would have sold for 2x without the porting. I know this is accurate because I would’ve bought it for 2X. I have a couple friends that would’ve done the same.

On fine rifles, you greatly limit your buyer pool/value. Then again, if you are not bothered by the work (or actually even better—like the work), like in this instance, you can pick up a great rifle and an absolute bargain. Well done by Buckstix!

It is true, some see Mag-na-porting as a defacement to a rifle while I see it as an enhancement. Aesthetically though it’s hardly noticeable and the additional noise/muzzle blast is hardly more discernible than a non Mag-na-ported rifle (I’ve done several side by side shooting comparisons of both) so I’m simply at loss on the negative sentiments towards Mag-na-porting while I am more sympathetic to the anti muzzle brake crowd but I make an exception with Mag-na-port.

 

[RR 314]

It is true, some see Mag-na-porting as a defacement to a rifle while I see it as an enhancement. Aesthetically though it’s hardly noticeable and the additional noise/muzzle blast is hardly more discernible than a non Mag-na-ported rifle (I’ve done several side by side shooting comparisons of both) so I’m simply at loss on the negative sentiments towards Mag-na-porting while I am more sympathetic to the anti muzzle brake crowd but I make an exception with Mag-na-port.

It is just the way it is. No sense trying to figure out why, just embrace the fact that you are in the very limited minority of dangerous game rifle owners that likes the magnaporting (on otherwise bespoke quality). Seriously, it opens up some very fine rifles at greatly reduced pricing.

 

[BJH65]

It is just the way it is. No sense trying to figure out why, just embrace the fact that you are in the very limited minority of dangerous game rifle owners that likes the magnaporting (on otherwise bespoke quality). Seriously, it opens up some very fine rifles at greatly reduced pricing.

Very true, I was able to obtain a very nice custom Brno 458 Lott on AH with Mag-na-porting that I believe didn’t sell for this sole reason, that I otherwise may not have purchased so I am very grateful. As an aside, I’ve never seen Rigby, Holland & Holland or Westley Richards bolt action rifles with Mag-na-porting!

 

[Papa72]

I would not port a rifle of that quality either. I don’t think I would pass on any rifle that I could afford that was ported, but that affliction ain’t struck me recent. This .416 Ruger is a project rifle and a perfect before/after test bed but weather has me stalled from the range presently.

 

[Papa72]

Hmmm…I would give them a call, maybe email them a photo of the muzzle and front sight of your rifle. I have seen Mag-na-ported 4 slots on banded barrels like in the attached photo. I’m not quite sure how effective the recoil reduction is with just the 2 slots? Wouldn’t hurt to contact them and hear what they say, they seem like nice folks.
View attachment 658607

That is the exact NECG Masterpiece banded sight I installed on my rifle so at least porting is possible. I’ll call them.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Have several lightweight medium magnums 7 mm 35s that are magna ported but that alone doesn't tame The recoil as necessary like a brake does so adding a hefty stock using all steel scope even putting bipods on I have your sling loading the gun to capacity and my favorite adding Mercury recoil reducers to the butt all of that in conjunction will tame the gun a bit and sans the bipods the above is what I did to tame the recoil on a short 416 but I did not magnaport it. Adding heft can easily surpass the what is it 15% recoil reduction of that process.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I talked to the guy at Mag-na-port awhile back and he informed me that the 4 port they do will not affect the banded sight at all , but will lessen the felt recoil

 

[Sarg]

I talked to the guy at Mag-na-port awhile back and he informed me that the 4 port they do will not affect the banded sight at all , but will lessen the felt recoil

There was only last week a CZ550 barrel on here for sale with 4 port Mag-na-port cuts.

Ports are in sight band .

 

[rookhawk]

Please. Friends don't let friends magnaport. People try to sell guns on the classifieds and you should see their reactions when nobody wants their guns and they get offered 1/3 of blue-book for them.

If you need muzzle brakes and magnaporting and you're over ten years old, either A.) Develop a load with a different powder, or B.) Shoot off sticks, or C.) add weight to your rifle, or D.) get a smaller caliber that you can handle.

Milling holes in barrels is a permanent solution that avoids the real problem which is either you're recoil averse, your using the wrong loads, or you're shooting bench/prone, or you're using a gun way too big for your tolerances.

 

[375Ruger416]

Meh. I’m not a big fan of brakes, but have to admit that I (and my rifles) are more accurate with a brake or suppressor attached. I think there’s enough room in the shooting and hunting community for everyone.

If it makes you more effective, more accurate, or makes the rifle fit you better go for it. I wouldn’t magnaport or thread an heirloom quality rifle, but I wouldn’t hunt with one either. Guns are tools for me and I wouldn’t hunt or shoot unsuppressed if I had the option.

I would expect it to impact the resale value however.

 

[BJH65]

Please. Friends don't let friends magnaport. People try to sell guns on the classifieds and you should see their reactions when nobody wants their guns and they get offered 1/3 of blue-book for them.

If you need muzzle brakes and magnaporting and you're over ten years old, either A.) Develop a load with a different powder, or B.) Shoot off sticks, or C.) add weight to your rifle, or D.) get a smaller caliber that you can handle.

Milling holes in barrels is a permanent solution that avoids the real problem which is either you're recoil averse, your using the wrong loads, or you're shooting bench/prone, or you're using a gun way too big for your tolerances.

Hmmm 1/3 blue book? You and some others have thrown out this figure more than once but my own observations do not bear this out. Firstly, it appears that most folks on AH cannot distinguish the difference between Mag-Na-Porting and traditional muzzle brakes and there is a distinct difference.

Perhaps you are lumping together Mag-Na-Ported rifles with those with both threaded and non threaded traditional muzzle brakes? In my mind they should not be lumped together, as mentioned previously, there are distinct differences, not just functionally but visually for those who wish to educate themselves.

A traditional KDF style muzzle brake will reduce recoil by 45% or more, but at a cost, significant muzzle blast and earth shattering noise and many purists find them unsightly as well. Contrast that to the Mag-Na-Port, with the distinctly different two trapezoidal ports and two oval ports that aren’t even noticeable to the casual observer.

With Mag-Na-Port, it will only yield approximately 15% recoil reduction on average although I believe the larger the caliber the more felt recoil reduction, hence the reason it is not as popular as traditional muzzle brakes. Where I believe Mag-Na-Port shines is significant reduction in muzzle rise. This has practical applications when a rapid second or third shot is needed, especially on DG. I see this as an asset.

Having owned two Mag-Na-Ported rifles, I conducted a side by side shooting comparison with my Mag-Na-Ported Weatherby Mark V 300 Wby and custom BRNO ZKK-602 458 Lott. The non ported rifles were a Win M70 300 Win Mag, Ruger No.1 300 Win Mag and a CZ 550 416 Rigby. In regard to noise and muzzle blast, there is no meaningful difference.

I conducted the test in my backyard range and I can assure you my wife can tell the difference when I’m shooting my 375 RUM with KDF muzzle brake! I keep the thread protector screwed in now. She cannot distinguish a difference with the other rifles I tested.

To your point that a Mag-Na-Ported rifle is only worth 1/3 of a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle, I assume you base this on casual observation and not statical data which is fine, I also believe you may be basing this primarily an the AH classifieds?

I believe you have a valid point about the reduction in value specifically on the AH classifieds, although I don’t believe it’s only worth 1/3, but I concede there appears to be a bias, a number of purists who detest muzzle brakes but most it seems do not know the difference between Mag-Na-Porting and traditional muzzle brakes.

My observations outside of the AH classifieds on the various online gun auctions and internet gun sales sites to not bear this 1/3 figure out. A custom 416 Weatherby recently sold on Hallowell & Co for 12k and I can assure you it was most likely appropriately priced regardless of the Mag-Na-Porting. Had a I need for a 416 Weatherby, i would be quite pleased with this rifle.

My preference is no Mag-Na-Porting and no Muzzle Brakes but I will absolutely make an exception with Mag-Na-Porting and even a muzzle brakes as long as I can remove and screw in a thread protector. Were I a PH, I could see a benefit with Mag-Na-Porting for faster repeat shots during a charge. If one possesses an heirloom quality gun, sure don’t modify it in any way but a gun is a tool and if a modification improves one’s ability to make hits on an animal, then go for it!

Anyhow, a 15 % or more reduction in recoil without the excessive noise and muzzle blast may be of benefit to some, especially with the reduction in muzzle rise. For the average big bore rifle taken to Africa for DG, I see no drawback. I urge you to reconsider your present assessment of Mag-Na-Porting and move past this bias against it, there is no logical reason for it.

Hallowell & Co.https://hallowellco.comKeith Hepler Custom Dakota

 

[rookhawk]

Hmmm 1/3 blue book? You and some others have thrown out this figure more than once but my own observations do not bear this out. Firstly, it appears that most folks on AH cannot distinguish the difference between Mag-Na-Porting and traditional muzzle brakes and there is a distinct difference.

Perhaps you are lumping together Mag-Na-Ported rifles with those with both threaded and non threaded traditional muzzle brakes? In my mind they should not be lumped together, as mentioned previously, there are distinct differences, not just functionally but visually for those who wish to educate themselves.

A traditional KDF style muzzle brake will reduce recoil by 45% or more, but at a cost, significant muzzle blast and earth shattering noise and many purists find them unsightly as well. Contrast that to the Mag-Na-Port, with the distinctly different two trapezoidal ports and two oval ports that aren’t even noticeable to the casual observer.

With Mag-Na-Port, it will only yield approximately 15% recoil reduction on average although I believe the larger the caliber the more felt recoil reduction, hence the reason it is not as popular as traditional muzzle brakes. Where I believe Mag-Na-Port shines is significant reduction in muzzle rise. This has practical applications when a rapid second or third shot is needed, especially on DG. I see this as an asset.

Having owned two Mag-Na-Ported rifles, I conducted a side by side shooting comparison with my Mag-Na-Ported Weatherby Mark V 300 Wby and custom BRNO ZKK-602 458 Lott. The non ported rifles were a Win M70 300 Win Mag, Ruger No.1 300 Win Mag and a CZ 550 416 Rigby. In regard to noise and muzzle blast, there is no meaningful difference.

I conducted the test in my backyard range and I can assure you my wife can tell the difference when I’m shooting my 375 RUM with KDF muzzle brake! I keep the thread protector screwed in now. She cannot distinguish a difference with the other rifles I tested.

To your point that a Mag-Na-Ported rifle is only worth 1/3 of a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle, I assume you base this on casual observation and not statical data which is fine, I also believe you may be basing this primarily an the AH classifieds?

I believe you have a valid point about the reduction in value specifically on the AH classifieds, although I don’t believe it’s only worth 1/3, but I concede there appears to be a bias, a number of purists who detest muzzle brakes but most it seems do not know the difference between Mag-Na-Porting and traditional muzzle brakes.

My observations outside of the AH classifieds on the various online gun auctions and internet gun sales sites to not bear this 1/3 figure out. A custom 416 Weatherby recently sold on Hallowell & Co for 12k and I can assure you it was most likely appropriately priced regardless of the Mag-Na-Porting. Had a I need for a 416 Weatherby, i would be quite pleased with this rifle.

My preference is no Mag-Na-Porting and no Muzzle Brakes but I will absolutely make an exception with Mag-Na-Porting and even a muzzle brakes as long as I can remove and screw in a thread protector. Were I a PH, I could see a benefit with Mag-Na-Porting for faster repeat shots during a charge. If one possesses an heirloom quality gun, sure don’t modify it in any way but a gun is a tool and if a modification improves one’s ability to make hits on an animal, then go for it!

Anyhow, a 15 % or more reduction in recoil without the excessive noise and muzzle blast may be of benefit to some, especially with the reduction in muzzle rise. For the average big bore rifle taken to Africa for DG, I see no drawback. I urge you to reconsider your present assessment of Mag-Na-Porting and move past this bias against it, there is no logical reason for it.

Hallowell & Co.https://hallowellco.comKeith Hepler Custom Dakota

Don't take my opinion, just do the hole drilling and test the waters yourself. I'll open up the bidding at 5% of book for magnaporting.

I don't like threaded barrels, but if flawlessly concealed with a blued thread cap, I'll give you at least 10% of MSRP.

Seriously though, it totally ruins the value unless it had no resale value to begin with.

I've never been wealthy enough to own best guns you cannot shoot nor junk guns you can drag through the dirt, therefore I've only owned best guns you can lovingly conserve after every hunt. Give it a go! Try destroying guns and see what they bring! Try best guns with holes in the barrels and see what people will pay for them after you decide they are still not suitable for their purposes after the abominations occur.

 

[rookhawk]

A custom 416 Weatherby recently sold on Hallowell & Co for 12k and I can assure you it was most likely appropriately priced regardless of the Mag-Na-Porting.

I wouldn't own for personal use nor try to sell for profit a weatherby of any sort. If it was an early mauser actioned one without magnaport, I'd refer it to a friend on AH that collects them. A weatherby wasn't a fine gun when it was made nor is it a fine gun when it is sold. New money with no expertise buys weatherbys and rimless double rifles, then they try to resell them 6 months later on this forum when they realize they own abominations. Either they lose 90% or screw over the next guy with one second less experience than they have.

I try to do no harm and pass no weapon on to anyone that isn't suitable for myself or my own children. If its inferior, I destroy it rather than perpetuate the f-u cycle.

Apologies if I seem harsh, I've thrown away 5-figures of guns based on what I've learned rather than perpetuating the cycle of evil onto my fellow man.