porting barrel /forcing cone

[northern wind]

       I've been reading here and there about barrel porting and lengthen the forcing cone.  It is supposed to improve the pattern. Did anyone did it, did you see any real difference ?

[3" 870 Shell Shucker]

I purchased a Mossberg model 500 at Wal-Mart for $257, which had a factory ported 28" barrel.  In comparison to my 28" 870 and 28" BPS, both of which are heavier than the 28" 500, I believe that I detect less muzzle rise after the shot when using the 500. 

I've gotten some impressive patterns through the Model 500, with #7.5 Lead loads through the factory Improved Cylinder, and the factory Full chokes at 30 yards.  A .675 Undertaker Non-Ported choke shot really tight patterns with #7.5 Lead from 20-25-30 yards.  A .690 Primo's Dead Deer choke did very well with 00 Buck at 35 yards.   

[SumToy]

Well ports.  Ok they do take muzzle jump out of a gun.  They will take felt recoil out.  Now would I spend the money to do it.  No

Forcing cone work.  Now alot to be found in the chamber and forcing cone of a gun.  You can reduce felt recoil with a long forcing cone.  You can get a better pattern.  It will be a more even pattern 95% of the time.   Look at it like this.  If you have a 5 foot wall to get up.  You had a 10 ft a 20 ft and a 30 ft long walk board to go up.  What one would you take and why?  Now would I spend the money to do forcing cone work? Yes.

Now with that said alot of times if you change one thing it will effect something else.  You sometimes will need a choke change if you do forcing cone work.   Find you someone that will work on the gun and help you tune it to the shell you want. 

[decoykrvr]

The one thing which I've learned in a lifetime of messing with shotguns is that there are few "fixes or modifications" which apply equally to all shotguns.  I'm personally not a big fan of barrel porting due to the increased decibel levels and nominal reduction in barrel rise.  Forcing cone work by a competent gunsmith is a whole new ball game depending on the shotgun.  Most SBE I's greatly benefit w/ forcing cone lengthening and polishing w/ better more even patterns w/ reduced recoil.  The "newer" Remington shotguns esp. the less expensive Express 870's,  seem to improve greatly w/ forcing cone work and barrel polishing.  Most "overbored" shotguns ie. 835 and BPS don't benefit as greatly from lengthening and polishing of the forcing cone, but as I said all shotguns are different.