Magnaport, anyone?

Great way to ruin the resale value of a good gun. Drastically.

BJH65 said:

See, even you didn’t initially notice the Mag-Na-Ported barrel. . You would have instantly noticed a traditional muzzle brake.

I think the 30-06 chambering may be why? Not as common to see Mag-Na-Porting on a 30-06 either? Were it a 416 Taylor or 404 Jeffery, I think they could be asking more and get it too, even with the Mag-Na-Porting.

I forgot to mention, especially with custom rifles, a customer may specifically request that the builder have it Mag-Na-Ported or install a threaded muzzle brake, so sometimes not an aftermarket alteration, but done or subbed out by the builder. Always I good thing to have the invoice and/or documentation from the gunmaker detailing the specific work done and parts utilized on a custom rifle.

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Ontario Hunter said:

Great way to ruin the resale value of a good gun. Drastically.

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How do you spell B.S. in Canada? Oh, yeah..

As has been shown, the resale value of a gun that has been ported depends on the gun. It is not an automatic drastic decrease in the value of the rifle, if the rifle has no particular collectors value.

Doug Hamilton said:

How do you spell B.S. in Canada? Oh, yeah..

As has been shown, the resale value of a gun that has been ported depends on the gun. It is not an automatic drastic decrease in the value of the rifle, if the rifle has no particular collectors value.

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You're right. Magnaport won't ruin the resale value of all guns ... just those with a reasonable resale value worth ruining. I suspect porting a Remington 700 or Savage rifle wouldn't hurt their resale value much. Because their resale value was negligible when the owner opened the box. Even reselling those ported models would require some diligent shopping for buyers. I would not consider buying a ported rifle no matter what the make or collector value unless factoring in the cost of rebarreling it or at least chopping off the holes. And everyone I personally know who hunts or collects guns feels the same way (mind you, it's a small group). Of course, there's always those who know nothing who are likely candidates. Once anyway.

My guess there are more (deer and pig) hunters in the southern U.S. than anywhere else in the world and I doubt magna porting would change the resale value of rifles. There is no telling how many Remington 700s are in the U.S. and how many animals they take a year

Ontario Hunter said:

You're right. Magnaport won't ruin the resale value of all guns ... just those with a reasonable resale value worth ruining. I suspect porting a Remington 700 or Savage rifle wouldn't hurt their resale value much. Because their resale value was negligible when the owner opened the box. Even reselling those ported models would require some diligent shopping for buyers. I would not consider buying a ported rifle no matter what the make or collector value unless factoring in the cost of rebarreling it or at least chopping off the holes. And everyone I personally know who hunts or collects guns feels the same way (mind you, it's a small group). Of course, there's always those who know nothing who are likely candidates. Once anyway.

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IMO, the only only potential negative on a Mag-Na-Ported rifle is if one was being sold on the AH classifieds primarily because there are IMO an outsized number of AH members who either dislike any type of porting, cannot distinguish the difference between the louder traditional porting and Mag-Na-Porting which is not noticeably louder than a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle.

Those that dislike Mag-Na-Porting and acknowledge the difference between the louder traditional and easily distinguishable traditional muzzle brakes (which is a small number from what I’ve seen) then fall on the one and only argument that it ruins or significantly decreases the value. Based on my observations on the AH classified only, a decrease in value due to Mag-Na-Porting may be true specific to this site but not necessarily on the various other online auctions, classifieds and various internet gun sellers.

I recently sold my German MK V 300 Weatherby with Mag-Na-Porting on a popular internet auction site and got top dollar. I have observed several custom big bore rifles in the 5k-12k range sell for top dollar. A significant number of Weatherby rifles both new and vintage that either have the old vintage Pendleton Porting, Mag-Na-Porting, and newer Accu- Brakes sell for the same as non ported Weatherby rifles.

Now I grant you, certain rifles like the following based on the potential buyer’s interested in these rifles, any type of porting will significantly decrease the value: any European or English double rifle, any fine bolt action English rifle from the classic makers and any fine European bolt action rifle like Heym, Hartmann & Weiss, Waffen Jung, and Reimer Johannsen.

I think this may have more to do with the potential buyers of these makes of rifles. I believe these types of buyers for the above classic English and European rifles or those that study and have interest in these rifles are purists and traditionalists and any type of porting will have them shaking their fist at the sky and gnashing their teeth! It is absolutely sacrilegious to them.

Based on my own personal observations, if you discount the AH classifieds, I’m not so sure this is the case for some of the finer American made custom rifles. I have seen some very fine custom American big bore rifles with Mag-Na-Porting sell for top dollar like from Keith Hepler and John Bolliger to name a couple. These rifles did not sell for 30% less, they sold for top dollar. Clearly then, there are those who will buy a fine custom American big bore rifle without worry. I am one of them.

In fact Ontario Hunter, your 404 Jeffery that you built yourself is the perfect candidate for Mag-Na-Porting. It will decrease muzzle rise and allow you to remain on target as you calmly face the charging buffalo and make rapid repeat accurate follow up shots, giving you the extra time to make a stopping shot that saves the day plus the Mag-Na-Porting is not any noticeably louder than a non Mag-Na-Ported rifle and does not visually change the lines of the rifle and is hardly noticeable. Finally, you will get the benefit of at least 15% or more reduction in felt recoil and it will not devalue your rifle even if that’s not important to you.

While I like Mag-Na-Porting for the small modest decrease in felt recoil, the most important thing is that it allows you to stay on target quicker due to the reduced muzzle rise and enables one to get quicker more accurate follow-up shots, an extremely important attribute when stopping a charge. This feature alone trumps any potential decrease in value IMO. Do not discount this added feature of reduced muzzle rise and the ability to fire more quickly accurate follow up shots than a non Mag- Na-Ported rifle, it could save your life and the lives of others. There is a practical component to this that the naysayers cannot argue.

Ontario Hunter said:

You're right. Magnaport won't ruin the resale value of all guns ... just those with a reasonable resale value worth ruining. I suspect porting a Remington 700 or Savage rifle wouldn't hurt their resale value much. Because their resale value was negligible when the owner opened the box. Even reselling those ported models would require some diligent shopping for buyers. I would not consider buying a ported rifle no matter what the make or collector value unless factoring in the cost of rebarreling it or at least chopping off the holes. And everyone I personally know who hunts or collects guns feels the same way (mind you, it's a small group). Of course, there's always those who know nothing who are likely candidates. Once anyway.

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But you would buy a rifle that someone threaded to put a bulbous muzzle brake or suppressors on? Why are you afraid of Mag na port? With rifles that have severe recoil, it helps a lot especially with muzzle rise. This could make a difference in a dangerous game situation.

The process made a profound shootability difference on my .500 A2. Again, combined with a Rhodesian sling it can radically increase the speed of follow up shots. If you practice, of course.

BJH65 said:

While I like Mag-Na-Porting for the small modest decrease in felt recoil, the most important thing is that it allows you to stay on target quicker due to the reduced muzzle rise and enables one to get quicker more accurate follow-up shots, an extremely important attribute when stopping a charge. This feature alone trumps any potential decrease in value IMO. Do not discount this added feature of reduced muzzle rise and the ability to fire more quickly accurate follow up shots than a non Mag- Na-Ported rifle, it could save your life and the lives of others. There is a practical component to this that the naysayers cannot argue

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That was my original point with this post. The only reason I haven’t shipped my .458WM and .416 Ruger to Mag-Na-Port already is the recent USPS crisis in the North Houston Distribution Center that mimics Stephen Hawking’s most conservative theory on black holes.

I find the factory brakes on my two Ruger Guide Guns (.375 and .416) are wonderful when sighting in at the range. Not really needed though for the .375 but nice for shooting multiple rounds. My CZs don’t have brakes and I personally limit myself to about 12 rounds with the bigger stuff. My Ruger Super Redhawk 9.5” .454 Casull is also more pleasant to shoot with the Magnaporting which was already present when I bought it used in the original box but had never been fired. I have wondered if Ruger magnaported it at their factory? Anyway, I guess brakes/magnaporting have their place in the shooting world and for ME the range is where I appreciate their benefits.

Doug Hamilton said:

But you would buy a rifle that someone threaded to put a bulbous muzzle brake or suppressors on? Why are you afraid of Mag na port? With rifles that have severe recoil, it helps a lot especially with muzzle rise. This could make a difference in a dangerous game situation.

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No, I would not buy a rifle with a suppressor even if they were legal here ... and they are not.

I'm not concerned about muzzle jump with a dangerous game rifle. It comes off my shoulder for reloading. I want to be assured the rifle is not short stroked and I want the animal, charging or not, in full view when I get on him for follow up. Shooting a semiautomatic rifle I could maybe see where limiting muzzle jump might be a bigger deal. I practice shooting moving targets a LOT with my shotgun and I do NOT shoot high gun (except for trap = yawn!). Even bird hunting with my Auto-5 I'm typically off and back on the gun for follow up. I shoot my bolt rifle well enough reloading off my shoulder to take an incoming (charging?) gemsbuck at less than thirty yards and then again running by at twelve yards. Both shots through the heart.

And this buffalo running at sixty yards with borrowed 375. Shot through both lungs and major aorta.

Porting isn't going to make a significant, if any, difference in my ability to get on target quickly and accurately. Spend the money on a skeet club membership and learn to shoot low gun.

Ontario Hunter said:

No, I would not buy a rifle with a suppressor even if they were legal here ... and they are not.

I'm not concerned about muzzle jump with a dangerous game rifle. It comes off my shoulder for reloading. I want to be assured the rifle is not short stroked and I want the animal, charging or not, in full view when I get on him for follow up. Shooting a semiautomatic rifle I could maybe see where limiting muzzle jump might be a bigger deal. I practice shooting moving targets a LOT with my shotgun and I do NOT shoot high gun (except for trap = yawn!). Even bird hunting with my Auto-5 I'm typically off and back on the gun for follow up. I shoot my bolt rifle well enough reloading off my shoulder to take an incoming (charging?) gemsbuck at less than thirty yards and then again running by at twelve yards. Both shots through the heart.
View attachment 681484
And this buffalo running at sixty yards with borrowed 375. Shot through both lungs and major aorta.
View attachment 681485
Porting isn't going to make a significant, if any, difference in my ability to get on target quickly and accurately. Spend the money on a skeet club membership and learn to shoot low gun.

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Nice gemsbok and buff.

Ontario Hunter said:

No, I would not buy a rifle with a suppressor even if they were legal here ... and they are not.

I'm not concerned about muzzle jump with a dangerous game rifle. It comes off my shoulder for reloading. I want to be assured the rifle is not short stroked and I want the animal, charging or not, in full view when I get on him for follow up. Shooting a semiautomatic rifle I could maybe see where limiting muzzle jump might be a bigger deal. I practice shooting moving targets a LOT with my shotgun and I do NOT shoot high gun (except for trap = yawn!). Even bird hunting with my Auto-5 I'm typically off and back on the gun for follow up. I shoot my bolt rifle well enough reloading off my shoulder to take an incoming (charging?) gemsbuck at less than thirty yards and then again running by at twelve yards. Both shots through the heart.
View attachment 681484
And this buffalo running at sixty yards with borrowed 375. Shot through both lungs and major aorta.
View attachment 681485
Porting isn't going to make a significant, if any, difference in my ability to get on target quickly and accurately. Spend the money on a skeet club membership and learn to shoot low gun.

Click to expand...

You would really have to.shoot the same.heavy recouping rifle without, and then.with, the Mag na port to have a valid opinion.

Ontario Hunter said:

No, I would not buy a rifle with a suppressor even if they were legal here ... and they are not.

I'm not concerned about muzzle jump with a dangerous game rifle. It comes off my shoulder for reloading. I want to be assured the rifle is not short stroked and I want the animal, charging or not, in full view when I get on him for follow up.

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I agree, the African style of reloading by taking your bolt action rifle off one’s shoulder in order to reload negates reduced muzzle rise from Mag-Na-Porting but for rapid reloading and shooting, it is quicker to keep one’s rifle on the shoulder in firing position and I believe most reload from the shoulder when a quick follow up shot is needed. It’s simple physics, reduced muzzle rise allows the shooter to get back on target and shoot quicker.

I also agree about practicing. Regardless of any modifications to one’s rifle, practice is obviously the most important factor, no equipment or enhancement makes up for lack of skill.