Comparative results of numerical simulation of the process of hot forging of porous preforms with an axial hole for two deformation schemes are presented: in a die with a flash groove on the inner surface of the forged workpiece cavity and in a closed die. A significant difference in the nature of the evolution of the distribution of deformations and density over the crosssection of the workpiece for the two considered schemes is noted. It is shown that forging in a die with an open volume provides significantly higher degrees of material deformation during forging compared to closed forging, which should lead to an increase in the quality of the structure and final properties of the forged material.