The Rise and Fall of Calibers

Mitch Rapp · Oct 20, 2011

As far as recoil goes, I am not certain it can be set to just a simple weight of projectile, velocity, and weight of gun etc. Not saying you are wrong, just thinking out loud here....

I had a 300 win, which had a lot of recoil, but it was heavy shove, not a sharp fast kick. My buddy has a .450 Marlin. It's recoil is all at once. Same for my 12 gauge shooting 3 inch slugs....

Maybe the difference was the weight of the gun, I dunno, like I said, just thinking out loud.

Oh, and I always wanted a 35 rem. Love me some big bullets.

Scott Hearn · Oct 20, 2011

Powder burn rate.

Example: a .45ACP loaded to 170 PF with a:

230 grain bullet and a fast powder (Clays)
vs.
230 grain bullet and a slower powder (AA#5)

= faster powder feels softer.

Rule of thumb is light bullets and slow powder = more felt recoil

Scott Hearn · Oct 20, 2011

Another example:

My Marlin .375 Winchester lever action: Scoped weighs right at 8.0lbs.
220 grain bullet x 2200FPS = PF of 462

My .270 WSM bolt gun. Scoped weighs about 8.5 lbs.
130 grain bullet x 3295FPS = PF of 428

The recoil by all rights should feel heavier in the lever action. In reality I think the lever gun feels just a bit less.

Dux-R-Us · Oct 21, 2011

I'm a scientist, so you can understand my viewpoints on anything that can empirically be tested.

Googling 'recoil' results in some 'simple' user friendly models (not referenced so caveat emptor)

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp
http://www.huntamerica.com/recoil_calculator/

and the Acme references of all time (Wikipedia)!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recoil
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_recoil
these have very complicated mathematical formulae so they MUST be correct!

Felt or perceived recoil is different. When one is comparing recoil between guns and calibres by 'feel', there is an uncontrivertable factor and that is the a priori assumptions and expectations of the observer (shooter), as well as past experiences. These things impart bias and make these types of tests subjective. However, one could do an experiment on perceived recoil versus free recoil.

That could be interesting. Is BS interested in funding this project?

dennishoddy · Oct 21, 2011

I just use a PAST Magnum recoil pad when I shoot big bores at the range and don't worry about the science.

drmitchgibson · Oct 21, 2011

I believe felt recoil is managed by increasing the rate of speed of the recoil impulse (wave) through the body. The force is greater in magnitude, but shorter in duration.

Rodshoot · Oct 22, 2011

Well folks, there is no such recognized quantity in physics as "recoil."
There is recoil impulse (in lb sec).
There is the speed of the recoiling firearm (in fps).
There is free recoil energy ( in ft lb).

But even if you look at all of them, it won't tell you whether you are going to bruise your arm or holler OW.

But if you like numbers, here's a handy calculator that will give them to you without trying to figure out those messy english units nobody really understands, anyway.

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

Courtesy of the ole physics prof.