Dumb recoil question...

[Montana Slim]

Assuming "identical" rifles - is recoil the same between different caliber bullets of the same mass with similar powder charges?

I'm thinking of something like a 160gr accubond in a 7mmRM vs a 160 mono in a 325wsm...

It's just physics, and recoil should be very similar right?

 

[HuntHarder]

As long as velocity and weight of bullet is equal, I do not see why not.

 

[Pony Soldier]

How you feel it may reflect on the fit and the shape of the stock. When 7RM first came out I saw classmates sighting them in with a sleeping bag between the gun and their shoulders and tears in their eyes and those were new BDLs.

I had a used Husky and never had a Problem.

 

[ODB]

I think it should be similar, but there are other physics things involved like the diameter of the head, thrust, caliber, etc. a lot of people claim the WSMs shoot “softer.” I think the rifle stock shape, LOP, and rifle weight do much more to affect noticeable differences in recoil than things you need a calculator for.

 

[MaraviaDave]

Recoil Calculations
- Recoil Energy (ft-lbs):
(((Bullet Weight / 7000) x Muzzle Velocity) + (4700 x (Powder Charge / 7000)))^2 / (64.348 x Gun Weight)

- Recoil Velocity (fps):
(((Bullet Weight / 7000) x Muzzle Velocity) + (4700 x (Powder Charge / 7000))) / Gun Weight

Felt Recoil
- There are factors that can reduce or contribute to the semi-subjective assessment of how a rifle's recoil feels to the shooter. The design of the stock being one of the most significant factors, from my perspective.

 

[Montana Slim]

Recoil Calculations
- Recoil Energy (ft-lbs):
(((Bullet Weight / 7000) x Muzzle Velocity) + (4700 x (Powder Charge / 7000)))^2 / (64.348 x Gun Weight)

- Recoil Velocity (fps):
(((Bullet Weight / 7000) x Muzzle Velocity) + (4700 x (Powder Charge / 7000))) / Gun Weight

Felt Recoil
- There are factors that can reduce or contribute to the semi-subjective assessment of how a rifle's recoils feels to the shooter. The design of the stock being one of the most significant factors, from my perspective.

So all the variables in the equations you provided will be constants in the example I gave, other than MV... is there an expected difference in MV with a larger diameter bullet of the same mass with the same powder charge? (Less bearing surface or something?)

Again, thinking identical rifles.

Thanks all.

 

[MaraviaDave]

So all the variables in the equations you provided will be constants in the example I gave, other than MV... is there an expected difference in MV with a larger diameter bullet of the same mass with the same powder charge? (Less bearing surface or something?)

If I understand you correctly....the bullet weight, powder charge and rifle weight are all identical. The only difference is the caliber (diameter) of the bullet. Your question is, does the diameter of the bullet have an effect on expected muzzle velocity. Which would subsequently effect the recoil energy and velocity.

I'm not sure how that would be determined, other than shooting across a chronograph. If there is a difference, I'd imagine that it'd be slight and most likely indistinguishable by the shooter.

More important are the factors of perceived recoil, which are mostly related to stock design along with cartridge design (e.g. shoulder angle).

The calculations have been most valuable to me while comparing different cartridges, bullet weights and rifle weights.....to a cartridge/bullet/rifle weight that I've already been shooting and am familiar with the amount of recoil.

In other words, does the increased recoil energy / velocity justify the incremental increase in terminal ballistics at practical hunting ranges for the new cartridge / bullet combination that I'm considering. Or, if I increased / decreased my rifle weight by a pound. What effect would that have on recoil?

I tend to think of all of this as just one consideration out of many that go into selecting the proper cartridge/bullet/rifle.

 

[MaraviaDave]

I would suspect that if you went up or down in caliber, there would be a corresponding change in the powder charge. That would seemingly have more of an effect on muzzle velocity, in comparison to, thinking in terms of the effect of something related to the bearing surface of the bullet.

 

[ODB]

Of course we are ignoring the 600 lb gorilla in the room - what will an 8mm bullet do that a 7mm of the same weight won't do?

This of course considering things from the supply of ammo/bullet perspective.

 

[Idaho_Potato]

Not sure what setup you are intending to go with, but....0.284 Nosler Accubonds have been out of stock for three years, period. And Nosler appears to give ZERO f's about reloaders.....ask me how I know. I've had more than one conversation with Nosler about this. Embarrassment of a company.

 

[Marble]

What's interesting is the other day, I was shooting my 7-08 AI with a 140 grain AB @2900 fps and my 6.5 PRC shooting a 147 ELD X@ 2850-2900. The 7-08 had a significantly larger recoil than the PRC. Both under the same conditions, but different rifles. 708 was a Browning A bolt 1, the other a Savage 110. Both have good pads and similar weight.

It was a fairly significant difference. Goes to show how differently two rifles shooting similar powered rounds can vary.

Definitely not scientific but interesting.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[Slugz]

What's interesting is the other day, I was shooting my 7-08 AI with a 140 grain AB @2900 fps and my 6.5 PRC shooting a 147 ELD X@ 2850-2900. The 7-08 had a significantly larger recoil than the PRC. Both under the same conditions, but different rifles. 708 was a Browning A bolt 1, the other a Savage 110. Both have good pads and similar weight.

It was a fairly significant difference. Goes to show how differently two rifles shooting similar powered rounds can vary.

Definitely not scientific but interesting.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

What was the grains of powder in each load ?