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Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
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    Posted: July/31/2009 at 00:40
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Rifle Recoil Table

By Chuck Hawks


For an expanded version of this table showing a great many more calibers and loads including British, European, wildcat, obsolescent American and proprietary calibers, see the "Expanded Rifle Recoil Table" on the Tables, Charts and Lists Page.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction; that is one of the physical laws of our universe. This means that the momentum of a rifle's reaction will exactly equal the momentum of the bullet and powder gasses ejected from the barrel. In the shooting sports we call that reaction recoil or "kick." It can be measured or computed empirically, and has been for this recoil table.

But perceived recoil, what the shooter feels, is a highly subjective matter. It is influenced by many factors. One of the most important of these is the fit and shape of the rifle stock. A good recoil pad can help soften the blow to the shooter's shoulder. Gas-operated semi-automatic actions reduce apparent recoil by spreading it over a longer period of time. These sorts of things cannot be accounted for in a recoil table. Also, please understand that there are dozens of loads for any given bullet weight in any cartridge that will produce the same velocity, but a different amount of recoil. So the figures in any recoil table should be taken as approximate. Never-the-less, the table below should give a reasonably accurate comparison of the recoil of most popular rifle cartridges.

It is worth remembering that the majority of authorities agree that recoil of over twenty foot pounds will cause most shooters to develop a serous flinch, which is ruinous to bullet placement (the prime component of killing power). Fifteen foot pounds is probably about the maximum recoil energy most shooters feel reasonably comfortable with, particularly at the shooting range, where most serious marksmanship practice occurs.

While recoil energy determines how hard the blow to the shoulder feels, recoil velocity determines how abrupt the blow to the shoulder feels. My subjective impression is that, with a well designed stock, recoil velocity above about 10 fps begins to feel like a sharp rap on the shoulder rather than an abrupt push.

I estimate that fifteen foot pounds of free recoil energy and 10 fps of recoil velocity represent the approximate upper limit of the comfort level. Above that recoil becomes increasingly intrusive. Also, the effects of recoil are cumulative. The longer you shoot, and the harder the rifle kicks, the more likely you are to flinch. These are good things to remember when comparing rifle cartridges, and at the range.

In the table below rifle weight is given in pounds, free recoil energy is given in foot pounds, and free recoil velocity is given in feet-per-second. All recoil values have been rounded off to one decimal place.

The recoil energy and recoil velocity figures are taken from various sources including the recoil nomograph in the Handloader's Digest 8th Edition, various online recoil calculators, the Remington Shoot! program or calculated from the formula given in the Lyman Reloading Handbook, 43rd Edition.


Cartridge (Wb@MV) Rifle Weight Recoil energy Recoil velocity
.17 HMR (17 at 2550) 7.5 0.2 n/a
.204 Ruger (33 at 4225) 8.5 2.6 4.4
.22 LR (40 at 1165) 4.0 0.2 n/a
.22 WMR (40 at 1910) 6.75 0.4 n/a
.22 Hornet (45 at 2800) 7.5 1.3 3.3
.222 Rem. (50 at 3200) 7.5 3.0 5.1
.223 Rem. (55 at 3200) 8.0 3.2 5.1
.223 Rem. (62 at 3025) 7.0 3.9 6.0
.22-250 Rem. (55 at 3600) 8.5 4.7 6.0
.220 Swift (55 at 3800) 8.5 5.3 6.4
.223 WSSM (55 at 3850) 7.5 6.4 7.4
.243 Win. (75 at 3400) 8.5 7.2 7.4
.243 Win. (100 at 2960) 7.5 8.8 8.7
6mm Rem. (100 at 3100) 8.0 10.0 9.0
.243 WSSM (100 at 3100) 7.5 10.1 9.3
.240 Wby. Mag. (100 at 3406) 8.0 17.9 n/a
.25-35 Win. (117 at 2230) 6.5 7.0 8.3
.250 Savage (100 at 2900) 7.5 7.8 8.2
.257 Roberts (120 at 2800) 8.0 10.7 9.3
.25 WSSM (120 at 2990) 7.25 13.8 11.1
.25-06 Rem. (120 at 3000) 8.0 12.5 10.0
.257 Wby. Mag. (120 at 3300) 9.25 15.1 10.3
6.5x55 Swede (140 at 2650) 9.0 10.6 8.7
.260 Rem. (120 at 2860) 7.5 13.0 10.6
6.5mm-284 Norma (140 at 2920) 8.0 14.7 10.9
6.5mm Rem. Mag. (120 at 3100) 8.0 13.1 10.3
6.5x68 S (140 at 2990) 8.5 16.8 11.3
.264 Win. Mag. (140 at 3200) 8.5 19.2 12.1
6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 at 2625) 7.5 8.0 8.3
.270 Win. (130 at 3140) 8.0 16.5 n/a
.270 Win. (150 at 2900) 8.0 17.0 11.7
.270 WSM (150 at 3000) 8.0 18.9 12.3
.270 Wby. Mag. (150 at 3000) 9.25 17.8 11.1
7x57 Mauser (139 at 2800) 8.0 14.0 10.6
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860) 8.0 12.6 10.1
7x64 (154 at 2850) 8.0 17.9 n/a
.280 Rem. (140 at 3000) 8.0 17.2 11.8
7mm Rem. SAUM (160 at 2931) 8.0 21.5 13.2
7mm WSM (160 at 3000) 8.0 21.9 13.3
7mm Rem. Mag. (150 at 3100) 8.5 19.2 12.1
7mm Wby. Mag. (140 at 3300) 9.25 19.5 11.7
7mm STW (160 at 3185) 8.5 27.9 14.6
7mm Ultra Mag. (160 at 3200) 8.5 29.4 n/a
.30 Carbine (110 at 1990) 7.0 3.5 5.7
.30-30 Win. (150 at 2400) 7.5 10.6 9.5
.30-30 Win. (170 at 2200) 7.5 11.0 9.7
.300 Sav. (150 at 2630) 7.5 14.8 n/a
.307 Win. (150 at 2600)<

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 06:25
Good info Wes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 16:09
good info, i would add that from what ive been experimenting with lately, that if i wear my custom fit ear plugs and a set of ear muffs over that i shoot better. i dont know if im alone in that finding, but it seems to me that the more noise you eliminate the better the results.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 16:14
Interesting... the .458 Lott has a higher recoil value than the .50BMG.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Longhunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 17:27
+1 pyro6999. 
 
We always double-up on hearing protection at the rifle and pistol ranges.  It helps in a lot of ways. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 17:37
ive been thinking and i have come to the conclusion that recoil is not only felt in the shoulder, but also in the face, infact one member here who i wont name (tahqua) had the idea to stuff cotton balls in his nose to help eliminate noise from entering his nasal passages as well. recoil effects people in many ways as we all know.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 17:44
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Interesting... the .458 Lott has a higher recoil value than the .50BMG.  
 
 Look at the comparative rifle weights. 10 pounds vs. 30 pounds.
 
A ten pound BMG would flat out kill you.
 


Edited by RONK - July/31/2009 at 17:45
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 17:46
Originally posted by RONK RONK wrote:

Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Interesting... the .458 Lott has a higher recoil value than the .50BMG.  
 
 Look at the comparative rifle weights. 10 pounds vs. 30 pounds.
 
A ten pound BMG would flat out kill you.
 

it would be like shooting a 7lb 16.5" barreled .460wbyBucky
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 300S&W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 17:52
  Anyone else ever use this?:
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 17:56
i do
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 17:59
I was surprised to learn some time back that a heavier projectile, even in a heavier rifle with a lower fps will often kick harder (such as the 180gr vs. the 150gr .308 Win examples). But for some reason, the surplus 147gr FMJs that I shoot sometimes feel worse than the max. loaded 165 gr. Accubond/Varget rounds that are more or less my standard round these days. Velocities on the 147gr. rounds were avg. 2690 vs. avg. 2645 for the 165s. I wouldn't expect 45 fps to make such a difference, esp. given the lighter weight bullet.

Edited by jonoMT - July/31/2009 at 18:00
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 18:24
Thanks Earl for that link, I'll use.
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My system is, after touching one off at the range, if I can't remember my name Ouch than I move down a notch and so on and so on.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SamC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 20:53
That's my recoil tableClown
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JF4545 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 21:04

Ive used that one also Sam, not at a range though. I used it with a 300 Weatherby Mag. about 25 Years ago, then for some reason I stoppedGet Your Popcorn Ready

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/31/2009 at 21:27
Originally posted by pyro6999 pyro6999 wrote:

Originally posted by RONK RONK wrote:

Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:

Interesting... the .458 Lott has a higher recoil value than the .50BMG.  
 
 Look at the comparative rifle weights. 10 pounds vs. 30 pounds.
 
A ten pound BMG would flat out kill you.
 

it would be like shooting a 7lb 16.5" barreled .460wbyBucky
Mine with scope and bipod weighs 18lb.  I can hardly wait...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/01/2009 at 00:07
I distinctly remember the steel butplate of a 30-30 Win model 94 being quite a bit more painful than my bolt action 30-06 with its nice recoil pad so there are other factors at play.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/01/2009 at 09:28
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

I was surprised to learn some time back that a heavier projectile, even in a heavier rifle with a lower fps will often kick harder (such as the 180gr vs. the 150gr .308 Win examples). But for some reason, the surplus 147gr FMJs that I shoot sometimes feel worse than the max. loaded 165 gr. Accubond/Varget rounds that are more or less my standard round these days. Velocities on the 147gr. rounds were avg. 2690 vs. avg. 2645 for the 165s. I wouldn't expect 45 fps to make such a difference, esp. given the lighter weight bullet.
its the difference between recoil in ft/lbs and recoil velocity ft/sec, or the time frame over which the recoil is spread, if the recoil was in ft/lbs/sec the figures would be different.
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