Thread: Calculating recoil from muzzle energy and rifle weight?

There was an interesting article in Handloader magazine on using powder weight and bullet weight to reduce recoil,Its called ejecta weight and makes quite a effect on recoil.suppressors also add weight to gun mass.

Generally lower projectile weight = lower recoil.

the 130grn speer hp or the 125grn NBT are both solid preformers at reduced velocity...we used both in the 7.62x39mm for deer at bush ranges and wallabies as far as we could hit them.

you have two main options...light projectile and mid velocity or soft heave projectile and mild velocity
strange thing...the winchester 180grn powerpoint loads have LESS recoil than the same 150grn loads and they kill well,I couldnt get same projectiles so went with round nose hornady in 180 grn and had no complaints at all.good soft projectile that opened up fast.

you can basically turn your .308 into a 30/30 or 7.62x39mm preformance wise.....as long as you arent trying to stretch barrel you will be fine...suppressors make a huge difference for little people.

There’s a recoil calculator in quickload. Just need to know rifle weight and load details. Failing that projectile and muzzle velocity or muzzle energy should allow a pretty close estimate.

@MB There is probably someone on here that has already worked up a low recoil load for the caliber your shooting and maybe with luck for the same type of rifle.
Suggest providing those details and you would get some good starting points. I have a good one for .303

40g 2206h with 150g projectiles or better 30-30 projectiles if they will feed reliably in your gun ( wouldn’t in mine sadly)are my go to for my 10yr old,16in barrel and suppressed .308
Very similar recoil wise to my old 7.62x39

if its 30 cal a load with roberts 151 hollow points at around 1800 I hear work great

Gordons reloading tool shows recoil for each load.

Originally Posted by MB

Should be possible shouldn't it? Cant find an online calculator or formula. Any thoughts?

I should be able to figure it out on grt playing with the powder charge to match your velocity . Have you chronied said factory ammo ? I’d need velocity, projectile, weight of rifle and cartridge

Originally Posted by Kelton

I should be able to figure it out on grt playing with the powder charge to match your velocity . Have you chronied said factory ammo ? I’d need velocity, projectile, weight of rifle and cartridge

Just working off published data for factory rounds at the moment.

surprising to hear that, iv shot quite a few peacocks with them and it worked well so I am keen to give them a go on something bigger

If I can shoot to 200m with my 300blk it basically makes all my other rifles not necessary so id better be careful not to do that haha

Originally Posted by Bill999

surprising to hear that, iv shot quite a few peacocks with them and it worked well so I am keen to give them a go on something bigger

If I can shoot to 200m with my 300blk it basically makes all my other rifles not necessary so id better be careful not to do that haha

Yes, it also might mean that I don't need to buy another rifle! 732 ft.lb energy at 200 yards (Hornady data). Not the 1000 ft.lb that our American friends consider necessary for a clean kill and I wouldn't go chasing big reds or sambar with it, but for most other things...

Originally Posted by MB

Yes, it also might mean that I don't need to buy another rifle! 732 ft.lb energy at 200 yards (Hornady data). Not the 1000 ft.lb that our American friends consider necessary for a clean kill and I wouldn't go chasing big reds or sambar with it, but for most other things...

Hah ignore that mate and keep in mind what sub 22lr and put the bullet where it will break something important and things will go down fine

My 10-22 still kills more than anything else in my gun cabinet but 300blk is just easier



Subx done the business this week


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There is a formula in one of my old Lyman reloading manuals which works well. You may be able to find it online. If not, let me know and I can probably find and photograph it @MB