Felt Recoil

[LC Tikka]

Anyone know how to measure the recoil that acts on the rifle before it strikes your shoulder.
Just in a practical sense, not too scientific.
LC

 

[The boogalorian]

https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/07/07/muzzle-brakes-recoil-results-for-6mm-6-5mm/

Not sure if that will help or not.

 

[XTR]

You can always try JBM’s calculator

 

[skeeljc]

Anyone know how to measure the recoil that acts on the rifle before it strikes your shoulder.
Just in a practical sense, not too scientific.
LC

Just look at the muzzle energy for the round. Then you have to factor in the mass of the rifle. Lastly you have to factor in how tight (think shoulder pressure) you are holding the rifle. That is the practical sense. Putting numbers to it is scientific.

 

[std7mag]

While there are mathematical equations to figure out actual recoil, felt recoil is perceived differently.
Factors affecting it would include the shape of the stock and the recoil pad.

 

[coldboreshot]

While there are mathematical equations to figure out actual recoil, felt recoil is perceived differently.
Factors affecting it would include the shape of the stock and the recoil pad.

And the shape of the individual behind the rifle.

 

[dcali]

The simplest way is to use a recoil calculator: https://bisonballistics.com/calculators/recoil

But they're approximate, since it takes only a simple big picture view. *Felt* recoil isn't simple, but it doesn't diverge too much from what a calculator will tell you.

 

[Immike]

I had a 300RUM that was beating me up. The Cabala 1/2” thick shoulder pad worked well until hot weather forced me try something else. By laying my thumb on the back of the wrist I was able to shoot in just a T-shirt without any effort or bruises. Being consistent with the pressure is important for best results.

 

[std7mag]

The simplest way is to use a recoil calculator: https://bisonballistics.com/calculators/recoil

But they're approximate, since it takes only a simple big picture view. *Felt* recoil isn't simple, but it doesn't diverge too much from what a calculator will tell you.

I'll agree to disagree...

My Stevens 200 has been re-barreled with a 24" Savage sporter contour chambered in 250 Savage.
While the 250 Savage isn't known as a hard recoiling cartridge, this one feels almost like a 30-06.

 

[dcali]

I'll agree to disagree...

My Stevens 200 has been re-barreled with a 24" Savage sporter contour chambered in 250 Savage.
While the 250 Savage isn't known as a hard recoiling cartridge, this one feels almost like a 30-06.

What is the difference in recoil energy between the two?

 

[Ranger188]

What or why do you need this info. (injury or just comparing)
There are so many variables.
You can shoot your rifle prone and get the full affect and then when you place it
in a front rest and rear bag and it feels completely different.
Somewhere I've seen someone build a recoil sled.
And it measured how far the rifle moved.

 

[JASmith]

The posters who point that felt recoil depends on stock shape, how the rifle is held, and so on are right on he money!

For example, the rifle takes less then a tenth of an inch to accelerate to its full velocity. If one doesn’t hold the rifle properly, the result is more like a mule’s kick than a shove.

There is a calculator that provides this information plus the equivalent height the rifle would need to fall to get the free recoil velocity. It is easy to see why shoulders get bruised!

Try it and see: http://shootersnotes.com/managing-recoil/recoil/

 

[Drop Port]

A lot of good points, stock design, shooting position, rifle weight, bullet powder combo. I have some boomers that are a big push with some combos of slower powders and other powder combos will bring a tears to your eyes. I load develop the hateful ones from a 4-1/2 foot tall stand up bench and roll with it. I don't like recoil and admit it. Often use a shoulder sissy pad if I have to shoot heavy recoil from the bench.

 

[MikeT49]

A big part of perceived recoil is in the mind. If you are all tensed up and expect to get thumped you will. On the other hand if you are not all tensed up and not concerned about getting thumped, your body seems to absorb the recoil better with much less perception of getting thumped. This is why when you shoot at an elk, deer etc, you don't even notice the recoil. I hate sighting in 3 1/2" 12 ga turkey loads. However, when I shoot a tom, it's like shooting a bb gun.

 

[LC Tikka]

Thanks all, as said felt recoil is mostly about the rifle and your part. For me field shooting is painless compared to the bench. Measuring the recoil in some way helps understand and to reduce it.
LC
This site shows brake testing on a rig.
http://muzzlebrakes.co.nz/product-reviews-videos/

 

[Leo Smith]

Don't shoot a Henry 45-70 All Weather Repeater if you don't like recoil..Kicks like the proverbial Mule and a half. Limb saver required... But fun as hell.

 

[Drop Port]

My biggest problem with recoil was always shooting a lot of small cartridges all summer for g-hog's. Toward hunting season the 30's, 338's, 375 etc come out and I always try to remind myself not to hold it the same as the varmint guns. On the occasion I forgot and they remind you.

 

[MikeT49]

Don't shoot a Henry 45-70 All Weather Repeater if you don't like recoil..Kicks like the proverbial Mule and a half. Limb saver required... But fun as hell.

Not even close to the recoil energy of 3 1/2" 12 ga turkey loads. A 985 gr load (2 oz) @ 1250 fps yields 77 ft lb of recoil energy. The 45-70 with a 405 gr load @ 1750 yields 31.60 ft lbs. This assuming 8# firearms. For comparison, a 30-06 shooting a 180 gr @ 2700 yields 17.82 ft lbs. This data is from one published table. Other tables show similar results.

 

[Hohn]

Just look at the muzzle energy for the round. Then you have to factor in the mass of the rifle. Lastly you have to factor in how tight (think shoulder pressure) you are holding the rifle. That is the practical sense. Putting numbers to it is scientific.

Recoil is proportional to momentum (which is conserved), not energy (which is not conserved here).
MV1=MV2.

 

[butchlambert]

Don't shoot a Henry 45-70 All Weather Repeater if you don't like recoil..Kicks like the proverbial Mule and a half. Limb saver required... But fun as hell.

My 11yr old and small Great Grand Daughter shoots her Dad's Henry 45-70. Many years ago I built a real LW 243 for a young Grandson and installed a brake. Found out that recoil wasn't the problem, just the muzzle blast from the brake.