How much recoil does it make?

[Leo_B]

I ran across this site while wandering this morning. I find it fun and interesting. YMWV

Firearms Recoil Calculator

Calculate the recoil for a rifle based on its weight and ammunition

bisonballistics.com

 

[PhilC]

I've been using this one a long time - https://shooterscalculator.com/

 

[SKWERLZ]

My 338-24.5ftlbs
7mm-10ftlbs.
My 6BRA-3.3ftlbs.

 

[Doom]

I ran across this site while wandering this morning. I find it fun and interesting. YMWV

Firearms Recoil Calculator

Calculate the recoil for a rifle based on its weight and ammunition

bisonballistics.com

He has a good calculation. But I will add that total free recoil is made up of two components One isdue to projectile acceleration and the other is due to the ejection of the gasses. The difference is significant to accuracy as one occurs as the bullet is still in the barrel and affects accuracy and the other occurs after the bullet has left the barrel.

There is one component of not covered in most calculators and that is torque recoil. This is twisting of the rifle due to the rifling imparting spin on the bullet. That twisting tends to make the rifle move away from the line of site.

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gun-Recoil-Formulae-2018-07-9.pdf

 

[nmkid]

My 338-24.5ftlbs
7mm-10ftlbs.
My 6BRA-3.3ftlbs.

Meh. Try a 45-70 Henry with the brass recoil butt plate!

 

[SKWERLZ]

Meh. Try a 45-70 Henry with the brass recoil butt plate!

Didn’t know this was a contest

 

[Jerry Wick]

Here's another calculator:

JBM - Calculations - Recoil

www.jbmballistics.com

 

[M-61]

I always found the stock had a lot to do with felt recoil. Where is the butt plate height- wise compared to the barrel.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Just used the calculator my 30TC 15.6#
My 338 wm 34.6
No wonder the TC is more fun to shoot, especially with the suppressor/brake.

 

[Orr89rocz]

I always found the stock had a lot to do with felt recoil. Where is the butt plate height wise compared to the barrel.

Recoil pad type too. I have a 458 win mag loaded down that fires a 300 gr at 2200, at 8 lbs. i have a 338 win mag that fires a 225 at 2850 in a 8.5 lb. By the calc above, the 338 has 4 more ft lbs recoil. But i find the 338 way more comfortable to shoot.

The 458 is in a bell carlson m40 stock and has a decelerator pad and the 338 is a factory bdl 700 and has a limbsaver.

 

[jackieschmidt]

It says my 330 Ackley Imp is 32 pounds.

The big brake and recoil pad helps a lot, but in all honesty, this thing is no fun to shoot.