Noticeable recoil difference using lighter wt bullets

[ptf18]

I've got a 40X in .308 that I might try using in NRA XTC events. Have a real good for for it BUT I would like to make up some "practicing" ammo that would be more....recoil friendly...and a bit cheaper to produce.

Question is... would I really notice a reduction in recoil simply by going to a lighter weight bullet? I think the math would say there would be a reduction in recoil BUT would I really notice it. Maybe also need a reduction in velocity being that I'm only "practicing" at 100 yards.

Thanks

 

[Oso]

Yes… the larger the weight change the more noticeable. However, if you drop the bullet weight but then increase powder charge then you’ll negate some of the recoil reduction.

Easy & fun range test: use same powder charge on your heavy bullet and then load up a 125gr bullets and see what you find.

Another thing that will effect recoil is the material that bullet is made from. For the same weight bullet a solid copper bullet will have more recoil then a cup core bullet. The copper bullet does not squeeze/deform as easily a copper jacketed lead core bullet. The solid copper bullet has tighter fit creating more barrel friction resulting in increased recoil.

 

[Orr89rocz]

It does. Even with fairly hot loads. 300 gr vs 400 gr in my 458 win mag, despite the 300’s being 200-250 fps faster its a big difference to me.

Play around with the recoil calculators. They can give an idea what to expect

 

[ptf18]

Gentleman.. Thank you. I'll give the calculator a try (back to math) and also some 125ish grain bullets.

 

[Oso]

Gentleman.. Thank you. I'll give the calculator a try (back to math) and also some 125ish grain bullets.

125gr SMK is nice an accurate.

 

[DShortt]

I would it also matters what the weight of the entire rifle is.
The lighter the rifle, the more felt recoil irregardless of the loads used.

 

[64Rambler]

Basic physics; F=ma

 

[sneakboxer]

The 125 Speer TNT bullets work great for CMP wood guns at 200. That's with a 30-06 and light loads of h4895. I would think something similar would be fine in your 308.

 

[NDSU]

I had a friend get interested in long range shooting. Everyone on the internet told him he needed a 300 win mag. I advised him to start with a 308. So he dropped some big coin on a 300 but was bothered with the recoil. I loaded up some 125gr Nosler BTs with H4895 for him. He loved them! His 100 yard bullet holes started touching each other and he could concentrate on his trigger control and breathing instead of bracing for recoil.

 

[Oso]

The 125 Speer TNT bullets work great for CMP wood guns at 200. That's with a 30-06 and light loads of h4895. I would think something similar would be fine in your 308.

I shoot a lot of 125gr TNT’s out of AR15 as plinking loads for 300BO and 300HAM’R. They have good accuracy at a great price.

Another option is 110gr VMax.