[joseph.pavelchak]

On a different forum, i asked this simple question but got two different answers from several people. Am sure the answer has already been posted somewhere but not sure where to look. I asked: Having two different bullet weights, with all other params being the same, would the higher weight bullet round generate a higher recoil than a lighter weight bullet. Some said yes and some said the lighter would generate more recoil. What is the real answer? Since the lighter bullet, all other params being the same, will travel at a higher velocity, and since velocity contributes more to energy output than bullet mass, it would seam that the lighter bullet would generate more recoil because of higher energy output. But that may be totally wrong so that is why i was asking. Thanks in advance for any comments. Have a great and safe day.

 

[WVSurveyor]

I would have to look it up, but my gut instinct tells me if both are loaded with the same amount of powder, and discharged from the same weapon, the bang would be the same and the recoil would be the same. The higher velocity would be due to the same amount of force pushing a lighter object. Maybe I'm completely wrong but that's my knee jerk reaction.

 

[Bob]

The higher weight bullet would generate more recoil if everything is kept the same except for the bullet weight. Take a 45/70 rifle and load it with a 350 gr. bullet and fire it. then use a 405 gr. bullet with both using 42 gr. of 4198 powder. You will feel the difference real quick.

 

[joseph.pavelchak]

The higher weight bullet would generate more recoil if everything is kept the same except for the bullet weight. Take a 45/70 rifle and load it with a 350 gr. bullet and fire it. then use a 405 gr. bullet with both using 42 gr. of 4198 powder. You will feel the difference real quick.

Hello Sir, I don't have a rifle so i can't try your experiment but will take your comment as being valid. So with your setup, the lighter bullet, would it not have a greater muzzle velocity and then a greater energy output? Just for my better understanding, what would the two velocities be of the two bullets you described?

 

[sparkyv]

I used the recoil calculator by Major Rob Robinette v3.9 Gun Recoil

In my BHP in 40S&W using 10gr Blue Dot under a
200gr projectile results in 694 ft•lb of muzzle energy and a recoil energy of 13 ft•lb
165gr projectile results in 572 ft•lb of muzzle energy and a recoil energy of 9 ft•lb

 

[joseph.pavelchak]

I used the recoil calculator by Major Rob Robinette v3.9 Gun Recoil

In my BHP in 40S&W using 10gr Blue Dot under a
200gr projectile results in 694 ft•lb of muzzle energy and a recoil energy of 13 ft•lb
165gr projectile results in 572 ft•lb of muzzle energy and a recoil energy of 9 ft•lb

Wow, this is very interesting to know. I learned something new. It appears that the lower weight bullet, which would have had a much higher muzzle velocity, actually had a lower muzzle energy. By any chance, what were the muzzle velocities of the rounds based on their ballistics data sheet? Thank you.

 

[Elderberry]

 

[Voltaire]

The lighter projectile will travel faster and have felt less recoil.

 

[joseph.pavelchak]

The lighter projectile will travel faster and have felt less recoil.

Thank you Sir. I now have a direct answer. A faster bullet, a higher muzzle energy, generates less felt recoil. That is great news for my latest purchase of the +P 68 Gr rounds - - should be much less recoil.
Have a great day Sir.

 

[Voltaire]

Not Sir, Mam. All good.

 

[hodge5]

For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction. All factors the same, there would be more recoil from propelling a heavier projectile.

 

[WVSurveyor]

After reading the above posts and doing a little research here was a simple explanation I found for why heavier bullets produce more recoil.

Whereas the recoil from a heavier bullet feels different and actually comes from a different source. The expanding gases behind the bullet as it travels down the barrel has to work much harder than they would for a lighter bullet. This causes a more noticeable felt force because the gases are pushing back harder on the firearm.

 

[hodge5]

After reading the above posts and doing a little research here was a simple explanation I found for why heavier bullets produce more recoil.

Whereas the recoil from a heavier bullet feels different and actually comes from a different source. The expanding gases behind the bullet as it travels down the barrel has to work much harder than they would for a lighter bullet. This causes a more noticeable felt force because the gases are pushing back harder on the firearm.

It's a law of physics.

 

[WVSurveyor]

It's a law of physics.

Yes it is. I've just always preferred explanations that were simple and succinct.

 

[Terminalballistics93]

I would have to look it up, but my gut instinct tells me if both are loaded with the same amount of powder, and discharged from the same weapon, the bang would be the same and the recoil would be the same. The higher velocity would be due to the same amount of force pushing a lighter object. Maybe I'm completely wrong but that's my knee jerk reaction.

The heavier bullet generates more recoil. That being said it also ejects and feeds better in most guns from the increased inertia of the slide cycling. Some of my 9mm pistols don't run well with 115 gr but with 124gr and up never a malfunction. The simple answer is the heavier bullet remains in the barrel slightly longer so the gas takes longer to escape thereby giving the slide more pressure to cycle.

 

[Voltaire]

The heavier bullet generates more recoil. That being said it also ejects and feeds better in most guns from the increased inertia of the slide cycling. Some of my 9mm pistols don't run well with 115 gr but with 124gr and up never a malfunction. The simple answer is the heavier bullet remains in the barrel slightly longer so the gas takes longer to escape thereby giving the slide more pressure to cycle.

Then change out the recoil spring and that soles the problem. All 9mm run better with lighter projectiles if recoil spring has been reduced by 2-3 lbs. For say 16 - 13 is great.

 

[joseph.pavelchak]

The heavier bullet generates more recoil. That being said it also ejects and feeds better in most guns from the increased inertia of the slide cycling. Some of my 9mm pistols don't run well with 115 gr but with 124gr and up never a malfunction. The simple answer is the heavier bullet remains in the barrel slightly longer so the gas takes longer to escape thereby giving the slide more pressure to cycle.

Hello Sir. Thank you for the good info. So, am i going to run into major feeding problems using the Underwood +P 68 Gr in my Hellcat OSP? Also, just so i fully understand: Perceived recoil is then not related to muzzle energy? Is that correct?

 

[Terminalballistics93]

Then change out the recoil spring and that soles the problem. All 9mm run better with lighter projectiles if recoil spring has been reduced by 2-3 lbs. For say 16 - 13 is great.

Hello Sir. Thank you for the good info. So, am i going to run into major feeding problems using the Underwood +P 68 Gr in my Hellcat OSP? Also, just so i fully understand: Perceived recoil is then not related to muzzle energy? Is that correct?

 

[Terminalballistics93]

With the plus p I don't think you'll have a problem even with the lighter bullet. That's a higher chamber pressure load. I didn't look at the ballistics but velocity should be zipping. As Voltaire said you can install a lighter recoil spring. That's a quick and inexpensive fix. You can then alternate the springs if you decide to try heavier bullet wt. For me the tinkering is part of the fun

 

[Voltaire]

Most, if not all pistols manufactured and sold in past say 20 years will work perfectly using +P loads. Check with the manufacturer before doing so. LOL. I have shot +P in Glock, Beretta, M&P and several others, never an issue.
Also if you want to actually see what a pistols recoil is stand in front target, hold firearm in ONE hand, your weak hand and watch the rise of the pistol as you shoot. Film that and examine. Then change back to the pistols original heavy recoil spring. WOW. There is a difference.