Big and Slow Vs Small and Fast

ckc123

ckc123

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I've just started reloading (mostly for IPSC) and I'm curious on the decisions people have made between the larger, and slower loads, vs the lighter and faster..

Now assuming I have a specific power factor in mind.. (say 133),

what would be the advantage of using 180 Grains (with a lower FPS) vs a 165 at a higher FPS..

(Now I shoot production so I can't change the springs..)

from doing some reading, the "snappyness" of the recoils would be different (Eg the ability to get back on target faster) but what else?????

Thanks..
 
Since energy = mass X velocity squared, the bullet energy will be a function of proportionately altering these 2 factors. I think that "felt recoil" is a function of the energy needed to accellerate the bullet to the required velocity for the desired energy value. With acceleration being a linear relationship, ( of: change in velocity/time, with time being almost a constant due to the defined barrel length) the geometric variable (velocity) in the energy equasion should be the critical component.

This theory would suggest that the lighter bullet, requiring the more rapid acceleration to the hight velocity in order to achieve the required energy level, should produce the greater felt recoil.

If this is true the lighter bullet will require more "target re-aquisition" effort, and the higher felt recoil will probably produce more flinch-response to deal with.
 
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Your barrel has a rate of rifleing twist and personality quirks that will make it shoot one wieght of bullet better then another. Figure out what that bullet weight is for the particular gun and if feeding and sight range are OK with it to then the gun has made the decision and all you have to do is feed it. (this is why I get along with my wife).

I am not certain but I think maybe recoil energy is a function of powder mass. The mass of powder oxidizing right quick is what pushes the bullet forward and the firearm back.
 
In my experience there are loads for certain powder, bullet, gun, for IPSC that are sweeter than others. That being said nothing in that sport substitutes for practice. I have tried 12 different powders for 40 S&W and a miriad of bullets, still practice with 231 and 180 gr leads. Match ammo is 180 HAP with N 320 and a small rifle primer.
Best thing to do if you have interest is experiment with different weight/ powder/ length/primer loads. Gun mods can make or brake a load so if you are going to stay in production, get something that shoots good in your gun and shoot lots of it, till your arm wants to fall off. Good Luck.

Andy
 
Not sure how much difference it makes in a short barrel, but the slower moving bullet may still be in the barrel when the gun starts to recoil. ( causing high hits)

Then again I could be delusional.
 
.330Dakota said:
Not sure how much difference it makes in a short barrel, but the slower moving bullet may still be in the barrel when the gun starts to recoil. ( causing high hits)

Then again I could be delusional.
Click to expand...

No, not delusional...that is prettty much standard for larger revolers, unlike high velocity rifles..

I don't know enough about IPSC to tell you what is better, but I woudl imagine a lighter bullet woudl recoila little less., even if it is going faster..
 
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