biggest caliber with the lightest recoil

[nowarningshot]

Kinetic energy or momentum is conserved? When the rifle is fired, how fast it impacts your shoulder can be calculated because before and after momentum is conserved.

Total momentum before = total momentum after

Momentum = mass x velocity

(Rifle momentum + bullet momentum) BEFORE = (rifle momentum + bullet momentum) AFTER

(6kg x 0) + (50g x 0) = (6kg x v) + (50g x 1100 m/s)

0 = (6000g x v) + (50g x 1100 m/s)

- 50 x 1100 = 6000v

v = - 50 x 1100 / 6000 = - 9.17 m/s, rifle speed when it recoils (negative because opposite in direction to the bullet)

There will be no math. Grandfather's weren't born when I was in high school.

 

[Dr. Gonzo]

Kinetic energy or momentum is conserved? When the rifle is fired, how fast it impacts your shoulder can be calculated because before and after momentum is conserved.

Total momentum before = total momentum after

Momentum = mass x velocity

(Rifle momentum + bullet momentum) BEFORE = (rifle momentum + bullet momentum) AFTER

(6kg x 0) + (50g x 0) = (6kg x v) + (50g x 1100 m/s)

0 = (6000g x v) + (50g x 1100 m/s)

- 50 x 1100 = 6000v

v = - 50 x 1100 / 6000 = - 9.17 m/s, rifle speed when it recoils (negative because opposite in direction to the bullet)

This is true, but it's a simplification. When I get home tonight I'll post up a rigorous recoil calculation, including the effect of muzzle blast, rifle acceleration and other effects.

 

[Slamfire]

Cool. Rigor is good. But as my math professor said, not to the extent that rigor mortis sets in.

 

[flashman2]

This is true, but it's a simplification. When I get home tonight I'll post up a rigorous recoil calculation, including the effect of muzzle blast, rifle acceleration and other effects.

I think the main takeaway is that firing a .50 BMG weight bullet at speeds faster than a .22-250 out of a 13 lb rifle is gonna sting.

 

[mikeystew]

I really enjoyed shooting my hot loaded 444 marlin. It's about the biggest caliber I've owned but I found it extremely pleasant to shoot.

 

[A-zone]

Biggest caliber with least recoil? Can't beat a dropping boulder.

(I'd still go with a .375 H&H or a .404 Jeffrey for portability's sake.)

 

[Slamfire]

Simplified calculation for practicality purposes gives you an idea how fast your rifle will slam into your shoulder -

30-06, 8.5 lb rifle/scope, 180gr at 2700 fps: 180gr x 2700 fps / (8.5 lbs x 7000 grains per lb) = 8.2 fps

375 H&H, 9 lb rifle/scope, 270gr at 2700 fps: 270 x 2700 / (9 x 7000) = 11.6 fps

 

[SuperCub]

Biggest caliber with least recoil? Can't beat a dropping boulder.

(I'd still go with a .375 H&H or a .404 Jeffrey for portability's sake.)

Thanks for that link.

I just spent a 1/2 hr watching old cartoons on youtube including reading a complete history of the BB/RR Hour on Wiki.

Good times!

 

[-Savage-]

Biggest caliber with least recoil? ...

.44-40 WCF

0.425" diameter, 200 grain bullet .. leaving the barrel of a Winchester 1892 rifle at around 1200 ft/sec velocity
with only 3.5 ft-lbs recoil energy ... (about the same as a .223 rem)

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

It all be up to folks "comfort level" with their rifle. Takes a bit of load development, but results can be more than adequate when tossing cast lead.

 

[hoytcanon]

Biggest caliber with least recoil? ...

.44-40 WCF

0.425" diameter, 200 grain bullet...

That is a good choice and in keeping with the question of the thread.

 

[Mumbles Marble Mouth]

6.5x55 Swedish. The 140gr rounds has less recoil than a 140gr .270win. Can be used to hunt all the same game to just about the same effectiveness.

 

[WhelanLad]

Of Course, the 7mm-08 Remington Cartridge, is the best with min Recoil!

 

[Mad-Dog]

The OP is getting lots of interesting advice. The .38-55 Winchester not only meets the criteria, but it is commercially available. Always a personal favourite. Some of the others are strictly hand-loading propositions.

 

[PEKS]

Of Course, the 7mm-08 Remington Cartridge, is the best with min Recoil!

Good call, nice hunting cartridge & can shoot that 7-08 all day long

 

[ratherbefishin]

The 6.5x55 swede has nearly the same ballistics as a 270 after 100 yards,but with less recoil.Apart from ballistics its actually more effective due to its higher SD

 

[nowarningshot]

The 6.5x55 swede has nearly the same ballistics as a 270 after 100 yards,but with less recoil.Apart from ballistics its actually more effective due to its higher SD

Don't think the thread is about small bores/quarter bores.

Take either for a walk up a watercourse, with a open can of sardines in your pocket, in Ft Nelson.

 

[hoytcanon]

Don't think the thread is about small bores/quarter bores.

Take either for a walk up a watercourse, with a open can of sardines in your pocket, in Ft Nelson.

Yeah... I don't get all the talk about .243, 7-08, .300 BLK etc... doesn't apply to this conversation... the .45/70 is probably the best answer, but any of the big bores can be loaded down.

 

[PEKS]

Believe the question was "from your years of experience, what is the biggest cartridge/bullet weight you've shot that has a surprisingly light recoil?"
Not asking specifically about the Large Bores, but the biggest cartridge with the less coil, that's the way I read it, anyways
50 cal Muzzleloader with 110 grains BH209 Powder is a good fit, lots of bullet, mild recoil

 

[Mr. Friendly]

the thread was about biggest bullet with lightest recoil...that could, theoretically, fit into most bullet sizes/weight's. as I mentioned, I wanted user opinion to see if there was a consensus or trend that came out of the comments made.

the two cartridges I've taken away from the comments so far are the 9.3x62 and the 7mm-08.

interests me as according to Chuck Hawk's recoil table, the 9.3x62 generates anywhere from 33lbs - 36lbs of recoil, which is about 3x that of the 7mm-08. if some can call the 9.3x62 a pussy cat, there seems to be a missing factor that can help understand the recoil of different cartridges.

I found the .308 to have a harsher kick in my brothers 88 than my 30.06 in my Marlin XL7. yet the .45-70 wasn't bothersome at all.