Recoil dynamics

[MariamOOD]

https://oodmag.com/recoil-dynamics/

Firearm recoil can be painful and alarming. So, what causes it, why do people dread it and, what can be done about it?

[Gun Nut]

https://oodmag.com/recoil-dynamics/

Firearm recoil can be painful and alarming. So, what causes it, why do people dread it and, what can be done about it?

Newton's third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The more force/energy you produce with your projectile leaving your gun, the more the recoil force in the oppsite direction against your shoulder. You can reduce the recoil by reducing the energy your load produces. I once used for a slug load the same powder charge I used for my duck loads, the slug gun being much lighter than my duck gun delivered quite a kick. My solution to reduce the recoil was to reduce my powder charge by 3 grains. I found it didn’t really matter if the slug was travelling 1000 fps instead of 1200 fps it killed just as effectively and was much easier on the shoulder. Same with rifles the more energy the bullet develops the greater the recoil. In most hunting situation you are probably shooting at most 100 yards, while the energy in most ammunition has killing effectiveness out to two or three hundred yards. For all that extra energy you probably will never need, your shoulder gets to enjoy a lot more recoil.

You don’t stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut