

In other words, powder charges were chosen to reflect typical cartridges that would shoot a given weight at a given velocity. In the chart below, the rifle weight is assumed to be 10 pounds, and the charge weights are reasonable assumptions given the velocity and bullet weight. Your numbers may not fall on the lines exactly, but the trends are useful nonetheless. To help guide you, we've prepared a chart that will show approximately how much recoil energy you can expect from a particular velocity and bullet weight. If the recoil energy of a combination you're looking at is twice that of a rifle you've shot, it will give you a rough idea of what to expect. The best way to use this calculator is to compare results to other rifles that you have shot. The shooter's hold and position also have a huge impact on the perception of recoil. Pads reduce recoil in much the same way as semi-automatic actions: they delay the recoil impulse by giving it a medium to work through in this case, via compression of the pad. There is also the matter that people don't all perceive recoil the same way, so energy may or may not reflect how comfortable a rifle is to shoot by any given person. Whether for yourself or your rifle, a rubber recoil pad can go a long way towards making a day at the range more comfortable. However, it does not take into account how quickly that energy is dumped into your shoulder, which adds a little complexity. Certainly enough to use as a rough gage of how heavily your rifle will kick. The recoil calculation is fairly accurate.

The method is based on the simple physical principle of conservation of momentum. This calculator uses the method recommended by the Small Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI). About the Recoil Calculator How does it work?
