Gun Knowledge

Rifle Recoil

Cartridge (Wb@MV)	Rifle Weight	Recoil energy	Recoil velocity
.17 HMR (17 at 2550)	7.5	0.2	n/a
.17 Rem. (25 at 4000)	8.5	1.6	3.5
.204 Ruger (33 at 4225)	8.5	2.6	4.4
.218 Bee (45 at 2800)	8.5	1.3	3.1
.219 Wasp (55 at 3300)	8.5	3.2	4.9
.219 Zipper (55 at 3400)	8.5	3.4	5.1
.22 LR (40 at 1165)	4.0	0.2	n/a
.22 WMR (40 at 1910)	6.75	0.4	n/a
.22 Hornet (45 at 2800)	7.5	1.3	3.3
.22 PPC (52 at 3300)	8.5	3.0	4.8
.221 Fireball (50 at 3000)	8.5	1.8	3.7
.222 Rem. (50 at 3200)	7.5	3.0	5.1
.223 Rem. (45 at 3500)	8.5	2.6	4.5
.223 Rem. (55 at 3200)	8.0	3.2	5.1
.223 Rem. (62 at 3025)	7.0	3.9	6.0
.225 Win. (55 at 3700)	8.5	4.4	5.7
.224 Wby. Mag. (55 at 3700)	10.0	3.6	4.8
.22-250 Rem. (55 at 3600)	8.5	4.7	6.0
.22-250 Rem. (60 at 3500)	12.5	3.1	4.0
.220 Swift (50 at 3900)	10.5	3.7	4.8
.220 Swift (55 at 3800)	8.5	5.3	6.4
.223 WSSM (55 at 3850)	7.5	6.4	7.4
.224 TTH (80 at 3550)	7.5	10.2	9.4
5.6×50 Mag. (60 at 3300)	7.5	4.0	5.9
5.6x52R (70 at 2800)	7.5	3.7	5.7
5.6×57 RWS (60 at 3800)	7.5	6.9	7.7
6mm PPC (85 at 2800)	7.5	5.3	n/a
6mm BR Rem. (80 at 3100)	8.5	5.2	6.3
6mm-223 (75 at 2950)	7.5	4.6	n/a
6mm Norma BR (95 at 2914)	8.5	5.9	6.7
6mm Lee Navy (112 at 2650)	8.5	6.5	7.0
.243 Win. (75 at 3400)	8.5	7.2	7.4
.243 Win. (95 at 3100)	7.25	11.0	9.9
.243 Win. (100 at 2960)	7.5	8.8	8.7
6mm Rem. (100 at 3100)	8.0	10.0	9.0
.243 WSSM (100 at 3100)	7.5	10.1	9.3
6mm-284 (105 at 3000)	7.5	10.9	9.7
6mm-06 (105 at 3000)	8.0	10.2	9.1
.240 Wby. Mag. (100 at 3406)	8.0	17.9	n/a
.25-20 Win. (86 at 1460)	6.5	1.3	3.5
.256 Win. Mag. (75 at 2400)	7.5	2.4	4.5
.25-35 Win. (117 at 2230)	6.5	7.0	8.3
.250 Savage (100 at 2900)	7.5	7.8	8.2
.257 Roberts (100 at 3000)	7.5	9.3	8.9
.257 Roberts (120 at 2800)	8.0	10.7	9.3
.257 Rob. Imp. (115 at 2900)	8.0	10.8	9.3
.25 WSSM (120 at 2990)	7.25	13.8	11.1
.25-06 Rem. (100 at 3230)	8.0	11.0	9.4
.25-06 Rem. (120 at 3000)	8.0	12.5	10.0
.257 Wby. Mag. (100 at 3602)	9.25	15.8	10.5
.257 Wby. Mag. (115 at 3433)	9.25	17.7	11.1
.257 Wby. Mag. (120 at 3300)	9.25	15.1	10.3
6.5mm Grendel (120 at 2600)	7.5	8.9	8.8
6.5×50 Arisaka (140 at 2600)	8.0	10.0	n/a
6.5×52 M-C (140 at 2200)	8.0	7.8	n/a
6.5×54 M-S (140 at 2400)	7.5	11.1	9.7
6.5×55 Swede (129 at 2700)	8.0	12.5	10.0
6.5×55 Swede (140 at 2650)	9.0	10.6	8.7
.260 Rem. (120 at 2860)	7.5	13.0	10.6
.260 Rem. (140 at 2750)	8.25	11.9	9.7
6.5×57 (140 at 2700)	8.0	12.5	10.0
6.5mm-284 Norma (140 at 2920)	8.0	14.7	10.9
6.5mm Rem. Mag. (120 at 3100)	8.0	13.1	10.3
6.5mm Rem. Mag. (140 at 2900)	8.5	13.9	10.3
6.5×68 S (140 at 2990)	8.5	16.8	11.3
.264 Win. Mag. (140 at 3200)	8.5	19.2	12.1
6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 at 2625)	7.5	8.0	8.3
.270 Win. (130 at 3140)	8.0	16.5	n/a
.270 Win. (140 at 3000)	8.0	17.1	11.7
.270 Win. (150 at 2900)	8.0	17.0	11.7
.270 WSM (130 at 3275)	8.0	18.7	12.3
.270 WSM (150 at 3000)	8.0	18.9	12.3
.270 Wby. Mag. (130 at 3375)	9.0	21.0	12.3
.270 Wby. Mag. (150 at 3000)	9.25	17.8	11.1
7-30 Waters (120 at 2700)	7.0	10.0	9.6
7×57 Mauser (139 at 2700)	8.75	11.7	9.3
7×57 Mauser (145 at 2725)	8.5	13.0	9.9
7×57 Mauser (160 at 2600)	8.0	14.3	n/a
7×57 Mauser (175 at 2500)	8.0	15.5	11.2
7mm-08 Rem. (120 at 3000)	7.5	12.1	10.2
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860)	8.0	12.6	10.1
.284 Win (150 at 2860)	7.5	17.4	n/a
7×64 (154 at 2850)	8.0	17.9	n/a
7x65R (175 at 2600)	8.0	17.1	11.7
.280 Rem. (140 at 3000)	8.0	17.2	11.8
.280 Rem. (150 at 2900)	8.0	17.4	11.8
.280 Rem. (160 at 2800)	8.0	17.0	11.7
7×61 S&H Mag. (154 at 3000)	8.5	18.4	11.8
7mm Rem. SAUM (160 at 2931)	8.0	21.5	13.2
7mm WSM (140 at 3200)	8.0	20.7	12.9
7mm WSM (160 at 3000)	8.0	21.9	13.3
7mm Rem. Mag. (139 at 3100)	9.0	19.3	11.8
7mm Rem. Mag. (150 at 3100)	8.5	19.2	12.1
7mm Rem. Mag. (160 at 2950)	9.0	20.3	12.0
7mm Rem. Mag. (175 at 2870)	9.0	21.7	12.5
.275 H&H Mag. (160 at 3050)	8.5	19.5	12.2
7mm Wby. Mag. (140 at 3300)	9.25	19.5	11.7
7mm Wby. Mag. (160 at 3200)	9.0	25.6	13.5
7mm STW (160 at 3185)	8.5	27.9	14.6
7mm Ultra Mag. (140 at 3425)	8.5	25.3	n/a
7mm Ultra Mag. (160 at 3200)	8.5	29.4	n/a
.30 Carbine (110 at 1990)	7.0	3.5	5.7
.30 Rem. (170 at 2120)	7.5	9.8	9.2
.30-30 Win. (150 at 2400)	7.5	10.6	9.5
.30-30 Win. (160 at 2400)	7.5	12.7	10.5
.30-30 Win. (170 at 2200)	7.5	11.0	9.7
.30-40 Krag (180 at 2430)	8.0	16.6	n/a
.300 Sav. (150 at 2630)	7.5	14.8	n/a
.307 Win. (150 at 2600)	7.5	13.7	10.9
.308 Marlin Express (160 at 2660)	8.0	13.4	10.4
7.5×55 Swiss (150 at 2800)	9.0	12.9	9.6
.308 Win. (150 at 2800)	7.5	15.8	11.7
.308 Win. (165 at 2700)	7.5	18.1	12.5
.308 Win. (180 at 2610)	8.0	17.5	11.9
.30-06 Spfd. (150 at 2910)	8.0	17.6	11.9
.30-06 Spfd. (165 at 2900)	8.0	20.1	12.7
.30-06 Spfd. (180 at 2700)	8.0	20.3	12.8
.300 Rem. SAUM (180 at 2960)	8.25	23.5	13.6
.300 WSM (150 at 3300)	8.25	22.5	13.3
.300 WSM (180 at 2970)	7.25	27.1	15.5
.300 WSM (180 at 2970)	8.25	23.8	13.6
.308 Norma Mag. (180 at 3000)	8.5	25.9	14.0
.300 Win. Mag. (150 at 3320)	8.5	23.5	13.3
.300 Win. Mag. (165 at 3110)	8.0	26.2	14.5
.300 Win. Mag. (180 at 2960)	8.5	25.9	14.0
.300 H&H Mag. (180 at 2920)	8.5	23.1	13.2
.300 Dakota (180 at 3100)	8.5	28.3	14.7
.300 Wby. Mag. (150 at 3400)	9.25	24.6	13.1
.300 Wby. Mag. (180 at 3240)	9.0	31.6	15.0
.300 Ultra Mag. (180 at 3230)	8.5	32.8	15.8
.30-378 Wby. Mag. (180 at 3300)	9.75	42.6	16.8
7.62×39 Soviet (125 at 2350)	7.0	6.9	8.0
.303 Savage (170 at 2170)	7.5	10.3	9.4
7.65×53 Mauser (180 at 2500)	8.0	15.4	n/a
7.62x53R Finn (150 at 2800)	9.0	13.1	9.7
7.62x54R Russian (150 at 2800)	9.0	13.1	9.7
7.62x54R Russian (174 at 2600)	9.0	15.0	10.4
.303 British (150 at 2700)	7.5	14.2	11.0
.303 British (180 at 2420)	8.0	15.4	11.1
7.7×58 Jap (150 at 2700)	9.0	11.9	9.2
.32-20 Win. (100 at 1984)	6.5	3.3	n/a
.32 Spec. (170 at 2250)	7.0	12.2	10.6
8×56 M-S (170 at 2260)	8.0	12.4	10.0
8×57 Mauser (170 at 2400)	8.0	13.6	10.4
8x57JS Mauser (150 at 2900)	8.0	17.1	11.7
8x57JS Mauser (195 at 2500)	8.0	18.5	12.2
.325 WSM (180 at 3060)	7.5	33.1	16.9
.325 WSM (220 at 2840)	7.5	37.5	17.9
8x68S (150 at 3300)	8.5	25.3	13.9
8x68S (200 at 2950)	9.0	29.1	14.4
8mm Rem. Mag. (200 at 2900)	8.5	32.9	15.8
.33 Win. (200 at 2100)	8.0	13.9	10.6
.338-57 O’Connor (200 at 2400)	8.0	19.2	12.4
.338 Marlin Express (200 at 2400)	8.0	16.2	11.4
.338 Marlin Express (200 at 2600)	8.0	22.0	14.0
.338 Federal (200 at 2600)	7.0	22.2	14.3
.338 Federal (210 at 2630)	8.0	21.9	13.3
.338-06 A-Square (200 at 2800)	8.0	23.9	13.9
.338-06 A-Square (250 at 2500)	8.5	28.2	14.6
.338 Win. Mag. (200 at 2950)	8.5	32.8	15.8
.338 Win. Mag. (225 at 2780)	8.5	35.2	16.3
.338 Win. Mag. (250 at 2700)	9.0	33.1	15.4
.330 Dakota (250 at 2878)	8.5	40.5	17.6
.340 Wby. Mag. (200 at 3100)	10.0	29.6	13.8
.340 Wby. Mag. (250 at 2941)	9.0	43.4	17.6
.338 Ultra Mag (250 at 2860)	8.5	43.1	n/a
.338 Lapua Mag. (225 at 3000)	9.5	37.2	15.9
.338-378 Wby. Mag. (250 at 3040)	11.75	41.1	15.0
.348 Win. (200 at 2510)	8.0	23.7	n/a
.357 Mag. (158 at 1650)	7.0	4.7	6.6
.35 Rem. (200 at 2050)	7.5	13.5	10.8
.356 Win. (200 at 2400)	7.5	17.5	n/a
.358 Win. (200 at 2490)	8.0	20.9	13.0
.358 Win. (250 at 2260)	7.66	23.0	13.9
.35 Whelen (200 at 2675)	8.0	22.6	13.5
.35 Whelen (225 at 2525)	8.0	25.0	14.2
.35 Whelen (250 at 2400)	7.5	27.9	15.5
.350 Rem. Mag. (200 at 2700)	8.5	22.3	13.0
.350 Rem. Mag. (225 at 2550)	8.5	24.2	13.5
.350 Rem. Mag. (250 at 2500)	8.5	29.0	14.8
.358 Norma Mag. (250 at 2723)	9.0	31.2	15.0
9.3×57 (232 at 2330)	8.5	19.8	12.2
9.3×62 (250 at 2450)	8.5	25.7	14.0
9.3×62 (270 at 2550)	8.5	33.3	n/a
9.3×62 (286 at 2360)	9.0	28.0	14.1
9.3×64 (286 at 2650)	9.0	36.5	16.2
9.3x74R (250 at 2550)	9.0	29.1	14.4
9.3x74R (286 at 2400)	8.25	34.3	16.6
.370 Sako Mag. (286 at 2550)	8.5	35.2	16.3
.375 Win. (220 at 2200)	7.5	17.1	12.1
.375 Ruger (270 at 2840)	9.0	41.3	17.2
.375 H&H Mag. (235 at 2700)	9.0	29.5	14.5
.375 H&H Mag. (270 at 2690)	9.0	36.1	16.1
.375 H&H Mag. (300 at 2530)	9.0	37.3	16.3
.375 Dakota (300 at 2600)	8.5	44.5	18.4
.375 Wby. Mag. (300 at 2700)	10.0	47.3	17.5
.375 Ultra Mag (300 at 2800)	8.75	53.2	n/a
.376 Steyr (270 at 2580)	8.0	39.0	n/a
.378 Wby. Mag. (300 at 2900)	10.25	71.1	n/a
.38-40 Win. (180 at 1100)	7.5	3.1	5.2
.38-55 Win. (220 at 1650)	7.5	10.1	9.3
.38-55 Win. (255 at 1415)	7.0	9.5	n/a
.450/.400-3″ (400 at 2150)	9.0	51.0	n/a
.404 Jeffery (400 at 2170)	10.25	41.0	16.1
.405 Win. (300 at 2200)	8.0	30.6	15.7
.416 Taylor (400 at 2350)	10.0	47.8	17.5
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 at 2400)	10.0	52.9	18.5
.416 Rigby (400 at 2400)	10.0	58.1	19.3
.416 Dakota (400 at 2500)	10.0	59.2	19.5
.416 Wby. Mag. (400 at 2700)	10.25	83.0	22.8
.44-40 Win. (200 at 1200)	7.0	3.4	n/a
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 at 1760)	7.5	11.2	9.8
.44 Rem. Mag. (275 at 1580)	7.5	11.4	9.9
.444 Marlin (240 at 2400)	7.5	23.3	14.2
.444 Marlin (265 at 2200)	8.5	22.1	12.9
.45 Colt (255 at 1100)	8.0	4.0	5.6
.45 Colt +P (250 at 1500)	6.5	11.1	10.5
.45-70 (300 at 1800)	7.0	23.9	14.8
.45-70 (350 at 1900)	7.0	37.9	18.7
.45-70 (405 at 1330)	7.5	18.7	12.7
.450 Marlin (350 at 2000)	7.0	37.2	18.5
.450 Marlin (350 at 2100)	8.5	33.6	16.0
.45-120 Sharps (405 at 1850)	9.0	33.9	n/a
.450 N.E. (465 at 2150)	11.0	55.5	18.0
.458 Win. Mag. (400 at 2050)	9.0	41.7	17.3
.458 Win. Mag. (500 at 2100)	9.0	62.3	21.1
.458 Lott (500 at 2300)	10.0	70.4	21.3
.460 Wby. Mag. (500 at 2600)	11.25	99.6	n/a
.500/.465 N.E. (480 at 2150)	11.0	60.7	n/a
.470 N.E. (500 at 2150)	11.0	69.3	20.1
.470 Mbogo (500 at 2509)	11.0	83.5	22.1
.480 Ruger (325 at 1450)	6.25	16.4	13.0
.500 N.E. (570 at 2150)	12.0	74.5	n/a
.50 BMG (647 at 2710)	30.0	70.0	12.3
.577 N.E. (750 at 2050)	12.0	127.5	n/a
.600 N.E. (900 at 1950)	12.0	154.0	28.8

Handgun Recoil

Cartridge (Wb@MV)	Pistol Wt. (lbs.)	Recoil E. (ft. lbs.)	Recoil V. (fps)
.25 ACP (50 at 800)	0.75	0.9	8.7
.30 Carbine (110 at 1400)	3.0	4.9	10.2
.32 ACP (71 at 910)	1.0	1.7	10.5
.32 S&W Long (100 at 700)	2.0	1.2	6.2
.32 H&R Mag. (100 at 1100)	2.0	2.7	9.4
.32-20 Win. (100 at 1018)	2.0	2.8	9.4
.380 ACP (90 at 1000)	1.5	2.5	10.4
.380 ACP (95 at 900)	0.6	5.4	24.2
9mm Makarov (95 at 1025)	1.5	3.0	11.2
9×19 (115 at 1100)	1.0	7.4	21.8
9×19 (115 at 1155)	1.5	5.2	15.0
9×19 (115 at 1155)	2.0	3.8	11.1
9×19 +P (115 at 1250)	1.5	7.3	17.7
9×19 (124 at 1125)	1.5	6.0	16.0
9×19 (124 at 1157)	2.0	4.4	11.9
9×19 (147 at 1000)	2.0	4.6	12.2
.38 Super (125 at 1250)	2.25	4.9	11.9
.357 SIG (125 at 1350)	1.75	7.4	16.6
.38 Spec. (125 at 850)	1.0	5.6	18.9
.38 Spec. (130 at 819)	2.25	2.2	8.0
.38 Spec. (130 at 950)	2.25	3.1	9.5
.38 Spec. (140 at 825)	2.25	2.7	8.8
.38 Spec. (148 HBWC at 738)	2.25	2.1	7.8
.38 Spec. +P (110 at 1150)	2.25	4.0	10.7
.38 Spec. +P (125 at 975)	2.25	2.9	9.2
.38 Spec. +P (158 LHP at 900)	2.25	4.3	11.1
.357 Mag. (110 at 1300)	2.75	4.1	9.8
.357 Mag. (125 at 1209)	1.75	8.9	18.1
.357 Mag. (125 at 1220)	2.75	4.6	10.4
.357 Mag. (125 at 1450)	2.75	7.2	13.0
.357 Mag. (140 at 1022)	2.75	4.0	9.6
.357 Mag. (140 at 1323)	2.75	7.9	13.6
.357 Mag. (158 at 925)	2.75	4.0	9.7
.357 Mag. (158 at 1070)	1.75	9.4	18.6
.357 Mag. (158 at 1250)	2.75	8.7	14.3
.40 S&W (155 at 1200)	1.5	10.6	21.3
.40 S&W (165 at 1080)	1.5	9.3	19.9
.40 S&W (180 at 1027)	1.5	10.4	21.2
10mm Auto (180 at 1295)	2.25	11.4	18.1
.41 Mag. (210 at 925)	2.75	6.6	12.4
.41 Mag. (210 at 1300)	2.75	15.6	19.1
.44 Spec. (240 at 750)	3.0	4.5	9.9
.44 Rem. Mag. (200 at 1000)	3.0	6.7	12.0
.44 Rem. Mag. (200 at 1219)	4.1	6.3	10.0
.44 Rem. Mag. (200 at 1295)	4.1	7.2	10.6
.44 Rem. Mag. (200 at 1326)	3.0	11.9	16
.44 Rem. Mag. (225 at 1239)	3.0	12.4	16.3
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 at 1144)	4.1	8.0	11.2
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 at 1172)	4.1	8.4	11.5
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 at 1200)	4.1	8.9	11.8
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 at 1271)	4.1	10.0	12.5
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 at 1450)	3.0	22.5	21.9
.44 Rem. Mag. (300 at 1187)	3.0	22.6	22.0
.45 ACP (185 at 1000)	2.25	7.7	14.8
.45 ACP (185 at 1047)	2.5	6.8	13.2
.45 ACP (200 at 1010)	2.5	7.6	13.9
.45 ACP (230 at 850)	2.25	7.9	15.0
.45 ACP (230 at 916)	2.5	7.5	13.9
.45 Colt (200 at 945)	2.75	7.0	12.8
.45 Colt (200 at 1081)	2.75	8.2	13.8
.45 Colt (230 at 936)	2.75	7.9	13.6
.45 Colt (255 LRN at 860)	2.75	8.2	13.8
.45 Colt (255 LFP at 914)	2.75	10.4	15.6
.45 Colt +P (250 at 1200)	2.75	17.0	20.0
.45 Colt +P (300 at 1150)	2.75	23.9	23.7
.45 Win. Mag. (260 at 1200)	4.0	10.6	13.1
.454 Casull (260 at 1800)	3.2	39.0	28.0
.454 Casull (300 at 1650)	3.2	38.6	27.9
.460 S&W Mag. (250 at 1400)	4.5	12.8	13.5
.460 S&W Mag. (260 at 1590)	4.5	20.0	16.9
.460 S&W Mag. (300 at 1784)	4.5	32.1	21.4
.475 Linebaugh (385 at 1525)	3.0	52.2	33.5
.475 Linebaugh (400 at 1300)	3.2	38.1	27.7
.480 Ruger (325 at 1330)	3.3	23.1	21.2
.480 Ruger (325 at 1477)	3.3	33.3	25.5
.50 Action Express (325 at 1294)	3.2	29.3	24.3
.50 Action Express (325 at 1431)	4.4	25.5	19.3
.500 Linebaugh (400 at 1550)	3.0	62.3	36.6
.500 S&W Mag. (350 at 1446)	4.5	25.2	19.0
.500 S&W Mag. (350 at 1739)	4.5	45.6	25.5

Shotgun Recoil

Gauge, length (oz. shot@MV)	Gun weight (lbs.)	Recoil energy (ft. lbs.)
.410 bore, 2.5″ (1/2 at 1200)	5.5	7.1
.410 bore, 3″ (11/16 at 1135)	5.5	10.5
28 gauge, 2.75″ (3/4 at 1200)	6.0	12.8
20 gauge, 2.75″ (7/8 at 1200)	6.5	16.1
20 gauge, 2.75″ (1 at 1220)	6.5	21.0
20 gauge, 2.75″ (1 1/8 at 1175)	6.5	25.0
20 gauge, 3″ (1 1/4 at 1185)	6.5	31.0
16 gauge, 2.75″ (1 at 1220)	7.0	21.5
16 gauge, 2.75″ (1 1/8 at 1240)	7.0	27.6
12 gauge, 2.75″ (1 at 1180)	7.5	17.3
12 gauge, 2.75″ (1 1/8 at 1200)	7.5	23.0
12 gauge, 2.75″ (1 1/4 at 1330)	7.5	32.0
12 gauge, 2.75″ (1 1/2 at 1260)	7.5	45.0
12 gauge, 3″ (1 5/8 at 1280)	7.5	52.0
12 gauge, 3″ (1 7/8 at 1210)	8.75	54.0
10 gauge, 3.5″ (2 1/4 at 1210)	10.5	62.9

By Chuck Hawks