Rifle Recoil Chart – Understanding Factors Affecting Kick

Most people only understand recoil as the power they feel immediately after firing their gun, but few actually realize the control they have over what they are feeling. It isn’t just the caliber of the firearm that determines the recoil, but everything from the weight of the rifle, grain weight of a specific cartridge, caliber bullet differences, and the type of muzzle device you have will affect the felt recoil. 

We’ve compiled an explanation of what recoil is, the factors affecting what you feel, and ways to help reduce this energy kickback to keep you on target shot after shot. Our rifle recoil chart highlights some of the more popular rifle caliber kickback factors so you can adjust as needed. 

What, Exactly, is Recoil?

In layman’s terms, recoil is the term used to describe the backwards movement felt upon the discharge of the bullet from the barrel. For many, recoil can create bad habits when it is anticipated, causing added muzzle lift, jerks, or flinching – all of which will take you off target.

Even when it isn’t a problem for an experienced shooter, it can create a delay between getting on target during subsequent firing sequences. Luckily, there are ways to offset this force to help new shooters gain confidence, young or lightweight shooters handle larger caliber rifles, and competitive shooters require zero more efficiently. 

Recoil vs Kick

Recoil, as used properly, is defined as rearward forces produced when firing a gun. It is often used synonymously with the terms kick, or kickback. 

Neither is incorrect if you are referring to what you feel, but keep in mind that the technical definition of recoil is describing the energy transfer into the components of the gun, while the transfer of this energy to you can be defined as kick. 

How is Recoil Created?

In scientific terms, the felt recoil is a result of a physical law of motion that states every action has an equal and opposite reaction, otherwise known as momentum conservation, first recognized by Sir Issac Newton. This law explains an object’s resistance to change in motion, which is then applied to the movement of the bullet through the barrel after the force of the combusted gunpowder takes place. Since the bullet is still within the gun at this point, the power of this force is conserved. 

Technically, this initial firing sequence creates one of two recoils, and the second recoil occurs upon the exit of the bullet from the muzzle. This is due to the gas pressure momentum leaving the barrel after driving forward the bullet. This secondary recoil is what we feel when we shoot, although we can garner some control over the primary recoil and its effects on the secondary recoil using various cartridge weights. Mainly, however, muzzle devices are what helps to release muzzle gasses in a controlled manner to reduce and control this force. 

Reduce Recoil Tips

As mentioned multiple times, there are ways to reduce recoil – and although many popular caliber rifles are designed to control the release of gasses for a more comfortable shooting scenario, reducing recoil is still ideal. 

Muzzle brakes and compensators are by far the most popular muzzle devices to use for reduced recoil. Brakes are designed specifically for this reason and used to be popular with harder-hitting hunting calibers, such as the .30-06 or .308. But they have become more and more popular with lower recoil rifles, especially AR platform options, to create a scenario where almost no kick is felt during firing. 

Recoil pads and specially made buttstocks are also solutions to help lessen the effects of a strong rifle recoil. 

Measuring Recoil

In order to measure and provide an accurate comparison of various cartridge weights and caliber choices, you need a controlled environment (an indoor shooting range is ideal) and a device that both stabilizes, and fires your gun for you. The reasoning behind this is that a person will hold a firearm slightly differently each time, and any inadvertent movements when firing will produce inaccuracies in the readings. 

Generally, each rifle will be shot multiple times using various charge weights. Rarely will only a single shot be measured in order to provide the best accuracy possible. For example, a 140-grain projectile will have a differing velocity and energy upon leaving the barrel compared to a 250-grain projectile of the same caliber. Therefore, it is important to offer differing measurements for shooters to choose from for their own shooting needs and comfort. 

Good recoil tables will offer a list of rifles, the weight of the rifle, the recoil energy, and the recoil velocity. However, it is INCREDIBLY important to note that magnitude of these forces will differ from one shooter to the next as it is impossible to take into account the physiology and shooting style of each shooter – but they do create a good standard to go off of. 

Recoil Chart

The following chart provides direct comparisons between popular rifle calibers and respective cartridges in reference to bullet weight. The felt recoil of a rifle is dependent on the rifle weight itself and the various components – all of which can absorb some of the created energy. Heavier bullets will have more force behind them than a lighter option, changing the muzzle velocity and energy created. These are measured on the charts as FPS of recoil velocity and lbs of energy respectively. 

Please note, the measurements in our chart are an average independent of specific brand manufacturing and grain weight and are not exact. They are included to provide an average of what each cartridge is capable of in the event you need a quick reference point, or are in need of numbers to determine if a muzzle device may be necessary. it also happens to be interesting data if you are a numbers nerd!

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. What recoil actually is, why it is created, and how you can work to lessen its effects on your shooting style. Although a rifle recoil chart is never going to be universal in nature, they do provide a great foundation to start from when looking for an option that isn’t as strong, or as a means to determine if you want to consider a muzzle device. 

We’d love to have a chance to answer any questions you may have, so please leave them in the comments below. And, as always, please share!