Based on the known kick of my .375 H&H D.R.how does the following cartridges stack up against it recoil wise and by what additional percentage do you estimate??
416 Rigby, 416 Remington and 404 Jeffery
This may seem a dumb question but I am looking at purchasing another larger rifle but I know that the recoil of the .375H&H is acceptable and I don't want to get into the "Flinching" problem. Thanks for your help.

Not sure if this is the premier reference but it's something I have seen and used for comparisons in the past.
Chuck Hawks Recoil Table

Cartridge/ Rifle Weight / Recoil energy/ Recoil velocity

.375 H&H Mag. (300 at 2600)/ 9.0 lbs/ 42.0 ft lbs /17.3 fps

404 Jeffery (400 at 2170)/ 10.25 lbs/ 41.0 ft lbs/ 16.1 fps

.416 Rem. Mag. (400 at 2400)/ 10.0 lbs/ 52.9 ft lbs/ 18.5 fps

416 Rigby (400 at 2400/ 10.0 lbs/ 58.1 ft lbs/ 19.3 fps

Thanks Oday450, That does give me the indication that I needed, again thanks.

I find the recoil off the bench, to be alot worse from a 375 H&H Blaser R 93 Tracker than a 450/400 double.

quote:

Originally posted by Oday450:
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 at 2400)/ 10.0 lbs/ 52.9 ft lbs/ 18.5 fps

416 Rigby (400 at 2400/ 10.0 lbs/ 58.1 ft lbs/ 19.3 fps

How does that work?

How can two rifles with identical performance and weight have a difference in recoil?

(not felt recoil)

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by Oday450:
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 at 2400)/ 10.0 lbs/ 52.9 ft lbs/ 18.5 fps

416 Rigby (400 at 2400/ 10.0 lbs/ 58.1 ft lbs/ 19.3 fps

How does that work?

How can two rifles with identical performance and weight have a difference in recoil?

(not felt recoil)

Very simple answer: powder charge weight. The charge contributes to recoil, so if the Rigby uses more powder for the same velocity, it will recoil more.

Here is a link to an abbreviated table that does not require a subscription to the web site.

Chuck Hawks Recoil Table

quote:

Originally posted by The Maz:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by Oday450:
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 at 2400)/ 10.0 lbs/ 52.9 ft lbs/ 18.5 fps

416 Rigby (400 at 2400/ 10.0 lbs/ 58.1 ft lbs/ 19.3 fps

How does that work?

How can two rifles with identical performance and weight have a difference in recoil?

(not felt recoil)

Very simple answer: powder charge weight. The charge contributes to recoil, so if the Rigby uses more powder for the same velocity, it will recoil more.

A 10% difference in recoil due to a maybe a 1% difference in total ejecta weight? By that calculation if you went to a 450 grain bullet from a 400 grain bullet the recoil would increase about 50%.

The following is cribbed from Rinker, Understanding Ballistics.

m1v1 + m2v2 = M3v3

Where m1 = bullet mass in lbs

v1 = bullet muzzle velocity in fps

m2 = propellant / powder charge mass in lbs

v2 = propellant 'muzzle' velocity in fps

M3 = Rifle mass

v3 = rifle 'recoil' velocity


Take as an example, a .338-06, 62.5 grains powder, 225 grain bullet, 8.5lbs rifle

The velocity of propellant gas exiting the rifle barrel at the muzzle is circa 4500 to 5000 fps.

Say muzzle velocity is 2600 fps.

(225/7000)*2600 + (62.5/7000)*4750 = 8.5*v3

v3 = 14.82 fps

Recoil energy = (8.5*(14.82)^2)/64.4

Recoil energy = 29 ftlbs

Lets say we change powders, and this time 56 grains is needed to obtain circa 2600 fps once more.

Repeating the above, we have

Recoil velocity = 14.30 fps

Recoil energy = 27 ftlbs

Recoil energy changed circa 7% for a circa 2%change in powder charge. It is the velocity squared term in the recoil calculation which makes the difference.

I deliberately choose the .338-06, which I have & like, to demonstrate why the .338-06 has 'similar' ballistics / effects on game but lower recoil than the .338 Win Mag. The .338-06 is within circa 200 fps of the bigger .338 Win Mag, so should not be 'too different'.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by The Maz:

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by Oday450:
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 at 2400)/ 10.0 lbs/ 52.9 ft lbs/ 18.5 fps

416 Rigby (400 at 2400/ 10.0 lbs/ 58.1 ft lbs/ 19.3 fps

How does that work?

How can two rifles with identical performance and weight have a difference in recoil?

(not felt recoil)

Very simple answer: powder charge weight. The charge contributes to recoil, so if the Rigby uses more powder for the same velocity, it will recoil more.

A 10% difference in recoil due to a maybe a 1% difference in total ejecta weight? By that calculation if you went to a 450 grain bullet from a 400 grain bullet the recoil would increase about 50%.

You're actually looking at close to 20 percent more charge so the numbers do in fact line up reasonably.

Ken....

Definitly use the fancy formulas and reference charts to understand felt recoil when practicing off a bench. However, you will not feel a thing (or at least remember when you shoot a great animal. The recoil charts go out the window when you are pulling the trigger hunting in the field.

quote:

Originally posted by Heat:
[You're actually looking at close to 20 percent more charge so the numbers do in fact line up reasonably.

Ken....

20% more powder charge but use the total weight of powder and bullet and it is a minscule difference in total weight.