Enter the bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and gun weight into the calculator to determine the rifle’s recoil energy. This calculator helps shooters understand the recoil impact they will experience when firing their rifle.
Rifle Recoil Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the rifle recoil energy:
RE = (BW * MV^2) / (2 * GW * g * 7000)
Variables:
- RE is the recoil energy (foot-pounds)
- BW is the bullet weight (grains)
- MV is the muzzle velocity (feet per second)
- GW is the gun weight (pounds)
- g is the acceleration due to gravity (32.174 feet per second squared)
To calculate the rifle recoil energy, multiply the bullet weight by the square of the muzzle velocity, then divide by the product of two times the gun weight, the acceleration due to gravity, and 7000 (the number of grains in a pound).
What is Rifle Recoil?
Rifle recoil, or “kick,” is the backward momentum experienced by a shooter when a rifle is fired. It is a result of the conservation of momentum where the forward momentum of the bullet and gases is matched by an equal and opposite momentum of the rifle. Recoil energy is an important consideration for shooters as it can affect the accuracy of follow-up shots and the shooter’s comfort.
How to Calculate Rifle Recoil?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Rifle Recoil Energy.
- First, determine the bullet weight (BW) in grains.
- Next, determine the muzzle velocity (MV) in feet per second.
- Next, determine the gun weight (GW) in pounds.
- Next, gather the formula from above = RE = (BW * MV^2) / (2 * GW * g * 7000).
- Finally, calculate the Rifle Recoil Energy (RE) in foot-pounds.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Bullet Weight (BW) = 150 grains
Muzzle Velocity (MV) = 2800 feet per second
Gun Weight (GW) = 7 pounds