birdbustr wrote:
I used a recoil calculator from
http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/cgi-bin/jbmrecoil.cgi.
Using the fastest factory loads I could find in the Hornady light magnums. I also used the rifle weight at 8 lbs for all three calculations.
.270 win 3100 fps/2987 ftlbs. 140gr bullet = recoil 18.2 lbs.
7mm-08 3000 fps/2777 ftlbs. 139gr bullet = recoil 15.8 lbs.
25-06 3110 fts/2512 ftlbs. 117gr bullet = recoil 14.7 lbs.
OK so the 7mm-08 is about 2.4 lbs less than the .270. Not too significant to me, but might be enough of a difference for a smaller shooter. Also, in 7mm-08 I use a 130grain in a Speer Hot Core SP with 46 grains of Varget estimated at 14.6 lbs. of recoil. So maybe it is enough of a difference to consider a different cartridge.
Please note: I posted my opinion based on "felt/perceived" recoil. That is very different than calculated recoil (especially using your figures). Felt recoil is more a product of "recoil impulse" or recoil velocity.
Of course, each person will have a different sensitivity to recoil, and so we find the term "perceived recoil" a bit subjective.
I stand by my statement however, that 7mm-08 is much more "manageable" than a .270 for most folks.
Lets look at some more common loads (and figures). I think you'll find the 7mm-08 coming in with about 30% less recoil. I'd say that is significant (if not huge).
Note that in an 8-lb. rifle, the 7mm-08 recoil energy is 12.6, the same as a 25-06. But it shoots flatter than a .308, almost as flat as a .270, and hits almost as hard as a 130-gr. .270 -- with 30 percent LESS recoil! (16.5-12.6 = 3.9, /12.6 = 30%)
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Caliber/bullet weight and muzzle velocity/rifle weight/recoil energy/recoil velocity.
243 Win. (75 at 3400) 8.5 7.2 7.4
.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
.240 Wby. Mag. (100 at 3406) 8.0 17.9 n/a
.257 Roberts (117 at 2650) 8.0 9.0 n/a
.25 WSSM (120 at 2990) 7.25 13.8 11.1
.25-06 Rem. (120 at 3000) 8.0 12.5 10.0
.257 Wby. Mag. (120 at 3300) 9.25 15.1 10.3
6.5x55 Swede (140 at 2650) 9.0 10.6 8.7
.260 Rem. (140 at 2750) 7.5 13.6 10.8
6.5mm Rem. Mag. (120 at 3100) 8.0 13.1 10.3
6.5x68 S (140 at 2990) 8.5 16.8 11.3
.264 Win. Mag. (140 at 3200) 8.5 19.2 12.1
.270 Win. (130 at 3140) 8.0 16.5 n/a
.270 Win. (150 at 2900) 8.0 17.0 11.7
.270 WSM (150 at 3000) 8.0 18.9 12.3
.270 Wby. Mag. (150 at 3000) 9.25 17.8 11.1
7x57 Mauser (139 at 2800) 8.0 14.0 10.6
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860) 8.0 12.6 10.1
.280 Rem. (140 at 3000) 8.0 17.2 11.8
7mm Rem. SAUM (160 at 2931) 8.0 21.5 13.2
7mm WSM (160 at 3000) 8.0 21.9 13.3
7mm Rem. Mag. (140 at 3150) 8.0 19.1 12.4
7mm Rem. Mag. (150 at 3100) 8.5 19.2 12.1
7mm Wby. Mag. (140 at 3300) 9.25 19.5 11.7
7mm Ultra Mag. (160 at 3200) 8.5 29.4 n/a
.30 Carbine (110 at 1990) 7.0 3.5 5.7
.30-30 Win. (150 at 2400) 7.5 10.6 9.5
.30-30 Win. (170 at 2200) 7.5 11.0 9.7
.300 Sav. (150 at 2630) 7.5 14.8 n/a
.308 Win. (150 at 2800) 7.5 15.8 11.7
.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. (180 at 2700) 8.0 20.3 12.8
Thanks for your input and thoughts,
Flint.