Reloading math

[coondogger]

I've been running some numbers for .44 remington magnum for a lever gun. I did several bullet weights using Universal. 165 gr, 185 gr, and 200 gr. The 185 gr bullet motivated by 6.4 grains of Universal would be less than 3 ft/lb of recoil engergy. The rifle's weight is 6.0 lbs.
I've gotten recoil energies of between 2 and 5 ft/lbs. This seems shockingly mild for a cartridge with such a fearsome reputation. Could the difference of about 4 pounds between a
pistol and a rifle be that dramatic in terms of felt recoil? Or should I go recheck my math? I mean, this would put 44 Remington magnum in the same class as say, .223 or 6.5 Grendel in felt recoil. Anybody with practical experience in this matter?

 

[Lefty38-55]

This seems shockingly mild for a cartridge with such a fearsome reputation.

I would opine that most of that reputation was earned with the much heavier 240-grain bullets! And even others bigger!

 

[jmorris]

To be fair 6.4 grains of universal isn't exactly a "magnum" load.



Even seated .140" deeper that charge weight is still ok in 44 spl.



This is a good example of the range the caliber has.

Handgun Recoil Chart: Recoil Energy, Velocity and Level | Sportsman's Warehouse

A handgun recoil chart and guide to handgun recoil energy, recoil velocity and recoil score.

www.sportsmans.com

 

[coondogger]

Tru

To be fair 6.4 grains of universal isn't exactly a "magnum" load. You’re right. I suspect it’s a cowboy action load. But it sure would allow for more extended plinking.

View attachment 1192364

Even seated .140" deeper that charge weight is still ok in 44 spl.

View attachment 1192366

This is a good example of the range the caliber has.

Handgun Recoil Chart: Recoil Energy, Velocity and Level | Sportsman's Warehouse

A handgun recoil chart and guide to handgun recoil energy, recoil velocity and recoil score.

www.sportsmans.com

View attachment 1192365

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[jmorris]

You’re right. I suspect it’s a cowboy action load. But it sure would allow for more extended plinking.

Absolutely and you'll get more rounds per pound of powder too.

Just pretty far away from 44 magnum operating pressures/recoil.

 

[Howland937]

Don't know because I've never shot one, but if someone told me a 6lb rifle in .44 Mag had similar recoil as the same rifle in .223, I wouldn't be shocked. I know of a few people who started their kid on a .44 Mag carbine for deer hunting where straight wall cartridges are required, because of mild recoil.