Recoil for 7mm-08, and 308

[Buckfever]

I need a real world reality check!  While reading a Internet based recoil table it listed a 7mm-08 with a 154gr. bullet to have a recoil value of 163.9 and the 308 with a 150 gr. bullet to have a recoil number of 135.3.
Can this be true?  Does a 7mm-08 have slightly more recoil than a 308 with 150gr. bullets?  The table goes on with other bullet weights and for close to similar weights the 7mm-08 is slightly higher. The table is at
www.accuratereloading.com/recoil.html  If this is true maybe a 308 has a slight advantage because it has a very large premium bullet selection?

Thoughts?     Buckfever

[quickdtoo]

Maybe this table will make more sense.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

[Graybeard]

With same weight bullets (which 150 and 154 basically are) running same velocity in rifles of same weight you shouldn't feel any difference. I have no clue what those numbers you gave mean. But a 154 from a 7-08 and a 150 from a .308 will feel the same to your shoulder IF the rifles are both pretty much the same. Different rifles or different weights of rifle can make a lot of difference.

[Iowegan]

The reason most sources say a 7mm-08 has lighter recoil is the optimum bullet weight is 139-140 grains. The 308 typically optimizes with a 162-165 grain bullet. This is not a "fair" comparison for recoil.

"If this is true maybe a 308 has a slight advantage because it has a very large premium bullet selection"?  The 7mm bullets have a very large selection to choose from, the same as a.308.

The weight range for a 7mm-08 is 115 gr to 175 gr. The weight range for a 308 Win is 125 gr to 200 gr. As you can see, the larger bore diameter favors a heavier bullet, however there is a considerable overlap.
 
I would go along with Graybeard's analysis. If the muzzle velocity, bullet weight, and gun weight are the same, the recoil should feel the same.

[Questor]

It's really helpful to own a copy of pointblank software. It's a freeware utiliity that is excellent for answering questions like this. It can be downloaded.  

There does seem to be a lot of BS about relative recoil. Gun weight plays a big part in the equation though, so make sure your assumptions include guns of the same weight. Even a one pound difference makes a big difference.

[lilabner]

You have to consider every factor on these tables to make sense of them. The table you referred to shows the weight of the rifle in 7mm-08 cal. as a half pound less than the weight of the .308. Lighter rifle and heavier bullet = more free recoil.  In considering the identical make and model of rifle, the 7mm will normally be heavier than a .30. Why? Smaller hole in the barrel - more metal left.  So if anything, loads generating equal pressure and with equal bullet weight could recoil a tad less in the smaller caliber. If you want punch but light recoil, stay away from featherweight rifles.

[Chuck White]

It's really helpful to own a copy of pointblank software. It's a freeware utiliity that is excellent for answering questions like this. It can be downloaded.

Where would one find this freeware to download?

Thanks;

[quickdtoo]

It's really helpful to own a copy of pointblank software. It's a freeware utiliity that is excellent for answering questions like this. It can be downloaded.

Where would one find this freeware to download?

Thanks;

Right here....

 :grin: http://www.huntingnut.com/pointblank.html

[Chuck White]

quickdtoo;

Thank You.

[Don Dick]

lilabner is right.  My mountain rifle in 7-08 kicks harder then 308`s
I have owned.    Its all a direct result of bullet and rifle weight.