Rifle Recoil Table: Updated for 2024 with all popular cartridges
I have spent literally hundreds of hours collecting the information in this blog post. I created it because other recoil databases I found online are dated and do not have the depth of research to truly compare cartridges apples-to-apples.
For those of you who are new to firearms, let’s discuss the basics of what recoil is before we look at the data.
Recoil is the force of a gun pushing back against the shooter when a bullet is fired. It is commonly called a gun’s “kick.” More recoil is created when more powerful powder loads and lighter-weight firearms are used. Recoil is measured by free recoil energy, and recoil velocity.
Selecting a rifle and cartridge combination which does not produce too much recoil for the shooters is critical to being able to shoot accurately without developing a flinch.
A Quick Guide to Understanding Free Recoil Energy
- Over 30 ft-lbs – Massive recoil that can be difficult for even seasoned shooters to shoot accurately.
- Over 25 ft-lbs – In a lightweight rifle, even experienced shooters can struggle to shoot more than 15 rounds without pain or developing a flinch, UNLESS a muzzle brake, suppressor, or heavier rifle is used.
- Over 15 ft-lbs – Begins to be very difficult to spot the bullet impact on target through the scope because of the recoil unless a heavy gun and muzzle brake are used.
- Under 10 ft-lbs – Even newer shooters can easily spot impacts through the scope during recoil. Ideal for youth shooters.
- Under 6 ft-lbs – Feels more like a vibration than “kick.”
If you want to reduce the recoil of your rifle, consider upgrading your gun with a Backstop Recoil Pad. It can cut your felt recoil level dramatically, and also improve your ability to spot your impact through the scope.
For convenience, the most popular cartridges are marked in orange. List is organized by recoil highest to lowest.
Rifle Recoil Table
Cartridge | Free Recoil Energy (Ft-lbs) | Recoil Velocity (FPS) | Avg Bullet Weight (Grains) | Avg Muzzle Velocity (FPS) |
.50 BMG | 83.17 | 11.91 | 724 | 2,799 |
.378 Weatherby Magnum | 60.68 | 19.38 | 293 | 3,040 |
.458 Win Mag | 55.57 | 17.95 | 500 | 2,135 |
.416 Ruger | 52.72 | 17.56 | 388 | 2,528 |
.416 Rigby | 52.49 | 17.52 | 400 | 2,412 |
.416 Remington Magnum | 50.46 | 17.18 | 400 | 2,401 |
.30-378 Weatherby Magnum | 45.78 | 18.39 | 205 | 3,205 |
.338-378 Weatherby Magnum | 45.4 | 16.95 | 256 | 2,974 |
.375 Ruger | 41.67 | 16.06 | 293 | 2,713 |
.375 H&H Magnum | 38.28 | 15.39 | 293 | 2,650 |
.338 RUM | 37.8 | 15.46 | 256 | 2,872 |
.338 Lapua Magnum | 37.7 | 15.44 | 256 | 2,920 |
.340 Weatherby Magnum | 36.88 | 15.28 | 256 | 2,866 |
.300 RUM | 34.97 | 16.07 | 205 | 3,017 |
.33 Nosler | 33.91 | 14.65 | 258 | 2,892 |
.300 Weatherby Magnum | 33.18 | 15.65 | 205 | 3,002 |
.300 PRC | 32.42 | 15.47 | 210 | 3,021 |
.30 Nosler | 31.58 | 15.27 | 205 | 3,009 |
.45-70 Govt | 30.81 | 14.68 | 331 | 2,065 |
9.3 x 62mm Mauser | 30.72 | 13.82 | 277 | 2,555 |
.300 Win Mag | 29.99 | 14.88 | 205 | 2,903 |
.338 Win Mag | 29.9 | 13.75 | 256 | 2,705 |
.325 WSM | 28.95 | 14.8 | 204 | 2,817 |
.28 Nosler | 28.27 | 14.72 | 167 | 3,152 |
.35 Whelen | 27.14 | 13.02 | 225 | 2,805 |
.300 WSM | 26.54 | 14 | 205 | 2,861 |
7mm Weatherby Magnum | 26.07 | 14.13 | 168 | 3,055 |
7 STW | 25.91 | 14.09 | 168 | 3,044 |
.27 Nosler | 25.28 | 13.93 | 159 | 3,157 |
7mm PRC | 25.2 | 13.4 | 175 | 3,000 |
6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum | 24.72 | 13.79 | 138 | 3,325 |
6.8 Western | 23.6 | 13 | 175 | 2,835 |
.270 Weatherby Magnum | 23.25 | 13.36 | 144 | 3,154 |
7mm Rem Mag | 23.15 | 13.32 | 163 | 2,937 |
.444 Marlin | 22.99 | 12.16 | 266 | 2,278 |
.338 Federal | 22.84 | 12.02 | 239 | 2,510 |
7 WSM | 22.5 | 13.13 | 162 | 3,008 |
.450 Bushmaster | 22.22 | 12.27 | 268 | 2,175 |
.300 Ruger (RCM) | 21.6 | 12.63 | 195 | 2,613 |
.26 Nosler | 21.45 | 12.85 | 128 | 3,312 |
.270 WSM | 21.24 | 12.77 | 149 | 3,050 |
7 SAUM | 20.53 | 12.54 | 162 | 2,890 |
6.5 Weatherby RPM | 19.93 | 12.38 | 143 | 3,123 |
.280 Ackley Improved | 19.29 | 12.16 | 163 | 2,834 |
.257 Weatherby Magnum | 19.13 | 12.18 | 111 | 3,294 |
.280 Remington | 18.35 | 11.85 | 160 | 2,848 |
.308 Winchester | 18.27 | 11.62 | 202 | 2,491 |
.264 Winchester Magnum | 17.68 | 11.66 | 138 | 3,002 |
.270 Winchester | 17.64 | 11.64 | 149 | 2,944 |
6.5 PRC | 16.27 | 11.19 | 142 | 2,972 |
7mm-08 Remington | 14.88 | 10.68 | 160 | 2,672 |
6.5-284 Norma Match | 14.48 | 10.56 | 143 | 2,782 |
7mm Mauser | 13.24 | 10.07 | 160 | 2,565 |
.25-06 Remington | 12.69 | 9.92 | 111 | 2,988 |
.260 Remington | 12.56 | 9.83 | 143 | 2,673 |
.240 Weatherby Magnum | 12.06 | 9.7 | 101 | 3,063 |
6.5 Creedmoor | 11.87 | 9.56 | 138 | 2,695 |
6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser | 10.9 | 9.16 | 139 | 2,532 |
6mm Creedmoor | 10.89 | 9.22 | 105 | 3,022 |
6mm Remington | 10.36 | 8.99 | 103 | 2,919 |
.30-30 Winchester | 9.97 | 8.58 | 163 | 2,320 |
.243 Winchester | 9.22 | 8.48 | 103 | 2,922 |
.22 Creedmoor | 9.15 | 8.6 | 65 | 3,500 |
.220 Swift | 8.54 | 8.3 | 55 | 3,794 |
.22-250 | 7.73 | 7.9 | 60 | 3,515 |
7.62 x 39mm | 7.11 | 7.24 | 137 | 2,303 |
.350 Legend | 7.08 | 6.61 | 173 | 2,231 |
6mm BR | 6.92 | 7.35 | 85 | 3,011 |
6.8 Remington SPC | 6.79 | 7.22 | 110 | 2,579 |
.22 Nosler | 6.52 | 7.25 | 65 | 3,342 |
.204 Ruger | 6.18 | 7.37 | 38 | 3,963 |
6.5 Grendel | 6.18 | 6.89 | 125 | 2,283 |
.224 Valkyrie | 5.51 | 6.67 | 71 | 3,095 |
.223 / 5.56 | 5.48 | 6.65 | 69 | 3,122 |
.300 Blackout | 4.02 | 5.45 | 192 | 1,530 |
.222 Remington | 4 | 5.69 | 54 | 3,124 |
.22 Hornet | 1.37 | 3.32 | 50 | 2,469 |
.17 Hornet | 1.23 | 3.31 | 23 | 3,527 |
.17 WSM | 0.76 | 2.6 | 21 | 2,903 |
.22 WMR | 0.26 | 1.44 | 40 | 1,761 |
.17 HMR | 0.25 | 1.5 | 17 | 2,520 |
.22lr | 0.12 | 0.96 | 39 | 1,239 |
Lightest Recoiling Firearms for Deer and Elk Hunting
After surveying the Backfire audience, we found that 96% of shots on big game are taken within 500 yards. So in the below table, we look at the rifles and their recoil sorted by recoil velocity (the pain it will inflict) from most to least.
Then, look in the three right columns to make sure it has enough power to kill the animal you’re hunting. For deer-sized game, it is recommended that you have at least 1,000 ft-lbs of energy, a Hornady HITS formula ranking of at least 500, and at least 1,900 fps of velocity.
For elk-sized game, it is recommended that you have at least 1,500 ft-lbs of energy, a Hornady HITS score of at least 900, and at least 1,900 fps of velocity.
Excellent Low-Recoil Cartridges for Deer Hunting
If you want a rifle that is low in recoil for hunting deer, I suggest looking for a rifle with 12 ft-lbs or less of recoil energy. At this level, even supervised youth and smaller framed women will generally not have any trouble with the recoil. Here is my list of favorite light-recoiling deer cartridges.
- 6.5 Creedmoor (By far the most common cartridge for deer hunters today, and for good reason)
- 22 Creedmoor (This is a 6.5 Creedmoor case necked down to an 80gr bullet, making for a very light recoiling rifle that spits out bullets fast and kills deer easily. It is gaining in popularity, but still somewhat rare to see on shelves).
- 22-250 (Basically the classic version of the 22 Creedmoor. It spits lighter bullets at high velocity, and low recoil).
- .243 Winchester (Probably the most common “first deer rifle” of millenials and older generations)
- 6mm Creedmoor (This is not the most common cartridge, but you will find it on shelves sometimes. It’s basically a modernized .243 Winchester)
- 25-06 (Great choice if you can find a rifle and ammo for it)
Excellent Low-Recoil Cartridges for Elk Hunting
In my opinion, the best elk hunting cartridge in the world is the .300 Win Mag. Elk are extremely tough animals and I personally prefer to bring a lot of punch to the fight; however, not everyone can shoot that heavy-recoiling of a rifle accurately. Most shooters will develop a flinch or the recoil will take over the rifle and contribute to inaccuracy.
Consequently, you may do better with a cartridge that recoils much less. The following are some of my favorite recommendations.
- 7mm-08 (Probably the best low-recoil elk cartridge out there. It uses the same case as a 308 Win, but a 7mm bullet which offers lower wind drift and increased speeds. Great choice, but keep in mind that its recoil could still potentially be too much for some shooters, so get something they can shoot with zero flinch).
- .308 Winchester (An excellent choice for elk hunting as long as shots are kept relatively close. Depending on your load, I’d probably stay within 300 yards. 308 Win can still be too much recoil for some shooters, so consider a suppressor and a Backstop recoil pad.)
- 6.5 Creedmoor (I really hesitate to recommend a 6.5 Creedmoor for elk hunting; however, for many supervised youth hunters, it may be the max recoil they can shoot accurately. If that’s a case, I recommend choosing a copper bullet to increase penetration, and only take shots under 250 yards when the elk is fully broadside.)
- 6.5 PRC (The 6.5 PRC shoots the same weight of bullets as a 6.5 Creedmoor, but does so about 200 fps faster if the barrel length is equal. It’s a common elk cartridge, but I still put it on the light side. Hunters may get slightly better results with a 270 Winchester which has a tiny bit more frontal diameter, but similar ballistics.)
- 270 Winchester (You’ll get nearly identical ballistics to the flat-shooting 6.5 PRC, but with a slightly larger frontal bullet diameter. Great choice and one of my all-time favorites if a cross-canyon shot is likely).
- 280 Ackley Improved (For adult men or large-bodied shooters with some experience, a 280 AI is an excellent choice. It’s basically a 7 Mag without the “magnum”. It’ll be less common to find rifles and ammo, but this is one cartridge that should be far more popular than it is.
Long-Range Ballistics Compared to Rifle Recoil
Popular cartridges are marked in orange. Ranked by ft-lbs of bullet energy at 500yds.
Cartridge | Bullet Energy at 500yds (Ft-lbs) | Bullet Velocity at 500yds (FPS) | Free Recoil Energy (Ft-lbs) | Recoil Velocity (FPS) |
.50 BMG | 8,479 | 2296 | 83.17 | 11.91 |
.30-378 Weatherby Magnum | 2,501 | 2346 | 45.78 | 18.39 |
.338-378 Weatherby Magnum | 2,338 | 2027 | 45.4 | 16.95 |
.300 PRC | 2,238 | 2193 | 32.42 | 15.47 |
.338 Lapua Magnum | 2,237 | 1982 | 37.7 | 15.44 |
.33 Nosler | 2,208 | 1962 | 33.91 | 14.65 |
.300 Weatherby Magnum | 2,200 | 2201 | 33.18 | 15.65 |
.378 Weatherby Magnum | 2,188 | 1835 | 60.68 | 19.38 |
.300 RUM | 2,179 | 2191 | 34.97 | 16.07 |
.30 Nosler | 2,163 | 2182 | 31.58 | 15.27 |
.338 RUM | 2,150 | 1944 | 37.8 | 15.46 |
.340 Weatherby Magnum | 2,138 | 1938 | 36.88 | 15.28 |
.28 Nosler | 2,087 | 2374 | 28.27 | 14.72 |
.300 Win Mag | 1,996 | 2096 | 29.99 | 14.88 |
7mm PRC | 1,986 | 2261 | 25.2 | 13.4 |
7mm Weatherby Magnum | 1,951 | 2287 | 26.07 | 14.13 |
7 STW | 1,936 | 2278 | 25.91 | 14.09 |
.300 WSM | 1,930 | 2061 | 26.54 | 14 |
6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum | 1,919 | 2500 | 24.72 | 13.79 |
.338 Win Mag | 1,883 | 1819 | 29.9 | 13.75 |
7 WSM | 1,813 | 2245 | 22.5 | 13.13 |
.27 Nosler | 1,797 | 2258 | 25.28 | 13.93 |
.26 Nosler | 1,764 | 2488 | 21.45 | 12.85 |
.325 WSM | 1,760 | 1971 | 28.95 | 14.8 |
7mm Rem Mag | 1,725 | 2183 | 23.15 | 13.32 |
6.5 Weatherby RPM | 1,725 | 2330 | 19.93 | 12.38 |
.375 Ruger | 1,716 | 1625 | 41.67 | 16.06 |
.416 Ruger | 1,684 | 1399 | 52.72 | 17.56 |
.375 H&H Magnum | 1,664 | 1601 | 38.28 | 15.39 |
7 SAUM | 1,655 | 2145 | 20.53 | 12.54 |
.30-06 Springfield | 1,651 | 1907 | 21.34 | 12.55 |
.280 Ackley Improved | 1,632 | 2122 | 19.29 | 12.16 |
.270 Weatherby Magnum | 1,628 | 2258 | 23.25 | 13.36 |
.270 WSM | 1,614 | 2210 | 21.24 | 12.77 |
6.8 Western | 1,600 | 2106 | 23.6 | 13 |
.338 Federal | 1,598 | 1736 | 22.84 | 12.02 |
.416 Rigby | 1,573 | 1331 | 52.49 | 17.52 |
.280 Remington | 1,560 | 2098 | 18.35 | 11.85 |
.416 Remington Magnum | 1,556 | 1323 | 50.46 | 17.18 |
6.5 PRC | 1,529 | 2204 | 16.27 | 11.19 |
.264 Winchester Magnum | 1,526 | 2229 | 17.68 | 11.66 |
.458 Win Mag | 1,489 | 1158 | 55.57 | 17.95 |
.300 Ruger (RCM) | 1,486 | 1855 | 21.6 | 12.63 |
9.3 x 62mm Mauser | 1,442 | 1531 | 30.72 | 13.82 |
.270 Winchester | 1,407 | 2064 | 17.64 | 11.64 |
.308 Winchester | 1,401 | 1767 | 18.27 | 11.62 |
6.5-284 Norma Match | 1,329 | 2044 | 14.48 | 10.56 |
7mm-08 Remington | 1,283 | 1903 | 14.88 | 10.68 |
.35 Whelen | 1,217 | 1561 | 27.14 | 13.02 |
.260 Remington | 1,213 | 1952 | 12.56 | 9.83 |
7mm Mauser | 1,194 | 1836 | 13.24 | 10.07 |
.257 Weatherby Magnum | 1,193 | 2200 | 19.13 | 12.18 |
6.5 Creedmoor | 1,191 | 1969 | 11.87 | 9.56 |
6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser | 1,040 | 1834 | 10.9 | 9.16 |
.25-06 Remington | 973 | 1987 | 12.69 | 9.92 |
6mm Creedmoor | 946 | 2016 | 10.89 | 9.22 |
.240 Weatherby Magnum | 937 | 2046 | 12.06 | 9.7 |
.243 Winchester | 862 | 1938 | 9.22 | 8.48 |
6mm Remington | 856 | 1931 | 10.36 | 8.99 |
.30-30 Winchester | 743 | 1434 | 9.97 | 8.58 |
.22 Creedmoor | 724 | 2240 | 9.15 | 8.6 |
6.5 Grendel | 707 | 1596 | 6.18 | 6.89 |
6.8 Remington SPC | 603 | 1571 | 6.79 | 7.22 |
.45-70 Govt | 589 | 895 | 30.81 | 14.68 |
7.62 x 39mm | 579 | 1382 | 7.11 | 7.24 |
6mm BR | 548 | 1704 | 6.92 | 7.35 |
.444 Marlin | 467 | 889 | 22.99 | 12.16 |
.350 Legend | 454 | 1088 | 7.08 | 6.61 |
.300 Blackout | 427 | 1001 | 4.02 | 5.45 |
.224 Valkyrie | 422 | 1631 | 5.51 | 6.67 |
.450 Bushmaster | 421 | 842 | 22.22 | 12.27 |
.220 Swift | 421 | 1853 | 8.54 | 8.3 |
.22-250 | 384 | 1693 | 7.73 | 7.9 |
.22 Nosler | 380 | 1623 | 6.52 | 7.25 |
.223 / 5.56 | 338 | 1483 | 5.48 | 6.65 |
.204 Ruger | 263 | 1766 | 6.18 | 7.37 |
.222 Remington | 246 | 1436 | 4 | 5.69 |
.22 Hornet | 129 | 1075 | 1.37 | 3.32 |
.17 Hornet | 83 | 1288 | 1.23 | 3.31 |
.22 WMR | 82 | 961 | 0.26 | 1.44 |
.17 WSM | 51 | 1038 | 0.76 | 2.6 |
.22lr | 26 | 545 | 0.12 | 0.96 |
.17 HMR | 21 | 750 | 0.25 | 1.5 |
Reducing the Recoil of Your Rifle
I have tried many different methods for reducing the recoil of cartridges that are too powerful. The most common method that shooters choose is to simply add a muzzle brake. This can reduce the recoil between 30% and 50% depending on the size and effectiveness of the brake. While the lighter recoil on the shoulder can help a shooter to reduce flinch, adding a brake often backfires and makes a shooter flinch even more because it is so much louder–even when wearing hearing protection.
For most shooters, a silencer is a better option. It cuts the sound dramatically, and reduces the recoil.
Another option is to pick up a Backstop Recoil Pad. This pad uses advanced lattice structures that crush during recoil to significantly slow the rifle’s recoil impulse. It is, by far, the highest-performing recoil pad on the market.
Another great way to reduce recoil is by adding a silencer (suppressor, if you will). A silencer can reduce a firearm’s recoil up to 45% while also making the gunshot quieter. While I still use hearing protection with a silencer, it makes the sound more tolerable.
An additional method to reduce the recoil of a firearm is to use “downloaded” rounds. Handloaders can simply put less powder in the cartridge, but even those who purchase factory ammunition can often find “reduced recoil” loads which can reduce the recoil by approximately 10%.
How Rifle Recoil is Calculated
The formula for determining the free recoil energy of a firearm is (Rifle Weight in Pounds/64.34) *(Recoil Velocity in FPS^2). This formula relies on the formula for recoil velocity, which is simply (Bullet Weight In Grains * Muzzle Velocity in FPS + Powder Charge in Grains * Muzzle Velocity * 1.75)/(7000 * Rifle Weight in Pounds).
The trouble with this formula is that most people don’t know the powder charge unless they hand load their own ammunition, and all of the other number depend on several factors. This makes it tough to figure out the recoil of a rifle unless you look up a lot of other information first.
After shooting a lot of different rifles and cartridges, I have found that recoil velocity number accurately predicts how much pain you’ll feel, and the recoil energy predicts how much you’ll get rocked back and thrown off your target in the scope. Why? I’ll explain.
Suppose a giant, heavy semi-truck is parked in front of you with your shoulder on the bumper. Now that truck creeps forward and pushes your shoulder at a speed of 2 inches per second. Because it’s giant and heavy, it’s going to move you significantly, but it won’t really hurt at all since it’s moving slowly.
Instead, imagine a baseball traveling at 25 inches per second that hits your shoulder. It would hurt much more than the semi-truck.
The same is true with guns. Some people look at the recoil energy of a 50BMG and think they will be KILLED by 83.17 ft-lbs of free recoil energy; however, the 50BMG is a physically heavy gun (usually over 30 lbs), so the recoil moves slowly (also because of the muzzle brake). People who have actually shot a .50BMG usually report mild recoil similar to a .308 Winchester. The recoil VELOCITY number of the .50 BMG is similar to a .308. Just recognize that it’s going to push you a lot–even though it won’t be painful.
About Backfire’s Rifle Recoil Table: How we perform calculations
- Analyze over a dozen models of rifles chambered in each cartridge to determine the average rifle weight to put in the formula. If you’re shooting a particularly light or heavy firearm, you’ll need to do a separate calculation, but this will be a fair comparison of what the rifle weight normally is. Most recoil tables simply use a 9 lbs firearm for all calculations, but this leads to crazy results for the lightweight 22lr and the heavyweight 50BMG. Also, we include scope and other common accessories to get a realistic field rifle weight.
- Normalize powder charges within each caliber to make a fair comparison. You can load a 7 Rem Mag with Retumbo or H4350, but the amounts will be different. We keep powder charges consistent to reality within each caliber of firearm.
- Average over 6 common loads for each cartridge to determine realistic muzzle velocities to include in the formula. Most recoil tables take the muzzle velocity on the box at face value, but we all know that’s rarely accurate–especially if you shoot a shorter barrel length. If you see our recoil numbers are usually just a little less than what you see elsewhere on the web, it’s likely because we’re using more precise averages of muzzle velocities across a variety of common loads for each cartridge.
- Consider multiple loads for each cartridge to determine a fair average of bullet weights for that cartridge, and caliber.