Questions & Answers

• Q: Please help a relative newbee. Does a heavier or lighter grained bullet produce less felt recoil in 9mm or .38 spl. I've read both ways and it's split about 50/50. What say you guys?

  • Answered
  • Asked 11/14/2021 10:39 by Thomas L

  A:

  Thomas, a lighter bullet generally produces less felt recoil with the same powder charge. It boils down to physics and the recoil impulse. Think about it this way, lighter bullets are faster and generally print lower on target because they exit the barrel sooner in the upward recoil process. Heavier bullets generally print higher because they exit the barrel later in the recoil process. Lighter bullets produce a quicker, sharper recoil and recovery comes sooner producing perceive ably less felt recoil. Heavier bullets produce a slower, prolonged recoil and recovery comes much later producing perceive ably more felt recoil. I am a 10mm guy and know this to be true shooting 135gr, 155gr, 165gr, 180gr, 200gr and 220gr Underwood loads. Cheers and stay safe!

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