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12 Gauge Recoil VS 44 Mag
- Thread starter CMGibson
- Start date
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Well, yes.
Considering that a 12ga might fire a 385gr projectile at 1800+ fps, while a 44mag carbine might do a 240gr at 1800, the 12ga would have more than 50% more recoil.
If you want to know more exact, go here:
http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp
Considering that a 12ga might fire a 385gr projectile at 1800+ fps, while a 44mag carbine might do a 240gr at 1800, the 12ga would have more than 50% more recoil.
If you want to know more exact, go here:
http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp
recoil
50% more in the same weight gun....probably an accurate appraisal since it is easy enough to find guns in both 12 ga. and .44 magnum at about seven pounds.
It may help to remember that the formulae will give you the figure s for "free" recoil. Just as important is "felt" recoil. Felt recoil is affected by even more variables - stock design and shooter anatomy are two important elements. Give both guns to a shooter who is six feet five inches tall and weighs 260 and then give the same guns to a five foot 100 lb shooter and they will probably report differently. Give them an eight and a half pound shotgun and a six pound Contender in .44 and you will have yet another set of differences.
If you use standard "pumpkin ball" slugs in the shotgun (450 grains at about 1400 fps) the difference is less (19ft.lbs vs 14ft.lbs); however, the lighter .44 will have faster recoil velocity and so it may "feel" like there is more recoil when there isn't.
Pete
Considering that a 12ga might fire a 385gr projectile at 1800+ fps, while a 44mag carbine might do a 240gr at 1800, the 12ga would have more than 50% more recoil.
50% more in the same weight gun....probably an accurate appraisal since it is easy enough to find guns in both 12 ga. and .44 magnum at about seven pounds.
It may help to remember that the formulae will give you the figure s for "free" recoil. Just as important is "felt" recoil. Felt recoil is affected by even more variables - stock design and shooter anatomy are two important elements. Give both guns to a shooter who is six feet five inches tall and weighs 260 and then give the same guns to a five foot 100 lb shooter and they will probably report differently. Give them an eight and a half pound shotgun and a six pound Contender in .44 and you will have yet another set of differences.
If you use standard "pumpkin ball" slugs in the shotgun (450 grains at about 1400 fps) the difference is less (19ft.lbs vs 14ft.lbs); however, the lighter .44 will have faster recoil velocity and so it may "feel" like there is more recoil when there isn't.
Pete
Last edited:
The 12 will have more recoil, but you have to consider the guns weight and stock shape. Using the recoil calculator a 1 oz slug @1450 fps from a 7.5 lb shotgun you will get about 23.5 ft lbs of recoil. That is more than most 300 win mags.
Firing a 240 gr bullet @ 1800 fps from a 7.5 lb 44 mag only gives around 12 ft lbs. Problem is most 44 mag carbines are going to be much lighter than a shotgun. From a 5-6 lb gun the 44 mag is going to have around 15 ft lbs of recoil. About the same as a standard weight 308.
You cannot mathematically calculate felt recoil though. A 12 guage shotgun typically has a good recoil pad and a better designed stock. I've found that most leveractions have a bit more felt recoil because of the stock design hits you in the cheek as much as the shoulder. They also typically have no recoil pads. The 12 will recoil more any way you look at it. But what you feel may not be as great as the numbers would lead you to believe.
Firing a 240 gr bullet @ 1800 fps from a 7.5 lb 44 mag only gives around 12 ft lbs. Problem is most 44 mag carbines are going to be much lighter than a shotgun. From a 5-6 lb gun the 44 mag is going to have around 15 ft lbs of recoil. About the same as a standard weight 308.
You cannot mathematically calculate felt recoil though. A 12 guage shotgun typically has a good recoil pad and a better designed stock. I've found that most leveractions have a bit more felt recoil because of the stock design hits you in the cheek as much as the shoulder. They also typically have no recoil pads. The 12 will recoil more any way you look at it. But what you feel may not be as great as the numbers would lead you to believe.
Edward429451
Moderator
So the answer is yes. You would have more capacity and less recoil. You would have more penetration also, which may or may not be a plus depending on how you look at it. IMO it would be a big plus.
JMR
Firing a 240 gr bullet @ 1800 fps from a 7.5 lb 44 mag only gives around 12 ft lbs. Problem is most 44 mag carbines are going to be much lighter than a shotgun. From a 5-6 lb gun the 44 mag is going to have around 15 ft lbs of recoil. About the same as a standard weight 308.
44 Mag Carbine has the same recoil as a 308? Thats still a bit stiff for me.