Bullet weight verses recoil

[Carver]

I have been reloading 45 ACP with 230 gr Bullet if I change to a lighter Bullet say 180- 200 grain would the recoil be more or less?
What I’m looking for is something with less recoil as it appears that I’m haveing a slight case of arthritis in my wrist. Ageing is wonderful!!!!
Thanks Bill

[GunnyGene]

The only way to estimate is to do the math:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/gu ... il-energy/

And here's a handy on-line calculator to crunch the numbers:

http://www.shooterscalculator.com/recoil-calculator.php

[North Country Gal]

I've used factory 185 grain 45 auto loads in my 1911s and, yes, the recoil is less. I think it will help. POI drops, though, so if you're using fixed sights, it may be a factor. Try some and see, though.

[JEBar]

if you load your own ammo, you can play with a lighter powder charge and a lighter bullet .... doing so can make a big difference ... I've been going through the same process (for the same reason) with our 44 Mag

[RanchRoper]

I notice the diff in recoil on 45 Colt; 200 gr vs 250 gr...7.0 gn of Universal in each. LRNFP.

[Rifletom]

Carver, can you get some Hodgdon's "Clays"? Plain "Clays". If so, let me know, and I'll walk you thru a soft recoiling load you'll really like. And accurate.

[JEBar]

I notice the diff in recoil on 45 Colt; 200 gr vs 250 gr...7.0 gn of Universal in each. LRNFP.

Will keep reloading both. I like the 250 for longer range.

that's interesting .... given the same amount of powder, the lighter bullet should travel faster and have a flatter trajectory .... what difference have you found shooting in the strong wind that you have to contend with

[clovishound]

I shoot mostly 200 grain coated or cast semi wadcutters over a middle load of Trail Boss. This is noticeably lighter recoil than 230 grain plated over Universal.

You could put a lighter recoil spring in, and run them with something close to minimum TB loads for a lighter recoil still. Not sure how the accuracy would do. Usually the middle of a spread is where accuracy peaks.

[Mistered]

I have always loaded 200 grain bullets in my .45 and yes, recoil is noticbly less than say factory, 230 grain loads.
Recently I tried 5 grains of TiteGroup with 200 grain LSWC and it is a very accurate load with a soft recoil.

Typically faster burning powders will also give a lighter recoil as well. I notice a difference between loads using Unique and TiteGroup.

A couple years ago I loaded some .45 with 7 grains of Unique and recoil was pretty sharp - and this was NOT a top load. Recently I had been loading 6 grains of Unique with the 200 grainers but the TG loads have proved to be much more accurate and with less recoil.

[Carver]

Thanks everyone for the reply’s, as per usual a lot of info to think about and good advice. Back to the books