It’s common knowledge that the heavier a rifle, the less recoil is felt. But how much less? Does rifle weight really matter? In this video, we quantify it!
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Weight vs. Recoil Test Set-Up
One of my favorite things to do is to take generally accepted truths and put numbers to it. Whenever I add weight to a rifle, I can feel less recoil. PRS shooters add weights designed for this very purpose.
Ultradyne’s UD chassis was an optimal candidate for this test. M-LOK slots along the front allow for accessory mounting, though are most well-suited for weights.
The UD chassis is available in three different lengths, UD3, UD5, and UD7. The number represents the number of M-LOK slots on each side of the rifle.
For this experiment, I decided to use my 6GT in the UD7 to allow for as much weight to be added as possible. Ultradyne offers two UD weights: one pound and 0.5 pounds.
I installed a 6GT Bergara barrelled action into the chassis and paired it with some Berger 6mm 109 Grain Long Range Hybrid Target bullets I had loaded in Alpha Munitions brass.
To maximize recoil, I removed all muzzle devices from the barrel and secured it in the Ultimate Reloader recoil rig.
This tool is based off of a design from Cal Zant from the Precision Rifle Blog and measures forces at the buttstock at up to 200,000 samples per second.
It utilizes the DEWEsoft Sirius 8-Channel DAC and a PCB Piezoelectronics load cell to capture directly comparable results.
I ran three different rifle weight configurations as shown in the chart below.
This test was conducted on a concrete slab at our Mid-Mountain range.
After taking a few test shots to confirm all was working perfectly, I took the first shot for record without any weights on the rifle.
I added the two pound buttstock weight then took the second shot.
Before the third shot, I added six half pound M-LOK weights.
Results
It is worth noting that my test shots had peak forces within one pound of one another indicating a proper test setup.
All recoil curves were smooth and I observed a 20% reduction in recoil peak force from the minimum rifle weight (13.97 lbs.) to maximum weight (18.95 lbs.)
To illustrate this, I graphed the rifle weight against the peak force.
I also generated a hypothetical curve based on the idea that doubling the rifle mass would cut the force in half. Zooming in on this chart reveals a pattern close to the one we observed.
Conclusion
In short, increasing rifle mass does reduce recoil. (Less force equals less acceleration and the rifle moves less).
Our test indicated that adding five pounds to a PRS rifle could reduce recoil approximately 20% and that recoil peak force roughly follows a hypothetical curve. Keep in mind that adding a muzzle brake like the Ultradyne Apollo Max could reduce recoil even further!
Get the Gear
Order and customize your UD Chassis from UltradyneUSA.com.
Berger 6mm 109 Grain Long Range Hybrid Target Rifle Bullets at Creedmoor Sports and Midsouth Shooters Supply
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Thanks,
Gavin Gear
