5.45 X 39 recoil Q

[Walkalong]

How does the recoil of 5.45 X 39 compare to 5.56? 10% less, 20% less? The same? I have never shot one, but the round intrigues me.

Thanks. AC

 

[nalioth]

Since none of us are machines and all have different perceptions of "recoil", I'll just say "less".

 

[Shear_stress]

http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

 

[Walkalong]

I have used that calculator for things. I was looking for personal opinions.

 

[HorseSoldier]

There's perceptibly less recoil shooting an AK-74 than shooting a 5.56mm AK or Galil, in my experience. Compared to an M4, though, there's little difference, or possibly even the advantage narrowly to the M4 due to differences in the design. Neither round is really a bruiser, though, obviously.

Edit to add -- All the 5.45x39 AKs I've shot included AK-74 style muzzle brake/comps, while both the Galils and Bulgarian 5.56mm AKs I've shot had much simpler flash hiders installed, for whatever that is worth.

 

[Sam1911]

Recoil? Seriously?

Well, if we set the scale at .223/5.56 = ZERO, then 5.45mm would be at something like +/- 2% of ZERO.

So, written algebraically, 5.45mm recoil = 0*0.02, which equals (looking for my calculator...hmmm...buttons tapping...) -- wow, that still equals zero.



-Sam

 

[Walkalong]

Both shot in an AR. I should have been clearer. Thanks

 

[slzy]

i have shot thousands of rounds ,both semi and full in m16s and never even thought of recoil,till now.

 

[Coronach]

Never shot the round in an AR, but I have in an AK. It strikes me as being very similar to 5.56 in perceived recoil. Translation: Not enough to worry about.

Mike

 

[HorseSoldier]

Recoil? Seriously?

The original poster did not say what the motive for his interest is, but it's worth noting that besides separating the men from the boys via shoulder flinches and such, recoil (even modest, 5.56 sort of recoil) also directly effects the speed at which one can run their rifle and engage targets, be they bad guys or three-gun match targets. +/- 2% of 0 could, hypothetically still be a relevant number depending on the application (though I suspect that between 5.56 and 5.45 you'll see more variation based on muzzle devices than calibers as far as recoil impulse and muzzle jump).

 

[grimjaw]

How about, hard enough to detect the difference that it's not worth talking about.

jm

 

[Walkalong]

Good answers. Thanks

besides separating the men from the boys via shoulder flinches and such,

My "threshold" is, and always has been, the .308. I fell in love with it at 18, but I didn't like the ought six. Go figure.

I have shot heavier, and sighted in heavier for folks, but I didn't enjoy it. Now with a, well two, surgically repaired shoulders, I don't shoot a lot of heavy rifle at all. I like to shoot my .308, and I like the 6.5 X 55, but my shoulder can not take a lot of it. I still love to make my .44 Redhawk go boom, but again, not too much at a time. Too much work, too much baseball, too much age.

H***, it could be worse.

The original poster did not say what the motive for his interest is

An AR upper in a caliber with a little less recoil than .223 so I could shoot more in one session without discomfort. (More than a .22 LR AR upper though, which is on my gotta have soon list)

 

[MechAg94]

Only AK's here in that caliber, but I agree with the answer above: The difference is so small as to be not worth discussing. I like the round though.

 

[jws527]

It's negligible, regardless of platform.