Faster loads without the pain !? (SW 500)

[BrokenWheel]

I would like to try a powder that will reproduce some of the factory load velocities. The question i've been trying to answer, is it possible that (all things being equal- bullet weight, velocity, in the same gun) will result in different "felt recoil" solely due to burn rates of powders?

I've heard good things about AA #9, H110 but would love to know if the burn rate on each would affect the recoil sensation (ie slow vs fast). If a slower burn rate produces a more comfortable shot, what powder would you suggest?

So far I am using AA 5744, with a 370 grain bullet. Velocities in the low 1500's fps. Recoil not bad. looking to go a bit faster, without bruises!

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

What's your barrel length?

 

[BrokenWheel]

8 3/8"

 

[Walkalong]

There is no free lunch. More powder, more recoil.

You are already using slow powders to get where you are at, so no help there either.

 

[RandyP]

That Newton guy didn't just jot down ideas....he wrote Laws....lol

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

+1 to the above. It's a wristbreaker. Choose recoil, or settle on a comfortable loading.

 

[BrokenWheel]

UPDATE:

I decided to try the H110 out. Shooting a 370 grain bullet with a powder charge of 46 grains of H110 (est 1850 to 1900 fps) felt more comfortable than shooting AA 5744 42.5 grain (est speed 1566 fps) .

The H110 was louder and you felt the concussion but the palm of my hand did not sting as much as with the AA 5744. I am not sure why, but maybe it had something to do with the burn rate. Nevertheless, H110 is my new favorite powder, much cleaner burning and complete burning than the AA 5744.

 

[RippinSVT]

I don't personally like H110/296 since it is finicky with primer choice and temperature variations, but it does provide the best velocity in max-loads that I have used. I stick to 2400 mostly in my magnum load these days because I like to standardize things and it is far-and-away the easiest magnum powder to deal with IMHO.


Powder levels will definitely increase the "snappy" felt recoil, but bullet-wieght is what typically contributes to that brutish hit you feel. Just as an example, a 125gr .357 loaded at max velocity is still pretty tame, but load a 158 or 180 at max, and hits you pretty hard. Not .500 Smith hard, but the concept is the same.