low recoiling factory ammo

[C0untZer0]

There is stuff like Federal 105gr. Guard Dog and Hornady 100gr. FTX® LITE - but that stuff is expensive to use for practice.

The lightest recoiling cartridge that I've been able to find is PNW Arms, 115gr Defensive Training.

It is a 115gr bullet going 1066 fps generating 289 ft. lbs of energy.

They cost about $19.99 a box of 50, sometimes you can find them cheaper

 

[LiveLife]

Keep in mind that not all factory ammunition will meet power factor requirements.

PNW Arms, 115gr Defensive Training ... 115gr bullet going 1066 fps

OP is shooting IDPA and ammunition must make minimum power factor of 125 which means 115 gr bullet must travel at least 1087 fps and 124 gr at least 1009 fps - https://www.ccidpa.org/idpa-power.html

 

[Jim Watson]

I find the 124 to be as light a bullet as I want to shoot in quantity as at a match. It is subsonic and lacks the Crack! of the 115.
Heavier subsonics are "softer" yet and I am loading 147s, but they are not a LOT better in my book. A friend disagrees, the 147 seems a major improvement in controllability to her.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

1. By what mechanism is the feeling of pressure in the barrel while the bullet is still internal transmitted to the shooter?

The mechanisms by which recoil is transferred from the barrel to the frame in a semi-auto are the recoil spring and the slide impacting the frame. While the bullet is still in the barrel, only the recoil spring is in play. It is extremely unlikely that any force transmitted through that spring can be differentiated (one load to another) while the bullet is in the barrel. What most people feel is the difference between how hard the slide hits the frame once the recoil spring is fully compressed. (Of course, that can be decreased with a stiffer recoil spring, but that just transfers the recoil sooner but more gradually, rather than suddenly when the slide stops). Only experienced shooters can tell the difference between recoil springs in the early stage of recoil.

 

[Dudedog]

It may not be born out by the numbers but I can fell a difference between a load with 124gr bullet with say Titegroup at 1020 fps and the same load with WSF at 1020 fps. Less snappy,. powder burn time difference is got to be tiny but I can feel a difference. Not saying lighter just different. Some people like the faster powder which should have less recoil (have to add in powder mass) but I prefer something about WSF speed.
Don't know about factory ammo because I shoot reloads tailored to about 128 PF and verified by a chrono.