Perceived recoil/noise

[randytrapper]

I was out shooting today and noticed a rather dramatic difference in sound and recoil between the 2 different ammo I was shooting.
I shot some Federal 9mm 115 grain FMJ's and then fired off some Winchester Ranger 9mm SXT 147 grain JHP's
The Federal's where real loud, I mean they cracked and the recoil seemed to be snappy as well.
Then I was shooting the Rangers and they where not nearly as loud and seemed to have much less recoil.
I would have thought the Rangers would produce more recoil? But they are like a pussy cat compared to the inexpensive Federals. Not to mention much quieter. My buddy actually thought I was shooting 2 different guns because of the sound.

Does that seem normal?

 

[PO2Hammer]

Normal to me.
9mm 147 have always seemed quieter and softer recoiling than 115 when comparing basic blasting ammo.
147's in general use less powder, and have lower energy.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I think most 147gr rounds are also subsonic so you wouldn't have the crack of the sound barrier that you most certainly got with 115gr rounds.

 

[jad0110]

Yep, 125 grain .357s seem to have a lot more ear splitting crack than 158 grainers, to my hearing protected ears anyway.

 

[LKB3rd]

That's normal. If you want to throw a huge fireball for any reason, the light hot loads work for that too