Recoil measurements?

[alany]

There's a lot of talk about which guns have more or less recoil, and how superbolts reduce recoil. I'm just wondering if AGD or anyone else has ever MEASURED recoil. It would be nice to see actual numbers measured with a sensitive instrument.

I'd also be interested in the different components of recoil. Some recoil is produced by the gas and ball being propelled, and the rest by the bolt springing back. What percent does each contribute to the whole recoil?

[AGD]

You know I have been thinking about the same thing. How do you measure recoil in a fair and unbiased way. I was thinking about hanging the marker from two long strings and electrically firing it remotely. The amount of swing would tell you how much recoil.

I am open to ideas on this one.

AGD

[luke]

I like the remote firing idea. But, instead of hanging the gun from two strings, why not bench mount the gun on a hinge at the bottom of the grip frame, then use a dial indicator mounted at the back of the gun to measure recoil.

[Russ]

RECOIL: The rearward motion or "kick" of a gun on firing. Recoil in shooting is the practical effect of Newton's third law of Motion, "for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.

...that's from the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, 4th edition.

A paintball weighs in at a whopping 3.3 grams (49.7 grains) A standard 22 long rifle projectile weighs 40 grains, but travels at 4 times the speed of a paintball (1200fps vs. 300fps)

Any recoil generated by the paintball is negligable, and would be equal in all guns being fired at 300fps. (damn, I wish I could locate the formula for calculating recoil energy!)

What is felt is the motion of the bolt and hammer (when so equipped) moving back and forth rapidly. It's not recoil per se.

[luke]

Russ,
What about shock absorption? Overall weight of the marker will affect recoil also, right? My Micro has a harder "kick" than my Mini using the same valve, tank, etc........

[alany]

I guess I was thinking more in terms of an accelerometer or force sensor. I think it would easy for someone familiar with these types of electronic components to pick one with the right range and hook it up to a gun.

But hanging it on a string may work just as well. Something like this: http://isaac.exploratorium.edu/~paul...lerometer.html
You could video tape this setup and then replay in slow motion to see the peak angle.

[Paintchucker]

Kicking the barrel up under sustained fire.

I forget where I read it, but I read an interesting article talking about mag vs. cocker/open bolt vs. closed bolt. In the article, it said when you put the guns in a vise and clamp them down, you see little or no difference in the guns. The problem arises from the blow forward/spring back of the mag and when held in the hand, the barrel tends to get a little rise from sustained fire.

[Butterfingers]

Set up a target 10 feet away.

Suspend guns on a swing from ceiling.

Electronicly fire a 10 rd burst.

Measure accuracy deviation.