Using a weight ratio of 100oz gun and 1oz load, the shotgun has moved about one-quarter inch in recoil as the load exits the muzzle (28" barrel). After that the recoil velocity of the gun is what is left for the shooter to deal with. For a given recoil speed, any differences in recoil perception would have to occur within that initial quarter inch of movement.

Never having used a muzzle brake, I take on faith that they work. Savage has a switchable brake on the Long Range Hunter, so it could be tried both ways. The effect of the brake depends on the gun having just got up to full recoil speed as the bullet exits, but not having moved very far.

A gas auto gets a few ounces of internal parts moving backward faster than the overall gun is moving, which exaggerates their momentum compared with the rigid part of the gun. This allows the total momentum of the gun to be the same with the rigid parts moving slower than a fixed breech gun. This apparently happens soon enough during recoil that it is perceived by many shooters of gas guns as easing the bite.


Last edited by J. Hall; 04/19/10 11:11 AM.