MtnMan wrote:must be getting lower velocity to account for the lower recoil. you can't have the same or more velocity without the same or more recoil.
recoil is a function of bullet weight, it's velocity and gun weight. the powder simply determines the velocity.
Actual recoil and felt/perceived/kick are different. Actual is a math equation, whereas a faster powder in smaller amount of weight, in same casing, producing same velocity of projectile of same weight, will produce less
felt recoil. Slower burning powders that feel like they recoil more have a longer recoil impulse and are thus more perceivable.
It's a well known phenomena among target shooters that say AR2206H doesn't "hurt" as much as say AR2209, with the production of same velocities using the same case/projectile. Nevertheless, beyond (felt) recoil, slower powders are more favorable because they yield better case fill and thus more consistent muzzle velocities, not to mention are inherently safer to reload. It's all tradeoffs. Do some real time with different powders and you will feel for yourself.
My real world example; I consciously run AR2206H under 174gr SMKs out of the SMLE No4 (to save my shoulder during service matches - yes I have tried AR2209 and the damned thing flogs me if i'm just wearing a light Tshirt). Yet using AR2208 in my boat anchor palma rifle under a 155gr SMK is an absolute no-brainer; the weight of the rifle completely nullifies any felt recoil. Horses for courses.