Not a firearms expert but I thought I understood physics.
Why does a shorter barrel produce more recoil?
I would have thought that more of the gas from the charge escaped out of the barrel before expanding fully, so the bullet has a lower velocity and so there is LESS recoil transferred to the weapon?
The muzzle velocity for the No5 (2,539 ft/s 774 m/s) wasn't that much different from the No4 (2,770 ft/s 844 m/s) but the No5 was nearly 2 lbs (about 7 lbs compared to 9lbs for the No4) lighter or about the same as the lightweight M16 ). The No4 was already known for its substantial kick.
e.g if you compared the ft.lbfs energy of the .303 at 180gr you get (2,636 ft·lbf) as apposed to the 5.56x45 Nato at (1,303 ft·lbf) the .303 has twice the recoil energy in a rifle weighing the same. The No5 Carbine makes the AR-15 feel like an underpowered plastic pop gun by comparison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAKUhv1gSQAFor exampke the No5 is 4 1/2 lbs lighter than a M14 for similar recoil power.
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