> Heavier bullet = more momentum = more recoil. But if you have the same amount of powder (chemical energy) a heavier bullet will simply move slower, resulting

> Heavier bullet = more momentum = more recoil. But if you have the same amount of powder (chemical energy) a heavier bullet will simply move slower, resulting in the same momentum and recoil. What makes the AR-15 easier to handle is that the gun itself is heavier, so it moves slower from the recoil. That and a few other things like dissipating the energy over a large area on your shoulder instead of the palm of your hand.