At the range, I've fired my shotgun and 9mm pistol side by side once to see how they sounded (without earmuffs). I thought the 9mm produced a sharper and more painful blast. The shotgun didn't seem too bad at all. But when I heard someone shoot an AR15 in .223--THAT was loud!
Also, I have a decibel chart from about 15 years ago showing the decibel ratings of different guns. The 12ga. is around 156db and a 9mm was about 160db.
Well, I just went on google and typed in a question about it and was directed to yahoo answers where most people said the shotgun is definately louder. I always thought that using my 12ga in the house for HD would have an advantage of being easier on my ears (among other advantages). I wouldn't have dreamed of using a .223.
So my question is: What produces more hearing damage? Is it something with a higher decibel rating, or is there something else involved?
Here's a link to yahoo answers: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090415201257AANmlaL
Also, I have a decibel chart from about 15 years ago showing the decibel ratings of different guns. The 12ga. is around 156db and a 9mm was about 160db.
Well, I just went on google and typed in a question about it and was directed to yahoo answers where most people said the shotgun is definately louder. I always thought that using my 12ga in the house for HD would have an advantage of being easier on my ears (among other advantages). I wouldn't have dreamed of using a .223.
So my question is: What produces more hearing damage? Is it something with a higher decibel rating, or is there something else involved?
Here's a link to yahoo answers: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090415201257AANmlaL