Are these sufficient for high powered 6.5 CM or .308 hearing protection?

[RussellC]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BXVPCHK?ref_=ams_ad_dp_ovrl

I have a pair of electronic Howard leight that work well, but are large enough to sometimes interfere with the rifle stock. this will lead to either slightly lifting the muff, (bad) or also holding my head at weird angles which does not assist my semi lame shooting either. I wear some fancy ear plug in the right ear in case of "muff lift." This keeps one ear available to the amplified normal sound so I can hear range calls.

This brings me to the above slim line Walker unit. I note its decibel reduction is 23 dB, while my Howard Leight units are 30 dB, and were also more expensive.

The Howard Leight units really quiet things down, even in doors. I have a set of Caldwell electronic muffs that were a similar price to these Walkers, but they didnt do as well as the Howard Leight model does, noise reduction wise....especially with rifle blast.

I think this is the one I have, or one notch better?

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leigh...rd_wg=mqIUh&psc=1&refRID=5FMVJPMVY7QSRMPVN6YV

saw these, again only 22 dB reduction...

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leigh...rd_wg=3f7P0&psc=1&refRID=NJ9ZG4JKY67DFZQZSW84

OK, I'm all ears!

Russellc

 

[someguy2800]

I use a pair of $5 earmuffs with the foam taken out so i can hear people talk. I'm certain those will be sufficient. You just need something to knock down the concussion.

 

[Nature Boy]

I use a pair of these pelator ear muffs for shotguns because of the thin profile, and then I double up with a set of ear plugs

 

[horsey300]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BXVPCHK?ref_=ams_ad_dp_ovrl

I have a pair of electronic Howard leight that work well, but are large enough to sometimes interfere with the rifle stock. this will lead to either slightly lifting the muff, (bad) or also holding my head at weird angles which does not assist my semi lame shooting either. I wear some fancy ear plug in the right ear in case of "muff lift." This keeps one ear available to the amplified normal sound so I can hear range calls.

This brings me to the above slim line Walker unit. I note its decibel reduction is 23 dB, while my Howard Leight units are 30 dB, and were also more expensive.

The Howard Leight units really quiet things down, even in doors. I have a set of Caldwell electronic muffs that were a similar price to these Walkers, but they didnt do as well as the Howard Leight model does, noise reduction wise....especially with rifle blast.

I think this is the one I have, or one notch better?

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leigh...rd_wg=mqIUh&psc=1&refRID=5FMVJPMVY7QSRMPVN6YV

saw these, again only 22 dB reduction...

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leigh...rd_wg=3f7P0&psc=1&refRID=NJ9ZG4JKY67DFZQZSW84

OK, I'm all ears!

Russellc

I can't testify to the muffs but my surefire earplugs work REALLY nice for everything we've shot around here from the .300&.338wm to an 18" .243 to the .270&.30-06. I know that doesn't exactly answer your question but they may be worth a look. Just do an Amazon search for the surefire earplugs, when we first got ours, the ep3 was the latest and greatest but they've still made more advances so there's plenty to choose from.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_0_11?k=surefire+ear+plugs&sprefix=surefire+ea

 

[Klint Beastwood]

yeah i think as long as you have something more then cigarette butts in your ears for ear pro, one should be alright.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

23 DB NRR? Put plugs under them and turn up the amplification.

 

[denton]

People sometimes forget that dB are logarithmic. 30 db muffs/plugs reduce sound levels 1000X, and 20 dB muffs/plugs reduce it 100X. Big difference.

I have some 33 dB muffs, and I use them when I'm running my snow blower or my table saw. I accidentally discovered that when I open my mouth, the apparent sound level pops up a bit. When you reach the point that bone conduction of sound is a major factor, it is pointless to try to add more reduction to your muffs/plugs.

Hearing loss is slow, cumulative, and not reversible. I try to keep my ear protection 30 dB or better.

 

[RussellC]

People sometimes forget that dB are logarithmic. 30 db muffs/plugs reduce sound levels 1000X, and 20 dB muffs/plugs reduce it 100X. Big difference.

I have some 33 dB muffs, and I use them when I'm running my snow blower or my table saw. I accidentally discovered that when I open my mouth, the apparent sound level pops up a bit. When you reach the point that bone conduction of sound is a major factor, it is pointless to try to add more reduction to your muffs/plugs.

Hearing loss is slow, cumulative, and not reversible. I try to keep my ear protection 30 dB or better.

Yup. My other hobby is audio. 6dB can represent a doubling of volume!

Another thing, the reduction isn't cumulative for muffs and plugs in terms of ratings, you cant just add them together. You reach a max point and that is it.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

23 DB NRR? Put plugs under them and turn up the amplification.

If you read the initial post, I do use one in the "lift" ear, not in the other. I guess the only way is to use plugs in both, and turn up the volume. The thinner muffs seem to appear not to interfere with the gun stock, but I have not located any thin ones that approach 30 dB. You answer may be the best.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

yeah i think as long as you have something more then cigarette butts in your ears for ear pro, one should be alright.

You are under 50, right?

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

I use a pair of these pelator ear muffs for shotguns because of the thin profile, and then I double up with a set of ear plugs

View attachment 750208

Those appear to be non amplified? I need to hear range commands at a couple of places I shoot.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

I can't testify to the muffs but my surefire earplugs work REALLY nice for everything we've shot around here from the .300&.338wm to an 18" .243 to the .270&.30-06. I know that doesn't exactly answer your question but they may be worth a look. Just do an Amazon search for the surefire earplugs, when we first got ours, the ep3 was the latest and greatest but they've still made more advances so there's plenty to choose from.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_0_11?k=surefire+ear+plugs&sprefix=surefire+ea

Yup, the EP 7 is what I use under the muffs. I guess as another member suggested, both these and the muffs turned up. The EP7 sort of has an adjustment, a tiny port you can pull the plug out of, I guess I can do that in the left ear.
I was in hopes of avoiding the plugs, it bothers me to have something stuck in my ear, especially when its hot...plus under muffs that is even worse.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

Thanks everybody, my search continues for a thin one with 30 dB or better that is amplified...beginning to think it may not exist.

Russellc

 

[denton]

If you give up on thin ones, Harbor Freight has 33 dB muffs on sale for $12-13 from time to time.

 

[horsey300]

Yup, the EP 7 is what I use under the muffs. I guess as another member suggested, both these and the muffs turned up. The EP7 sort of has an adjustment, a tiny port you can pull the plug out of, I guess I can do that in the left ear.
I was in hopes of avoiding the plugs, it bothers me to have something stuck in my ear, especially when its hot...plus under muffs that is even worse.

Russellc

Ooooohhh I gotcha, I don't muff over the top, quite a few are rated to 24 decibels, but I don't know what the 7 is rated. If I'm at target work, plugging them is quite enough for me I guess, and then when hunting I open the plugs and can talk quietly to my party and hear everyone, but not really be affected by the blast of those same rifles I previously listed. Have you tried them unmuffed?
ETA I just checked the 7 and it's rated for the same 24 decibels mine is, but you have the foam plug and mine has the funny shaped rubber type. The foam may be uncomfortable in the heat, the rubber one isn't.....I hope you DO find a solution.
Etaa the 5&9 get you to nrr26

 

[mshootnit]

I just throw in foam plugs and go. You should be fine.

 

[Sunray]

"...something more than cigarette butts..." Or empty cases. Any ear defenders will do. They don't have to be expensive.

 

[Varminterror]

For most "mid priced" electronic muffs, you're looking at high teens to low 20's of reduction, so those are actually pretty decent for electronic muffs.

I have a pair of those Walker's, but more often I wear a behind the neck set of Pro-200's, which are only 19db NRR. Neither do as well as a good set of CHEAP foam plugs, and neither are really enough for me to be comfortable when I'm shooting a 20" AR with a muzzle brake. I can wear just foam plugs and be ok for shorter range days, but I almost always double down.

I - at LEAST - double down and wear a plug in my right ear when shooting a rifle with a brake, or a high pressure rifle. Inevitably, one position or another will push my right ear muff against the stock, which compromises the protection on that side. So I run the gamut of just plugs, plugs & muffs, or muffs + right ear plug, but not usually ever run muffs without at least one plug. Only for 22LR and handguns will I regularly just wear muffs alone.

 

[RussellC]

Ooooohhh I gotcha, I don't muff over the top, quite a few are rated to 24 decibels, but I don't know what the 7 is rated. If I'm at target work, plugging them is quite enough for me I guess, and then when hunting I open the plugs and can talk quietly to my party and hear everyone, but not really be affected by the blast of those same rifles I previously listed. Have you tried them unmuffed?
ETA I just checked the 7 and it's rated for the same 24 decibels mine is, but you have the foam plug and mine has the funny shaped rubber type. The foam may be uncomfortable in the heat, the rubber one isn't.....I hope you DO find a solution.
Etaa the 5&9 get you to nrr26

Mine came with spares, but I think they were all the same.

Russellc

 

[RussellC]

For most "mid priced" electronic muffs, you're looking at high teens to low 20's of reduction, so those are actually pretty decent for electronic muffs.

I have a pair of those Walker's, but more often I wear a behind the neck set of Pro-200's, which are only 19db NRR. Neither do as well as a good set of CHEAP foam plugs, and neither are really enough for me to be comfortable when I'm shooting a 20" AR with a muzzle brake. I can wear just foam plugs and be ok for shorter range days, but I almost always double down.

I - at LEAST - double down and wear a plug in my right ear when shooting a rifle with a brake, or a high pressure rifle. Inevitably, one position or another will push my right ear muff against the stock, which compromises the protection on that side. So I run the gamut of just plugs, plugs & muffs, or muffs + right ear plug, but not usually ever run muffs without at least one plug. Only for 22LR and handguns will I regularly just wear muffs alone.

Yes, Ive been doubling down on the right side, while the H.L. model I have is 30 db, their larger size can cause a little lift, which of course gives up some protection, and usually plug that side as well. Otherwise, these muffs alone work fine alone noise wise, but if the stock contact lifts it a bit, it can be too loud. Thus the right side plug.

Russellc

 

[hdwhit]

RussellIIC wrote:
OK, I'm all ears!

I don't shoot anything bigger than .223 right now, so I have nothing to offer on that question, but I just wanted to say that I really liked the "I'm all ears" pun!