avoiding ear damage with powerful rifles

Ugg I used to go without because I thought the "real sound" was part of the fun. It took me way too long to realize that this was a mistake. I double up now, but it's probably too late.
 
mainecoon said:
I would love to shoot a .50 cal, a 338 or similar muzzle-braked rifle. But I don't know if my ears could take it. Obviously I would use ear protection. But is that enough for these guns? Is there a limit to how many times you can fire a .50 or similar really loud rifle before it's time to call it quits for the day?
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Double up, do everything you possibly can to protect your hearing. I just left the VA yesterday and they ordered two hearing aids for me. It all started with the first shot.........I still shoot. At 67 its too late to shut the barn door, but its still time for you......enjoy
 
Learned that lesson working around high volume equipment from early 20s. Ingrained as of now, I'm a poster child for its benefit-perfect hearing in my 50s... wish I could use then when the gain is cranked on the amp but I tell myself that's why I saved it in the first place LOL
 
Double-up on everything from .22 to .45-70. Wish I would have started that when I was a kid, though. Too late now, like so many out there. Lawn mowers, fireworks, machinery-it all took it's toll, not just firearms. Saving what I have left.
 
Spend the money for the best ear PLUGS you can buy that are comfortable and have a high noise reduction. This might be the "moldable silly putty" type.
Then spend the money for the best ear MUFFS you can buy that are comfortable and have a high noise reduction.

You will be very glad you did.
 
I was at a public range on Sunday. I had foam plugs (which were correctly installed) AND a pair of Howard Leight electronic muffs. Everything was great until some guy with a 300 Weatherby Magnum with muzzle brake took the bench next to mine. I could feel the HARSH concussion on my face -- thank goodness my ears were well protected.

I told him to move. That firearm in that setting was downright offensive. He moved but it really seemed as though he was having trouble hearing me...
 
jem375 said:
Too late for me...:)
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What? :p

But yeah, anything louder than .22, double up. Hearing loss doesn't return. I was next to a guy shooting a .308 with a muzzle break. Every time he fired that thing I jumped, and I was doubled up. Was trying to sight in my new Howa 1500 and concentration was nearly impossible. There is such a thing as a gun that's just too damn loud.
 
Was out shooting Boomer (Barrett .50) yesterday. It's very loud but much slower and very different and not near the 'crack' of some guns like the .300 Weatherby Mag.
(And besides Boomer is more of a firm push to your shoulder than a Wetherby's ball peen hammer to your shoulder blade)
 
taliv said:
i always double up with plugs and muffs when i shoot 50s.

the noise doesn't bother me that way, but the concussion still gives me a headache after more than 20 rounds or so
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I think you are talking about a .50 BMG rifle.
I wouldn't shoot 50 calibers right beside me.
I also think people should also never get close Muzzle break.
 
We have hearing protection threads frequently and the professional advice is always the same, double up with the highest NRR you can applied properly and use a suppressor whenever possible. The secondary advice is to use equipment from the major industrial hearing protection manufacturers for confidence in the quality and protection.
 
Please name the industrial hearing protection companies. I do have the Peltor 10 and the pro ears ultra 33 and use Hearos foam plugs rated at 33nrr. If there is something better I need it. I ,too, suffer from tinnitus due to rock music and shooting early in life . I'm 67 and want to keep what I have for the next 30 years , at least.
 
When hunting and just shooting, I use Sonic II's. I'm holding my head wrong or something, cause with a rifle, regular muffs interfere with holding my head right to sight my rifle. While mowing, I wear foam plugs. I've had tinnitus for decades.
 
Guns, machinery and loud music. A couple of years ago the VA fitted me with hearing aids. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Believe it or not I think I like it better not wearing them. The quiet can be nice.
 
Well 4 years in the service shooting w/o hearing protection early years in the PD never wore hearing protection it wasn't till later that they realized it affected our hearing but by then damage had been done I have hearing aides now I don't wear them when I go to the range or hunting but use hearing protection doing both Take it from me it doesn't take much to affect your hearing teach your children the need to wear hearing protection even doing things like using a power lawn mower etc.
 
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