One of my relatives has sensitive eardrums, so a 30-06 blast without hearing protection would make him deaf for a couple seconds. Not that anyone should practice without hearing protection, but i was wondering--what caliber is good for deer with the least noise? My guess is the .243 but i've never actually used one. Also, does a longer barrel mean less noise? BTW recoil is really not a problem for him
Deer Caliber with least noise
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Noise is relatively high in any center-fire caliber.
A long barrel helps, as does a low-intensity caliber such as the 30-30 or 45-70, or a pistol caliber such as the .44 Mag.
If he is woods hunting, or otherwise not needing to make long shots, a 26" .44 Mag Marlin would be an excellent choice.
If slightly longer range is in the cards, look at something like a 30-30, .35 Remington, or 45-70.
If true long range is necessary, something like the .257 Roberts or 260 Remington might be a good choice, although not a lot less noise then the 30-06.
Perhaps a better solution would be keep the 30-06 he has and buy a set of noise canceling ear plugs like the Walker Game Ears.
http://www.walkersgameear.com/enhancement_hdSeries.html
A less expensive, and less effective option would be the Walker Ultra Ears.
http://www.walkersgameear.com/enhancement_ultraEar.html
rc
A long barrel helps, as does a low-intensity caliber such as the 30-30 or 45-70, or a pistol caliber such as the .44 Mag.
If he is woods hunting, or otherwise not needing to make long shots, a 26" .44 Mag Marlin would be an excellent choice.
If slightly longer range is in the cards, look at something like a 30-30, .35 Remington, or 45-70.
If true long range is necessary, something like the .257 Roberts or 260 Remington might be a good choice, although not a lot less noise then the 30-06.
Perhaps a better solution would be keep the 30-06 he has and buy a set of noise canceling ear plugs like the Walker Game Ears.
http://www.walkersgameear.com/enhancement_hdSeries.html
A less expensive, and less effective option would be the Walker Ultra Ears.
http://www.walkersgameear.com/enhancement_ultraEar.html
rc
McBuck
Member
RCmodel has the right idea. Even thought some of the calibers he mentioned are larger ..ie:45-70. You will notice more of a "boom" than a sharp "krack" from the report of those rounds. I always thought it peculiar when shooting handguns that a .357 w/ a 6"bbl had a more harsh report than a 6"bbl .44mag, but that is the way it tends to work.
Me?? I like the idea of a .35 Rem. Good accurate round with plenty of knockdown.
Ask RCmodel what he thinks about a 7mm.08. That might be a great round for sensitive ears too.
Me?? I like the idea of a .35 Rem. Good accurate round with plenty of knockdown.
Ask RCmodel what he thinks about a 7mm.08. That might be a great round for sensitive ears too.
General Geoff
Member
suppressed .300 Whisper 
R.W.Dale
Member
Not all states allow supressors for hunting.
A low pressure revolver cartridge load shooting heavy for caliber bullets barely supersonic can be very very quiet from a rifle.
A low pressure revolver cartridge load shooting heavy for caliber bullets barely supersonic can be very very quiet from a rifle.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Pressure is what causes the sharp crack that rings your chimes without earmuffs.
And the .260, 7mm-08, etc are all going to be about as loud as the 30-06 he has.
I still think if high velocity & long range are necessary, the Walker noise-canceling ear plugs with his 30-06 are the best way to go.
They allow you to hear game normally, or even better, while blocking all harmful muzzle blast.
And if he already has ear problems, he really should use ear protection when shooting anything.
rc
And the .260, 7mm-08, etc are all going to be about as loud as the 30-06 he has.
I still think if high velocity & long range are necessary, the Walker noise-canceling ear plugs with his 30-06 are the best way to go.
They allow you to hear game normally, or even better, while blocking all harmful muzzle blast.
And if he already has ear problems, he really should use ear protection when shooting anything.
rc
Quietest Deer Rifle
Last year I had my then 12 year old son shooting my .270 with reduced recoil rounds and when he took it hunting he shot at some deer 200+ yards away -- he missed on the first shot they didn't even know he was there; on the second shot he knocked down his first deer. I couldn't believe how quiet the rounds were. The rounds were made by Remington but I wonder if their other rifle rounds are as quiet? Anyway that might be one way to quiet down your rifle.
Last year I had my then 12 year old son shooting my .270 with reduced recoil rounds and when he took it hunting he shot at some deer 200+ yards away -- he missed on the first shot they didn't even know he was there; on the second shot he knocked down his first deer. I couldn't believe how quiet the rounds were. The rounds were made by Remington but I wonder if their other rifle rounds are as quiet? Anyway that might be one way to quiet down your rifle.
bhk
Member
Walkers are fine, but expensive. There are a number of electronic muffs for under $200 that will not only protect his ears, but enhance his hearing in the woods.
dispatch55126
Member
I'm sorta in the same boat. I screwed up my left ear awhile back and a 22lr will make me go deaf in that ear for some time. I've noticed that it doesn't bother me in the woods though. It could either be that the range causes an echo which amplifies the noise or the fact that the adrenaline rush tunes my ear out momentarily.
MatthewVanitas
Member
You might not notice the damage at the time due to adrenaline, but it's certainly damaging your hearing regardless of whether you're distracted by your target or no.
Gordon
Member
My Remington 788 bolt .44mag with a 22" barrel loaded with 320 grain flat point bullets with enough Unique to get them to 1000 FPS is set to 50 yards dead on and at that range or a little more or less it kills deer DRN and sounds less than a .410 shotgun, just a 110 decibel POP!
Damon555
Member
I use hearing protection when I hunt (if time permits). I usually have an ear plug in my right ear and then, when the time comes to shoot, I sneak one into my left ear.
FMJMIKE
Member
A Marlin lever action rifle in .357 Magnum would be my choice !!!
tubeshooter
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^ only thing with that is... if it's loaded strong enough for deer, then it's almost as loud as the 30-30.
I'll be the first to admit I haven't shot a wide variety of cartridges, but I don't consider too much in centerfire to be 'not loud'. Especially in a true deer hunting gun. To me, the .30-30 is 'loud'. Many consider that to be close to the minimum for deer.
Whether or not .357 in a rifle qualifies as deer medicine is a subject that has been up for much debate.
[drops half-open can of worms and runs]
I'll be the first to admit I haven't shot a wide variety of cartridges, but I don't consider too much in centerfire to be 'not loud'. Especially in a true deer hunting gun. To me, the .30-30 is 'loud'. Many consider that to be close to the minimum for deer.
Whether or not .357 in a rifle qualifies as deer medicine is a subject that has been up for much debate.
[drops half-open can of worms and runs]
ChronoCube
Member
The round with the least noise is a broadhead arrow. In all seriousness, if he has hearing problems, has he considered a crossbow?
In all seriousness, if he has hearing problems, has he considered a crossbow?rangerruck
Member
that is a toughy really; what about something like a 338 federal? nice short 308 type case, shooting a fat round? I really like the idea of the whisper cartridges, for anything inside of 150 yds, but you will have to pay for the whisper cartridges , proly quite a bit, or handload. my next bet would be a 30 carbine, or a 762.39, out of a rifle length bbl, 22 inches. plus ammo for either is not a lot of bucks.
the 243 is a high pressure round, coming very fast, out of a little hole, lots of cracky noises...
the 243 is a high pressure round, coming very fast, out of a little hole, lots of cracky noises...
Gryffydd
Member
AKA
What rifle for poaching?
I kid, I kid...
What rifle for poaching?
I kid, I kid...
If you're talking over 100-150 yards, sure. Within that range, who thinks 1000+ ft lbs isn't enough for deer?
There's a reason for that
MutinousDoug
Member
The report at the moment the bullet leaves the barrel and the muzzle's distance from your ears is what determines the damage you will suffer (assuming no protection). That report is determined by the internal pressure of the system at bullet release and the volume of gas released at that moment (a smaller caliber will release gas in a smaller relative volume/longer period of time). A 30-30 compared to a .308 in a similar length barrel won't have as much pressure to do the same hearing damage. A 35K max psi.44 mag at 26" from your ears may not be as loud as a 55K psi .308 at the same distance. On the other hand, it all depends on the pressure wave as it hits your ear canal.
Do a bunch of sonic tests and report back to us.
Thx,bai
Do a bunch of sonic tests and report back to us.
Thx,bai
I use ear plugs when I make a shot hunting. I've damaged my ears enough already, and no game animal is worth losing any more hearing over. If I don't have time to put in plugs, or don't get them in in expectation of a shot, I don't shoot.
Last time I shot when hunting without hearing protection was with a 338. I KNEW I lost hearing the instant I shot, and it HURT!!!!! I now cannot hear the shaking of powder in a rifle cartridge or a watch ticking in the left ear, and I could before. In any event, my ears have been ringing for 35 years or so, that one shot 15 years ago was one of the few I took without protection. I'll never do it again.
I don't quite get it, about not noticing the shot when hunting, I surely do. Muzzle brakes are absolutely horrible (loud) to me, I hate them mightily. Guess I wouldnt make a very good Mall Ninja or tacticool operator.
Last time I shot when hunting without hearing protection was with a 338. I KNEW I lost hearing the instant I shot, and it HURT!!!!! I now cannot hear the shaking of powder in a rifle cartridge or a watch ticking in the left ear, and I could before. In any event, my ears have been ringing for 35 years or so, that one shot 15 years ago was one of the few I took without protection. I'll never do it again.
I don't quite get it, about not noticing the shot when hunting, I surely do. Muzzle brakes are absolutely horrible (loud) to me, I hate them mightily. Guess I wouldnt make a very good Mall Ninja or tacticool operator.
rskent
Member
12 gauge?
Steve
Steve
My choice, as it has been others choice for 100 years, is the .30-30. Relatively quiet, effective on Deer and like sized game, ammo is cheap which encourages practice, recoil is light (I do have a pad on mine) and the overall package is light and easy to carry. Load some Horndy Leverevolution 'Flex tip' and you are good to go for out to 150-200 yards.
Mine is a Winchester M94 with checkered walnut and with Williams 'Fire sights', all in all avery good choice for me.
Mine is a Winchester M94 with checkered walnut and with Williams 'Fire sights', all in all avery good choice for me.
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