Ear Muffs and Scopes (particularly AR)

[berettaprofessor]

I'm having a problem with wearing ear muffs while using scoped rifles, particularly AR's. I normally use medium height or low height rings depending on the scope bell. Mounting the scope, I'm not wearing ear protection, and I have no problem later if I'm just wearing plugs, but I'd like to wear both. I seem to have more issues with it when shooting prone, probably because of a slightly different cheek weld then standing. What do you'all do to help the issue? Is it simply a matter of using high rings on those rifles (which I hate to do)? Should I mount the scope wearing muffs so that the eye relief is slightly different? Thanks, in advance, for any guidance.

 

[mustbe]

My service rifle optic is 1.3" above the receiver which is fairly low. A good cheek weld is paramount for accuracy. I would not consider raising the optic.

I wear Howard impacts with a plug in my right ear. The stock will lift the muff enough to break the seal but the plug will protect that ear while still allowing me to hear range commands.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Thanks, Mustbe, for the thought. Unless there are better ideas out there, I guess the ear muffs are a no go and ear plugs only?

 

[chicharrones]

Some ear muffs get in the way more than others.

The wide and fat earmuffs hit the comb of every rifle I own, so I prefer to use those for handgun shooting.

For rifles, there are some earmuffs that are slimmer and others that are slimmer only at the bottom. They aren't perfect as they can still touch the comb of the stock, but they displace your head position much less.

 

[CapnMac]

When the muffs interfere, I just "scrunch" the cup up as far as it will go up under the earlobe. Which usually gets it out of stock contact.
Now, as a matter of practice, I always double and use foam plugs and muffs.
5.56/.233 has a sound impulse that's actually greater than a .44mag--so, protect your hearing first; then sort out the sight picture.

 

[If1HitU]

I use those little soft rubber ear plugs,I can't stand wearing ear muffs.

 

[jmr40]

They make thinner muffs. I used to have problems before switching to that type.

 

[MistWolf]

I found a pair of ear muffs that are thinner and comfortable. I also bought a suppressor

 

[MutinousDoug]

My VA audiologist tells me to wear both silicone plugs and muffs when shooting. I shoot an aperture rear sight mounted low on the rail so I can't get a cheek weld with the muff properly mounted over my right ear. I place the right muff cup so the bottom edge is over the plug; pressing it tighter into my ear. It doesn't provide the protection of properly used muffs but improves protection over plugs alone. My left ear is fully protected so that alone is worth the extra effort.

 

[cfullgraf]

I found a pair of ear muffs that are thinner and comfortable. I also bought a suppressor

There are thinner ear muffs out there. I've bought some that have the bottom of the cup scooped out a little that fit around the stock some.

If I remember correctly, the last couple I bought were advertised for shot guns so adding ear plugs would be most desirable.

That said and an aside, I make the thin muffs work with rifle but I use ear plugs when shooting shot gun.