How loud is a 223 Rem. Fired from a T/C Encore 24" Barrel

[cesarf]

I am considering the purchase of a Thompson Center Encore Carbine .223 Rem with a 24" barrel.

My question is, would you consider this set up as producing a considerably loud report when compared with a 22" Barrel .223 Rem bolt action?

I have never fired this caliber before, and have been looking to get a bolt action rifle, but this purchase opportunity came up and I am willing to consider it, since the T/C platform offers the versatility of changing barrels of several calibers.

What's stopping me from pulling the trigger on this deal, is that it is a carbine, and even if it has a 24" barrel, theoretically the single shot action causes the blast to be closer to the shooter than a bolt action.

It's main use would be as a dedicated varmint rifle, and occasionally to use it at the shooting range.

Just as a side note, I always use ear plugs while hunting, and double up with ear muffs at the shooting range, since I am currently a Tinnitus sufferer (several years of shooting without hearing protection), hence am willing to protect my hearing from any further damage.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Rgds;

 

[Jackal]

They will both be too loud. Your ear wont be able to tell the difference, your hearing will get damaged either way without plugs. With ear protection, what does it matter?

Its sort of like asking what happens when a pedestrian gets hit by a truck going 80mph vs a truck going 75mph... Either way its bad....

 

[Ibmikey]

Mine has a 28" fluted barrel and i double muff when shooting it (or any caliber). They are loud otherwise, i take muffs to the shooting blind also.

 

[Davek1977]

Yep, with hearing protection you'll be fine, but without, both will be extremely uncomfortable to the point of damage. I wouldn't let two inches of barrel length, or the idea muzzle blast will be noticeably different, be a factor in your decision.

 

[BCRider]

Good move on using the ear plugs wherever you are. Protect what you've got because there is no more.

If this was about .22LR from thin and short vs heavy and longer I'd say that it makes a big difference. But since it's about a .223 any difference will be very minor. However I would suggest that the wall thickness of the barrel counts for as much or more than the headstamp being an inch or two closer or farther.

Also the extra two inches on the TC will count for more than having the cartridge a touch closer or farther. So I'd call it a wash in real terms. One will be just as loud as the other and both, as mentioned by the others, are well into "hurt me" territory for sound pressure levels.

 

[dvdcrr]

Especially if shooting on a range with a tin roof over the line, wear plugs. If you are just shooting a few round a month out in a pasture you will be fine.

 

[Hookeye]

If you're gonna shoot varmints prone or off bipods, I'd get something other than a break open.

No problem with running a single shot.

IMHO a Ruger #1 B is the best looking factory rifle around

 

[Coyote3855]

Especially if shooting on a range with a tin roof over the line, wear plugs. If you are just shooting a few round a month out in a pasture you will be fine.

My SIL the Audiologist disagrees with you. Even a few rounds a month has the potential over time to seriously damage hearing. You won't notice it immediately but the bill comes due over the years. I have about $6000 in hearing aids that would have bought a few grail guns if I'd worn hearing protection back before I knew better.

Better advice is to wear plugs (I wear plugs and muffs) whenever you are shooting, running a chainsaw or riding mower, using noisy power tools. Once you damage your hearing, it ain't coming back and the alternatives are both expensive and inconvenient.

 

[69Precision]

Even a few rounds a month over time WILL do permanant damage. Like you said you may not notice it until 10 or more years down the road but you will eventually have to pay the piper. And why risk it. Have a set of muffs right by your gun in the truck and throw them on before you shoot at that coyote or prairie dog.

 

[BCRider]

If you're gonna shoot varmints prone or off bipods, I'd get something other than a break open.

I'd have to agree with that. Even running a break action off a shooting table at the range is a major PITA. I have to turn my Encore sideways or arrange a pretty seriously tall support to let it break open vertically. And that would not be an option if laying down prone where it would have to turn sideways and then it tries to sweep away anything else on the deck around you.

Mind you at my age I'm not good for a long session of prone shooting anyway. I've gone with a set of crossed sticks and a couple of camp stools. One holds my butt off the ground and the other is my ammo holder. A spotting scope, when I use one, sits on a tripod set up so it just needs a slight lean back to look through.

With this sort of setup the break action isn't a problem at all. It's also a grand setup for my Uberti falling block Hi Wall clone and my old antique rolling block. And in fact this would be a very comfy setup for a morning's worth of varmint shooting if you had a sun'brella to stay cool....

 

[dvdcrr]

I agree that you will lose some hearing shooting a few rounds a month out of 223 with no muffs. But not much. How loud do you want those beeping monitors to be when you are lying on your death bed anyway?
I think its strange to wear muffs when actually hunting. Someone famous once said that a man can tame the West, but he must forever wear the rugged look as it once was. My emotions are analogous. Maybe if you are taking something's life you should lose a very small fraction of your hearing in remittance. After all, you did not cut your hands knapping the point, nor did you blister your hands harvesting and winding sinew on the bow.

 

[Davek1977]

I agree that you will lose some hearing shooting a few rounds a month out of 223 with no muffs. But not much.

How much of any of your senses are you willing to lose? I figure the damage just living life does will take its toll enough on me. No need to rush things along by doing things like shooting centerfire rifles w/o protection. I guess I just don't get it. Using protection costs little, doesn't diminish one's enjoyment of the shooting, and actively reduces damage to your senses. A handful of 50 cent ear plugs in every vehicle, shooting bag, etc, and theres just no excuse to go without.

 

[Grumulkin]

I am considering the purchase of a Thompson Center Encore Carbine .223 Rem with a 24" barrel.

My question is, would you consider this set up as producing a considerably loud report when compared with a 22" Barrel .223 Rem bolt action?

I have never fired this caliber before, and have been looking to get a bolt action rifle, but this purchase opportunity came up and I am willing to consider it, since the T/C platform offers the versatility of changing barrels of several calibers.

What's stopping me from pulling the trigger on this deal, is that it is a carbine, and even if it has a 24" barrel, theoretically the single shot action causes the blast to be closer to the shooter than a bolt action.

It's main use would be as a dedicated varmint rifle, and occasionally to use it at the shooting range.

Just as a side note, I always use ear plugs while hunting, and double up with ear muffs at the shooting range, since I am currently a Tinnitus sufferer (several years of shooting without hearing protection), hence am willing to protect my hearing from any further damage.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Rgds;

1. The fact that the muzzle is 2 or 3 inches closer to your face will make a minimal difference in regard to noise. Besides, because of the way you protect yourself anyway, you should be able to shoot a 460 Weatherby comfortably (except for the recoil).

2. Don't worry about the naysayers statement that a break action isn't good for varmint hunting or a bipod. Maybe they aren't that coordinated. I've never had problems using multiple Encores and Contenders for quite a bit of hunting including for varmints. The one thing is that the Encore stock gets your face closer than I would like to the scope. The worse scope bite I ever had, requiring stitches, was when I took a prone shot at a ground hog with a 25/06. The 223 Remington shouldn't give you a problem with a scope bite though.

3. If you're concerned about noise and live in a state where ownership and use in hunting is allowed, consider a suppressor. Recoil and noise will be reduced considerably. SSK Industries can do a fine job of threading the Encore barrel for you.

 

[BCRider]

agree that you will lose some hearing shooting a few rounds a month out of 223 with no muffs. But not much. How loud do you want those beeping monitors to be when you are lying on your death bed anyway?

You're obviously young and have not had to live through it yet. It's not a loss of hearing that is the real danger. It's the rise of the constant high pitch ringing in the ears from tinnitus that covers up everything else.

I've only been shooting for a few years but I've been around noisy machinery, model airplane engines with no mufflers and lots of other noisy stuff. I'm paying for it now with a slight case of tinnitus that makes it hard to hear quiet sounds and which really messes up my hearing when someone is talking in among other talkers such as in a room of people. And a noisy nightclub actually hurts.

And that's all from just a lighter case of tinnitus. Folks with heavy amounts are a lot worse off.

If I could do it all over again I'd have bought a lot more disposable ear plugs when I was in my 20's and used them for a lot more things.

 

[Ibmikey]

Dvd, your comments are way off base, who cares if the fashion police do not like the look of ear muffs in the field? I , in my younger years , shot Police Revolver competition and at the time muffs were not worn by any of us, a couple of .38 wadcutters in the ears and shoot hundreds of rounds----after all we just got out of the Army and never even saw an ear plug. Now, thanks to the VA i have costly hearing aids which allow me to function at probably a 40% rate, when i talk it is like i have a bucket over my head, hearing is paramount to a speaker with a torn cone. The reason for this rant is to suggest strongly one use muffs, plugs or both when around loud noises. I wish i had someone to thank for that kind of advice when a lot younger.

 

[Grumulkin]

I also started shooting back in the time when ear protection wasn't much thought of. I never shot huge amounts back then but still I have tinnitus but fortunately not much hearing loss. I now wear hearing protection when shooting anything, when hunting, when operating a lawn mower or even a vacuum cleaner.

A fair part of the hearing loss equation is genetics. Some can tolerate a lot more loud noise than others without a lot of damage. The problem is you can't know until it's maybe too late for you, to which group you belong.

 

[dvdcrr]

Sorry to hear about your tinnitus. Hope the VA takes good care of you. Thanks for the info.

 

[Hookeye]

I detest a break open for varminting, since most of my shots are from prone.
Killed hundreds with my 700s and Ruger #1.
Own 3 Contenders, two set up as rifles....not varminters though.
Yup, uncoordinated shmuck I am. But then I've never gotten scope bit.

 

[loose noose]

I lost a significant amount of my hearing quite a few years ago, however, whenever shooting I'm like the OP and use the ear muffs exclusively. Note I use the electronic muffs as my hearing aids don't allow anything else in my ears.

In regards to your question, I have a Contender with a 20" barrel, as well as a Weatherby Vanguard with a 24" barrel, quite frankly I can't tell the difference between the report of either.

 

[Damon555]

If you're gonna shoot varmints prone or off bipods, I'd get something other than a break open.

My Encore Pro Hunter is extremely accurate and works just fine in the prairie dog fields.....Also, unless you absolutely can't, wear hearing protection....even while hunting.

 

[Davek1977]

The more I read post #11, the more I think it flies in the face of all common sense. The least amount of damage...0 if possible...is the level of damage to strive for. Firing a few shots without protection is all it takes, and maybe I don't want to hear the sound of my heart monitor....but hearing the voice of my 3 yr old niece? thats something precious, and I wouldn't trade it for the world...or a box of .223 fired without muffs...

 

[Esoteria]

The only good reason I can think of not to wear your ear pro in the field is to be able to hear something quiet. If that's the case, just use ear pro that's easily taken on and off and put it on before you take your shot. Not that hard to do. Don't shoot without ear pro.

.223 is fricking loud. I hate most high velocity rifle cartridges because of it. I have to "double up," as you say, with both plugs and muffs before it feels comfortable for anything more than a couple of shots. That said, it's coming from indoor experience and a lot of people with muzzle brakes (like that .223 is really recoiling that much. Come on.) which makes it way worse. The barrel length difference you're talking about won't matter. Break actions often have the chamber much closer to your face because there's no extra space needed for an action, so you've already got another couple of inches right there anyway. I wouldn't worry about it.