I have 2 questions.

[SteelWolf]

First what is the most common type and powder loading for a 5.56X45 NATO, a civilian .223 and a Russian 7.62X39? Do they have similar powder loadings but different chamber pressures?

And secondly which is louder, both from the shooter, down range like 200 meters or so and from a distance like 800m away? What are the dB levels for the 5.56 NATO, .223 and 7.62X39 assuming you have an AR-15 with a 16in barrel, an AK47 with a 16 inch and a military M4 carbine with a 14.5in barrel and an M16 with a 20in barrel.

 

[DMK]

Considering cartridges of this class, I think the relative loudness depends more on barrel length and whether you have a muzzle brake, suppressor or just a bare muzzle.

Without ear protection I doubt that you would notice the difference between these two out of the same barrel length with no muzzle devices.

The 7.62x39 does have a lower tone than the 5.56 which has a higher pitch. This is more noticeable with longer barrels I think (20" AR vs SKS). 16" AR vs an AK, they both boom quite a bit, especially under a covered shooting position.

I think this is splitting hairs. Both will kill your hearing without protection and both are quite a bit louder than say a 9mm or 40cal handgun. You will hear these fired from quite a ways away.

 

[SteelWolf]

So what about a 14.5in M4? Does that boom even more?

 

[SteelWolf]

Anyone else?