Safe Distance from the Line

[Aaryq]

Howdy, Folks,
I was at the range for my rifle qual today (M16A2). The line had just got hot and we were about 15 meters from the firing line. I told these 3chuckle-heads next to me that they needed to put in their ear pro. The scoffed and told me they'd take their chances and that they've heard louder noises on the flightline. How far back from the line do you consider a safe distance to take off your ear pro?

 

[crushbup]

15 meters would certainly reduce the sound, but I'd feel safer wearing hearing protection anywhere around where guns are going off.

 

[Bartkowski]

I would prefer to have mine in at that distance, but the damage to their ears was probably minimal.

 

[tbtrout]

I should have kept mine in. I was one of those chukle heads who had been around a lot of louder noises and thought I did not need it after that.

 

[NG VI]

I wouldn't go without ear protection that close to the firing, but whatever, their business. Military now provides hearing protection and no disability for hearing problems, so if they wanna damage their sense, let em go.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I don't know the physics of it but I'm sure it's still loud enough to do damage. At least you won't be the one saying "HUH???" all the time when you're older.

 

[Jim K]

I never used ear protection when first shooting.

Huh?

Jim

 

[bogie]

Depends on how many people are shooting at once how close I'll get.

Which is generally not very close.

I get real upset when I see Bubba with his kids at Knob Creek, and none of 'em have earplugs.

 

[neededausername]

I shoot competitions with my .22lr pistol. A lot of people shoot that without hearing protection. At one competition my brother-in-law was with me and shooting a .22lr barrel on his T/C. He noticed another shooter with a T/C and wanted to shoot the 30/30 barrel the other guy had. I was glad I was wearing hearing protection.

Guns go bang, protect your ears