Ear protection when shooting my S&W 586
- Thread starter chupps
- Start date
Don't look at price, look at noise reduction rating (NRR). It is on a semi-log scale, but the bigger the number the better.
In the outdoors, at least there is not as much echo, so your ears don't get hit with the noise more than once. Still, I use both muffs and plugs.
Once you lose hearing, you never entirely get it back.
In the outdoors, at least there is not as much echo, so your ears don't get hit with the noise more than once. Still, I use both muffs and plugs.
Once you lose hearing, you never entirely get it back.
If you haven't shot a 357 Mag before. They are loud
. You will definitely want some decent hearing protection. You might get by for now with some cheaper stuff outdoors, but you will definitely want to invest in some better hearing protection. I've found that the 125gr. loaded to 1400+fps are louder than the 158gr, and also have more flash. The 158gr. have more recoil though, from what I've experienced.
. You will definitely want some decent hearing protection. You might get by for now with some cheaper stuff outdoors, but you will definitely want to invest in some better hearing protection. I've found that the 125gr. loaded to 1400+fps are louder than the 158gr, and also have more flash. The 158gr. have more recoil though, from what I've experienced.I use both. Cheap plugs that have a 27 reduction rating and 15$ muffs that are in the same ball park.
The only thing that throwing extra money will do is make it a little easier to hear stuff that aren't firearms i.e. your friend at the range. For that, you can just move the muffs of your ear for a second.
The only thing that throwing extra money will do is make it a little easier to hear stuff that aren't firearms i.e. your friend at the range. For that, you can just move the muffs of your ear for a second.
Bonstrosity
New member
Muffs aren't really as expensive as you think. You don't NEED the 100 dollar ones w/ all the electronics, they'd be nice but you can get a pair of muffs with the noise reduction in the 20's maybe close to 30 for not too much like 15 dollars maybe. then the earplugs are cheap. Wear both you'll be happy you did later.
guntotin_fool
New member
I prefer peltor ear muff or silencios that have the metal head straps. IME the plastic head bands do not hold the muffs as tight to the head as they should, that said. for indoor shooting I use both, plugs and muffs. just makes things easier.
In the shop, i use a pair of TAC 7 electronic muffs and those are great I can hear the phone ring, talk to workers with out yelling but turn on the planer or the cut steel with the band saw and clip, the sound goes away. really nice
In the shop, i use a pair of TAC 7 electronic muffs and those are great I can hear the phone ring, talk to workers with out yelling but turn on the planer or the cut steel with the band saw and clip, the sound goes away. really nice
choochboost
New member
NRR is everything
I personally don't like muffs as I find them uncomfortable for extended shooting sessions. The cheap disposable twist-squish-insert foamies work well but I use custom molded ear protection as I can remove them and re-insert them easier (with one hand) when I go into the shop, etc. That's what works for me, but all that really matters is the NRR. You should get something as close to 30 as possible. We are dealing with firearms here and even magnum loads in your case. The impulse noise/shockwave/percussion has much more potential to cause damage that power tools, machines, loud music, etc. For the ultimate protection, use foamies with a good NRR, along with muffs with a good NRR. Remember, NRR of 30!!!
I personally don't like muffs as I find them uncomfortable for extended shooting sessions. The cheap disposable twist-squish-insert foamies work well but I use custom molded ear protection as I can remove them and re-insert them easier (with one hand) when I go into the shop, etc. That's what works for me, but all that really matters is the NRR. You should get something as close to 30 as possible. We are dealing with firearms here and even magnum loads in your case. The impulse noise/shockwave/percussion has much more potential to cause damage that power tools, machines, loud music, etc. For the ultimate protection, use foamies with a good NRR, along with muffs with a good NRR. Remember, NRR of 30!!!
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Harley Quinn
Moderator
Ear protection is 'number one'
I am a person that is pretty hard of hearing. I have been for the last 20 years of my life. I am going to be 64 in Dec. I wear a very good hearing aid in both ears. I consider myself lucky for the ability to be able to afford them. sooo...
I feel that earplugs and the muffs are very essential. Sometimes it is not always avaliable to you when in the field. They do have some that help with reducing and increasing the sound levels, I use those in the field when hunting.
If you hear ringing in your ears you have hurt them, it will subside but then it will be more prevelant the next time and pretty soon you will live with it forever.
Believe me when I tell you it is very difficult to be hard of hearing, you don't want to take that path if you can avoid it and one way is to wear hearing protectors when you are shooting and doing anything that is considered noisy.
The better ones are very expensive. I personally would wear the plugs and the muffs at the same time. I have to take my hearing aids out and replace them with the others. One thing people really make a mistake in thinking, if you are hard of hearing it does not matter. It does, you are prone to having your ears hurt, at a much lower decibel as you get closer to the word deaf (can not hear at all)...
Protection is the key. Not only for you but for the younger generation, it is very important. Children should never be exposed to the loud noises we will tolerate. When born they say our hearing is very accute and we get 'deafer by the day' due to noise pollution.
Harley
I am a person that is pretty hard of hearing. I have been for the last 20 years of my life. I am going to be 64 in Dec. I wear a very good hearing aid in both ears. I consider myself lucky for the ability to be able to afford them. sooo...
I feel that earplugs and the muffs are very essential. Sometimes it is not always avaliable to you when in the field. They do have some that help with reducing and increasing the sound levels, I use those in the field when hunting.
If you hear ringing in your ears you have hurt them, it will subside but then it will be more prevelant the next time and pretty soon you will live with it forever.
Believe me when I tell you it is very difficult to be hard of hearing, you don't want to take that path if you can avoid it and one way is to wear hearing protectors when you are shooting and doing anything that is considered noisy.
The better ones are very expensive. I personally would wear the plugs and the muffs at the same time. I have to take my hearing aids out and replace them with the others. One thing people really make a mistake in thinking, if you are hard of hearing it does not matter. It does, you are prone to having your ears hurt, at a much lower decibel as you get closer to the word deaf (can not hear at all)...
Protection is the key. Not only for you but for the younger generation, it is very important. Children should never be exposed to the loud noises we will tolerate. When born they say our hearing is very accute and we get 'deafer by the day' due to noise pollution.
Harley