Still as loud as chain saws. Ammunition To Go has an excellent article where they tested sound levels.
The takeaway is that I would still want ear protection even when shooting suppressed. Highly recommended, information rich article.
Thanks to Dave who emailed me the link.
Even an air rifle has a distinct sound; and it can shatter the silence of a still morning.
ReplyDeleteI used to read that silencers are only effective on sub-sonic rounds. Don't know if it's true.
ReplyDeleteI'm deaf on one side and because science I tested shooting with only me good ear protected. It HURT. Even if sound wasn't an issue the sound wave still had quite an impact. I protect both ears and often double up on the ear that works.
ReplyDeleteI looked into those numbers a while back and came to the conclusion I'd never give up my hearing protection. Maybe you might be safe with a .22 rifle that's silenced but nothing bigger. No .30 caliber anything, and the same goes for handguns. So you knock a .45 from about 165 dBA down to 135 dBA. Still too dangerous.
ReplyDeleteI've always doubled up (plugs and cans) at the range.
ReplyDeleteGorges, the article has a good discussion on this.
ReplyDeleteGraybeard and Ken, yeah. Even suppressed is really loud.