16" vs 20" noise level

F

Forger

New member
Hello, I am looking at getting my first AR soon and am pretty well settled on the RRA Pred Pursuit for the upper. My debate is weather I am going to go with a 16" or a 20" barrel. I don't want a gun that absolutely requires ear protection to go out and shoot 1 shot at a coyote. I know I should always wear ear protection, but in reality that doesn't always happen. Just how much louder is the 16" than the 20"? I currently shoot a Rem 700 in .223 and it isn't too loud, but have no comparison to how loud a 16" barrel is.

I also just wanted to say thanks, because without you all I wouldn't feel quite so inclined to buy an AR. Now I can't get it out of my head.

-Mike
 
I hunt all the time with my 16 without ear protection while a couple of shots won't bother me its when you shoot back to back 5 more shots is when it really takes it's toll! As for hunting with it I can't tell a difference between my 16" 223 and my 22" 243!
 
Go lighter with the 16" for hunting and get some dang Surefire EP3 ear plugs. You can still hear normal sound levels and it cancels out anything louder than 85 decibels (ex. gunshots!) and they're only like $16 shipped from Home Depot online. It's surprising how many people would rather go deaf than wear ear protection while hunting, it might only take 1 more shot to lose your hearing.
 
Last edited:
There is a big difference IMO. I made the mistake of bailing out of the truck with a 16 inch barreled AR to shoot twice at a running hog and my ears rang for a while. Got the hog but paid the price.
 
Thanks for the replies. If I go 16" it sounds like I better get some of the earplugs roky recommended. I want a light rifle so the 16" appeals and I definitely don't want to go deaf. My dad is hard of hearing from an explosion we were involved in 15 years ago, and the whole family got pretty tired of being accused of mumbling until he got hearing aids. I guess if I am going to do the right thing, it is probably to get earplugs I am comfortable hunting with whatever length upper I end up with. Thanks.

-Mike
 
Unless you're shooting a 24 foot long barrel, wear ear protection. There are a billion "1 shot won't bother me" people out there, and every one bitches and moans about everyone around them mumbling all the time.

Ear protection vs barrel length rates about #100000 in a 10 number list.
 
I never wear hearing protection when hunting.
The noise from a rifle has never bothered me a bit and yes I still have excellent hearing, my hearing has been tested.
That being said I would still recommend using hearing protection.
As far as a noise difference between 16" vs. 20" .223
I don't notice any, unless I'm in a covered shooting area or next to someone shooting them, then the 16" is noticably louder.
 
Jpainterr,

Thanks for the reference, and i am glad you like the break.

Even though they do make a huge difference in how the sound is perceived by the shooter, we as a company have to say that there is no substitute for hearing protection, and recommend that it always be used while shooting.

If you choose not to, then the Blast Master comp will do a huge amount to make shooting more enjoyable and less painful in terms of noise and concussion the shooter experiences, especially on shorter (18in and under) barrels.
 
I have a lineau comp. on my DPMS 16 in from KIES, my AR with that on is better that a 20 in with a regular brake. I have guys I hunt with, they all say they won't carry their AR's cause they are to heavy, mine works great with that length of barrel and comp on it.
 
I started off with a 16" m4 copy with a flash hider. Was brutally loud for me and even louder for who ever was standing next to me, so I went to a linear comp and it did help. Since then I've gone to a 20" RRA Predator Pursuit upper and it's much more manageable than the 16 with the linear comp. I will say also that I was uncomfortable with the lenght and weight of the 20" barrel but after time I don't think I would go with anything shorter than a 20". I like some weight out front nowdays but YMMV. My other rifle is a 1972 700 BDL with a 24" heavy barrel and it's almost quiet with a dramatically reduced muzzle jump. A very comfortable rifle to shoot especially soundwise. Really old school but works great!
 
To me there's a big difference in loudness between a 16 and 20.

I use a 20" lightweight profile barrel that comes in about the same weight as a 16" heavy barrel. I find a 20" very handy, balances good and is easy to maneuver as a calling rifle (and for some reason I shoot a 20 better than a 16).

If'n I was strictly shooting colony critters or paper I would go with a 24 incher.
 
the 16" 6.8's are considerably louder than the 20" Predator Pursuit. I wear old school muffs with standard machine shop plugs on the bench but haven't when hunting with any of the AR's, other rifles or dove guns. I would say between this and the noise of fabrication over the years, it would have been wise to do so and never to late to start!

Interesting point about shooting next to the vehicle - I can see where that would catch you in reverb and make it even more uncomfortable.
 
I could tell VERY noticeable difference between my 16" bull barrel (target crown, no muzzle device), and an 18" R15 (also target crown, no muzzle device). I and the 2 guys shooting with me all made comment of the excessive concussion of my 16, compared to the 18 shooting the exact same factory loads. On that note, I am seriously considering switching to an 18" barrel just for that one reason, though I wouldn't mind a few more FPS as well.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top