noise level of .204 vs. .17 Fireball vs. .221 Fireball
- Thread starter teesh
- Start date
Furhunter
New member
Well it just so happens I have owned all of them you listed, but sold the 204.
Yea the 204 is similar to a 223.
I think my 17FB, 20VT and 221 are about the same really, all making less noise than either the 204 or 223. I dont really notice much as ear protection is important to me as I am half deaf already.
Yea the 204 is similar to a 223.
I think my 17FB, 20VT and 221 are about the same really, all making less noise than either the 204 or 223. I dont really notice much as ear protection is important to me as I am half deaf already.
If you wear proper hearing protection they all sound about the same. If you don't they will all harm your hearing.
Its a high powered rifle, it will make noise. How much noise is determined by how much powder, how much barrel, how much recoil, how big a bore and where you happen to be standing when someone busts one off.
Its a high powered rifle, it will make noise. How much noise is determined by how much powder, how much barrel, how much recoil, how big a bore and where you happen to be standing when someone busts one off.
I almost wish that everyone that doesn't wear hearing protection could, for a day, experience the ringing that I have constantly, and then everyone would realize how important hearing protection is, EVEN IF a gun isn't ringing your ears at the moment of firing them, it all adds up and the hearing loss only gets worse and worse over time.
Any gun, other than a pellet gun, will damage your hearing with every shot. Some quicker than others, but it all adds up.
So for me, it don't matter which one rings my ears at each shot, one is just as bad as the next when all added together.
Any gun, other than a pellet gun, will damage your hearing with every shot. Some quicker than others, but it all adds up.
So for me, it don't matter which one rings my ears at each shot, one is just as bad as the next when all added together.
Quote:
I almost wish that everyone that doesn't wear hearing protection could, for a day, experience the ringing that I have constantly, and then everyone would realize how important hearing protection is, EVEN IF a gun isn't ringing your ears at the moment of firing them, it all adds up and the hearing loss only gets worse and worse over time.
Any gun, other than a pellet gun, will damage your hearing with every shot. Some quicker than others, but it all adds up.
So for me, it don't matter which one rings my ears at each shot, one is just as bad as the next when all added together.
yep my point exactly. I know the ringing sound you hear.
The incremental differences don't really amount to jack out in the field between any one of the three of them or for that matter any 20 of them.
I almost wish that everyone that doesn't wear hearing protection could, for a day, experience the ringing that I have constantly, and then everyone would realize how important hearing protection is, EVEN IF a gun isn't ringing your ears at the moment of firing them, it all adds up and the hearing loss only gets worse and worse over time.
Any gun, other than a pellet gun, will damage your hearing with every shot. Some quicker than others, but it all adds up.
So for me, it don't matter which one rings my ears at each shot, one is just as bad as the next when all added together.
yep my point exactly. I know the ringing sound you hear.
The incremental differences don't really amount to jack out in the field between any one of the three of them or for that matter any 20 of them.
Orneryolfart357
New member
Even 75 cent foam ear plugs beats a Hearing aid. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
These numbers come out of Kings Hunting Illustracted July of '07 issue. Threshold of pain = 120-130 decibels, hearing damage begins at 85 decibels. .22 rifle is from 143-150 decibels. .223 and .243 rifles 156 decibels. .357 mag. pistol at 165 decibels. 20 and 12 gauge shotguns range from 160-173 decibels.
They placed all rifles in the 143-182 decibel range. Obviously factors such as length of barrel would come into play, but this gives ya a good idea, that there really is no such thing as no hearing loss from unprotected ears with any gun.
They placed all rifles in the 143-182 decibel range. Obviously factors such as length of barrel would come into play, but this gives ya a good idea, that there really is no such thing as no hearing loss from unprotected ears with any gun.
TripleDeuce660
Active member
I fired my 12 guage just 6 rounds one time while hunting without hearing protection i had a headache for a day. My ears constantly ring between working construction, the stereo in my truck , and shooting. I live in ear plugs at work and now when target practicing I double up with ear muffs and ear plugs. if you don't have electronic ear plugs or muffs you can try some rolled up toilet paper. It takes the edge off the report but you can still hear a little bit. What i really hate is rabbit hunting I loose track of my beagle with ear plugs. Don't be macho just use protection!
Last edited:
knockemdown
New member
Quote:
I almost wish that everyone that doesn't wear hearing protection could, for a day, experience the ringing that I have constantly, and then everyone would realize how important hearing protection is, EVEN IF a gun isn't ringing your ears at the moment of firing them, it all adds up and the hearing loss only gets worse and worse over time.
Any gun, other than a pellet gun, will damage your hearing with every shot. Some quicker than others, but it all adds up.
So for me, it don't matter which one rings my ears at each shot, one is just as bad as the next when all added together.
+100,000!
My hearing is TERRIBLE and have had constant ringing in both ears for too long already. I failed a Police Dept. physical on account of my damaged hearing TWICE in a row 7 years ago. Was told I have hardly any recognition of frequencies above 4,000hz. Didn't realize how deaf I was until those two consecutive audiological exams and it cost me a potentially successful career in law enforcement...
Too many years of working in LOUD clubs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif too many subwoofers in my truck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif and too many rounds downrange without protection /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
And my hearing has only gotten worse since...
I almost wish that everyone that doesn't wear hearing protection could, for a day, experience the ringing that I have constantly, and then everyone would realize how important hearing protection is, EVEN IF a gun isn't ringing your ears at the moment of firing them, it all adds up and the hearing loss only gets worse and worse over time.
Any gun, other than a pellet gun, will damage your hearing with every shot. Some quicker than others, but it all adds up.
So for me, it don't matter which one rings my ears at each shot, one is just as bad as the next when all added together.
+100,000!
My hearing is TERRIBLE and have had constant ringing in both ears for too long already. I failed a Police Dept. physical on account of my damaged hearing TWICE in a row 7 years ago. Was told I have hardly any recognition of frequencies above 4,000hz. Didn't realize how deaf I was until those two consecutive audiological exams and it cost me a potentially successful career in law enforcement...
Too many years of working in LOUD clubs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif too many subwoofers in my truck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif and too many rounds downrange without protection /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
And my hearing has only gotten worse since...
duckdog
New member
It sucks doesn't it?! My hearing is horrible too. I've worked in construction my whole life. Between heavy equipment, hammer drills [which are the worst!] chop saws cutting metal, riding Harley's with straight pipes, the Bose system in my truck [I still love it loud!] and of course shooting guns, my ears have taken a pounding!
It's pretty common in my trade [Carpenter].
I've watched guys turn down their hearing aids to run the chop saw. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
The worst is bars and concerts. You might as well not even try to have a conversation with me in that environment because I can't hear a word you're saying. Yea, it sucks! If anyone were to ever keep track, I'll bet my most used word is, "WHAT!". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
It's pretty common in my trade [Carpenter].
I've watched guys turn down their hearing aids to run the chop saw. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
The worst is bars and concerts. You might as well not even try to have a conversation with me in that environment because I can't hear a word you're saying. Yea, it sucks! If anyone were to ever keep track, I'll bet my most used word is, "WHAT!". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
Quote:
BTW, I too am familiar with the ringing sound, and I wear hearing protection, except when I am hunting large game or prdators.
In that case you will hear louder ringing and less conversation. Every single shot without protection destroys part of your hearing. Your ears only hear the noise and don't care what you are aiming at. A shot at big game destroys just as much hearing as a shot at a target.
Jack
BTW, I too am familiar with the ringing sound, and I wear hearing protection, except when I am hunting large game or prdators.
In that case you will hear louder ringing and less conversation. Every single shot without protection destroys part of your hearing. Your ears only hear the noise and don't care what you are aiming at. A shot at big game destroys just as much hearing as a shot at a target.
Jack
Mike Pearson
New member
Even a .22 Long Rifle shot will cause hearing loss. In fact, I've heard it said that the .22 Long Rifle may, in some ways, be more of a threat to people's hearing than much larger (more obviously loud) cartridges simply because most people will shoot a .22 in MUCH larger quantities than the larger cartridges and while the decibel volume is definitely NOT very loud with a .22 Long Rifle, it's not the loudness that does the damage anyway. What causes hearing erosion is the "crack" of a cartridge's report. A .22 Long Rifle has enough of a "crack" to harm a person's hearing with repeated shooting. Problem is, the .22 Long Rifle (shorts too) don't SEEM to be loud enough in crack or report volume to warrant precaution. Reality is that a .22 LR is NO toy in ANY sense of the word....not even to our ears!
Excellent thread! --- Mike
Excellent thread! --- Mike