Ear Protection - ear muffs in the way, and NRR of electronic muffs
- Thread starter fiftycalforsquirrels
- Start date
I prefer custom molded plugs , and if someone is using a braked rifle nearby I add low profile muffs, although, I do find them uncomfortable. When I fire some else's rifle with a brake, which is rare, I always use plugs and muffs.
For CF rifle shooting (benchrest) dual hearing protection is a minimum. For rimfire, I usually skip the plugs and just use my muffs.
My ‘go to” ear protection is custom molded ear plugs plus Soldin Supreme muffs. These Sordin muffs are some of the best and certainly the most comfortable I could find. With plugs in place and muffs amplification turned up, I can have a normal conversation. Without the amplification, I hear pretty much nada. The muffs also allow me to determine where sound is coming from…handy in stand or blind hunting.
The top of the rifle comb runs just under the muffs. It took some time to get used to the lower cheek weld position with the rifle, but now it feels completely natural.
I hope this is combination is enough to protect my hearing…time will tell.
My ‘go to” ear protection is custom molded ear plugs plus Soldin Supreme muffs. These Sordin muffs are some of the best and certainly the most comfortable I could find. With plugs in place and muffs amplification turned up, I can have a normal conversation. Without the amplification, I hear pretty much nada. The muffs also allow me to determine where sound is coming from…handy in stand or blind hunting.
The top of the rifle comb runs just under the muffs. It took some time to get used to the lower cheek weld position with the rifle, but now it feels completely natural.
I hope this is combination is enough to protect my hearing…time will tell.
slinkylegs
Regular
- Location
- Hudson Bay, SK
I also find ear muffs (Walkers in my case) to be in my way when shooting. I'll use them alone when I shoot rimfire, or when cutting grass (those lawnmowers are hard on the hearing too!). Off the bench they are annoying, but I normally suffer through it. I'll double up on those days with simple foam plugs because I know I already have some hearing loss from when I was young(er) and dumb(er). I haven't shot as much the past 5 years or so, but I anticipate shooting a lot more this summer, so I may need to invest in better muffs.
I used a set of custom ear plugs I had made to my ears while in the trades. They lasted 15 plus years.
I was getting tired of trying different muffs and having the same issues with cheek welds in the way, so started shopping. Really wanted small, decent battery life, and easy to put on.
Ended up getting the walker rzr 3.0 and been loving them for 3 years now. Awesome battery life as the battery sits in the neck band, plus the "tethered" plugs fit nice, and bonus have a retractable tether. Bluetooth so I can play back video of my recorded range trips at the comfort of home when I especially am doing new rifle loads. Found a great deal on them through Costco back when I bought them.
https://www.walkersgameear.com/razor-xv-3-0-headset/
I was getting tired of trying different muffs and having the same issues with cheek welds in the way, so started shopping. Really wanted small, decent battery life, and easy to put on.
Ended up getting the walker rzr 3.0 and been loving them for 3 years now. Awesome battery life as the battery sits in the neck band, plus the "tethered" plugs fit nice, and bonus have a retractable tether. Bluetooth so I can play back video of my recorded range trips at the comfort of home when I especially am doing new rifle loads. Found a great deal on them through Costco back when I bought them.
https://www.walkersgameear.com/razor-xv-3-0-headset/
I still use plain, non-electronic Walker ear muffs over plain, 3m foam ear plugs at the range.
I'm thinking of picking up some Axils for field use. Braked guns are loud. I try to avoid them but they keep finding their way back into my gun safe. I like the idea of going from full, enhanced hearing to instant, automatic hearing protection instead of just "toughing it out" behind the trigger.
I'm thinking of picking up some Axils for field use. Braked guns are loud. I try to avoid them but they keep finding their way back into my gun safe. I like the idea of going from full, enhanced hearing to instant, automatic hearing protection instead of just "toughing it out" behind the trigger.
I would highly recommend giving it a go. I use my e-muffs when hunting small game, and its great to be able to hear a grouse or bunny on the move, communicate with others around you without yelling, and not go deaf all at the same time.
I've been using these Peltor Tactical Sport after trying a few passive and active/electronic sets. On second one now after retiring original made in Sweden set that I used for over 15 years. Current one is same model but made in China, I see no downsides. Gel cups are game changer.
I used the set for pistol shooting 99% of time till recently, never had issues with shooting rifle, higher calibers like 30-06 are a little loud but I don't shoot that much, 22lr is already very quiet even before you put muffs on. One thing thou, they have a 2 hour non adjustable built in timer to shut off so I need to turn them back on if shooting longer.
I used the set for pistol shooting 99% of time till recently, never had issues with shooting rifle, higher calibers like 30-06 are a little loud but I don't shoot that much, 22lr is already very quiet even before you put muffs on. One thing thou, they have a 2 hour non adjustable built in timer to shut off so I need to turn them back on if shooting longer.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
I find scope height/cheek weld has a big impact on your ear pro hitting the stock, have a couple scopes that I had to mount in taller rings than I would prefer for a super low cheek weld and they are the nicest in terms of clearance with my muffs.
E-muffs have a non-zero reaction time and most people do not insert foam ear plugs properly.
If you can't have a conversation while using either muffs or plugs you already have significant hearing loss and should invest in custom fit plugs.
If you can't have a conversation while using either muffs or plugs you already have significant hearing loss and should invest in custom fit plugs.
Timely topic.
For the past 18 years I have used a pair of Peltor passive ear muffs and doubled up with plugs when needed. These were slim line for shooting shotguns and were given to me by an older gentleman when I was up North. Well, I seem to have lost them. Which pisse me off for a couple of reasons ( given to me) and the slim profile for shooting shotguns with bead sights ensures no cheek weld issues.
As mentioned by another poster if shooting bench and an issue, make sure your scope isn’t mounted too low.
Anyways just ordered some new stuff last night. A beretta passive which looked to be the same shape as my old ones. These are blue not the dark green that likely helped me lose my other ones in a sea of Olive/black earmuffs! NRR is 25.
However I also bought some active ones. I was looking at the Howard Leight/Walker Razors and decided on the Howard for the stereo ambient sound. But.. Walker’s new Recon was just introduced with all the benefits of both along with auto shutoff etc. I’ll try a pair. NRR is 26.
Likely I'll end up buying a pair of Sordin as well. As I found out the hard way, it’s not a bad thing to have multiple pairs. They are top rated but also 3x the price of the Recon.
For the past 18 years I have used a pair of Peltor passive ear muffs and doubled up with plugs when needed. These were slim line for shooting shotguns and were given to me by an older gentleman when I was up North. Well, I seem to have lost them. Which pisse me off for a couple of reasons ( given to me) and the slim profile for shooting shotguns with bead sights ensures no cheek weld issues.
As mentioned by another poster if shooting bench and an issue, make sure your scope isn’t mounted too low.
Anyways just ordered some new stuff last night. A beretta passive which looked to be the same shape as my old ones. These are blue not the dark green that likely helped me lose my other ones in a sea of Olive/black earmuffs! NRR is 25.
However I also bought some active ones. I was looking at the Howard Leight/Walker Razors and decided on the Howard for the stereo ambient sound. But.. Walker’s new Recon was just introduced with all the benefits of both along with auto shutoff etc. I’ll try a pair. NRR is 26.
Likely I'll end up buying a pair of Sordin as well. As I found out the hard way, it’s not a bad thing to have multiple pairs. They are top rated but also 3x the price of the Recon.
i find the name electronics muffs a misnomer
They are regular ear muffs with a microphone to your surroundings
They are NOT active noise cancelling earmuffs - gunfire is too short of a duration for that.
"custom fit" ear plugs also have no higher NRR then anything else - its just comfort meant for being worn long periods of time.
They are regular ear muffs with a microphone to your surroundings
They are NOT active noise cancelling earmuffs - gunfire is too short of a duration for that.
"custom fit" ear plugs also have no higher NRR then anything else - its just comfort meant for being worn long periods of time.
Think you should look at how the good ones are manufactured. There’s a reason almost every military in the modern world use the same technology and the same brand. As far as custom fit plugs not being more effective than the other options I’m going to say the couple pairs of moulded ones I have are so effective I can only use them shooting centerfire with brakes cuz I can’t hear almost anything. Definitely not range commands or conversations.
Manufactured in Sweeden and called Sordin. The custom moulded ones are made bye any good hearing center but the store bought ones you do yourself are also excellent and easy to do if you follow the instructions. The ones Ive had great luck with and cost about $30 are Flugz. Electronic hearing protection has lots of different manufacturers and different quality. The gel cups make a big difference in sealing as well as comfort. I have used and tried just about everything a nd in over 50 years of shooting my hearing is still way above average from what the Doctor tells me when I get tested.
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so, do any of these have active noise cancellation that is effective for gunfire?
What is the NRR on your Flugz? 30?
If your hearings so good, how come you cant hear range commands?
Even if I wear plugs AND muffs I can still hear someone talking to me!
What is the NRR on your Flugz? 30?
If your hearings so good, how come you cant hear range commands?
Even if I wear plugs AND muffs I can still hear someone talking to me!
My custom molded electronic ear plugs were about $1100.
