From how far can 22LR be heard?

[Beadwindow]

Years ago I recall reading of a method to supress the sound of gunfire that the author used with centrefire rifles that I've been curious to try. He had his shooting table set up so that ahead of his rifle's muzzle there was a row of old tires that he shot through. Apparently it was very effective at muffling the sound of the shot, enabling him to regularly fire his rifles in an area where the constant noise would have drawn unwanted attention. Something similar might be the solution for those of us wanting a convenient place to shoot behind a cottage or on a smaller piece of rural property.

Personally I would only do this if I was planning to regularly use the same location, so as not to irritate my neighbours Otherwise, I think that many people need to get used to the idea of hearing gunfire in the countryside as just another regular part of Canada's rural landscape. The occasional sound of gunfire pales in comparison to the constant drone of lawnmowers, motor boats, seadoos, ATVs and the whole assortment of toys that people play with in cottage country nowadays. Usually people's disdain for gunfire there stems either from a lack of familiarity with guns or an outright dislike of firearms to which I am often tempted to say "tough luck." While some discretion may be appropriate, lets not be too overly cautious against target practice where it is both safe and legal.

 

[mudj]

I have tried that trick with the tires lined up in front of the barrel and it didn't really help much, it was very loud on my end of the rifle though. I have been about 300 m away from people firing .22s in the bush and it was fairly quiet. Someone who didn't know it was a rimfire would have thought it was somebody hammering nails.

 

[NathanE]

While I understand the reasoning behind people's response to just shoot at a range - this is cop out and BS approach. On one hand, people on this site talk about not allowing our rights errode and "if it's legal, do it". Well, where is this approach on this one?

If I'm on private land and approved to shoot there by the land owner (or if *I* am the land owner), you can sure bet your briches I'll be shooting there. I guess we shouldn't hunt on our own land either - cause the cops might come rolling out. This is ridiculous.

Having said that, be absolutely sure of the firearms related by-laws in your specific area and get permission form the appropriate land owner(s) in writing. Some municipalities have by-laws which effectively quash shooting completely within them (i.e. no shooting within X distance of any building). Also, ensure you've got an appropriate backstop and of what is behind your target; along with all other safety steps required for shooting.

Know what you're legally allowed to do in your area and have your ducks in a row - then do what you're legally allowed to do. The more we give up our abilities to do things like this, the more people will expect that we're not allowed to do these things.

 

[Devilito]

While I understand the reasoning behind people's response to just shoot at a range - this is cop out and BS approach. On one hand, people on this site talk about not allowing our rights errode and "if it's legal, do it". Well, where is this approach on this one?

If I'm on private land and approved to shoot there by the land owner (or if *I* am the land owner), you can sure bet your briches I'll be shooting there. I guess we shouldn't hunt on our own land either - cause the cops might come rolling out. This is ridiculous.

Having said that, be absolutely sure of the firearms related by-laws in your specific area and get permission form the appropriate land owner(s) in writing. Some municipalities have by-laws which effectively quash shooting completely within them (i.e. no shooting within X distance of any building). Also, ensure you've got an appropriate backstop and of what is behind your target; along with all other safety steps required for shooting.

Know what you're legally allowed to do in your area and have your ducks in a row - then do what you're legally allowed to do. The more we give up our abilities to do things like this, the more people will expect that we're not allowed to do these things.

great post. Rights are not something that is given to us like a charity hand out. If we don't participate and exercise our rights on a consistent basis they will disappear. I’ve caught myself many times checking my actions to conform to what some people find acceptable even though I was in my rights to do what I wanted to. More and more I’m trying to change this in myself and find the strength to stand up to what I believe in regardless of what anybody around me thinks

 

[Lawrence D]

Years ago I recall reading of a method to supress the sound of gunfire that the author used with centrefire rifles that I've been curious to try. He had his shooting table set up so that ahead of his rifle's muzzle there was a row of old tires that he shot through. Apparently it was very effective at muffling the sound of the shot, enabling him to regularly fire his rifles in an area where the constant noise would have drawn unwanted attention. Something similar might be the solution for those of us wanting a convenient place to shoot behind a cottage or on a smaller piece of rural property.

Personally I would only do this if I was planning to regularly use the same location, so as not to irritate my neighbours Otherwise, I think that many people need to get used to the idea of hearing gunfire in the countryside as just another regular part of Canada's rural landscape. The occasional sound of gunfire pales in comparison to the constant drone of lawnmowers, motor boats, seadoos, ATVs and the whole assortment of toys that people play with in cottage country nowadays. Usually people's disdain for gunfire there stems either from a lack of familiarity with guns or an outright dislike of firearms to which I am often tempted to say "tough luck." While some discretion may be appropriate, lets not be too overly cautious against target practice where it is both safe and legal.

I agree 200% with you. Years ago I was interrupted by cops when I was plinking away on a farm that belongs to a relative. I was well within my rights but if there is a report, the cops have to investigate. They left me alone after 10 minutes and I could continue. Like others have said there are a few things to watch out in SW Ontario -
> Safety (be very cautious!!!!!!)
> Local bylaws (learn them well!!!!!)

One can be on a farm with permission but if it happens to be in a township where shooting is banned, you're out of luck. I was also misled one time by the Milton bylaw officer. He was very negative and gave me totally wrong information. I proceeded with more research, download the rules from their website and learned the facts in great detail. I know where I can shoot and where I don’t and I don't have to call him again. Thank you

 

[sunray]

"...bothered by the cops..." It isn't the cops. It's the CO's. They can come out of nowhere.
Sound waves are weird. There is no specific distance that will reduce the sound of a gun shot to the point of masking it as one. Plus an experienced CO can tell a gun shot from a mouse fart. Most of them work in the same area all the time and know where people will go and how they can get there. Any sound that might be a gun shot will bring them out of the woodwork.
In any case, the unwritten Ontario law about firearms, the bush and hunting licences applies.