Hello, I am thinking of getting a .223 for varmint hunting out at our ranch but I am worried about the noise. Our closest neighbor is about 200yards away while we have a few more that are about600yards away. I have never owned a centerfire and the only thing centerfire I have ever shot was a 12 gauge shotgun. I have been told by some that the noise is not that bad and others have told me it is very loud. Please give me your thoughts. We have about 100 acres of land.
Noise level of a .223
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gushulak
CGN frequent flyer
Living at my parents during the summer when I was in university gave me a chance to shoot in the country. We had neighbours across the creek, maybe 300 yards away, an older couple that we never saw. So I thought I would work up some loads for my Mini-14 one fine June morning. Using my picnic table as a shooting bench I put a target 100 yards out (we had a big lawn!). After about ten rounds I could hear the faint mufled sound of somebody yelling. After taking out my plugs, I could hear the old lady swearing about all the noise! It was priceless. I shut it down pretty quick after that. I thought the noise wouldn't be so bad, but I was wrong.
My next range became an old gravel pit about 2km from my house. My parents would comment that they could hear the shots when I was there. So, there's my first hand experiences with my .223. I also recall a huge difference when I put on a muzzle flash suppressor, much more bark than a standard muzzle, but sure cut down the muzzle flash.
I still have a good laugh listening to the old lady in my head.....mother *^#^*$! Shut the &#(@$ up!
My next range became an old gravel pit about 2km from my house. My parents would comment that they could hear the shots when I was there. So, there's my first hand experiences with my .223. I also recall a huge difference when I put on a muzzle flash suppressor, much more bark than a standard muzzle, but sure cut down the muzzle flash.
I still have a good laugh listening to the old lady in my head.....mother *^#^*$! Shut the &#(@$ up!
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
StoneHorse said:
Yes, certainly does. Also, depends how extreme you want to get, as an 11.5" AR has a ton of muzzle blast, even compared to a 16" AR. If you had a 30" barrel on your .223, it would deffinately seem quieter to the shooter. It would make a difference down range too, but the biggest difference would be a perceived drop in noise by the shooter due to less muzzle blast and concussion at the muzzle.
I also have to recommend the Hornet, but what are you shooting? Gophers? If it's just gophers, .17HMR hands down! Barely different (to my ears) than a hyper velocity .22LR but has more than 200 yards of range
PERFECT cal for rural small farms, virtually no ricochet risk. I shoot rimfire only on my mother's ranch in Alberta (similar situation to yours), except when coyote hunting, as I figure one round of .243 isn't going to kill anyone but the coyote No complaints yet, but if I fired up on a gopher field with my .243mdon't think the neighbors would appreciate it... Plus, rimfire is just so fun to shoot! 
thanks guys, the reason I was thinking .223 is that there are a few times during the summer that I get out onto some big pieces of land where I could really open up a .223 since there are no houses around. And I thought if the noise was that bad that I could work up some reduced loads to shoot at our ranch and around houses. That way it would save me from buying 2 guns, one for long range shooting and one for around houses. Plus I really like shooting far and the .223 will fill my craving I will have to give it some more though and I am going to talk to some friends and see if any of them have a .223 that I could try out. The smallest I would go is a .22 hornet since I would like to be able to use it for coyotes if I have to.
I will have to give it some more though and I am going to talk to some friends and see if any of them have a .223 that I could try out. The smallest I would go is a .22 hornet since I would like to be able to use it for coyotes if I have to.
Coyote Ugly said:
I was partial deaf for about a day, After I forgot to push my plugs in doing section attacks live. I still kinda deaf, Got around 60-70% hearing in my left. Maby less after working with the 762 all year. Some days it just sound like listening in a conch shell, some days I hear ringing or bells, other days just ear aches.
Possable hearing damage is ~80-90db...
I hear the rifle range firing 223, 5K away...
