What is the quietest Shotgun/load?

eltorro

eltorro

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A couple a years ago I used a .410 backpacker to take some grouse. In the hurry I couldn't find my earplugs, and I said....whatever. 7 shots and five grouse later I had a ringing that is not yet completely gone.
At fault was the 12" bbl and 3" shells :redface:

Taking in consideration a standard length bbl, which is the most quiet?
 
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I remember when I first bought my Marine magnum and forgot to buy earplugs. I got a hodgepodge of ammo for free and they were all very loud. I imagine any difference will be negligible. I suggest buying some earplugs on a lanyard or something and tossing them around your neck. If thats no good I imagine some subsonic loads would be as quiet as it gets. Don't ask me where to find them though!
 
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eltorro said:
is there any significant difference between gauges?
I'm interested in the general noise reduction,
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I'm concerned about his too, and another reason I use a 20ga. but I don't have any figures to back it up. I asumme the lighter the load the less noise fo the same barrel length.
 
Like I said, negligible at best. The .410 backpacker is probably the loudest shotgun I have ever fired. My 12g 18" is much quieter. Get a shotgun with a longer barrel, other than that I don't think there is too many other options. Keep in mind that hearing loss is cumulative, If you pull the trigger once or twice a year without protection it won't be so bad. If you do it everytime you pull the trigger in the bush you will notice it later on in life.
 
B said:
I remember when I first bought my Marine magnum and forgot to buy earplugs.
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I used to have a Valtro PM5 with the 14" barrel. When I went out to shoot it for the first time I forgot to bring earplugs, at the time I knew little about ported barrels and the extra noise that they tend to make. I shot the first round and had an intense stinging in my ears it was so loud. I stupidly shot a couple more before packing it in for the day feeling pretty defeated. I literally could not bring myself to shoot it anymore, it's the loudest gun I've ever fired. I never forgot my hearing protection again.
 
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Low recoil, Low noise

If you're shooting a 12 gauge the Winchester AA low recoil low noise shells are good. They gave them a name, Featherlites or something. I think Remington may also have brought out a similar product this year. They're great for new and young shooters. I shoot them in some of my vintage doubles. They are low pressure, about 6000 psi, and easy on the old stocks and actions. They break the clays surprising well too. I wouldn't shoot anything without ear protection though.
 
Varmit said:
Since we're talking about hearing protection, what about hunting? do you guys use earplugs when rabbit hunting? ducks & geese? upland game?
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I take earplugs on a lanyard and put them around my neck. I had a pair of electronic muffs but the crapped out after a long wet hike. Hearing protection is essential for pretty much any centerfire.
 
I shoot right handed and I always wear an earplug in my left ear while bird hunting. It's the ear opposite to which to shoot (handed) that takes the beating. When on targets both of my ears are protected. "You can tell how duck hunting a man has done by his loss of hearing" Pardon me?

cheers Darryl
 
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