BEST "mid/ lower' priced ear protection, (not ear plugs, please?

[daddySEAL]

Where/who makes the best "over the head" type "lower/mid priced" quality ear
protectors for range shooting with larger caliber pistols, please?

[USMCG_HMX1]

I picked up a pair of Winchester branded over the ear style from Wal-Mart for around 10 bucks. Provides 28 NNR.



Kris

[dave421]

you should probably define "mid/lower priced". It means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For me, my ears are important so $50 isn't outrageous. Others don't want to spend $20.

[skeeter1]

I've got a pair of these from Cabela's.

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20801&id=0031405227184a&navCount=1&podId=0031405&parentId=cat20801&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20801&hasJS=true

I'm sure there are better, but $35 seemed reasonable to me, and they work fairly well AFAIC. I've tried the Sonic ear valves, and they're just too uncomfortable. They're cheap and they work, but they hurt.

[OJ]

Personally, I think it's false economy to go cheap on ear or eye protection considering the value of what you are protecting - but we each have our priorities.

I ran across a recent thread on one of the forums criticizing doctors because they couldn't do anything to restore his hearing loss from long term shooting. Who's really to blame???

Doctors practice medicine and most of us never claim to walk on water or restore something a patient has lost because proper protection wasn't used. We do the best we can but are unable to perform miracles. When I see anyone wanting to cut costs there, who's to blame if the hearing diminishes?

We invest big bucks in the guns we shoot and the ammo we shoot in them. Why not spend enough to get good protection for eyes and ears??

[Trebor]

I reccomend either the Peltor line of muffs or the Pro-Ears line of muffs.

For the Peltors look for the "Ultimate 10" which has a NRR rating of 29 or the "HA10" which has a NRR of either 30 or 31 (can't recall exactly).

The Pro-Ears has a muff rated at 31 NRR. I can't recall the specific model name.

The Peltors are easier to find, in my experience. The big sporting goods chain stores, such as Gander Mountain, etc, tend to carry the "Ultimate 10." I've seen the Pro-Ears at a few places locally as well. The Peltors are usually a few dollars less expensive. $15 to $25 instead of $20 to $30, for example.

You can increase the effectiveness of any hearing protection by "doubling up" with both plugs and muffs. Wear the highest rated plugs you can find, usually 28 NRR or so, and then put the highest rated muffs you can find on top of them. To figure the protection, take the highest rated of the two and add an additional 5 DB of reduction for the other. That's significantly better then either one alone.

Wearing plugs underneath muffs also protects you from unexpected shots. I keep my plugs in even when the line is "cold" and no one is supposed to be shooting. More then once I've been surprised by another shooter firing when I've had my muffs off. Having the plugs in then is a real ear-saver.

[jrothWA]

good set of Dave Clark 310's, the Cherry Red muffs?
NRR of 30.

[johnbt]

Peltor Ultimate 10

or

Whatever the Howard Leight model is that's rated around 31 db.

I have 2 pairs of the U-10 muffs and they work, and they're comfortable. About $20 when I got mine.

I do, however, use Remington plugs under them because I ruined my hearing shooting in the '50s and '60s without protection.

John

[rellascout]

When I am shooting pistols where cheek weld is not an issue I use these.

I think they were $30

http://www.gundogsonline.com/Img/EStore/Products/10627.jpg

[Magdaddy]

+1 on the peltor ultimate 10

[hdawson228]

I know you aren't interested in ear plugs, but I recently bght some with a
rating of 32. I think the best are 33 and I can use them with my hi power M1 Garand.

[cunroe]

Another option, Leightning's. NRR 30-31dB, comfortable and inexpensive models.

[Corik Jasra]

Yes; I have the Bilsom Thunder T3 Earmuff (http://www.hearingportal.com/products/products2.asp?id=17#) (NRR 30). They are very comfortable and seem durable so far. You can buy them for about $20ish.

I do sometimes wonder if NRR 30 is even enough for long term use, though. It lowers the report of the weapon to comfortable levels, but GUNS ARE LOUD!

[rebelwon]

I have the same remington-branded muffs shown above. I think they are rated at 31-31 db, and were about $30. Very effective even at a crowded indoor range, and comfortable.

[mikejonestkd]

peltor utlimate 10 for me. cheap, effective and comfortable.

[tegemu]

Even though you don't want to hear it, my and other ear doctors say that adequate hearing protection comes from muffs AND ear plugs.

[mikejonestkd]

I always double up with centerfire rifles, shotguns and handguns...

I want to be able to hear my wife nagging me when I am 90 years old...LOL

for .22s I use just the muffs.

[veeref]

I'll have to affirm the previous recommendations about the Peltor Ultimate 10.

They're $30, they provide 30NRR dB reduction rating, they're lightweight and comfortable. If you throw on some foam in-the-ear disposable plugs underneath them, you'll have your hearing for a long time. AFAIK, they have the highest NRR out there of all the current headsets.

Frankly, don't skimp on (1) hearing protection and (2) eye protection. You can't get either of them back once you lose them, and for $30, there's no excuse not to use the best.

I got mine at Bass Pro, but you can find them online for a little less.

Regards,
~V

[PeteQuad]

The Bilsom Leightning L3 Ear Muffs can be had for less than $20 on the internet ($30 in retail stores) and have an NRR of 30. They are nice and comfortable muffs too.

Edit: Ah I see someone mentioned them above, missed that.

[daddySEAL]

thanks everyone.

Sorry about the way I phrased that about pricing.
I'm looking for the best I can get for $100 or less(which should be quite a few, I'd geuss) Hearing is very important.
How foolhearty and stupid would I be if I spent thousands on handguns, and reloading supplies...if i "cheapo'd" out on safety and went deal losing my hearing. I may not be the hottest bullet in the box, but I'm no dud, either...Ha!

For one thing, is there a decible silencing rating that would tell me which ones are most effecting when I go to buy?
Is that what "NRR" means?.....what is range is available in that scale(10 to 50?)

Please let me know guys.....THAT silence rating is the key to my purchace(comfort is good, but ear protection is the thing)!

I mainly want the best for my daughter and fiance(my sons also!
(along with just good ones for this old sea dog)
thanks

[mikejonestkd]

NRR is noise reduction rating or something like that.

Most good muffs are in the NRR 29-31 range and are quite effective for shooting most firearms.

It is fairly easy to find good hearing protection for under $30 and quite easy to find excellent hearing protection for under $50.

take a quick look at cabelas for the range of products available:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat20801&navAction=jump&navCount=1&parentId=cat20712&parentType=category&cmCat=MainCatcat20712

[daddySEAL]

does anyone know how "high" the NRR rating numbers go, please?

[daddySEAL]

sorry....a Google search just showed me that there are US and European ratings. The US NRR highest rating appears to be 31.

Thank all....now I know how to rate them and choose the ones I need.

Thanks!

[ShootingNut]

Has a one for 11.95, and then the electronic type for a hundred bucks.
Have both, like the electronic for range shooting when you want to hear those around you talking. Other than for that, I prefer the 12 buck model.;)
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=13036&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=16231&training=

[daddySEAL]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, guys.
All my shooting(so far) is at target practise ranges until I get expert(to my definition, not competion ratings, or such).

So I think I'll stop off at Academy and get a couple Falcon CTA-05 electronic earmuffs today(for $89 each). And maybe one of the Highest NRR rated non-electronic regular earmuffs too because they come with higher NRR ratings(to 31)...while the electronics rate at only 21...a compomise because of electronic workings, I guess.

I'll let you know after shooting Sunday afternoon, if anyone is interested in their comparisons.

thanks everone!
dS

[PeteQuad]

The electronics are nice if you do a lot of talking at the range, but if you don't its not really worth it. The muffs go up to NRR 31 as far as I've seen, but to me anything 30 or 31 is sufficient. I have seen plugs that go up to NRR 33. The best would be to do both.

[Dave Haven]

In my experience, the best combination is 33dB plugs and electronic muffs. You can hear conversation and have double protection from muzzle blast.:)

[JWT]

I agree with those recommending the Peltor Ultimate 10. I've been using them for several months and am extremely satisfied. They are comfortable and do an excellent job. Reasonable price - paid $30.

[daddySEAL]

Thank you all,
Yesterday I went to a local sporting goods chain (Academy)and bout one set of Peltor Ultimate 10s, AND 2 pair of Falcon CTA-05 electronic earmuffs(which were on sale for $68 !). I guess I showed up on the right day without knowing it.

Yes, I do converse a pretty good amount at the range, because I'm taking my fiance, daughter and my 3 sons....all one at a time to the ranges and teaching them (one-on-one) safe gun handling and shooting technique. So we talk back and forther during the instruction. When they all have learned well enough, I'll hopefully take them in groups(Wow...better get cracking on learning reloading...we'll be going thru ammo as a ferocious(expensive) rate...HaHa!

Interesting idea of 33dB plugs and Falcons, Dave Haven. I bnelieve that would be extra good.

thanks all!