Decible level of a 12 Gauge...OUCH

Bennett Richards · October 22, 1999, 05:13 PM

Fot those of you conteplating firing your HD shotgun indoors, Just read that the DB level of a normal load 2-3/4" 12 gauge is 157... That is 1 DB LOUDER than the 223 at 156. The loudest at 164 DB was a 44 Magnum.

To give you some perspective a jet engine at thrust 100 feet away id only 130DB!!!!

Eh?

Ben

Coinneach · October 24, 1999, 05:12 PM

Huh? Sorry, I didn't hear that...

Seriously, yeah, 12-gauge (even those wimpy low noise/low recoil Winchesters) is hellaciously loud. Just another reason to invest in tactical ears for yourself and your family, if you're so equipped. They don't make ear protectors for cats, so if I have to rearrange a goblin's innards, the kitties are gonna be hard-of-hearing for a while.

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"Janet Reno is the fire that ignites my loins."
--Joe Cartoon

zip · October 24, 1999, 06:16 PM

dose anyboby know what barrel length that mumber is based on ive heard theshorter the barrel the louder the blast

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oneshotonekill

boing · October 24, 1999, 06:49 PM

A shotgun load typically generates the highest pressure when the shot package is about 18 inches down the barrel, so a shorter barrel does make for a louder...what's the term...BANG! Unless we're talking NFA. Then I dunno.

As for discomfort, after the first couple of shots the loudness goes away.

DOCSpanky · October 25, 1999, 02:23 PM

Who cares? I'd rather stop a goober in his or her tracks than fire off a .223 and have it go through 5 walls and kill someone sleeping.

"Tis better to have a little tinnittis and a dead bad guy, than tinnittis, a dead bad guy, a dead dog, and a dead next door neighbor!"

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DOCSpanky
"Walk softly and carry a big stick, perferably one of the 12 guage variety!"

hksigwalther · October 25, 1999, 07:51 PM

Keep in mind also that the db scale is logorithmic.

- Ron V.

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ChuteTheMall · October 25, 1999, 08:27 PM

Sometimes the tinnitis does not go away. mine started in August, 4 years ago. The ringing in my right ear never wavers in pitch or volume and I hear it 24 hours per day. Also partial deafness will probably get worse. Now I train with both ear plugs very carefully and fully inserted and ear muffs, even shooting 22. I have spare ear plugs attached to each long gun and other places, plus cheap disposables for forgetful friends and spectators.

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zip · October 25, 1999, 10:58 PM

the reason i questioned the barrel leanget issue my hd gun is an 18. in bbl mossberg i was wondering what kind of hearing damage i would suffer if i wasto have to use it

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oneshotonekill

Bennett Richards · October 26, 1999, 12:25 AM

Better your ears than your ass....

Ben

Coinneach · October 26, 1999, 10:54 AM

While we're on the topic of bigass boomsticks, are there any (legal) sources of suppressors for shotguns?

"Sir, why do you have a silencer on that shotgun?"

"Well, Officer, I didn't want to damage the burglar's hearing..."

------------------
"Janet Reno is the fire that ignites my loins."
--Joe Cartoon

Bruegger · October 26, 1999, 11:19 AM

Yes. Better your ears than your ass, but you only get one set of eardrums. Hearing damage is cumulative and IRREVERSIBLE. Hope all those Lynrd Skynrd concerts were worth it! Hearing aids are better these days than they've ever been before, but I'd still rather have my natural hearing when I'm an old geezer. As for our friend who has constant tinnitus: man, I feel for you bro. That sucks. I've got a friend who's got that.

Best bet for home defense is to get the tactical ears that someone has already mentioned. They give you an extra security boost by being able to amplify noise below 85 db, but cut off harmful noise. You can get these things for about $120 if you look around.

But for the range, get a REAL set of ears like the Peltor Ultimate (I think this is the name). They're the best on the market (highest noise reduction rating). Like some other folks here, I double-up - wear the Peltors plus foamies for double protection.

Every set of ears will list its noise reduction rating (NRR). Remember that every 3 db increase DOUBLES the loudness (or in the case of NRR, halves the loudness), so a set of ears with a NRR of 29 is eight times better than one with a NRR of 20 (two times two times two = eight).

Every catalog in existence sells the Peltors.

October 22, 1999, 05:13 PM	#1
Bennett Richards Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1998 Location: Carlsbad, CA USA Posts: 356	Fot those of you conteplating firing your HD shotgun indoors, Just read that the DB level of a normal load 2-3/4" 12 gauge is 157... That is 1 DB LOUDER than the 223 at 156. The loudest at 164 DB was a 44 Magnum. To give you some perspective a jet engine at thrust 100 feet away id only 130DB!!!! Eh? Ben

October 24, 1999, 05:12 PM	#2
Coinneach Staff Alumnus Join Date: February 23, 1999 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4,272	Huh? Sorry, I didn't hear that... Seriously, yeah, 12-gauge (even those wimpy low noise/low recoil Winchesters) is hellaciously loud. Just another reason to invest in tactical ears for yourself and your family, if you're so equipped. They don't make ear protectors for cats, so if I have to rearrange a goblin's innards, the kitties are gonna be hard-of-hearing for a while. ------------------ "Janet Reno is the fire that ignites my loins." --Joe Cartoon

October 24, 1999, 06:16 PM	#3
zip Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 1999 Posts: 207	dose anyboby know what barrel length that mumber is based on ive heard theshorter the barrel the louder the blast ------------------ oneshotonekill

October 24, 1999, 06:49 PM	#4
boing Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1998 Location: WNC Posts: 1,072	A shotgun load typically generates the highest pressure when the shot package is about 18 inches down the barrel, so a shorter barrel does make for a louder...what's the term...BANG! Unless we're talking NFA. Then I dunno. As for discomfort, after the first couple of shots the loudness goes away.

October 25, 1999, 02:23 PM	#5
DOCSpanky Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 1999 Location: Ashland City, TN Posts: 779	Who cares? I'd rather stop a goober in his or her tracks than fire off a .223 and have it go through 5 walls and kill someone sleeping. "Tis better to have a little tinnittis and a dead bad guy, than tinnittis, a dead bad guy, a dead dog, and a dead next door neighbor!" ------------------ DOCSpanky "Walk softly and carry a big stick, perferably one of the 12 guage variety!"

October 25, 1999, 07:51 PM	#6
hksigwalther Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1998 Location: NE OH, USA Posts: 3,198	Keep in mind also that the db scale is logorithmic. - Ron V. ------------------

October 25, 1999, 08:27 PM	#7
ChuteTheMall Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 1999 Location: Sinkholeville Swamp Posts: 228	Sometimes the tinnitis does not go away. mine started in August, 4 years ago. The ringing in my right ear never wavers in pitch or volume and I hear it 24 hours per day. Also partial deafness will probably get worse. Now I train with both ear plugs very carefully and fully inserted and ear muffs, even shooting 22. I have spare ear plugs attached to each long gun and other places, plus cheap disposables for forgetful friends and spectators. ------------------

October 25, 1999, 10:58 PM	#8
zip Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 1999 Posts: 207	the reason i questioned the barrel leanget issue my hd gun is an 18. in bbl mossberg i was wondering what kind of hearing damage i would suffer if i wasto have to use it ------------------ oneshotonekill

October 26, 1999, 12:25 AM	#9
Bennett Richards Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 1998 Location: Carlsbad, CA USA Posts: 356	Better your ears than your ass.... Ben

October 26, 1999, 10:54 AM	#10
Coinneach Staff Alumnus Join Date: February 23, 1999 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4,272	While we're on the topic of bigass boomsticks, are there any (legal) sources of suppressors for shotguns? "Sir, why do you have a silencer on that shotgun?" "Well, Officer, I didn't want to damage the burglar's hearing..." ------------------ "Janet Reno is the fire that ignites my loins." --Joe Cartoon

October 26, 1999, 11:19 AM	#11
Bruegger Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 1999 Location: Indiana Posts: 637	Yes. Better your ears than your ass, but you only get one set of eardrums. Hearing damage is cumulative and IRREVERSIBLE. Hope all those Lynrd Skynrd concerts were worth it! Hearing aids are better these days than they've ever been before, but I'd still rather have my natural hearing when I'm an old geezer. As for our friend who has constant tinnitus: man, I feel for you bro. That sucks. I've got a friend who's got that. Best bet for home defense is to get the tactical ears that someone has already mentioned. They give you an extra security boost by being able to amplify noise below 85 db, but cut off harmful noise. You can get these things for about $120 if you look around. But for the range, get a REAL set of ears like the Peltor Ultimate (I think this is the name). They're the best on the market (highest noise reduction rating). Like some other folks here, I double-up - wear the Peltors plus foamies for double protection. Every set of ears will list its noise reduction rating (NRR). Remember that every 3 db increase DOUBLES the loudness (or in the case of NRR, halves the loudness), so a set of ears with a NRR of 29 is eight times better than one with a NRR of 20 (two times two times two = eight). Every catalog in existence sells the Peltors.