Noise Level Behind Shooter

Dave1911 · August 25, 2013, 12:55 AM

I have been taking my son to an indoor range. The rules of this range state I must be in the box behind him (which make sense). It seems that the noise level standing behind him is incredibly uncomfortable. The box is only a few feet wide and has glass all the way up to the ceiling. I feel like I am getting an acoustic wave that is bigger than if I was shooting the weapon. I am wearing double ear protection (foam deals under 26 NR muffs) and I feel like I need even more. He is shooting 223 out of a 16" barrel and 38 special out of a 2" barrel. The 223 is killing me the most.

Has anyone ever noticed that is louder behind the shooter? I see that there are 33 NR muffs which may be on my list. Any suggestions?

Theohazard · August 25, 2013, 02:11 AM

Is there a compensator or muzzle brake on the .223? They direct some of the blast to the sides and/or up, making it pretty loud for everyone involved.

I've often noticed that the weapon I'm shooting seems quieter when I'm the one shooting it, but I always figured that was just due to the fact that I'm concentrating on shooting and I'm not noticing the sound as much.

It's also possible that the acoustics of the range just happen to make it louder where you're standing. That's why I love shooting suppressed, especially with my rifle can; it makes a painfully loud AR-15 sound like a nail gun and is quieter than a .22. Ever since I started shooting suppressors I've probably drastically cut down on my hearing loss.

SHE3PDOG · August 25, 2013, 03:45 AM

I'm thinking that it must just be the acoustics at your range. I tend to think that standing behind the shooter is the quietest, but once you are to the side of the gun the noise is deafening. Every once in a while during rifle qualification at the ranges on base, you'll be ever so slightly forward of someone else's muzzle while you both are shooting. That sound pierces right through the little ear buds we wear and will leave your ears ringing for a moment or two.

g.willikers · August 25, 2013, 10:24 AM

Maybe there's a concussion factor, due to the design of the range.
If so, that can be more disturbing than the sound.
Outdoor ranges are more weather dependent, but easier to live with.
Are there any in your area?

4EVERM-14 · August 25, 2013, 06:17 PM

The peek pressure from a .223 is around 60000 psi. The concussion shooting one in a confined area must be incredible. I wonder if any amount of ear protection would be sufficient.

iraiam · August 25, 2013, 07:43 PM

I go to an indoor range on occasion that has a 100 yrd 5 bay rifle range.

There was a guy there with a some kind of a semi-auto fairly short .308 with a muzzle device. The concussion from this firearm was shocking, not loud in a hearing sense with my hearing protection, but the concussion literally hit me, which made it very difficult to shoot. I'm usually not gun shy but this one really got to me.

I suspect you may be experiencing something similar.

August 25, 2013, 12:55 AM	#1
Dave1911 Member Join Date: August 17, 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 98	Noise Level Behind Shooter I have been taking my son to an indoor range. The rules of this range state I must be in the box behind him (which make sense). It seems that the noise level standing behind him is incredibly uncomfortable. The box is only a few feet wide and has glass all the way up to the ceiling. I feel like I am getting an acoustic wave that is bigger than if I was shooting the weapon. I am wearing double ear protection (foam deals under 26 NR muffs) and I feel like I need even more. He is shooting 223 out of a 16" barrel and 38 special out of a 2" barrel. The 223 is killing me the most. Has anyone ever noticed that is louder behind the shooter? I see that there are 33 NR muffs which may be on my list. Any suggestions?

August 25, 2013, 02:11 AM	#2
Theohazard Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Location: Western PA Posts: 3,829	Is there a compensator or muzzle brake on the .223? They direct some of the blast to the sides and/or up, making it pretty loud for everyone involved. I've often noticed that the weapon I'm shooting seems quieter when I'm the one shooting it, but I always figured that was just due to the fact that I'm concentrating on shooting and I'm not noticing the sound as much. It's also possible that the acoustics of the range just happen to make it louder where you're standing. That's why I love shooting suppressed, especially with my rifle can; it makes a painfully loud AR-15 sound like a nail gun and is quieter than a .22. Ever since I started shooting suppressors I've probably drastically cut down on my hearing loss. __________________ 0331: "Accuracy by volume."

August 25, 2013, 03:45 AM	#3
SHE3PDOG Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 988	I'm thinking that it must just be the acoustics at your range. I tend to think that standing behind the shooter is the quietest, but once you are to the side of the gun the noise is deafening. Every once in a while during rifle qualification at the ranges on base, you'll be ever so slightly forward of someone else's muzzle while you both are shooting. That sound pierces right through the little ear buds we wear and will leave your ears ringing for a moment or two. __________________ Semper Fi Marine, NRA member, SAF Defender's Club member, and constitutionally protected keeper and bearer of firearms

August 25, 2013, 10:24 AM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Maybe there's a concussion factor, due to the design of the range. If so, that can be more disturbing than the sound. Outdoor ranges are more weather dependent, but easier to live with. Are there any in your area? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 25, 2013, 06:17 PM	#5
4EVERM-14 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2006 Location: Pennsy Posts: 720	The peek pressure from a .223 is around 60000 psi. The concussion shooting one in a confined area must be incredible. I wonder if any amount of ear protection would be sufficient. __________________ David NRA Benefactor Member Distinguished Rifleman #731 Presidents 100

August 25, 2013, 07:43 PM	#6
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	I go to an indoor range on occasion that has a 100 yrd 5 bay rifle range. There was a guy there with a some kind of a semi-auto fairly short .308 with a muzzle device. The concussion from this firearm was shocking, not loud in a hearing sense with my hearing protection, but the concussion literally hit me, which made it very difficult to shoot. I'm usually not gun shy but this one really got to me. I suspect you may be experiencing something similar. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason