Thread: Suppressor effectiveness - Think about this!

My gear is peak hold analog B&K. I have looked into getting a digital interface and all the controversy about sampling rates and decided the cost is not justified. Especially from what you are implying that the primary concern is the peak number.

From the digital numbers that express the shot over a time graph, it looks like unsuppressed shots will be "peakier" with little duration to the event. Suppressors at best ranges have lower numbers with a softer curve compared to poorer suppressors which will provide more of a peak and faster drop off. The implied physics of the event seem to match that since the energy needs to go somewhere and the better you suppress, the longer the event will be. In fact, the better one suppresses, I would postulate that the damage mechanism would more accurately reflect the sustained noise and less the impulse. Your view on that would be appreciated, 6x47. Obviously if one is using muffs, plugs or both on non suppressed gun, it will be a pure impulse event with whatever reduction that is provided by the hearing protection worn (if any) and how well it fits.

Using table 1-2 as a guide, and three shot duration schedules, I made a table of number of shots that will keep a person inside the "guidelines". The peak duration is GUESSED at .002, .005 and .015 seconds based on some digital shot graphs on the internet for whatever that is worth. A person can determine how conservative they want to get and select the number they want to use. I guess this is kinda like birth control where the some matron comes out and says abstinence is the best and only proven method but I ain't gonna stop shooting.

Shot numbers in 8 hour day before exceeding limit based on three different shot duration peaks.
dB(A) - .002 - .005 - .015
140 - 45 - 18 - 6
139 - 55 - 22 - 7
138 - 70 - 28 - 9
137 - 90 - 36 - 12
136 - 120 - 48 - 16
135 - 145 - 58 - 19

I have measured unsuppressed centerfire rifles at 164 to 175 dB(A) so choose your ear protection accordingly if you are subtracting db's. Also keep in mind that these are numbers that are at the shooters ear. Semi auto rifles can vary a LOT at the ear based on how well the gas system is adjusted for the gun. For bolt guns, the muzzle number can usually have 8dB(A) subtracted on standard length (20"+) barrels for a rough "at the ear" number.

Yes, this post is asking to be heavily critiqued but we have to start somewhere.