Thread: Short barrels and decebels

Originally Posted by gimp

dB scale is logarithmic, 3dB = "twice as loud" from memory

the whole reason for short barrels though is to be able to use a "muffler" without having a stupidly long setup.

Well no the whole reason for mufflers is because short barrels are loud,why else would anyone have one but there must be a point where it tips..... a "tipping point" if you will where it is totally impractical to hunt without a can on.

I have a can because *any* barrel isn't hearing safe.... but a 22 inch barrel with a can becomes cumbersome, so a 19 inch barrel it is

Originally Posted by screamO

Why the dislike for cans?

Just another bloody thing on the rifle.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

I dislike cans and wear hearing protection for all but close range shots.
I already have tinnitus and don't care to make it much worse.
Just thinking how short one could go on an efficient calibre like 308win without massive volume to the shooters ear increase.
I know the old mans rossi (cant remember if 16 or18 inch) is pretty antisocial (without muffeler)with the barnes load I made for it but I am using a relitivly slow powder for barrel length which results in a bit of flame thrower and a lot of Boom!

why would you want to go def faster then if you all ready have a problem ?

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Well no the whole reason for mufflers is because short barrels are loud,why else would anyone have one but there must be a point where it tips..... a "tipping point" if you will where it is totally impractical to hunt without a can on.

Well no its to shorten so when a can is added its still 'bushable'. Well for me anyway

VC you really are a worry after those blaser threads. Have you grabbed a case of brain lag?

Originally Posted by gimp

I have a can because *any* barrel isn't hearing safe.... but a 22 inch barrel with a can becomes cumbersome, so a 19 inch barrel it is

Of course, but a can does not automatically make it hearing safe either, in fact it probably wont unless you run subs exclusively.

Anyway, is there a point where db increases dramaticly? like velocity loss, bugger all for the first couple of inches and more for each inch after that?

Or put more simply,how short could I go on a 308 without "Having" to use a can just to be able to use it.

Originally Posted by Gibo

VC you really are a worry after those blaser threads. Have you grabbed a case of brain lag?

Because I am practical?

Good cans can lower 16" 308s to under 140db at the ear, supposedly that is "safe." I still use hearing protection where possible as well. But not in the bush. I expect that the odd shot under 140 will not damage my hearing significantly.

You couldn't use a 28" unsuppressed 308 and get under 140db.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Because I am practical?

Think it was probably I'm a bit death but bugger it I'll keep going bit?
I want my hearing to last till I die.


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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Of course, but a can does not automatically make it hearing safe either, in fact it probably wont unless you run subs exclusively.

Anyway, is there a point where db increases dramaticly? like velocity loss, bugger all for the first couple of inches and more for each inch after that?

Or put more simply,how short could I go on a 308 without "Having" to use a can just to be able to use it.

that will be up to you as most people find a 22 inch barrel hard on there ears to fire

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Of course, but a can does not automatically make it hearing safe either, in fact it probably wont unless you run subs exclusively.

Anyway, is there a point where db increases dramaticly? like velocity loss, bugger all for the first couple of inches and more for each inch after that?

Or put more simply,how short could I go on a 308 without "Having" to use a can just to be able to use it.

I would have thought you could go as short as your allowed (want) if you where just hunting with it regardless of noise because I can never remember how loud a shot was when hunting, a bit like not feeling any recall.

Put it this way mate. After 85 db your ears dont like it. Rifles and shotties are at about 130+ so unless you muff up or shoot a 1 string group your tinear wont be any better off. Mufflers il have you know reduce your short exposure quite dramatically

Fuck i tapped away hard then and was still four posts too slow.

Originally Posted by Sidney

Good cans can lower 16" 308s to under 140db at the ear, supposedly that is "safe." I still use hearing protection where possible as well. But not in the bush. I expect that the odd shot under 140 will not damage my hearing significantly.

You couldn't use a 28" unsuppressed 308 and get under 140db.

Yeah I carry earplugs and use them as often as possible but if it's not possible I'd prefer occasional exposure to 13x dB which is supposed to be under the "impulse" damage threshold as opposed to 160+