I use Peltor Sport-tac ear muffs for shooting but have recently noticed ringing ears after shooting one of my rifles that is un-moderated. I put it down to the Peltors ear cups not being big enough to fit round my large ears properly, can anyone suggest a descent set of muffs for range work that would be more effective.
Hearing Protection
- Thread starter Sako308
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deerstalker.308
Well-Known Member
Cheap solution would be to wear in ear plugs under your muffs
Brimfire
Well-Known Member
McKenzie
Well-Known Member
I've used the slimline Peltor for both shotgun & unmoderated rifle & it's the best fit I've found. I invested in the best & most expensive electronic ear defenders but good as they were, they just didn't fit very well & as far as I could tell didn't shut out any more sound (compared in a tunnel range) so I sold them & reverted to my 20 year old pair that cost £18. Whilst adjusting the scope when in the pipe range I forgot to put the muffs back on; now that hurt!
ChesterP
Well-Known Member
Peltors do NOT have sufficient attenuation on their own to offer full protection against an un-moderated large cal CF. SPL for say an un-moderated .308 with 20 inch barrel is between 150 and 160dB as measured at 1m (ie close to the ear). Peltors, like MOST electronic/passive defenders only attenuate to 25-ish dB if not a little more. Some better ones manage 30dB. Hearing damage occurs above 110dB if regular exposure occurs, and 120+dB instantaneous, therefore you do need to wear in-ears plus Peltors for full protection against an un-moderated rifle. I now use SportEar X-pro in-ears plus Peltors for range use to protect against the louts ( 
) who insist on using muzzle breaks over moderators. I do wish that the industry would address this problem because its inexcusable at any price to tout hearing protection as suitable for shooting, when clearly, most simply are not....on their own. Part of the reason I lost hearing in one ear.
) who insist on using muzzle breaks over moderators. I do wish that the industry would address this problem because its inexcusable at any price to tout hearing protection as suitable for shooting, when clearly, most simply are not....on their own. Part of the reason I lost hearing in one ear.
I use MSA Sordin electronic ear defenders with the gel pads. Best I've used.
I used to use CENS in ear custom moulds, or Peltor Optime III's. Both used to make my ears ring. These MSA's give me no ear ring and are comfortable enough to wear all day. Plus you can hear what's going on around you.
I used to use CENS in ear custom moulds, or Peltor Optime III's. Both used to make my ears ring. These MSA's give me no ear ring and are comfortable enough to wear all day. Plus you can hear what's going on around you.
paul o'
Well-Known Member
I thought once I would only ever use foam plugs or none I just did't need anything ??
, now from years of short arms and long MG's and 84's my right hearing is far less than my left hearing, so this year after trying out loss pals ones (Roedinator ) So I got a pair of Sordin Supreme Pro X Electronic Earmuffs 
you know ! there's a hole new world out there under the high seat ,I even got my son wearing them when is playing his drums 
, now from years of short arms and long MG's and 84's my right hearing is far less than my left hearing, so this year after trying out loss pals ones (Roedinator ) So I got a pair of Sordin Supreme Pro X Electronic Earmuffs you know ! there's a hole new world out there under the high seat ,I even got my son wearing them when is playing his drums 
Ranger22
Well-Known Member
i got told to this, it is very uncomfortable. So much so I gave up trying and went back to just using the sport tacs. Find them very good.
caorach
Well-Known Member
Ear plugs under the muffs are a good idea. The evidence is that most users do not correctly fit their plugs or muffs and so do not gain maximum benefit from them, in your case if the muffs don't fit well then that is a big problem. In that case I would say that you probably have to try before you buy to get something that does fit well and give maximum protection. I like Peltor Optime III muffs as they are very effective and because of their design they seem to fit most people well but the only way for you to be sure is to try them, a local protective clothing type outlet might have some you can try.
With ear plugs doing this is simple and inexpensive as the earplug superstore people do a trail pack of almost every ear plug under the sun, give them all a try to see which fits best and then buy in bulk, I'd be certain you'd not regret doing this:
http://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp.html?_s_icmp=HOMEBAR5_MOREPLUGS1
With ear plugs doing this is simple and inexpensive as the earplug superstore people do a trail pack of almost every ear plug under the sun, give them all a try to see which fits best and then buy in bulk, I'd be certain you'd not regret doing this:
http://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp.html?_s_icmp=HOMEBAR5_MOREPLUGS1
Peltors do NOT have sufficient attenuation on their own to offer full protection against an un-moderated large cal CF. SPL for say an un-moderated .308 with 20 inch barrel is between 150 and 160dB as measured at 1m (ie close to the ear). Peltors, like MOST electronic/passive defenders only attenuate to 25-ish dB if not a little more. Some better ones manage 30dB. Hearing damage occurs above 110dB if regular exposure occurs, and 120+dB instantaneous, therefore you do need to wear in-ears plus Peltors for full protection against an un-moderated rifle. I now use SportEar X-pro in-ears plus Peltors for range use to protect against the louts (
Peltor SportTac have a SNR of 26, I think. I use them for shotgun shooting, and would agree that they're not adequate alone for rifle-shooting.
For rifle-shooting I have Peltor ProTac II, with a SNR of 31dB.
I note with interest that Peltor have recently brought out a thing called ProTac III Shooter with a SNR of 32, which seems very competetively-priced and which I would have bought had I not already got the ProTac II.
ChesterP
Well-Known Member
Yes, it is 26dB. Even 30 to 35dB may not be enough though. I wonder how hard it is to actually make an ear defender to offer a filtered system that is effective to say 50dB as that's what we really need to protect hearing, hence why I wear the SportEar-XPros under the Peltors (with the SportEars in the "open" position you get 14dB plus the peltor's 26dB = 40dB attenuation and can still benefit from the amplification for range work....comfy too unlike other in ear solutions that I've tried).
The Peltor Pro-Tac III Shooter version looks good, about £70 online. Was curious as to why they are half the price of the Pro-Tac II, specs seem to be the same. Called their customer services earlier but the guy didn't know.
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3M make soft ear plugs that claim to have attenuation of 39db.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...01-020?N=7576574+3294470507+3294857473&rt=rud
If they're as comfortable as they claim then they could provide additional protection under "over ear" muffs.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...01-020?N=7576574+3294470507+3294857473&rt=rud
If they're as comfortable as they claim then they could provide additional protection under "over ear" muffs.
This research paper by the Health and Safety Executive confirms that ear muffs alone are insufficient protection against an unmoderated rifle:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2004/hsl04-01.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2004/hsl04-01.pdf
I'm not sure that this is a reasonable conclusion to draw from this paper, except perhaps for the specific (but unnamed) muffs used in the experiment.
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