Hi all,

This is a bit like closing the door after the horse has bolted but hey....

A couple of weeks ago at Baldock I made the error of standing next to one of our esteemed members while on the range. (Short barrelled 243.... No names )

I had plugs in but got hit by the muzzle blast. It was strange as I felt the shock hit me behind the ear just above my jaw line at the time and it was something I hadn't felt since someone threw a stick of Dynamite into the water close to where we were diving a few years back.

Anyway I've has some discomfort and ringing for the last couple of weeks and decided it's time to upgrade my hearing protection while I have some left!! (Who said that???)

Any suggestions on a good slimline electronic earmuff suited to rifle and shotgun stuff. I always wear muffs while shooting clays but I need to be able to hear stuff while out game shooting hence the electronic bit.

Thanks,
FB

Hello!!! Can you hear me???
Jokes aside. Sorry to hear about your situation.

I've been using Sordin Supreme Pro, after experiencing a similar thing.
They work fine for stand hunting, but a bit challenging to use on walk-up/stalking. After some getting used to, even this works ok. They're quite slim, but sometimes when "throwing" the gun to the shoulder they might get bumped a little bit.

I've been looking into some other options for this kind of hunting. There's some moulded ones that supposed to be better, but haven't tried yet.

Hi fella,

As an ardent target shooter it has been my misfortune to share a firing line with all manner of utter twats, with all manner of foolish equipment.

In particular a foul-mouthed midget with the muzzle-braked, 20" barreled 7mm WSM on the covered over 100yard point at Shorts was instrumental in my interest in efficient hearing protection that also afford some warning of impending doom.

After trying all sorts, for a particulalry amusing set - perfect for lending out to guests and miscreants without their own - are here: Safety and Style.

The best i tried for rifle shooting were these ones:napier slimline

Not because they were the best in terms of NR, audio quality, build etc but simply because they don't catch on the 'effin stock with a loud noise everytime you try and mount the gun.

they are about as thick as the peltor shotgunners if you have ever used them.

ATB,

Amir

PS. I think i've lost my mobile, I was out on Sunday for the first time in 5months, can you please pm your number?

Kiri,

I'll omit the Huh? jokes.....

I use two pair, both sorta in the middle price class range.

The one's I purchased from Brownells are; at least for me - the Shotgunner's dream pair. Very thin, comfortable ear cups for long hours at the Clays range, good hearing protection and of course you can adjust the volume level. They live in my Shotgunning range bag and I've never heard a "click" when mounting a shotgun with these yet! Olive Drab also a good choice for Bird Days; avoiding Dr. Kim's pink sweatshirt "look".

The Peltor SportTacs I like for Drive Hunts, High Seats and serious Rifle Range (especially enclosed ranges) use as they have a higher protection rating. A little bit bulkier than the others but they have a feature I really appreciate for Drive Hunts - the plastic cover inserts come in two colored sets - olive green & safety orange. You can switch them easily. They keep your ears warm, have comfortable Gel Ear Cups, aid in hearing game approaching; Oh, Yeah, they protect your hearing, too.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/...RONIC%20THIN%20MUFFS

http://www.opticsplanet.net/pe...t16h210f-479-sv.html

Hi

I am sorry to hear about your situation.

I am using Peltor and find them just superb!!!

Try the Peltor Trapper. Yes, they are a few $$$, but they are just superb. Well, to me they are.

I just use EMTEC moulded plugs with a filter which allow me to shoot a moderated rifle or shotgun with ease but I do use additional protection when using an unmoderated rifle.

As you know,I think the first step isa mod on the rifle. In addition,the moulded earpieces with the bandpass filters seem to work for me.
However, HARLEY STREET IS THE PLACE TO GO FOR A PROFESSIONAL OPINION. EXCUSE THE CAPS BUT I'MIN BULGARIA AND THE MACHINE IS PLAYING UP

I would go with Gerry on the use of Peltor Sportac,s. They have an added advantage of turning off automatically after 2 hours.
Try Egun.de for a pair for as little as 112 Euro or a bloke is selling an as new pair for 95 euro at the moment.

YUP!

That's how I came onto the SportTacs - Frankonia had a "special" on them at our Clay Range for €uro 99,-; Excellent deal. They probably sold 50 pair on that day, too.

You need to differentiate between occasional and frequent use.

Slimline might be OK for occasional use but frequent rifle use is not best served by slimline muffs most of which are designed for shotgun usage.

The only pair of electronic muffs I know that are specifically designed for rifle usage are the Peltor TAC XPs. Only come in black and not slimline, never the less they don't affect rifle mounting if fitted correctly. They have worked well for me.

Don't forget to replace the seals every year.

I had a brief try of some Browning electronic defenders over the weekend while helping out on a range.

I felt that they worked to a degree, but I wouldn't like to rely on them for extended periods on a busy rifle range.

My current set up for that scenario is to wear ear plugs and passive defenders...It works a treat even on a part enclosed firing point like Minsterly, and I find this approach allows me to concentrate on shooting even when somebody is firing a big boomer on the next bench.

Having said that, I might take a look at an electronic pair as sometimes being able to hear conversation is very handy..

Anybody have any expirience with the Deben range?

I sometimes use a pair of the deben hearing protectors. They work reasonably well and are comfy to wear when shooting rifles or shotguns. One thing I did find though was if anyone is using a radio near you to talk to the butts you sometimes get their conversation broadcast into your ears. Don't know why but quite off putting.

quote:

Having said that, I might take a look at an electronic pair as sometimes being able to hear conversation is very handy..

Yep not sure how I feel about that!! They definately allow you to listen in on other peoples conversations!!

I'm not looking for something for prolonged range work, more for the game shooting and occasional use with an unmoderated rifle in a high seat.

Rgds
FB

I have had several pairs over the years, in fact they're probably still collection dust

I am going to use the one's I like the best for the range next year on drive hunts, I like them the best (Howard Leight Impac), slim, batteries last 350 hours, auto shutoff, and comfortable to wear, at least for me, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

Howard Leight

Kiri, I have had tinitus for about 30 years due to shooting without proper hearing protection. As a consequence I always wear ear defenders and normally the electronic variety. I do have a very expensive bluetooth enabled pair which I would not recommend. I bought a pair of Leight Impact Sport Electronic Ear Defenders for £49.95 off of ebay recently and they are very good indeed.

Well worth the money.



Grant

Do any inner ear defenders protect fully from muzzle blast?

The answer is no. However something is better than nothing. If it's a choice of wearing comfortable plugs or not wearing uncomfortable muffs then use the plugs.

When stalking with unmoderated rifles I generally walk with plugs in and muffs to hand. If I can I put the muffs on I do. Once you get to the woods that gets less likely. Either leave the muffs on or be prepared to lose dear.

The bone behind the ear is quite a good conductor of sound which is why muffs protect better.

quote:

The bone behind the ear is quite a good conductor of sound which is why muffs protect better.

+1!

a T4 from jackson rifles works well for me!

quote:

Originally posted by Gerry:

quote:

The bone behind the ear is quite a good conductor of sound which is why muffs protect better.

+1!

The entire skull is a good conductor of sound! One hearing test we do is to place a tuning fork on the front teeth.