Sound of a muzzleloader

[markinstettler]

Different firearms sound different when fired. A 22-calibre rifle doesn't sound like a 30-30 which doesn't sound like a 12-gauge. My 54-calibre GPR makes a nice bang which (to my untrained ear) sounds more like a modern 12-gauge shotgun than a deer-calibre modern centerfire. Hearing protection is definitely necessary when firing the GPR.

So how do the smaller bored black powder rifles compare? Does a long barrel make much difference? The powder charge obviously has to be considered.

I'm having a 40-calibre longrifle made with a 42" barrel. Compared to the GPR, I'm expecting a "sharper" and higher-pitched (if pitch can be used to describe a muzzle-blast) but slightly less loud bang. Am I going to be surprised?

 

[Desert Ratxx]

I think everyone has their own level of tollerances for sound. I have never found it necessary to wear ear protection when shooting muzzleloaders. There is a slight crack when shooting percussion guns but flints to me have a nice soft deep boom, kinda like thunder. I know I probably should wear some but it just doesn't bother me at all. On the other hand when the kids next door are playing in the yard when I'm trying to go to sleep there isn't enough protection in the world to block it out.

 

[cheatherly]

I'm suprized at the amount of people at firing ranges that use no hearing protection because," It don't bother me." Maybe I have extra sensitive ears? Of course shooting in the open is a lot different than shooting in a holler.

 

[Headhunter]

WHAT???

Even when Cowboy action shootin, My MULE even wears ear plugs~!

Headhunter

 

[Desert Ratxx]

Well with them new fangled cartridge thingies I could see it :haha:

Actually now that I'm thinking about it when in the woods muzzleloaders are quite a bit louder :hmm: . I usually shoot out in the desert where there is nothing to bounce the sound back for miles and miles. Cartridge guns though are a no brainer I always wear protection when someone is shooting them no matter where we are.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

Hearing protection is very important.

Damage can sneak up on you because the noise may not bother you at the time it happens.

I lost some hearing in Vietnam and age related hearing loss runs in the family.

I wear ear plugs and muff type over the head/ears protection when shooting, running a table saw, garden tractor, string trimmer or anything loud.

Also, even with protection, I can still enjoy the booms!

 

[silverfox]

Hi Rat. It doesn't bother me either but then because I didn't use ear protection for years now I can't hear anything usless it is loud. Wish I could hear 1/3 as good as my wife. Now I use ear protection and try to get everyone else to also. So when they get older maybe they will still be able to hear that turkey gobble or a buck short. Sure wish I could.
Back to the sounds of muzzleloaders. The smaller calibers do crack with a higher pitch than the larger calibers more of a boom.
Fox :thumbsup:

 

[paco97]

I'm a product of the 80's Hard Rock. I'd liked it LOUD and HARD. Of course the loud music never bothered me, even though it bothered my parents and neigbors. It wasn't until my late 20's that I realized I had hearing damage.

Trust me, just because it doesn't bother you doesn't mean that it isn't damaging your ears.

I always where hearing protection, unless I'm hunting, then I'm so focused on the shot that I don't hear the noise.

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

All ML have a BOOOOOM in my opinion! The crack is from the projectile breaking the sound barrier of 1080 FPS (at sea level). So with a ML you kind of get both, which adds more BANG to the FUN :haha: .

One thing's for sure: It's MUSIC to our ears, even with my muffs on!

Dave

 

[hawkeye1755]

I love only two sounds.That of my ML and the sound of a V8 Big Block. :grin:
I hope to see one day a NASCAR race live in Daytona or Talladega or both :bow:
:hatsoff:

 

[Swampman]

The noise doesn't bother me much anymore, because I didn't wear hearing protection when I was young.

The sound a muzzloding rifle makes, depends on how much powder you use.

 

[walruskid1]

those that don't mind the noise probably don't hear most of it anyway! i'm trying to save the little hearing that i have left. my wife says i'm ignoring her but i just don't hear her unless i'm looking at her.

 

[Pork Chop]

Undertaker,

If you go to a NASCAR race at Daytona, take earplugs. I went to college in Daytona for a year. During that time, I got to see some testing, but I have never been to a race. The sound is UNREAL from one car - I can only imagine 43...

 

[Ridge]

I get my hearing tested yearly at work. My results always come back fine.

I never shoot modern firearms without hearing protection, but muzzleloaders have never given me trouble. The longer barrel puts the boom further out and it's not really that loud. Would I reccomend anyone else shoot without them? No, I'd get flamed on my favorite muzzleloading board for suggesting it! :wink:

 

[john12865]

My .54 with 70 grs. sounds more like a 30/30 to me. Then again my hearing isn't perfect. If your .54 sounds like a 12 gauge then you're hearing is really good or your shooting one hell of a powder load. :grin:

 

[Slamfire]

I love only two sounds.That of my ML and the sound of a V8 Big Block. :grin:
I hope to see one day a NASCAR race live in Daytona or Talladega or both :bow:
:hatsoff:

Yore about 30 years too late, NASCAR don't allow big blocks any more, just them dinky 6 litre moters.

 

[Halftail]

The sounds of muzzleloaders going off is like music to my ears.You just can't beat the sound of an early morning woodswalk in progress as you get ready to participate.

 

[Slamfire]

I alway wear my shooter's plugs, and they keep the sound down to bone conduction levels. Black powder does move me a bit more'n the smokeless stuff.

 

[rebel727]

I love only two sounds.That of my ML and the sound of a V8 Big Block. :grin:
I hope to see one day a NASCAR race live in Daytona or Talladega or both :bow:
:hatsoff:

Talladega has gone downhill. The race is still great but the infield parties suck now. They've even got a jailhouse on site now. No more getting rip roaring drunk and no more nude women running around.

 

[Deacon4]

Fellers,
Do you wear ear protection when you hunt?
Just a wondering.
:hatsoff:
Deacon