Bolt Action Ear Muffs?

[divingin]

How much do hearing aid batteries costs? Also, how long is rated to last? I saw a quick review on the Etymotic GSP-15 from Lucky Gunner Ammo. The fella had custom molded rubber plugs made, but all costs were about $300?

GSP-15 uses Zinc-Air button cells. They're pretty widely available; any drug store will have a decent stash. The units use the Number 10 size (color coded yellow.) I run them Saturday and Sunday for 8-9 hours each, then they sit unconnected (battery door opened enough to break the electrical connection) for the remainder of the week. They typically last 2 or 3 weekends before needing replacement.

A 60 count pack of these batteries runs about $15 from Amazon. Given that a single battery is less than the cost of a round of rifle ammo, it's probably not going to drain my wallet anytime soon.

[hambam105]

Muffs are a great because they protect the bone structure in the close vicinity of each ear. Foam ear plugs....Always.

A few years back, I hear that well known Arizona USPSA competitor appeared at shooting event wearing what most
thought was a modified full facial motorcycle helmet in an attempt to dampen the noise of the compensated
pistol race guns. Same competitor shoots mostly non-comp pistols today.

[divingin]

A few years back, I hear that well known Arizona USPSA competitor appeared at shooting event wearing...

If you heard that, you need to double up on whatever you're using.

[SarcoBlaster]

Definitely plugs Especially the custom-fitted ones. I'm hoping to get myself a pair next weekend.

Some of the best money you can spend.

[Pandanin]

I just ordered the Walker Game Ear silencers yesterday.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L15HQ8L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The reviews I read online look good. I'll be using them at Front Sight shortly for a 2-day rifle class. I have the same problem with my over the ear muffs pushing up and I don't like foamies.

[sigstroker]

Muffs are a great because they protect the bone structure in the close vicinity of each ear. Foam ear plugs....Always.

A few years back, I hear that well known Arizona USPSA competitor appeared at shooting event wearing what most
thought was a modified full facial motorcycle helmet in an attempt to dampen the noise of the compensated
pistol race guns. Same competitor shoots mostly non-comp pistols today.

That's understandable because sometimes the stage has you shooting through barrels or other props that enclose you with the gun.

I RO'ed this one gal, no idea what the hell she was shooting because nobody else's gun made that much noise. I had the shot timer so I had to stay fairly close. It was so painful that I was turning sideways and pressing the ear cup up against my head with my free hand. I've shot my 5.56 AR pistol with 10.5 inch barrel, under a range roof, that was setting off car alarms in the parking lot behind me, using the same muffs, and it wasn't as loud as that gal's pistol.

[DrewN]

I have an old pair of Ultimate Ears UE-10 in ear monitors that I'll wear under muffs for a long day shooting. Completely passive in this application of course,but super comfortable and a pretty decent NRR because of the precisely molded fit. Whatever hard plastic material they used is much more comfy than my other sets of silicone molded plugs. For short range trips the Peltors are more convienient/cheaper. I have the EEPs.

[BryMan92]

I do ear plugs + big-*** beefy ones when I can. Only get two ears, so might as well keep them as long as possible.

[hambam105]

divingin

Didn't catch the emoji. Whoops. My bad.

I should ask that guy how that contraption worked out. Maybe an Arizona USPA member
with 20 plus years of Phoenix or Mesa USPSA range time might have something to add to the story.

[hambam105]

Sigstroker

At Richmond Rod & Gun a few years back, I was attending a Louie Awerbuck AR Class on, Range 4
during a weekend I believe. Anyhow, it was most apparent that the AR rifles were less loud than a lot of
compensated Race Gun Pistols. Also...

I pre-date USPSA. We called it IPSC then. I still call it IPSC. My non carnival shooting friends believe
the term is a reference to contracting a shooting disease at the Range.

In those Jurassic days, before compensated 1911s were all the rage, no one asked for and it was not common
practice for the RO to stick the timer in the competitor's ear that is now common practice as I see it.

Protecting your hearing at the Range is a relevant & serious topic. And those trying to find a effective and
alternative solution deserve credit.

[divingin]

Hambam: From my riding days, I can say that a helmet does attenuate sound to some small degree. Mostly higher frequency sound, though, as I recall. A lot of helmets are still pretty loud (in regular use) due to wind noise. You should probably ask yourself why a lot of bikers wear earplugs under the helmet. I don't think I would consider one as a source of hearing protection - lot better choices out there.

[sigstroker]

One match where I saw (on tv) a guy use a motorcycle helmet was the Masters(?) silhouette event where a full relay shoots at the same time. He wore the helmet not so much to protect his hearing, but the concussion from other shooters was causing a flinch just as he was about to pull the trigger. The helmet allowed him to shoot in relative calm. Doug Koenig, I think.

WRT Phoenix IPSC (I pre-date IPSC btw) the only famous guys I can think of are Leatham and Enos. I don't remember hearing they used a helmet, but it wouldn't surprise me, they brought "gaming" to competitive shooting.