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Thread: Need some long gun opinions

  1. #1
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    Need some long gun opinions

    A recent range trip has convinced me that I can no longer shoot non-suppressed long guns without causing further hearing damage and making my tinnitus worse. I shot about 10 rounds through a 24" barrel .30-30 outdoors with earpro rated at 33db NRR. It caused no discomfort while shooting but afterward my tinnitus was noticeably increased and I feel my hearing may have suffered a bit. I also shot my suppressed 300 BLK AR and it never causes me a problem. Even when not suppressed it is quieter than the .30-30.

    My left ear is so bad now that I can't afford any more damage or I will be pretty much completely deaf in that ear. Sometimes I am tempted to stop shooting altogether, but I think I can continue if I always shoot suppressed. I want to have another long gun besides the AR, so I would like some opinions on the following options:

    1) Chop the barrel on my .30-30 and have it threaded for a suppressor (not leaning this way at the moment).

    2) Sell the .30-30 and buy a threaded bolt gun chambered for 300 BLK for ammo commonality with the AR. Possibly a Ruger American Ranch Rifle.

    3) Re-barrel my AR in 5.56 and get a .223 bolt gun for ammo commonality. My suppressor would still work with this setup.

    4) Keep my AR as is and get a .223 bolt gun anyway, and live with two rifle cartridges. Suppressor would work for both (with proper attachment).

    5) Some folks might be thinking "get a .308" at this point -- not sure I want to go there. I've gotten away from big game hunting and .308 is loud. Even suppressed it might cause further hearing damage. Or I might be paranoid due to experience. Not sure.

    The new Henry Long Ranger discussed in another thread is interesting and might make a nice suppressor host with a shortened and threaded barrel. But it would mean another cartridge (probably .223) and would probably ruin the resale value. I do like how lever guns handle and shoot though -- more so than bolt guns since I have more experience with levers.

    The 300 BLK bolt gun does have some appeal even though I am not a bolt gun guy -- suppressed Blackout is pretty easy on the ears compared to other cartridges.

    It sucks that I am at this point, but that's the way it is. I'd like some opinions on the above, or suggestions for things I'm not thinking of.

  2. #2
    Are you not doubling up on ear pro? I do think the .300Blk makes the 30-30 redundant.
    #RESIST

  3. #3
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    I agree with doubling up on the ear protection. The disposable foam plugs are the best plugs I have seen. Combine them with electronic muffs and you will have excellent protection while still being able to carry on a conversation.



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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by LittleLebowski View Post
    Are you not doubling up on ear pro? I do think the .300Blk makes the 30-30 redundant.
    I always double up indoors or under an overhang. Back when I was shooting .30-30 leverguns all the time I did not double up outdoors. Let me clarify: it's not just practice at the range that I'm thinking about. For a rifle to be practical you need to be able to shoot it with practical hearing protection -- which means electronic earpro and probably not doubled up. For me I think that limits my choices to long guns I can suppress, and that's where I was going with my OP.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillSWPA View Post
    I agree with doubling up on the ear protection. The disposable foam plugs are the best plugs I have seen. Combine them with electronic muffs and you will have excellent protection while still being able to carry on a conversation.
    I agree 100% for range use.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Robinson View Post
    I always double up indoors or under an overhang. Back when I was shooting .30-30 leverguns all the time I did not double up outdoors. Let me clarify: it's not just practice at the range that I'm thinking about. For a rifle to be practical you need to be able to shoot it with practical hearing protection -- which means electronic earpro and probably not doubled up. For me I think that limits my choices to long guns I can suppress, and that's where I was going with my OP.
    Ah, makes sense. You are probably in a good spot geographically for short range, quieter rounds. I'd lose the 30-30 and get the .300Blk bolt gun. If you hunt at all still, check out the subsonic but expanding LeHigh Defense and Outlaw State .300Blk bullets. You can always pick up a 5.56 barrel for the AR and toss it in the safe or a 5.56 upper (depends on budget). I think that if your tinnitus is bothering you that much, you should consider skipping .223/5.56 and just set yourself up to reload .300Blk as it's quite expensive to shoot commercial .300Blk rounds.
    #RESIST

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by LittleLebowski View Post
    Ah, makes sense. You are probably in a good spot geographically for short range, quieter rounds. I'd lose the 30-30 and get the .300Blk bolt gun. If you hunt at all still, check out the subsonic but expanding LeHigh Defense and Outlaw State .300Blk bullets. You can always pick up a 5.56 barrel for the AR and toss it in the safe or a 5.56 upper (depends on budget). I think that if your tinnitus is bothering you that much, you should consider skipping .223/5.56 and just set yourself up to reload .300Blk as it's quite expensive to shoot commercial .300Blk rounds.
    Thanks for that feedback. I assume from your last comment you consider .223/5.56 noisier than 300 BLK to a meaningful degree? That is my suspicion but I haven't done any real analysis on it.

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Robinson View Post
    Thanks for that feedback. I assume from your last comment you consider .223/5.56 noisier than 300 BLK to a meaningful degree? That is my suspicion but I haven't done any real analysis on it.
    Oh yeah, noisier and suppresses worse in my opinion. Two very different rounds.
    #RESIST

  9. #9
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    Last Saturday I was at a range with an overhang. My friend was shooting a 16" .300 Blackout next to me. In the next lane over, the shooter had a 16" .223/5.56. He was next to a wall. I was doubled up with muffs and plugs.

    There was no comparison between the two. The .223/5.56 was far worse in terms of noise and concussion IMO. It was unpleasant. The .300 was "softer", less concussion, less "sharp." That's the best way I can describe it. I had a hard time telling the difference between my friend's shots and rifle shots from shooters 10 yards away. I was flinching when the .223 went off.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by TR675 View Post
    Last Saturday I was at a range with an overhang. My friend was shooting a 16" .300 Blackout next to me. In the next lane over, the shooter had a 16" .223/5.56. He was next to a wall. I was doubled up with muffs and plugs.

    There was no comparison between the two. The .223/5.56 was far worse in terms of noise and concussion IMO. It was unpleasant. The .300 was "softer", less concussion, less "sharp." That's the best way I can describe it. I had a hard time telling the difference between my friend's shots and rifle shots from shooters 10 yards away. I was flinching when the .223 went off.
    Yup.
    #RESIST

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