If I'm at an outdoor range, I usually insert the foamies while still in my vehicle and throw on the muffs while getting my stuff from the hatch before walking up to the benches.
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GJM To be clear, my intention was never to doubt that gunshots without hearing protection is painful and dangerous. I don't think I'm cavalier about hearing protection, either, given I've been doubling up for years and actually put thought and basic research into the specific earplugs I chose to buy in bulk, and have talked to 3 different industrial safety officers gathering their thoughts on hearing protection issues.
When doubled up, however, they all sound like muffled pops. I can't tell a difference in loudness from one 5.56 to another while doubled up on ear pro, and I certainly for sure as shit cannot tell a difference in loudness between a 1200fps 9mm load and 1400fps 9mm load. I have never been down range of a 7.5" 5.56, but I've been downrange of 5.56 automatics in 10", 14", and 20" barrels (
without a berm separating us) for literally tens of thousands of rounds and can't tell a difference in loudness through my ear pro from one to the other. The concussion of an SBR is certainly something of note, but loudness...no difference, no ear pain or discomfort ever noted.