Kids Suppressor with Ear Muffs

[tallbuchholz]

Putting together a kid rifle and thinking through how to approach hearing protection. I will buy a suppressor for it. The kids will wear ear pro at the range, and probably while hunting. Rifle will be a short .223. Hunting will be 90% out of deer blind.

If I'm having them wear ear pro already, should I prioritize the shortest, lightest suppressor ever, or still give a little on size/weight in favor of sound suppression?

or

Is there any suppressor (or db threshold) that makes ear pro completely unnecessary for range use or hunting? It can be loud inside a blind.

Thanks for feedback.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

I would consider something that is geared towards more suppression. Some of the small ones are still loud. You can probably manage a 6” or less length.
Check out a OTB model if that interests you.
Or at least a modular approach that allows you the ability to add a reflex. Both these options allow a shorter OAL rifle length and give great suppression at a decent weight. This approach is focused on providing the best / safest / enjoyable shooting experience for starting out young shooters.

Contact @Cory_Shoot2Hunt for guidance and recommendations.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I would consider something that is geared towards more suppression. Some of the small ones are still loud. You can probably manage a 6” or less length.
Check out a OTB model if that interests you.
Or at least a modular approach that allows you the ability to add a reflex. Both these options allow a shorter OAL rifle length and give maximum suppression. This approach is focused on providing the best / safest / enjoyable shooting experience for starting out young shooters.

Contact @Cory_Shoot2Hunt for guidance and recommendations.

Which UM/S2H provide maximum suppression along the lines of a TBAC Magnus or 338 ultra?

 

[Huntnpack 2]

Fixed it for ya !!

 

[Ucsdryder]

Fixed it for ya !!

Not sure what you fixed… I was hoping your recommendation.

OP, if you’re hunting out of a blind, a small, short suppressor isn’t necessary. Something with good volume and a little weight is going to make the rifle more shootable and help the most with suppression.

The trend is small, lightweight cans that balance suppression and OAL/weight for backcountry hunting, but in your situation, I’d recommend something big and quiet.

 

[Bluefish]

Putting together a kid rifle and thinking through how to approach hearing protection. I will buy a suppressor for it. The kids will wear ear pro at the range, and probably while hunting. Rifle will be a short .223. Hunting will be 90% out of deer blind.

If I'm having them wear ear pro already, should I prioritize the shortest, lightest suppressor ever, or still give a little on size/weight in favor of sound suppression?

or

Is there any suppressor (or db threshold) that makes ear pro completely unnecessary for range use or hunting? It can be loud inside a blind.

Thanks for feedback.

If wearing hearing protection, single protector, you get 20-25db of protection, so any can will drop a shot to 120db or less. Imho an extra 5 db on the can won’t really matter. I would think the extra length and weight of a quieter would be a bigger issue for a kid.

Short answer, no can is safe for range use. Many cans may be safe for hunting.

The current thinking is instant damage occurs around 140db, then once below that threshold damage is based on dose, ie time and pressure level, so a 130-135 can is probably safe for 1-3 shots a day. A 125-129 can is probably safe for 10 shots or so. To be safe for 100 shots in a day, you need to be under 110. That’s only possible with a can and ear-pro or a shotgun with double protection. The absolute best earpro (muff and plugs) gets around 45-50 db of protection. A single protector is 15-30 db. Thus a single protector on a braked rifle may be louder than a rifle with a can.

 

[Cory_Shoot2Hunt]

Great questions. Full transparency as most know- I do sell Unknown Suppressors but I’ll answer this as honestly as I can from experience. If maximum sound suppression is your #1 goal then you need to go with a longer suppressor. There’s no 100% free lunch but with 3D printing technology, we are getting somewhat close to the numbers of the really big heavy cans in a much smaller package.

If I’m going to recommend what we have right now, I would suggest our OG6-s if it will fit over your barrel. We’re getting some very good db numbers out of them. They’re only 3in after the barrel which is nice for tight spaces, walking around in brush, etc. I know you said 90% blind use, which I wouldn’t personally want a giant flag pole to maneuver but I’m also thinking about the other 10% as well you said. It’ll also balance better than a long heavy can if you want kids to ever practice shooting free hand a little bit.

My 6 almost 7 year old daughter has shot my 6creedmoor quite a bit off of a tripod with the OG 6.5. She wears single ear pro and doesn’t bother her at all. The OG6-s has been even metering a hair quieter on the smaller caliber stuff due to a smaller bore of the suppressor. I think this could be a great option for your use and is more all around user friendly than a big suppressor. Just will be a hair louder.

But there’s a few other great options and if you end up wanting a big suppressor for the absolute max sound suppression, shoot me a pm and I’d be happy to make suggestions even if it’s not something we sell although we have more options coming out later this year. I’m all about people being happy with their purchase and it’s important to get the right setup for kids especially so they enjoy shooting/hunting!

Cory

 

[Q_Sertorius]

My thinking on this is simple: my kid will make enough poor decisions in her life that I don’t need to make them for her. I am doing everything I can to protect her hearing while still making it possible for her to enjoy the sport.

I originally bought my first suppressors thinking that she and I would be able to shoot .22s together without ear plugs or headphones. Then, as I read more, I learned about repeated exposures. So, even her .22 that allegedly measures 118 is “not hearing safe by itself” for a couple of hours of us shooting side-by-side on the range.

Additionally, ear plugs are only fully effective if properly worn. Particularly for kids, this can be difficult.

And headphones also have to be worn properly to be effective. Again, it’s important to check fit and wear on your kid.

Suffice to say, when my kid and I go to the range together, we both wear ear plugs, headphones, and use suppressors. It’s important to me to model the good habits I want her to have later in life.

And, if all that protection is worn properly, the ear plugs and headphones combined are good for about 50 decibels. The suppressor then takes it down about another 30, on average.

She has not wanted to shoot anything when we have gone hunting together. And my hunting style, being mobile and in the woods, isn’t conducive to giving an 8-year old girl a “maximum suppression suppressor” right now anyway.

But, if we were shooting center fire rifles from a blind, I would recommend an AB Raptor 10 with 5” reflex on a 16” inch rifle.

Edit - and make sure the muzzle is outside the blind too.

 

[wind gypsy]

My take is something with ultra 7'ish suppression on a 308 family or smaller cartridge is plenty suppression to take a couple shots without ear pro while hunting. Stick the damn muzzle out of the blind through. I wouldn't wear ear pro to hunt with my OG6.5 and it doesn't add a bunch of length.

Yes, it's important to protect hearing but people are getting crazy on some of this stuff. Like their kids never yell or scream in a bathroom or car. Hell we had "tot prom" at the early child and family education place my wife takes our kids to, the music was loud AF. Kids are exposed to loud noises, a solidly suppressed round or 2 (with muzzle outside of confined space) isn't that bad.

Not sure what you fixed… I was hoping your recommendation.

OP, if you’re hunting out of a blind, a small, short suppressor isn’t necessary. Something with good volume and a little weight is going to make the rifle more shootable and help the most with suppression.

The trend is small, lightweight cans that balance suppression and OAL/weight for backcountry hunting, but in your situation, I’d recommend something big and quiet.

Ever maneuvered a flagpole for a rifle inside a blind? I have more tolerance for longer barrel/can western hunting than i do inside a blind.

 

[ArmedInMD]

Great timing on this post!!
I have been wondering something very similar except I was going to be using tripod while sitting edge of field with my kid sitting nearby with ear muffs. I didn't know if that would be hearing safe for 2-3 shots and if it would be worth going to the Raptor 10 or OG6 direction for a 6cm.

 

[tallbuchholz]

Thanks all. I prefer shorter rifles for everything, especially in blinds. The only reason I'd consider a long suppressor is if it made wearing ear pro unnecessary. As it is, sounds like I should just get one that's good enough on sound and light/short enough for the kids to handle effectively (OG6S is intriguing), have them wear ear pro, and be happy.