Deer Caliber with least noise

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I don't quite get it, about not noticing the shot when hunting, I surely do.

I have moderate tinnitus in my left ear so all I notice when out in the woods is a louder ringing. I also cannot hear powder moving in a case from that ear.

Its mostly perception, I guess. I have to wear earplugs when shooting my .22lr outside but with so many different things going on when taking a shot hunting, I don't notice the rifle report. I'm sure its still causing (further) damage though.
 
I have moderate tinnitus in my left ear so all I notice when out in the woods is a louder ringing. I also cannot hear powder moving in a case from that ear.

Its mostly perception, I guess. I have to wear earplugs when shooting my .22lr outside but with so many different things going on when taking a shot hunting, I don't notice the rifle report. I'm sure its still causing (further) damage though.

The crucial word is "notice". The damage is being caused nevertheless.

I have used these for many years and won't hunt without them:

http://www.amazon.com/Peltor-97044-..._1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1259780432&sr=8-1

You can adjust them to normal sound levels so realistic that I often forget that I have them on, but they reduce a rifle's BOOM to a tiny faraway
boom.
 
The effect of noise on our ears depends on the pitch of the sound as well as the absolute volume (decibel level). The higher the velocity of any round, the more the sound will will be a high pitched "crack" instead of a lower pitched "boom", and the higher pitches affect most people more.

If that's the case with him, then that would argue in favor a slower bullet speed. In order to be effective on deer that requires a heavier bullet weight and diameter. The drawback will be a gun that shoots more of a "rainbow" arc instead of shooting fairly flat, and that means you need to keep shots short or be able to judge distances very accurately.

Good quality ear protection, any gun shooting a slow, heavy bullet, and a range finder might be the perfect setup for him.
 
.45-70 with reduced loads can be quite quiet.

If you're willing to take a little non-standard ride, look at .338 spectre or .500 phantom.

OR, just get a suppressor for ANY gun/caliber combo.

Combine both of the last two ideas, and you don't even need ears.
 
Shotgun with stupid length barrel.

tomanddeer.jpg


The low pressure of a shotgun, combined with the insane barrel length allows the pressure in the barrel to drop considerably before the gas reaches the surrounding air.
This means by the time the gases finally reach the air they don't make much noise at all.
Using heavy (like 2 ounces) subsonic (keep below 1100FPS) rounds will maximize this effect and still be effective on deer.
 
I keep rubber ear plugs connected by a string around my neck resting in my ears but allowing me to hear normally until I see the deer. So far I have always had time to push both in before aiming and shooting.
 
I'd try the .30-06 he has with managed recoil ammo. The noise will be about the same as a .3-30 and probably as low as anything else.
 
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