Vegaslaith
Member
If I wanted to go out into the desert where there's a good backdrop and shoot, how far away from roads etc woud I have to be? Could gunshots be heard in the desert for 2 miles? Four?
How far do gunshot sounds travel?
- Thread starter Vegaslaith
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It depends on a lot of factors.
The first of which is the report (sound) of the weapon. A .50 BMG can be heard from much farther away than a .22 LR.
Also, you must take into account the terrain over which the sound will travel. If you fire a gun on one side of a hill, it will be much harder to hear it on the opposite side than if there were no terrain in between the two.
You must also take into account the weather. Sound travels much farther in colder air than in warmer air due to the density. When air becomes colder, it begins to condense making it thicker and better able to transmit sound. Conversely, when air becomes warmer, the air molecules spread out and do not carry the sound as well.
One of the final factors is the design of the weapon. Many weapons come with muzzle breaks, compensators, suppressors, etc. Each of these can, and does, have an effect on how the sound comes out of the barrel. Silencers (supressors) are self explanatory. They help to muffle the sound of the explosion before it comes out of the barrel. Muzzle breaks and compensators often times redirect the energy of the blast and therefore the sound as well. If it were to redirect it in a direction away from the listener, then te sound could not be heard from far away.
Overall, the sound of a gunshot an be heard from a long way off, but the sound will not travel forever. In short, it really just depends. On a cool night, in the open outdoors, with no terrain in between the shooter and listener, then it could travel for miles.
(BTW, the above is a "google" answer.)
The first of which is the report (sound) of the weapon. A .50 BMG can be heard from much farther away than a .22 LR.
Also, you must take into account the terrain over which the sound will travel. If you fire a gun on one side of a hill, it will be much harder to hear it on the opposite side than if there were no terrain in between the two.
You must also take into account the weather. Sound travels much farther in colder air than in warmer air due to the density. When air becomes colder, it begins to condense making it thicker and better able to transmit sound. Conversely, when air becomes warmer, the air molecules spread out and do not carry the sound as well.
One of the final factors is the design of the weapon. Many weapons come with muzzle breaks, compensators, suppressors, etc. Each of these can, and does, have an effect on how the sound comes out of the barrel. Silencers (supressors) are self explanatory. They help to muffle the sound of the explosion before it comes out of the barrel. Muzzle breaks and compensators often times redirect the energy of the blast and therefore the sound as well. If it were to redirect it in a direction away from the listener, then te sound could not be heard from far away.
Overall, the sound of a gunshot an be heard from a long way off, but the sound will not travel forever. In short, it really just depends. On a cool night, in the open outdoors, with no terrain in between the shooter and listener, then it could travel for miles.
(BTW, the above is a "google" answer.)
Jim Watson
Member
Why do you care if the shots are heard? As long as the bullets have a safe place to land, you should be ok.
Claude Clay
Member
this isnt Indonesia and you aint no Krakatoe
thought to be the only sound in recorded history to be heard around the world. twice, actually.
thought to be the only sound in recorded history to be heard around the world. twice, actually.
Vegaslaith
Member
As I understand it, shooting on public land is ok in Nevada. I'd rather not attract attention though. Why if I can help it?
BTW it'll probably be an AK in 7.62 and/or 5.45
BTW it'll probably be an AK in 7.62 and/or 5.45
packnrat
Member
i was on a mt top, and took a shot. the echo was heard from mt tops 10 miles away. and this was a 30.30.
deep in a valley not as far.
.
deep in a valley not as far.
.
cliffy
member
Around the World
I like that notion as a symbol: Around-the-World. Over water, sound travels furthest. Waking neighbors is rarely good. Air rifles were designed for this purpose; don't distrub the neighbors. Yet, air rifle manufacturers seem to insist upon making faster air fare. My Diana 350 Magnum in .177 caliber easily, sharply cracks the sound barrier with light pellets. I stay above 8.8 grain pellets to prevent this from happening. My .243 Winchester tends to wake the entire neighborhood, so I curtail using it till 1 p.m. If a tree falls in the woods with no one around, does it make a sound? cliffy
I like that notion as a symbol: Around-the-World. Over water, sound travels furthest. Waking neighbors is rarely good. Air rifles were designed for this purpose; don't distrub the neighbors. Yet, air rifle manufacturers seem to insist upon making faster air fare. My Diana 350 Magnum in .177 caliber easily, sharply cracks the sound barrier with light pellets. I stay above 8.8 grain pellets to prevent this from happening. My .243 Winchester tends to wake the entire neighborhood, so I curtail using it till 1 p.m. If a tree falls in the woods with no one around, does it make a sound? cliffy
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
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- 3,797
"How far do gunshot sounds travel? "
How big was the BOOM? How good can you hear?
How big was the BOOM? How good can you hear?
theken206
Member
"Silencers (supressors)"
silencers and supressors are not the same thing as it were
silencers and supressors are not the same thing as it were
I understand your question, vegaslaith. Sorry the others really couldn't help.
Let's assume anything from 22 long rifle to 30 caliber.
Desert terrain allows the sound to travel pretty far.
If it's an open valley, give it 3 miles to dissipate. Especially on a dry lake bed.
If you're in a valley but down in a depression or wash, about half a mile is good.
If you're in a canyon, the next-door canyons won't hear it, but the sound will be projected down the canyon like a megaphone. The people in the valley will hear it at least 5 or 6 miles away.
If you're in North Las Vegas, no one will hear it at all, because it blends in with the normal ambient sounds of daily gang interaction. You better wear a necktie so eveyone will know you.
Check the Clark County web site for a map of Prohibited Shooting areas.
Let's assume anything from 22 long rifle to 30 caliber.
Desert terrain allows the sound to travel pretty far.
If it's an open valley, give it 3 miles to dissipate. Especially on a dry lake bed.
If you're in a valley but down in a depression or wash, about half a mile is good.
If you're in a canyon, the next-door canyons won't hear it, but the sound will be projected down the canyon like a megaphone. The people in the valley will hear it at least 5 or 6 miles away.
If you're in North Las Vegas, no one will hear it at all, because it blends in with the normal ambient sounds of daily gang interaction. You better wear a necktie so eveyone will know you.
Check the Clark County web site for a map of Prohibited Shooting areas.
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