Picking range gear (eye and ear protection)...

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Looks like pretty decent stuff.

If you have another 40 bucks or so you may be able to get a set of electronic ear muffs which will make shooting quite a bit more fun if you are doing any shooting with friends or competitions.

However I've run that same setup pretty much for the past year and it works fine except for the fact that in order to talk to someone you have to remove the protection from one ear and that makes that ear vulnerable.

I read an ariticle recently that pretty much said, in terms of hearing protection, 1 +1 does not = 2.

Basically you can expect to get 4-6 more NRR above the highest rated equipment your using when double plugging.

So dont think your getting 66DB noise reduction by combining the two.

I'd probably order a bunch of the foamies though just to make sure I always had a pair.

The glasses are rated and are fine. I use clear generic ones as well. The big thing with glasses is making sure the ear piece is nice and thin so that you get a good seal with the muffs.
 
Thanks. Yeah, I'm not looking to spend $50+ on ears just yet.

So you're saying that those earplugs plus those earmuffs will only be good for no more than ~35 NRR together? I knew it wouldn't have been ~60 NRR, but I figured it would have been more than "just" ~35 NRR.
 
heres the article i read about double plugging.

http://www.hearingreview.com/insider/2007-04-19_06.asp

but the way that db protection is figured is that adding 3 or 4 db's of protection (so basically double plugging) really does double your protection because DB ratings are a factor of 10.

Its complicated but was explained to me at onetime like that.

Honestly mid 30's is probably as good as it gets for hearing protection because so much sound is transferred through your bones anyhow. But everybit helps. I guess you could wear a scarf and a turtleneck for more protection! ;)
 
I read that article, and then I clicked on another article at the bottom of that one...

http://www.hearingreview.com/issues/articles/2007-03_06.asp

...and saw this chart...

2007-03_06-6.jpg
 
That looks like a good setup. I bought earmuffs too, but I only end up using plugs, since earmuffs interfere with rifle shooting. Handgun, however, earmuffs work great.

I think that you'll be happy with what you want to buy.
 
I bought my Howard Leight Impact muffs for $50 off of Overstock.com

I went with the electronics for two reasons.
1. They were way smaller folded up than the regular ones that I had (very much like the ones you have pictured) and could easily fit in my Bullseye box.

2. I, too, double up with both plugs (although I get the 80 orange/purple pack from Lowe's, more expensive up front, but cheaper in the long run I have found), and I can easily hear conversation with them on (better than if I had only plugs on, due to the amplification of the electronics). I like hearing the sounds and voices around me and being able to talk in conversation with out having to take on and off and back on again compared to the regular muffs.

2a) I haven't tried them with the rifle yet, but I do know of some rifle shooters that say the low profile for them has been just fine.

If you don't have the money, you don't have the money. But if I were you and had some extra expenses that could be trimmed for a couple of weeks ($2 coffees and eating out for lunch a few times, e.g., that would easily make up the $30 difference pretty quick).

I have always used the big muffs/plug combo and have been very pleased with them. However, due to size preference, and, as a HUGE bonus, hearing great sounds even when wearing both plugs and electronics, has been well worth it to me.
 
AlexM105,

Good choice with your selection. You can reuse all of it (yes, even the foam plugs if you wipe them off after use).

As to hearing protection, graphics aside, the combined NRR of plugs and muffs is only 5dB higher than the higher of the two protective devices. Your NRR 33 plugs (they only shut out 33 dB of noise if you properly insert them so be diligent about how you apply them) under your NRR 30 muffs only provide a total NRR of 38. We've had discussions on how hearing protection works and suffice it to say plugs are better at excluding some frequencies and muffs are better at excluding others so the composite coverage is only about 5 dB better. Now, that means that someone wearing plugs and muffs is getting about half the sound pressure exposure than the shooter just wearing one or the other (logarithmic system), so wear both. So, that graphic is in conflict if we're looking at using the OSHA/NIOSH rule for combining hearing protection for dBA ranges, but makes an interesting point since it is based upon direct measurements in the "lab" for impulse noise from small arms fire. Take the conservative route and apply the NIOSH "+5" addition for NRR or go with the impulse measurements for combined plug/muff protection, it's still obvious that plugs and muffs are the way to go.
 
I haven't tried them with the rifle yet, but I do know of some rifle shooters that say the low profile for them has been just fine.
Click to expand...

I use the HL Impact muffs as well and the low profile really does help shooting rifles and shotguns. I also wear them over plugs so if they do get bumped, it's not the end of the world.
 
Wal Mart sells large packs of disposable earplugs cheap in the pharmacy section. They come in a resealable plastic jug, so you pull out a pair, use them and toss them. Work well under ear muffs. No need for the string, which tends to get in the way when you're wearing ear muffs.

Regards,

Dave
 
Not a bad setup. I own those same muffs, but with the bulleyes name on them instead of midway. They fit a little tight, on a big head, but offer great reduction. As far as the plugs I don't like corded ones, I would go with these:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=840037
They are the same price, but you get an extra pair. And if your like me, you will want to throw them away after each use, they can get kinda nasty and sweaty under muffs. Or your range should have similar ones for around a dollar a pair. Good luck.
 
i have the Midway Plexor 30db and think they're great. I wear sunglasses or cheapo plastic eye protection.
 
for plugs, i use these and love 'em (just ordered another box in fact):

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=514919&t=11082005

come in a pack of 200 individually sealed sets, so i naturally bring extras to give out to folks who forget, etc. at 12 cents per pair, it's hard to beat. plus they work well and are comfortable.

as for muffs, i've only recently picked up a pair of "howard leight impact sport" muffs -- i haven't taken them out shooting yet, but i tried them on and attempted to make various noises around the house, and so far i like them. after a minute or two ya can't even tell they're on. the NRR rating is a bit low at 22, but they seem to get good reviews so i finally took the plunge.
 
Thank you for all the replies so far. :)

rrflyer and hso, thank you for explaining that to me, I appreciate it.

DaveInFloweryBranchGA said:
No need for the string, which tends to get in the way when you're wearing ear muffs.
Click to expand...
I hadn't thought of that... I did always think they looked ugly though, haha. I think I'll switch over to what Daniel1120 suggested, at least for now.

Peltor Blasts Disposable E-A-R Ear Plugs (NRR 33 dB) 3 Pair

cavman said:
I bought my Howard Leight Impact muffs for $50 off of Overstock.com

I went with the electronics for two reasons...
Click to expand...
Can you (or anyone) explain to me how they work?

They have an NRR rating of 22, which leads me to believe that they're bad...
 
Alex,

I am not to sure, except that any of the short, sharp sounds that a report gives off is cut off; that is, the amplification is turned off. Because of that, the plug/muff combo is "back to normal". As soon as the loud sounds are over, the electronics are not overwhelmed and the amplification electrics can work again.

I have worn the muff when I tried it a a match without earplugs. It is too loud for me. (I like things quiet. That said, I don't like wearing my Higher-rated muffs without plugs either, though). Once I put in the plugs again with the HL muffs, I again was satisfied. I only have shot with .22s and .45s, and both those are very well muted for me. I have not tried other calibers.

As hso was talking about earlier about plugs and muffs maybe taking care of different sounds, I like the muffs as they seem to help with the "boom" of the .45s. around me. I personally am fine with plugs only with the .22s, but still always double up on almost all occasions, nonetheless.

I can't remember what my big muffs are rated, but they are close to the ones in your picture. That said, the definite drop off in rating with the Howards has not been an issue with me (as long as I double up).

Hope this helps
 
set-up looks good to me. I use a 26 db rated units with plugs and it's fine even with a S&W 500 or 460 next to me while I'm using a .44
 
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