Rifle shooting trouble with ear muffs

[Spta97]

Hi,

I recently started going to a local indoor range not far from my house in NY. I've been to a couple out of state indoor ranges when on vacation and quickly realized that a combination of ear plugs and ear muffs offered the best protection when shooting indoors.

For the first time I got to shoot my AR indoors and was having a hell of a time getting a good cheek weld and even seeing the scope because of the muffs. I tried a shot removing them and just using the plugs but it wasn't enough protection.

I was wondering if there is a special type of muffs that I could get (ideally going around the back of my head) which would assist. The ones I have are low profile over the head but still too thick.

Thanks!

 

[AK103K]

I use ear plugs. Nothing gets in the way, and they are usually better rated than the muffs too.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

I would recommend the Peltor Tactical 6s.

No muff can work for everyone, but the Peltors allow me to shoot most rifles.

If you get them, simply take the earpiece/muff stud off the spring band arms, turn them upside down and re-assemble.

That allows the thinner portion to rest down by the jaw.

JT

 

[Coyote3855]

There are plugs and there are plugs. My audiologist custom made a pair for me after taking a mould of my ear canals. They work a lot better than the over-the-counter ones. That said, I wear muffs and the plugs when teaching at the indoor range or shooting magnum rifles. I have a pair of dillon muffs that are fairly thin but still rated about 25 dB reduction.

 

[Laphroaig]

Have you tried the shotgun style muffs, like these?

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Shotgunner-Hearing-Protector/dp/B0002INNUO

The hollowed out bottom interferes less with the stock. I can't use plugs alone, but use them in combination with muffs like these without any interference with my stocks.

Laphroaig

 

[Spta97]

Thanks guys. My initial pair was the 3M peltor 100 which seemed to block out more noise than higher rated muffs but make me feel like my head is in a vice (and did nothing for the cheek weld).

I'll check out some of these other options, thanks!

 

[oneounceload]

I have used Peltors, both standard and electronic for shooting rifles and shotguns for over 30 years. Muffs offer one form of ear protection that in-your-ear lugs do not - that is protection for the mastoid area around your ear which can transmit harsh vibrations to your middle/inner ear causing damage over time. There are thinner ones out there from Walker and Howard Leight that while not quite as good as the bulbous Peltors, when coupled with plugs should do nicely. Personally I fins just shooting outdoors under a metal shade roof to really amplify the sound, I imagine a high pressure AR indoors would be excruciating.

A suppressor, if legal where you live, might also offer some serious noise reduction

 

[Scooter22]

All good answers. Unfortunatly we all are built different and "muffs" that fit one don't fit all. If you know other shooters try their muffs to get a idea. I have a large head and find using neoprene ear plugs with a thinner profile "muff" works best. The ones you can get at harbor freight or home improvement stores. The best super muffs aren't worth a thing if they interfere with your hold and slide up when contacting a stock.

 

[Spta97]

Indoor shooting is an entirely different animal. Outdoors the plugs are fine for anything I shoot 12ga, 30-06, 308 and 5.56 (the loudest of them all). Indoors however I really benefit from the plug / muff combo.

I'll try a bunch and see what works. Thanks all.