Revisiting electronic ear muffs for field use

[kphunter]

I've been wearing the baffled plugs, but I'm considering the electronic ear muffs again because I can't hear as well as I would like to with the plugs.

 

I know a few forum members use the Peltor Tactical 6 muffs. How well do they block out muzzle blasts?

 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...0801&hasJS=true

 

The Radians are the other product I'm looking into. Anyone have any field experience with these muffs?

 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...requestid=96177

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

KP

[couestaxi]

I started using them this year with great success. Only negative was sound direction. A friend of mine blew both ear drums using a muzzle brake on a hunt this year so I forced myself and daughter to use them. I did not wear them all the time when walking to a new place to glass but had them on for each shot.

[Red Rabbit]

I have been starting to use Walkers Digital Quad Muffs this year while quail hunting. I get decent direction from the sound, and some amplification if neeeded. They don't bother the gun mounting, but are warm on the ear while walking for quail. Also used them during spring turkey season.

I tried the baffled ear plugs and did not like the wind noise. Also tried a Radians behind the ear, but the plug did not stay in my ear well, nor went well with sunglasses.

 

If you have the money, or put the value on hearing, these molded, in the ear aids from are noted to be real good.

http://www.earinc.com/p1-electronic-hunting.php

 

KP- Was your friend the shooter, or was he beside someone with a braked rifle? His experience should be mentioned in the thread on muzzle brakes.

 

RR

[couestaxi]

He was actually the shooter! I shot the gun 1 time at a coyote and it physically hurt my ears. It is a 7mm RUM in a Remington 700. You don't realize how much damage you do to your ears with a muzzle brake during the hunt. With a deer in front you don't feel the recoil or the damage to your ears. (my wife still says its selective hearing) I was taking my 300 RUM down to get a brake put on but changed my mind after this happened. I'd rather deal with a little recoil than not be able to hear anymore. I use a sled type device at the range anyway so recoil, even if severe, is not bad during practice and you don't feel it on the hunt. My daughter is very recoil shy so I did put a muzzle brake and a SIMS pad on her .270 WSM. What a joy to shoot but we do wear the electronic ear muffs so we can communicate during the shot. I can wisper and she can hear great while getting set up for the shot. Low level noise is amplified so you can hear great but the shot is blocked out. At the shot it is really cool, you don't hear the muzzle blast but you do hear the echo! I can't say enough about these hearing protectors.

 

I actually think they make you a better shot for the following reason. I found myself actually flinching from the muzzle blast using conventional ear plugs during practice. Much more than one would from recoil actually. With the electronic muffs I actually shoot better and have better control. Since shooting is mostly mental this made a big difference, especially to my daughter.

 

Just my 2 cents worth

[kphunter]

Red Rabbit:

 

Where did you buy the Walkers muffs from?

 

KP

[Red Rabbit]

KP-

Cabelas has them for about $369, but I found a NIB pair for 200 in an internet forum's classified section.

 

Midway has an inexpensive pair on sale for 25 bucks. Read the reviews.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/...leitemid=142725

 

Doug~RR

[kphunter]

Although they're pricier, I like the Walkers muffs because they're slimmer and will not impede shooting. And compared to a few of the other slimmer models (Peltor 6S), they have a higher NRR rating.

 

KP