Peltor Folding ‘Shotgunner’ Muffs Work Well for Rifle Shooters
Peltor folding ‘Shotgunner’ ear muffs are on sale right now at Amazon.com. Available in red (#97013), dark green (#97012), or black (#97011), the muffs cost about $17.00, and you can get free shipping with an order over $25.00. That’s a good deal for a good product. This Editor owns two sets of these muffs. They are very lightweight and comfortable. Because they fit well, with gel foam cushions, they actually seem to work better than some big bulky muffs (with higher NRRs) that don’t seal so well.
Peltor’s Shotgunner muffs feature tapered ear domes, cutaway on the lower half for stock clearance. We have not found any other muffs on the market that allow a better cheek weld, with less interference with the comb on a riflestock. These muffs also fold up into a very compact package. You can keep one set in your range kit and a spare set in your vehicle for back-up or if a friend needs hearing protection.
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USER REVIEW: Because I am a firearm instructor I own a half-dozen muffs including a pair of electronic Peltors. These [folding shotgunner muffs] are my favorite at 10% of the cost of electronic muffs. I bought them for trap/skeet. My Browning has an adjustable comb but these do NOT interfere with mounting the shotgun or getting a proper cheek weld as do the large electronic muffs. I highly recommend these to you. They are inexpensive but are EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE and WORK VERY WELL. What more could you ask? — F.M. (Idaho)
Ear Plugs vs. Muffs
Personally I prefer using foam earplugs, because they have a better Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) than the Shotgunner Muffs. However, there are times when the muffs come in handy, as when I am scoring for a fellow shooter and need to hear range instructions. I also like to keep a spare pair of muffs in my vehicle at all times. It always seems that, when we go to the range, someone forgets ear protection, or doesn’t like to use plugs.
For Indoor Use — Add Plugs Underneath
For indoor use, particularly on a tight firing line (with a guy shooting a .44 Mag right next to you), you’ll want muffs with a higher NRR. Alternatively, wear ear plugs under the muffs. Peltor Shotgunner folding muffs have a NRR of 21 db — compare that to 25-30 db NRR for big, heavy muffs and 29-33 db NRR for good ear plugs, such as the Howard Leight Max UF plugs (33 NRR). Of course, to achieve those 30+ Noise Reduction Ratings, earplugs must be inserted correctly.
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Tags: hearing Protection, Muffs, NRR, safety, Shotgunner
IMO even at an outdoor range, I think that, with muzzle brakes being common, 21DB is not enough protection. The reflection of blast off of a concrete floor, and the underside of a firing line cover intensifies the sound.
Because of this, I use double coverage, combining the best foam plugs with some old low profile muffs that I am sure are no better than 21 DB.
Hearing loss is cumulative. Just because a sound does not cause pain does not mean that it is not causing damage.
The other issue is ringing of the ears, tinnitus. Trust me; you don’t want to go there.
Boyd, you raise a good point. However, if you are using some of the cheaper 21 db NRR rated muffs (the kind most clubs rent out) you will find that the Peltor Shotgunners are MUCH quieter in “the real world”. The reason is that they fit right and seal well.
I discussed “real world vs. rated NRR” with one of the engineers for E-A-R Hearing Products, (earplug and muff makers). He explained that the way most people use foam earplugs, they are probably only getting 18-20 db of reduction. The plugs need to go INTO the ear canal.
Likewise, if you have a set of 28 NRR muffs but they don’t fit well, you will never achieve the rated noise reduction. I have personally found the Peltor Shotgunners to be significantly quieter than the popular H. Leight electronic ear muffs, with a 22 NRR (with the electronics OFF).
You might want to read this.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2002-0131-2898.pdf
I have been using these exact muffs in OD Green for about 8 years now, and I have the following observations:
1. They work great outdoors with any calibers, including muzzle breaks and flash hiders that are on most of my semi-auto rifles, including my .300 Win. Mag A-Bolt which has a BOSS.
2. Indoors on ranges where magnum handguns and especially where rifles are being shot, they leave something to be desired, but I always go plugs and muffs, and problem solved.
3. Large earmuffs would likely negate the need for plugs and muffs, but they might also hinder proper cheek weld when using a rifle on an indoor range. Plugs and muffs with Peltor Shotgunners with any caliber is more than sufficient in my experience.
hi
i use peltor shotgunner at the range
is there a model in the range thats basically cuts ‘all’ noise out,
a new builing site is being done next to my apt, and i could do with a cut all noise pair of muffs
thanks
Brian