Author Topic: Muzzle blast of 45LC? (Read 1998 times)

pennhunter08 · « **on:** December 02, 2008, 12:24:38 AM »

Hello,

I took my Ruger GP100 out on opening day for deer yesterday. The 357 with handloaded 180 grain Hornadys over 9.4 grains of Blue Dot performed well and had a doe on the ground by early morning. However, my ears were still ringing well into the afternoon from the report of the gun! I'd heard others say that the 357 magnum has a very loud report, and they are right! I can't find a good option for ear protection while hunting, so I'm considering a switch to a caliber that is easier on the ears. What are your thoughts on the 45 Long Colt, does it have the ear slamming report of the 357 mag?

Thanks

MS Hitman · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2008, 12:51:10 AM »

I personally do not find the muzzle blast of the 45 Colt to be as obnoxious as that of the .357 Mag or the .454 Casull for that matter.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2008, 01:58:40 AM »

I don't care which round I shot, I use hearing protection when I hunt. Handguns are loud, and my Walker Game Muffs are on my head when I am using any of my handguns.

As for the 45 Colt being loud, not as bad as the 357 Mag, but if loaded hot like I shoot them, yes it can be.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2008, 02:13:23 AM »

Yea, find a way to use hearing protection while hunting and other types of shooting. If gunfire doesn't bother you, it's probably because you're already getting deaf.

jk3006 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2008, 02:14:43 AM »

My short-barreled .45 Colt with full house loads doesn't seem to be nearly as loud as my longer-barreled .44 with full house loads. My short-barreled .357 is down right abnoxious without full house loads. That's just my opinion.

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2008, 04:24:42 PM »

Two of the drivers for muzzle blast are charge weight and muzzle pressure. The .357 operates at a higher pressure and uses slower burning powders, increasing its muzzle pressure. Because the .45LC runs at lower pressures and uses faster powders it can be "quieter" than the .357. But it can be loaded to higher pressures with large quantities of slow-burning powders, making it "noisy".

.

Tom W. · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2008, 11:00:46 PM »

Ear protection. A cheap set of electronic muffs will work well, and is a whole lot cheaper than hearing aids.... And each unprotected shot causes damage... Wanna know how I know?

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2008, 01:00:07 AM »

pennhunter08 - good shot, but next time you are out wear some hearing protection regardless of what you are shooting.

The 357, regardless of the bullet weight is a magnum caliber which means increased pressures and a much louder report and you gotta have hearing protection if you are going to shoot one.

My 44 mag loads with a heavy bullet may sing out around 1K'/sec or a tad better and even though 'sub-sonic' by standards those loads still require hearing protection.

Any protection is better'n nothing at all. Get some of those foam earplugs, they work. You can also get some electronic hearing muffs, or anything in the middle but get something.

And if you like those 180s then you should try some 200 gn cast semi-wadcutters over WW296 for a factory duplication load. But be careful, with hearing protection you might like it.........Mikey.

Syncerus · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2008, 03:00:14 AM »

Find a way to make hearing protection work, or you won't need hearing protection soon enough.

corbanzo · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2008, 09:45:51 PM »

I have some wrap around the back of my head type plugs, stay around the neck, then just slide them up before the shot. You might miss a quick shot trying to put them on... but usually you have the three seconds you need. They are very light, and I don't even notice they are there.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2008, 12:13:55 PM »

Please heed the advice of those above. Plugs, electronic muffs, even cotton in a pinch, but use ear protectors. I did not and I shot 45 for many years with CAS. These BP loads were no where near as loud as the 357 but they did take their toll. At the time I didn't want muffs or plugs to take away from the western look.....so much for stupid pride. I now have a chorus of loud crickets chirping in my ears 24/7 and can't hear half of what is said to me. If I am in a restaurant or at a group function in need to read lips to understand the conversation.

you can spend a few dollars on good ear plugs or a couple hundred on good electronic muffs. Either way it is a lot cheaper than the hearing aids I am purchasing now. Save your ears and shoot what ever caliber you want!

pennhunter08 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2008, 04:39:59 PM »

Thanks for the advice! I decided to stick with the GP100 (love that gun!) and invest in a good set of ear muffs. That was the first time I shot the pistol without ear protection, and I'm certain your advice has saved my hearing.

warrior1 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2008, 05:32:02 PM »

+1 to hearing protection.

nilescoyote · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2008, 11:07:36 PM »

Quote from: Tom W. on December 02, 2008, 11:00:46 PM

Ear protection. A cheap set of electronic muffs will work well, and is a whole lot cheaper than hearing aids.... And each unprotected shot causes damage... Wanna know how I know?

+1 I carry both foam plugs and peltor electronic muffs, even if I dont have the peltor's on all the time I allways can find the time to get them on before taking the shot, If I cant the deer is moving to fast to shoot at anyway...

Tallwalker · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2008, 03:45:23 AM »

I wear the electronic muffs even when hunting now, and I can tell you that they are a lot more uncomfortable over hearing aids than they are without them! Use hearing protection now! My hearing aids cost over $4,000.00.......... that would buy some nice guns, especially since they have a limited life span. I lost a good deal of my hearing in Vietnam, but I've also damaged my ears in past years by shooting without protection.
To answer your question, the .45 Colt does produce less muzzle blast since even the "Ruger" loads produce less pressure than the .357, or .44 Mag with top loads. Recoil also seems more moderate to me too, although part of that is due to the perception one gets from much less muzzle blast, and the concussion of muzzle pressure.

Mohawk · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2008, 08:33:40 PM »

I had a 5.5 " barreled .45 Colt made by American Arms. Great gun. I don't remember any noticeable muzzle flash at the indoor range. I think I was shooting Speer Gold Dots and Remington green box and both shot well.

Spector · « **Reply #16 on:** December 07, 2008, 04:30:35 AM »

A buddy of mine bought some camoflaged electronic muffs made by Radian. I was really impressed with them. My cheap Harbor Freight muffs work, but they shut off all sound when a certain decibel level is reached. His Radian muffs only keep sounds from exceeding that decibel level without cutting off all sound. They really seemed to amplify lesser sounds as well. My hearing isn't getting any sharper the older I get so I need all the help I can get when hunting..........Mike

NE Hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2008, 05:23:12 AM »

if you continue to shoot any firearm without protection you will become very familiar with one word in the English language ....... what?

When I was becoming certified as an instructor, they are looking at now using foam plugs under muffs when shooting .22 LR do to it's sharp report. NRA recommends it now and it probably won't be long until BSA requires it.

S.B. · « **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2008, 07:31:50 AM »

The .22 magnum and the .357 magnum are both obnoxious, to me but, what experience I have with the .45 Colt was less so.
I also agree with Redhawk1's accessment of hearing protection, it's a must when shooting anything, anyplace, anytime.
Steve

Graybeard · « **Reply #19 on:** December 08, 2008, 12:18:08 PM »

How our ears perceive sounds of gunfire do differ and lead to a false conclusion that some are OK to shoot without protection but that is a gross error to make. Tests that have been run with firearms from the lowly .22LR up to most all of them show that the difference is not that great in actual dB level and that ALL of them are loud enough to do permanent damage to your hearing.

If you don't wish to listen to the sound of ringing in your ears 24-7 like I do then do not shoot without adequate ear protection. It's too late for me but if you do not hear the ringing 24-7 now make sure you don't start doing so. WEAR HEARING PROTECTION ALWAYS.

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** December 08, 2008, 01:27:51 PM »

Actually, when I was a NRA instructor, I was told it was the bone just behind the ear that gets damaged the most from the muzzle blast.
Steve

Graybeard · « **Reply #21 on:** December 08, 2008, 01:48:54 PM »

You were told wrong.

There are little hair like things in the ear that are what are damaged and that is what causes the ringing. Once upon a time I knew the name of them but no longer is it in my head. The loud sounds bent and break them as I recall doing the damage that results in hearing ringing sounds. The bone damage might be what results in you not being able to hear as well but that's not the cause of the ringing.

S.B. · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2008, 02:50:49 PM »

Actually, the hairs lay down and no longer are able to stand back up and then the ringing(tenitus) starts.
Steve

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 09, 2008, 02:04:59 AM »

Yes it is the little hairs that cause the hearing loss when they lay down and no longer can “vibrate back” They are called, auditory hair cells.

I have to laugh when guys say muzzle blast does not bother them, I guess it is a macho thing, I would rather look silly with electronic ear muff's on then go deaf.

Lone Star · « **Reply #24 on:** December 09, 2008, 08:57:13 AM »

First, tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are two different things. There are several causes of tinnitus (ringing of the ears). It can be caused by use of drugs (including asprin), high blood pressure, heart disease and other things that don't apply here.

The loss of cilia in the cochlea (inner ear) caused by loud noises (gunfire, rock music) can lead to tinnitus. The cilia die and the nerve receptors attached send false signals to the brain, mimicking sound.

NIHL is often - but hardly always - caused by damaged cilia/stereocilia. Damage need not be caused by gunfire (140dB) or rock music (110 dB), any sound over 85 dB can cause permanent damage given a long enough exposure time. 85 dB is busy city traffic.....

.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #25 on:** December 09, 2008, 10:27:01 AM »

45 colt and even the 44 mag are easier on the ears then the 357. thats why i detest it so much. Its louder then hell and doest killl that much better then a 38 special. Still you do need to use hearing protection whenever you shoot and gun.