Recommended Ear Pro For ELR

[harry_x1]

Hi All,

Learnt my lesson Hard Way. I have been using a single cheap ear muff for last one year but found it totally inadequate against loud sonic booms. I now shoot light ELR and am on range frequently.....looking for advice from experienced shooters on approprate ear protection. Some threads recommend doubling up...if someone can elaborate, will be super helpful. Flexible with budget, as long as my hearing is safeguarded. Thanks

 

[Outrider27]

I have a .338 Lapua magnum rifle with a muzzle brake that is far and away the loudest rifle I have ever shot. When shooting that, I wear a set of quality earplugs and over them a set of higher end earmuffs. Doubling up like that really helps.

I also try to go to the range at times during the day when I will be alone (one of the advantages of being retired) so that other shooters are not subject to the noise of that beast.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Out in the open terrain I use the Howard leight impact sports
Great for hearing steel hits.
In a more confined area I also use ear plugs.

 

[std7mag]

Foam earplugs with the noise canceling Caldwell muffs when I'm shooting my braked 7mm Rem Mag and/or my braked 7mm WBY Mag.

 

[ronemus]

I use 3M EEP-100 active plugs with Skull Screw tips - same 30dB noise reduction as regular Skull Screws with the added benefit of hearing ambient sound. I think they're sufficient for my braked .338 LM when I'm shooting in the open, but need to double up when there's any sort of enclosure; for anybody crazy enough to shoot on nearby positions, even doubling up may not be enough. I'm using an APA Fat Bastard (5-port gill style) brake now, and even though the recoil reduction is much better than the 2-port tank brake that's standard on the Ruger Magnum Precision Rifle it doesn't seem as loud; however, it's probably far worse for those to either side.

 

[STORM2]

Sordin Supreme PRO X - High Visibility Active Electronic Hearing Protection - Leather Band and Orange Cups​

Worth the money.

 

[cdgaydos]

I believe the best protection comes from PROPERLY inserted foam ear plugs. However, I’ve found that in some circumstances, it is still not enough for me… so, I use foam plugs and muffs on top. This adds an additional 3-4dB of protection and really takes the edge off.

Problems arise when this system works too well and I can’t hear range commands… so, I switched to electronic earmuffs over foam plugs. The electronic muffs amplify external sounds enough to make hearing easier than with plugs alone.

Shooting around braked guns or under enclosures really requires doubling up… IMHO.

Howard Leigh, Proears and Sordin all make good electronic ear muffs (in order of price). I went with the ProEars Golden 26 II (very happy with them - I did switch the jumper to the high gain setting).

 

[LuvDog]

Foam ear plugs work remarkably well. And then electronic ear muffs on top, so you can amplify range commands. I use MSA Sordins for my electronic over the ear muffs. I also like Pro Ears GOLD over the ear muffs.

I have switched recently from foam plugs to custom molded plugs. They are harder to get in and out, but work extremely well. I still double up. Especially when shooting with others.

 

[Peterson1]

Sordin Supreme PRO X - High Visibility Active Electronic Hearing Protection - Leather Band and Orange Cups​

Worth the money.

Where/who carries them for sale???

 

[Jarhead6870]

Where/who carries them for sale???

You can buy direct or from various vendors, Midway carries them, as does Amazon

 

[jpjulian]

Sordin Supreme PRO X - High Visibility Active Electronic Hearing Protection - Leather Band and Orange Cups​

Worth the money.

What makes these worth the money? Serious question. They have a NRR of 19 and there are other muffs without the electronics that have higher NRR values.

 

[STORM2]

What makes these worth the money? Serious question. They have a NRR of 19 and there are other muffs without the electronics that have higher NRR values.

All guns go bang but some are better than others….they cost more. I forget I have my ears on, so I suppose comfort is a good word and I can hear conversations as if I was not wearing ears. All 12 power scopes magnify x12 but some glass is just better. Life can be a rough ride, get out of the cheap seats and try one up front.

 

[cdgaydos]

What makes these worth the money? Serious question. They have a NRR of 19 and there are other muffs without the electronics that have higher NRR value

Things to consider are:
1. Quality of the electronics - durability and how well they sound.
2. Comfort.

Natural sounding bi-directional amplification is nice… and solid build quality is important for longevity. Honestly, I’m wearing plugs under the muffs, so sound quality is really not important… just the ability to hear. (I was not interested in blutooth or other two way communication).

Gel ear pads REALLY help with comfort AND improve the seal when wearing glasses. Not all Sordins have gel cups though.

The headband and tension contribute to comfort and seal as well… but, this is user specific.

I went with ProEars because they ticked all the right boxes and were much less expensive than the Sordins. The Sordins look much cooler though… and the Howard Leigh’s would have probably worked just as well for even less money.

You can buy aftermarket gel ear cups for Howard Leigh’s that seem to be rated pretty high…

I am sold on electronic muffs over plugs though…

 

[Jarhead6870]

I shoot a lot of big guns and RSO matches at our range. Because I’m exposed to volumes of extremely loud gunfire, I always double up with foamies and the Sordins to protect myself; it has worked well for me.

As a shooter, ear cup profile is another of the reasons I chose the Sordins. They are thin enough for me that they don’t interfere with my cheek position on the stock whereas many of the others I tried didn’t fit well on my head or the cups were too large and caused issues when down in the rifle.

 

[AleksanderSuave]

Most instructors who I see in courses, or users who use professional Ear Pro..commit to the fact that its Sordin, or nothing.

For casual shooters. The higher end models that howard leight, walkers, etc others make should be adequate. I like the walkers xcel 500's personally.

 

[Retired shooter]

Spotting for my son, at his ELR , shooting a 338 Lapua , unsupressed , foam plugs with the Howard light muffs over them works well. Audiologists I go to is a shooter, says absolute best is foam plugs with muffs over those. But hey he wears hearing aids also. Prior military.

What I dislike is shooting under a canopy , especially in a group. That is the worst.

Have a great day.!