About 2 inches at 35 yards. I practice with my bow at 35 yards off my front porch and I shoot the same distancewhen practicing with my rifle. After 35 you can forget about it. I use mine to small game hunt while I am deer hunting. The load I suggested is completely quiet, I can hear the hammer drop on my 85, and 86. I believe what you are saying, but I find it hard to believe that 3 grains would be enough to force the oversized ball down the barrel. I have an occasional sticker in mine, being undersized. Are you shooting a short barrel? I have found that alot of the noise dissapation comes from a longer barrel. Tom.