Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

I have developed an inner ear problem in my right ear and would appreciate recomendations on a deer gun that isn't terribly loud?? I went from a 30-06 to a 12 guage slug gun but that still gets the ears a ringing. I hunt thicker cover so all my shots at deer are from 40-70 yards.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Look at a different (smaller or ML) caliber or a set of "ears". I think several models can filter out the high decibels of a gun shot.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Try a 30-30. They have a very small amount of noise and recoil. It will also easily kill deer out to 100 yards.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Ive got a Ruger carbine in a 44 magnum. It is a semiauto rifle and looks and feel like a Ruger 10/22, but shoots 44 magnum ammo, hardly any recoil and sounds about like a 410 shotgun, fairly quiet and perfect for what you described, shoots good out to 100 yds. They also make a lever and bolt action version of this caliber, Hornady anls has ammo thats slightly hotter than typical pistol ammo ands is perfect for rifles.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Forget short barreled guns and go with a cartridge such as the 257roberts or 7mm-08 with at least a 22" and preferably a 24" barrel.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

just curious, did your ear problem develop from using a gun without ear protection?

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Thanks for the input guys hope for some more ideas. The last 15 years I have always worn high quality muffs whenever shooting any gun at the range and custom fit ear plugs in the duck blind. Before that I didn't, so maybe thats where the damage came from. I can also remember leaving the range once and someone shot a highpower rifle and it seemed to catch me just right when I was walking past him from behind.

Also, my wife has never shot a gun but had ear problems when she was a kid and she has similar problems, just not as bad, so who knows.....

All I can say is protect your hearing guys. I'm going to an ear specialist to make sure I have no plug of wax or other problem in my right ear becasue the ringing stinks.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

I'd also recommend a 44 magnum rifle. It has light recoil and much less noise than many. Mine is a Marlin 1894 carbine. I took a buck with it this year...went through the lungs and the 240 grain hollow point left a large exit wound. I am like you...I hunt in the woods at shorter ranges. I own several other rifles, but the 44 is a joy for this type of hunting. In fact, I don't even have a scope on mine...just a Williams receiver sight...it's great in rain and snow. Also, it doesn't detract from the marvelous way a lever gun balances in your hand as you carry it. Sometimes I think we have ventured too far away from the basics. I know I did for years. Hey, it works for me! Good luck.

Clint

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Since all your shots seem to be at short range why not try 000 buck instead of slugs? More friendly on your shoulders too.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Buckshot is illegal in PA.

I must admit I know very little about rifles except that high powers a very loud. Two people so far have recommended the 44 magnum. I would think a 44 would be very loud like a 44mag pistol but I'm listening carefully here before I run out and buy something. I was thinking everyone would say the 30-30 or the 257 Roberts.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Well, its illegal in most areas, but its legal in the south east special regulations area.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

The 44 mag rifles have 18 or 20 " barrels on them so the longer barrel takes a lot of the noise away, nothing at all like my 44 mag pistol. It really is only about as loud as a 410, I dontuse it much but its great when I do.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

257 roberts is just what your looking for, effective and quiet, and no kick.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Just a thought. Have you tried wearing a foam ear plug in that right ear underneath your ear muffs? Maybe the extra silencing would possibly work. Might be worth a try. I worked in gravure pressrooms for 42 years, many years before OSHA set requirements for hearing protection. I've lost much of my high frequencies. The foam plug under the full muffs helped me to cut down on the noise of those presses.

Russ

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

I'll vote also for the 44 mag rifle. Mine doesn't make near the noise as any regular rifle calibers.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Well so far it seems like the 44Mag gets the vote but after visiting Gander Mountain this afternoon I'm confused. Both the sales people there told me it would be a loud gun similar to a 30-06 and definetely a lot louder then a 30-30 or 410. Hmmmm I looked at the shells and they are pretty large but that might not matter.

I looked at the Marlin 44Mag "Cowboy" version they had there with the 24 inch barrel and it was one nice gun. So well balanced with the octagon barrel and drilled and tapped for a scope. I would like to get this instead of a 30-30 but now I don't know how loud it will be and what I need because of my right ear. Any suggestions??

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

A 44 mag is loud as a handgun because of the short barrel and most are revolvers which throw sound/gasses out around the cylinder and from the muzzle. In a 'sealed' action with a longer barrel (16-22") the blast is directed straight away form the shooter. I'd put more faith in the guys here that use the caliber than the sales guys at Gander Mountain anyday. I use a 257 Roberts and it's not very loud at all. However, you can still keep hunting with your 06 or 12 ga if you invest in a Walker's Game Ear. Supposedly they stop muzzle noise from entering you ear, but allow you to hear minute sounds at furhter ranges than 'normal'....I'll be getting one for next year as my hearing has been going south!

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

Another thing to consider is the shot range....I know you said your shots are typically aroudn 50 yards. That would be a fine rane for a 44mag. Most of the places I hunt are tight shooting too, but I killed a doe on Friday 250 yards across a valley.....so, you never know when you'll need that tack driving ability at a longer range than 'typical.' Just a thought.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

i also use a -30.06 and it is hard on the ears, especially inside an inclosed deer stand. i now wear a foam ear plug under my hat and mask just to keep out some of the noise. i only wear one in my left ear so i can still hear the deer come in.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

I don't think there are any rifle calibers, or shotgun for that matter, that are easy on the ears. (with the exception of the 22 hornet) but even this little dude will box your ears when you are in thick territory.

Might want to think about upgrading your hearing protection instead.

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RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

I think I am having the same problem, and just bought a pair of 'Silencio' ear plugs (for $8). You can hear almost normally, but they block out loud noises.
BTW, my 30/30 got my ears ringing a few weeks ago because it has a short barrel, and I fired in a valley.
A shotgun with buckshot is not very loud. Neither are black powder rifles.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

I have found that when i'm shooting at bench i realy need to wear muffs but when shooting at deer i never hear the blast at all. Does this happen to anyone else?

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

You don't need a different gun unless this is just an excuse to the wife to buy another one. What you need is adequate hearing protection that will allow you to hear while hunting yet reduce the sound level of the shot to a level where it does not affect your hearing. There are several available in different styles. Quit messing around shooting without hearing protection even while hunting and save what's left of your heariing.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

While you may not notice the affect, it is still there. The physical damage done to your ears does not change just because you have shot at something other than a terget. I didn't think it mattered either until my wife mentioned an increase in the number of times I would ask her to repeat a statement after I had shot while hunting. After years of shooting without hearing protection, something that has only been stressed relatively recently, my hearing is diminished and I have a constant ringing in both ears (Tinitis) don't mess with your hearing, it is easy and inexpensive to stop doing damage.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

I always wearing hearing protection when im at the range but i went out to shoot my muzzeloader last night and forgot my muffs and thought id be ok but i had to quit shooting after about 5 shots, my ear was ringing so bad, I couldnt hear anything out of my right ear last night and this morning its a little better but is still ringing.

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

wear ear plugs

RE: Deer Gun that Isn't Hard on the Ears??
 

a few yrs ago I switched to a 6 mm. Its recoil and noise are very small even to a 30/30. It has plenty of knockdown and it also can carry to good range when needed. That would be my choice.