Anybody got any ilnfo on the decibel levels of subsonic ammo measured at the ear? Any estimate of proportion of sound due to air and bone conduction? Any data on effects of plugs/muffs on bone conduction,which probably accounts for much of us shooters hearing loss? Tomorrow I get my ENT annual lecture on the why I have to stop shooting to prevent going deaf. Tough being compared to a drug addict.

The decibel levels you experience depend on a number of factors and the ammo is only one of those. Your barrel length is a big factor along with where your shooting, i.e. indoors outdoors, roof over head etc.

What? Or is that the NRA salute, with hands cupped behind the ears with the huh?

Innocent

I found this on the net.

I held the sound level meter close to the shooter’s right ear and positioned myself so as not to interfere with the measurement. Two different sound level meters were used: A Larson-Davis model 800B and a Brüel & Kjær model 2209. The first of 15 rifles tested was a small-bore target rifle. With CCI Mini Group shorts, a reading of 105 dB SPL was obtained (IMPULSE mode). In the FAST mode, a reading of 102 dB was obtained. The lower reading in FAST mode was expected. In the IMPULSE mode, a 117 dB reading was obtained using Super-X Expiditer ammo (same target rifle). So far, the measurements looked reasonable.

102 dB for the shorts

117 dB for super X ( I don't know what that is)

I guess it would be safe toassume that our 1080 fps ammo would be closer to the 117 than the 102. Both are too loud for no ear protection. I suppose a bloop tube would reduse that a little.