Looking for advice. Going to get into shooting a bit more and want to pick up my own hearing protection. Looking for something more than just a pair of earplugs. I’ve got some gift certificates to Cabela’s if that helps.
Of course this will depend on ever finding ammo 
Thanks
I have a pair of the electronic muffs that enhance quieter noises but muffle sound over X decibels, they work great. Just gotta remember to turn them off so you don’t wear out the batteries. 
I didn’t go ultra expensive on them…they were definitely under $100….I think around $60 if I recall correctly.
For hunting or target shooting?
Ear muffs are WAY better than plugs.
Me and all my duck hunting buddies use these ones http://www.howardleight.com/ear-muffs/impact-sport–2 they are a great muff for the money. Nice and slim so they dont interrupt cheeking the gun stock. Amplify sound nicely and are good and durable getting nocked around in the duckblind. you will like them
Depends on what you want to spend. Anything is better than nothing. I’ve had a buddy use ciggarete buts before. I like muffs butt always keep plugs in the shooting box for backups.
I have been happy with my Peltor Ultimate 10 muffs. Someday, I’d like a set of electronic muffs, but till then, I much prefer the muffs to earplugs. They tame the bark of my .357 pretty well. 
It’s funny to hear the clink of the striker hitting the casing when shooting a .22 rifle. 
Muffs are better then plugs and plugs are better then nothing. If you get muffs, remember to shut them off. There are also plugs that shut off sound above a certain level so that you can hear normal voice. Sorry I don’t recall the name of them, but they work good for hunting.
Might want to look at the decibel ratings of whatever you buy.
You might find them foam plugs are better than most muffs.
I run the foam plugs or a pair of custom made rubber ones and electronic muffs when I shoot.
There’s enough ringing in my ears already.
Al
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For hunting or target shooting?
Target, I haven’t been hunting in years and don’t see it much in my future.
Would really like to stay below $100 too.
I use a pair of Ryobi Tek4 Ear Muffs. If you can find them, they aren’t terribly expensive and work great for filtering out the damaging noises.
Whatever you choose at least you are doing something. I waited too long and have contant ringing. I’m sure hearing loss is next. And its not just guns. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers, vacuums, chainsaws, etc.
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Whatever you choose at least you are doing something. I waited too long and have contant ringing. I’m sure hearing loss is next. And its not just guns. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers, vacuums, chainsaws, etc.
Know what you mean Suzuki from farming and driving tractor my left ear is way worse then my right from my head being turned to watch behind the tractor. Now I don`t get on any tractor with out some kind of hearing protection on.
Check out Starkey Labs in Eden Praire
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Whatever you choose at least you are doing something. I waited too long and have contant ringing. I’m sure hearing loss is next. And its not just guns. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers, vacuums, chainsaws, etc.
X100.
I am at the ripe young age of 37 with “significant” hearing loss. Mostly due to bad choices with some genetic disposition for hearing loss. I feel very dumb to be in this position now. Hopefully I can teach my son better.
I use the Walker’s Game Ears coupled with custom fitted ear pieces when hunting. I wish I would have spent that money 20 years ago on hearing protection.
Ya don’t need to spend a lot of money, the basic foam plugs at about 50 cents a piece will give you 29-31dB of noise reduction, more than most muffs.
Hit the local gun shows and you’ll probably find someone making the custom rubber ones, they are even a bit higher in reduction and usually are not that exspensive.
They pour a solution into your ear, it sets up and you have plugs for many years.
Al
I use Pro Ears for target, primarily clay, shooting…nothing while hunting.
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Whatever you choose at least you are doing something. I waited too long and have contant ringing. I’m sure hearing loss is next. And its not just guns. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers, vacuums, chainsaws, etc.
On the bright side, once you go deaf you won’t need ear plugs anymore.
What I’ve found after discarding about a dozen pairs is that fit and comfort are critical, even for just target shooting.
The biggest problem I’ve had is the profile of many muffs allows the bottom of the ear cup to contact the stock. Which pushes the muff around and is very annoying. Also, when the muff is in contact with the stock, the recoil slightly breaks the “seal” against the side of the head and reduces effectiveness.
So far, I have tried and failed to find a pair of electronic muffs that are comfortable and that have the noise reduction factor that is appropriate for magnum rifles and handguns chambered in rifle cartridges. There is also the constant hassle with batteries.
As someone else has said, consider the noise reduction factor rating. Some plugs are actually better than some muffs. I purchase a high quality set of ear plugs for praire dog hunting because it’s often too hot to wear muffs. These plugs are actually better as far as NRF than many electronic muffs.
I know I’m not giving specific “try this” advice and that’s deliberate because the fit issue is so important. The problem of the muffs contacting the gunstock is so wide spread that I know several people who had to get custom ear plugs because the couldn’t find any muffs that would fit.
Grouse
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The problem of the muffs contacting the gunstock is so wide spread that I know several people who had to get custom ear plugs because the couldn’t find any muffs that would fit.
True, but not an issue with handguns (which is what I think Pat is referring to…I could be wrong ).
I got the custom molded in ear plugs at the gun show for 40 buck. they are 5 yrs old and work great yet.
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So far, I have tried and failed to find a pair of electronic muffs that are comfortable and that have the noise reduction factor that is appropriate for magnum rifles and handguns chambered in rifle cartridges. There is also the constant hassle with batteries.
As someone else has said, consider the noise reduction factor rating. Some plugs are actually better than some muffs.
I only wear the little foam ear plugs. They have a noise reduction of 30db or so. I shoot a lot of .303 British and they work just fine. They work fine for .44 mag, as well.
My only gripe about them is that they take a minute to expand once they’re in your ears.
Considering what is at stake I would suggest getting fitted ear plugs at the very least.
Speaking of form fit I bought a pair of the molded rubber ones that custom fit to your ears and they barely work. Too much space on the sides that let sound in. After numerous trys I recently threw them away.
Huh, I love mine. They are not foam though. They are rubber just like the hearing aids. I had them made at an Audiologist’s office. $100 for the pair. Tight fit.
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The problem of the muffs contacting the gunstock is so wide spread that I know several people who had to get custom ear plugs because the couldn’t find any muffs that would fit.
True, but not an issue with handguns (which is what I think Pat is referring to…I could be wrong
True, but very few people only shoot handguns. I want one pair of muffs that do it all, trap, skeet, pistol, rifle, and varmint hunting (temps permitting).
If you’re shooting those light-n-fruity plinking handguns like the .357 “Magnum”, almost anything will work. 
For the real handguns, however… 
As an aside, should you ever be on the rifle range and somebody shows up with their newly-aquired safari or Kodiak bear trip rifle chambered in .375 H&H, .416, or the like and fitted with a muzzle brake, don’t walk away. RUN!
So many rifles in heavy calibers are coming out of the factory these days with muzzle brakes and the amateurs that buy them are blissfully ignorant of the safety concerns that go with a braked rifle.
Even with earmuffs, hearing damage can occur with braked rifles in heavy calibers. 99% of the newbies who buy these “trip guns” have no experience with belted magnums fitted with brakes, so they have no idea how dangerous they can be to others on the range. The noise and the muzzle blast that is directed sideways is very dangerous and often the shooters are oblivious to this until they singe the hair of the guy sitting two benches down.
Grouse
Don’t kid yourself with thinking it’s just the big guns, a .223 with a compensator will have enough dB ratings to cause hearing damage if your near one.
Don’t remember the number but we got some pretty high ones with our meter one afternoon on the range.
.22’s are loud enough to cause damage over time.
Al
Thanks for all the great advice!!!!
My personal need is for handguns that some above have called puny 9mm, .40, etc. My other need is for .223 on an AR that I picked up last summer. Just getting tired of borrowing or using the ones already at the range.
I think I’m going to give a shot to one of the electronic models to see how they fit and how well they reduce indoors.
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If you’re shooting those light-n-fruity plinking handguns like the .357 “Magnum”, almost anything will work.
I’ll take that insult only because that you shoot a 7-30 Waters “handgun”. 
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