Is it bad form to shoot really loud guns at a crowded range?

bushmaster1313 · Mar 13, 2016

Even with earplugs under my ear protectors, when someone is firing a 44 magnum in the next stall at an indoor range, or a .308 with a muzzle break next to me at the outdoor range, I find it quite unpleasant.

Is it bad form to fire extra loud guns at a crowded range or am I too sensitive?

BTW, the outdoor range I frequent does not allow 50 BMG because of the noise.

Kanewpadle · Mar 13, 2016

I would say it depends.

If I'm shooting next to an experienced shooter then anything goes. Next to a new shooter and especially one being taught to shoot, I will not shoot a large caliber. Or I will ask if it will bother them.

A good range officer will ask what you are shooting and place you next to someone that is also shooting a large caliber.

mbliss57 · Mar 13, 2016

I have never had a problem with it. To me it's just part of the gig. I would say if it's too loud then find an outdoor range. I have never been in a range ( I have frequented 3 in my area) that did not allow 44 magnums to be fired. Nor S&W 500s or Desert Eagles. JMO of course!

bdGreen · Mar 13, 2016

Comment number 1. They paid for the right to do that. Really.

Comment number 2. Each individual must determine your 'bad form' position in their own mind.
I have experienced high powered rifles and shotguns on the indoor pistol range and it can be quite unsettling.
But, it usually doesn't last long. When I shoot something that 'might' offend someone, it doesn't usually last long either.

I paid to shoot. I guess I will.

bdGreen

Bat Guano · Mar 13, 2016

I dunno--but I plan to shoot as much .50 caliber as I can afford through a Ma Deuce at the MG shoot in June...

The wife sort of prefers the 37mm cannon on the Stuart light tank. $75 a "pop".

BTW, what is this "crowded range" thing of which you speak?

mojave30cal · Mar 13, 2016

I usually shoot at an outdoor range 8 miles from my house. I
personally don't mind a loud gun being fired. I like the sound of
smaller "pop, pop, pop, then a big "boom". It gets your atten-
tion.

My biggest peeve is that I'm always put on the right side of
a shooter with an AR-15, or a hi-cap semi-auto pistol, and
when they are firing away, I get showered with the spent,
hot cases. I'll take the loud boom any day.

e3mrk · Mar 13, 2016

I wear good hearing protection so there is no problem.I do tell the Guy behind the desk when I bring My 44 magnum and He usually gives Me a stall at the end of the row.

bushmaster1313 · Mar 13, 2016

Bat Guano said:
I dunno--but I plan to shoot as much .50 caliber as I can afford through a Ma Deuce at the MG shoot in June...

The wife sort of prefers the 37mm cannon on the Stuart light tank. $75 a "pop".

BTW, what is this "crowded range" thing of which you speak?

Crowded enough that you can't pick up and move over.

Laketime · Mar 13, 2016

I make a point not shoot a .59 cal Desert Eagle indoors where permitted.Not so much for the noise,rather the precussion.

pawngal · Mar 13, 2016

I belong to an indoor range, all calibers of handguns are allowed, but only rimfire rifles, no shotguns. Everybody pays to shoot so in my opinion they can shoot what ever the range allows. I have been there when a guy was shooting 454 Casull and there are a lot of 44 mag shooters. Sometimes I get a headache but just deal with it. I'm not the quietest either when I'm shooting 41 mag.

bushmaster1313 · Mar 13, 2016

I did not notice the bigger guns so much until it seemed that every gun now has a muzzle break.

When the person next to you is shooting with a muzzle break it's louder for you than the shooter.

sw282 · Mar 13, 2016

l have a SW 460 PC Hunter with external brake. lt is very LOUD, and l get looks when l go to SHOOTERS. The range allows ANYTHING up to 300 WIN MAG indoors...l pays my money and lights em up... Esp those 200GR FTX Hornadys factory loads @ 2400fps...l make no apologies...

At my monthly SILH match its a different matter ENTIRELY.. We stand a bit closer ad there are no partitions there...l shot it one match with reduced loads...l got a lot of looks and comments about the concussion and side blast from the brake. My 460 stays home now.. l do not wish to annoy or make my fellow shooters uncomfortable.
l really love the gun,but hate the brake. l wish Smith made a cover to slip over it...0r would offer some option to do away with the thing..l know there are ways to get rid of it, but l am no machinist

coltle6920 · Mar 13, 2016

Is it bad form to fire extra loud guns at a crowded range or am I too sensitive?

Do you think that other shooters even consider what others think? All you can do is tell the RO what you are shooting and he might forewarn others as a courtesy to them.

If that's the only gun you own are you going to deny yourself the right to shoot it?

amazingflapjack · Mar 14, 2016

what goes-comes. Count the cost.

model70hunter · Mar 14, 2016

If not shoot it here, where? When I lived in STL I had to use ranges. Mostly Busch Wildlife. I could drive 30 miles to some consevation walk ins but one never knew what was lurking I mean shooting there, usually folks who had zero concept of safety.

I had a 300 Weatherby ultra light that had a recoil reduction muzzle brake. I know it was loud, it also rattled the walls. My 629 classic with the front recoil port also was loud.

But then other folks were paying their money and shooting their gun of choice. I have shot next to other ported magnums, after a few rounds I forgot them and focused on my shooting.
I guess if it bothered me I would find a quieter range or find when their low use times usually are.

Arik · Mar 14, 2016

Never heard of this being a problem. Actually never even gave it any thought. If it's a gun then it goes to the range

amcline82 · Mar 14, 2016

No it's not. Your at a shooting range. Guns are loud.

mrrick · Mar 14, 2016

I was shooting a .308 rifle when a guy shows up with his son. They only had the cotton that the range office supplied for ear protection. They were shooting a .22 even though there is a dedicated .22 range they could have used. I fired a few rounds and they went to the RO to complain about the blast.

Where did they think they were, a sensory deprivation chamber?

johngalt · Mar 14, 2016

When I shoot at an indoor range (which I have not done in years) I use both plugs and muffs. The noise is almost unbearable otherwise, and I don't want to damage my hearing any further.

I have no grounds to complain about those who show up with extra-loud guns - it has to be expected.

That said, I really don't understand how people can shoot shotguns and center fire rifles inside. Shotguns outside aren't too bad, but I have to double my hearing protection when shooting rifles outside. I find a rifle inside to be intolerable.

5-Shot · Mar 14, 2016

There is absolutely no limit on what can be shot at my indoor range and literally everything shows up. I threatened them with my 375 H&H and they said "Bring it on."

Ed

Is it bad form to shoot really loud guns at a crowded range?

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