Powder question.... from a newbie

[DisVietVet]

I've been going to the local range now for a couple years now and I have a short question. I humped an M16 in the 60's and the main thing I remember is that spring in the stock cycling when firing it. Now when I go to the range the AR's sound like thunder! I picked up a few spent rounds and they are .223. Has the powder changed that much in 50 years? Is it just me? The pressure wave now is a LOT more than I remember.

 

[WR Moore]

Auditory exclusion under stress back then might account for it. If you're under a covered/baffled firing point, that makes a difference too. As does selective memory.

 

[OKFC05]

The only things I've noticed is the shorter barrels are popular now and my aged, damaged hearing is way more intolerant to loud noises.

 

[scooter123]

Another factor is that most AR's today are equipped with a muzzle brake and those will project a lot of noise to the rear and sides of the shooters position. Why someone would need a muzzle brake on a 22 caliber rifle I really don't understand but I'm too old to be interested in being Tacticool and like OKFC05 I have enough hearing loss already to not have any interest in devices that direct more noise back to me.

 

[stansdds]

Muzzle brakes, shorter barrels, and shooting from beneath a roof will increase the noise level of a firearm.

I do like a carbine length AR, but I do not see the need for a muzzle brake. The old A2 flash hider is more than sufficient on an AR chambered in 5.56 NATO /.223 Remington.

 

[Carrier]

Nothing irritates my old senile *** more these days than some want to be operator doing mag dumps with a 12" muzzle braked barrelled AR two feet beside me at a indoor range.

 

[DisVietVet]

There were two styles of flash suppressors. The first was a three prong device that had the tendency to collect weeds and vines. The second was a round device with several slits to dissipate the flash. Just to let you know.

Someone needs a barrel brake for a .223? Really??? Is it a game of, mine is more trick than yours so I am naturally better than you...?

 

[SMSgt]

Is it a game of, mine is more trick than yours so I am naturally better than you...?

You pretty much called it.

 

[gwpercle]

Not the powder....it's us that have changed....We got old !

 

[SMSgt]

Not the powder....it's us that have changed....We got old !

I prefer "antiqued."

 

[WR Moore]

"Matured" or "experienced" sounds better.

 

[gwpercle]

I prefer "antiqued."

How about being called a " senior citizen" or referred to as "elderly" ?
I'm not sure I like those . Matured...experienced , those are better . I think I like the term...
Oldster ! Yeah, that's the ticket ! I'm an Oldster.
Gary

 

[DisVietVet]

We have acquired a "patina" perhaps...

 

[Frank46]

Instead of selective memory my wife tells me I have selective hearing.Course being half deaf I plead the 5th. Frank

 

[gwpercle]

Instead of selective memory my wife tells me I have selective hearing.Course being half deaf I plead the 5th. Frank

I have selective hearing and selective seeing....comes in handy a lot...

 

[WR Moore]

Instead of selective memory my wife tells me I have selective hearing.Course being half deaf I plead the 5th. Frank

When the yearly physical determined a hearing loss, I took the paper work home to show the wife. "See, I'm NOT ignoring you, I didn't hear you."