stupid! mistake while shooting 460 mag

[duckloads]

Just today, I warned a forum member about shooting the 460 mag without proper hearing protection. Well shoot...........

This afternoon I was at a friends property shooting my 460 mag. After several shots, my friends cousin drove up the long driveway to see what was going on. I put my ear muffs up over my ears and chatted for a while. After he left, I put up fresh targets. I returned to my stool and took a shot with full power 460 mag loads.

I thought the world (my life) was coming to an end. The pain in my left ear and head was excruciating. I felt around my head, neck and chest to see if it was all still there. I looked the gun over fully expecting it to be blown up.

After 5 horrifying and painfull seconds, I realized my earmuffs were still above my ears. I forgot to put the muffs back on top of my ears after being "disturbed" by my friends cousin.

I came home and took a pain pill left over from recent knee surgery. Six hours later, the pain in my left ear is returning. I really screwed up. I have had some (1/2 ?) hearing loss in my left ear over the past 20 years. Now, all I can hear is random noise out of it. STUPID!!!!


Don't think for one minute that you can take even ONE shot without proper hearing protection.

Be carefull,
Duck' out.

 

[duckloads]

Just today, I warned a forum member about shooting the 460 mag without proper hearing protection. Well shoot...........

This afternoon I was at a friends property shooting my 460 mag. After several shots, my friends cousin drove up the long driveway to see what was going on. I put my ear muffs up over my ears and chatted for a while. After he left, I put up fresh targets. I returned to my stool and took a shot with full power 460 mag loads.

I thought the world (my life) was coming to an end. The pain in my left ear and head was excruciating. I felt around my head, neck and chest to see if it was all still there. I looked the gun over fully expecting it to be blown up.

After 5 horrifying and painfull seconds, I realized my earmuffs were still above my ears. I forgot to put the muffs back on top of my ears after being "disturbed" by my friends cousin.

I came home and took a pain pill left over from recent knee surgery. Six hours later, the pain in my left ear is returning. I really screwed up. I have had some (1/2 ?) hearing loss in my left ear over the past 20 years. Now, all I can hear is random noise out of it. STUPID!!!!


Don't think for one minute that you can take even ONE shot without proper hearing protection.

Be carefull,
Duck' out.

 

[rljatl]

Try taking antioxidants ASAP.

Google: hearing loss antioxidant

http://www.otology-neurotology.com/pt/re/otoneuroto/abs...05!181195628!8091!-1

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/4527.php

 

[papalondog]

Thanks for the great reminder for all. I too am VERY hard of hearing thanks to working in sawmills for years without protection and a little heredity factor. My family suffers from my hearing loss and I haven't heard a bird sing for years. PROTECT YOUR EARS!

 

[Markuson]

Don't think for one minute that you can take even ONE shot without proper hearing protection.

Be carefull,
Duck' out.

True. Today while firing my 500 at the indoor range, the shock wave ALONE knocked the metal, hanging brass collector/receptical from the lane divider. My brother in-law on the other side of the double-thick, double-layer glass, observing, noted that his water bottle shook every time I shot. If they do this to steel and sound-isolated items...just imagine what it does you your ear-drums!

I hope you're ears recover...

I use my 500 in Alaska while doing photography in the wild. I'm more nervous about the damage from a single, emergency bear shot from the concussion than I am the bear. The bear is going to drop like a bolt of lightning, provided I aim well...but my ears may suffer just as badly.

Markuson

 

[tom turner]

Hi Markuson,

Wear electronic shooting muffs. You'll hear better than a 5 year old again . . . so you can hear old slewfoot comin'. . . and the muffs will mute the blast too.

I've been doing this in the field for years now while deer hunting. It makes everything seem about four times closer too!

T.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Duckloads, sorry to here that and I suggest you seek medical help if you have pain severe enough to take a strong pain killer
Between shooting guns for 40+ years, flying in Coast Guard helos for 22 years and riding my HD for 17 years I've lost 60/40 between the two ears.

When I was grounded from flying for my hearing loss I started using ear plugs when riding the HD, and double ear protection when shooting. When I am shooting a IPSC match I always leave the plugs for the day as I can't afford any more loss. I will wear the plugs and muff when shooting and flip up the muffs between stages. When I am instructing beginners I always have them wear double protection. It makes a big difference on their scoring from not flinching from the noise.

Seriously, if you are in pain you do need to seek medical assisstance. Best of luck.

 

[bnewc75]

duckloads.........wishing you a speedy recovery

T.T.

What kind of muffs do you use for hunting?

bnewc75

 

[BiggerHammer]

Do like they do in the movies Just yell stop to the bear and he will wate tell you get in your ear plugs

I now have two hearing aids and when I shoot this

I to need extra hearing protectors But I started loosing my hearing in Viet Nam and then I lived in Alaska for 6 years and you know I never seen any one up there where hearing protecters of any kind but it might be differnt now. Back then it was a 44 Mag Super Blackhawk and I got to say that 500 is a lot more and if T Rex comes around I might try one of those 700gr bullets on him.

BiggerHammer

 

[Markuson]

But I started loosing my hearing in Viet Nam and then I lived in Alaska for 6 years and you know I never seen any one up there where hearing protecters of any kind but it might be differnt now. Back then it was a 44 Mag Super Blackhawk and I got to say that 500 is a lot more and if T Rex comes around I might try one of those 700gr bullets on him.

BiggerHammer

Ya, I do not plan to wear ear protection doing photography in Alaska...since in three trips, I've never had to reach for my gun...but if I KNEW I was VERY near bears (and I usually do know), I may well stick a couple plugs in...in the case that I know I'm going to be close to them. If there are no plugs handy, I could even shove a couple rounds in my ears. -Bullets make surprisingly effective sound barriers.

Most of the time, I love the sounds of the wild, and wouldn't want to go around wearing head gear just for the slim chance that *I* screw up and have to shoot a bear.

Markuson

 

[DonD]

Can't knock the idea of electronic ear muffs but they're bulky. Smaller items like Walker's Game ears might be a good option to try.

I use plugs and muffs all the time with the .500 Mag. It also reduces perceived recoil.

About a year ago I unintentionally but stupidly shot just one .45ACP w/o ear muffs and that alone rang my ears.

Perhaps some might be interested. I was a weapons specialist in the Navy and had experience with all the guns in the fleet in the 72-90 timeframe including the 16"/50 battleship main battery. You want to know which one was by far the most unpleasant to be around? The smallest one, the 3"/50 firing a 14# projectile. Even with double ear protection I felt like someone was sticking an ice pick in my ear. The 16"/50 was a real pleasure by comparison. Can't explain why. Don

 

[SJshooter]

I am so sorry this happened to you. I would make an appointment with an ear-nose-and-throat specialist first thing Monday. You'll want to make sure you didn't physically rupture part of either ear.

As for the hearing loss, it will likely be permanent or at the very least you'll have permanent tinnitus in one or both ears. I was close (although not nearly as close as you) to a shotgun being fired without hearing protection when I was in my teens. My right ear has not stopped a high-pitched ringing in the 20+ years since and I am told there is no cure. I basically can't use the phone on that ear and if I am sleeping with my "good" ear down on the pillow I am virtually deaf to anything but low frequency noises.

Protect your ears, folks. It seems obvious, but it only takes one round to screw up your hearing for life.

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

I'm very sorry you had this accident. There is some good advice here, but I would like to echo SJshooter's recommendation of seeing an ENT as soon as possible.

I typically use foam ear plugs and ear muffs. I'm currently using Peltor 31 decibel rating plugs and Howard Leightning 31 decibel rating muffs. It's pretty hard to hear anything after initially putting both on, but I find that my ears adapt. When I take the muffs off, I find that I can hear pretty well with the plugs in.

I ruined a good deal of my hearing as a foolish teenager, going to bars in the Detroit area that would serve liquor to anyone who could reach the counter. Sometimes my ears would ring for days afterwards, but I never knew the damage would be permanent. I've lost the ability to selectively hear in crowded situations. It's all a hum to me, unless the person is right next to me and speaking very loudly.

Godspeed on your recovery.

 

[kennyb]

hey biggerhammer....i have that exact model 500....would you have any idea how many were made?

 

[SJshooter]

Originally posted by Doc Nonverbal:
I've lost the ability to selectively hear in crowded situations. It's all a hum to me, unless the person is right next to me and speaking very loudly.

This is so true. I didn't mention it, but now that I think about it this is probably a worse side-effect than the constant-ringing. I hate going to dinner and watch people two seats down move their lips but not be able to make out what they are saying above the din of the restaurant.

All the best to OP!

 

[duckloads]

Roughly 24 hrs after the event, I sill have a dull ache in my left ear / side of my head. Advil had helped some. I'm walking around feeling kind of lop-sided. Hic-ups or burbs cause some of the sharp pain to come back but only briefly. This same ear has been ringing for many years along with the hearing loss. This STUPID mistake has taken it up a few notches.

When I bought the 460xvr, I shot 8 rounds with foam ear plugs and had enough. I bought some Cauldwell electronic muffs, and they work great. I don'tthink they are "stereo" muffs. Sometimes it's tough toknow what direction sounds are coming from. At times I used the plugs and muffs.

I've taken the gun hunting a few times, but have never shot at a deer. On one hunt, I forgot my muffs, and thought that just one shot wouldn't be a big deal. DON'T EVER THING THAT!

 

[Allen-frame]

Duckloads ,,very sorry to hear of your misfortune.My heart goes out to you.
A great realization is that it could happen to ANY one, and to be vigilant and careful at all times.

As an aside ,,how about ones carry ammunition?
We will probably never have to use it, but what about the one time one has to?
Wouldn't 38 standard velocity be less damaging on ones own ears as well as those of innocent bystanders?

I think firing a 357 magnum from a short barreled revolver in any crowded venue would place one in the position of responsibility for collateral damage to innocents.

I think my 38 non plus p silvertips are going to stay in my 640.

God Bless and a full recovery ,,,,Allen

 

[Doc Nonverbal]

Originally posted by SJshooter:
This is so true. I didn't mention it, but now that I think about it this is probably a worse side-effect than the constant-ringing. I hate going to dinner and watch people two seats down move their lips but not be able to make out what they are saying above the din of the restaurant.

I really dislike going to restaurants for this very reason. The rest of the restaurant doesn't even need to be very loud - any sort of background noise is enough to significantly degrade my ability to perceive what someone is saying.

I've also lost the ability to hear my wife.

Well, that's what I tell her anyway.

 

[SJshooter]

Originally posted by Doc Nonverbal:

Originally posted by SJshooter:
This is so true. I didn't mention it, but now that I think about it this is probably a worse side-effect than the constant-ringing. I hate going to dinner and watch people two seats down move their lips but not be able to make out what they are saying above the din of the restaurant.

I really dislike going to restaurants for this very reason. The rest of the restaurant doesn't even need to be very loud - any sort of background noise is enough to significantly degrade my ability to perceive what someone is saying.

I've also lost the ability to hear my wife.

Well, that's what I tell her anyway.

Yep, all I need is the water running or a printer printing and I can't hear the Mrs. from the next room. Even after all these years, she still thinks I'm kidding about not being able to hear her.

I've been tempted to try hearing aids, as modern ones are small and allegedly some of the high end ones attempt to cancel out tinnitus. Not to hijack the thread, but since we're talking about shooting-related hearing loss, I'd be interested to know if anyone has had any success with this?

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Allen-frame:
I think firing a 357 magnum from a short barreled revolver in any crowded venue would place one in the position of responsibility for collateral damage to innocents.

I think that such a tort claim is a major stretch that will go nowhere.

I select my fighting ammunition with effectiveness as the sole criteria. I couldn't give two damns how loud it is for me, let alone what others will think of the noise.

When .357 Magnum is the question, Remington's 125 grain semi-jacketed hollow points (not the weak Golden Sabers) are the answer.