shot noise levels

[Anonymous]

It's calving season and last night I shot at a coyote around midnight. Woke up the neighbors. So, I got to thinking, what makes a shot so loud. Is it dependent on the amount of powder? The size of cartridge? Barrel Length? Bullet weight? I guess I don't know. All things being equal, barrel length the same, is a .223 quieter than say a .308? Would a .25-06 be any louder. Is the answer in the speed of the projectile? If anyone has charts showing different cartridges, or any insights, I'd like to hear them and would be at your debt. Thanks for your thoughts/help...Steve

 

[Ol` Joe]

The sound is the mixed effect of hot gas of up to 10K psi hitting the air from a small tube and the sonic crack of the bullets flight. Both need to be addressed to quite the report.

 

[yeayow]

the noise depends on muzzle pressure and bullet speed. the higher the muzzle pressure the louder the round. also the crack of the bullet being supersonic also greatly contributes. I'm not sure how the colums are going to line up but this demostrates the diiference. it you have a nice varmit bolt with a 24 or 26 in barrel thats a 223 they"re a pleasure to shoot with a 24" barrel having a muzzle pressure of about 6700 psi my 26"in barrel is down around 6000 psi even. now if you standing next to someone shooting a 16" barreled AR you'll not think it being so tame bordering on obnoxious because its muzzle presuure is so much higher at almost 10500psi. doesn't recoil at all but its bark sucks.



Step Charge Vel. Pmax Pressure muz Prop.Burnt Cartridge : .223 Rem. (SAAMI)
% Grains fps psi psi % Bullet : .224, 55, Nosler BalTip 39526
0 24.5 2998 46626 8239 93.9 Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.260 inch or 57.40 mm
Barrel Length : 20.0 inch or 508.0 mm


Step Powder : Hodgdon H335
% Grains fps psi psi %
0 24.5 3065 46626 7421 94.8 Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm

Step Charge Vel. Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt
% Grains fps psi psi %
0 24.5 3126 46626 6738 95.5 Barrel Length : 24.0 inch or 609.6 mm

0 24.5 978 46626 10471 91.5 Barrel Length : 16.0 inch or 406.4 mm

 

[Anonymous]

This is interesting, and getting me in the right direction. But since I've so little sleep in last few weeks, I still don't see the light. Would a .308 be louder than say the .223? How could I influence the sound level of my rifle or for that matter, my handgun. I was once told that heavy for caliber bullets at slower velocity( in this case we're talking .45LC ) would be a more pleasant report. Can you shed a little more light?

 

[Desert Fox]

The noise is the result of the rapidly expanding gas. Bigger cartridges are louder because it burns more powder hence more volume of expanding gases escaping the barrel. The bullet sonic boom is probably only 10% of the noise generated by the rifle shot.

 

[Richracer1]

Place a plastic soda bottle over your barrel. You'll get one maybe two shots that are somewhat silenced. At least that's what I've been told any way. Never tried it myself.

 

[Guy Miner]

Can you legally use a suppressor where you live?

They're amazingly effective.

 

[Anonymous]

At midnight with new calves in the vicinity... Considering it is Wyoming, it is perfectly legal, I'm sure! Pop, any additional thoughts about mine? Thanks everyone for the input. Based on what I'm seeing, my .223 would make a better choice if sound is the concern. I really like the pop bottle idea, I'll give that a try. Think I'll also look into what it takes to legally use a suppressor...Thanks again everyone.

 

[yeayow]

Do you reload? I could always run some loads in quickload and see what the muzzle pressure pressure is. also not saying the 223 is less noisy depends on how its loaded. if you could load a 150 grain cast lead bullet with about 27.5 gr. of H4895 which is about 60% of there max load for a 150 grain balistic tip you would get about 1700 fps and only about 4000 psi muzzle pressure out of a 24" barrel. out of a 20" barrel you only be about 4500 psi. If you practiced with this round it should be relativly quiet and cetainly deadly.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

According to theory, the 1 litter bottles should work better then the smaller bottles, larger area for the gasses to expand in. I've always wondered how it would effect point of impact.

 

[yeayow]

just be aware that as stupid as it sounds taping a bottle to the front of your barrel is making a suppressor which i believe is illegal. not positive and don't think anyone would care around you but you never know.

 

[1Shot]

With a hi-velocity round like a 223 with a varmint bullet if you shoot with a plastic bottle over the muzzle the bullet will blow up when it hits the bottle and if it does not frag it will at least expand some and your accuracy is gone. It will also blow the bottle off the rifle. I have seen people try this I would suggest DON'T. To own a a suppressor you have to do the same things you would to own a machine gun. Have it registered and pay the tax fee.

 

[Richracer1]

With a hi-velocity round like a 223 with a varmint bullet if you shoot with a plastic bottle over the muzzle the bullet will blow up when it hits the bottle and if it does not frag it will at least expand some and your accuracy is gone. It will also blow the bottle off the rifle. I have seen people try this I would suggest DON'T. To own a a suppressor you have to do the same things you would to own a machine gun. Have it registered and pay the tax fee.

The results you mentioned are what I figured would happen. Your recommendation of NOT trying is very justified.