Kent Ammo Loud!!!!

[Jeremy DeVries]

Has anyone else noticed how LOUD Kent ammo is or am I just staying up too late the night before. I don't understand it. When our blinds are set up close, you'll definately ring the other guys eardrums. Am I crazy and can anyone expain it to me? All the specs of the shells seem to be pretty much the same as other brands, yet the Kents are like the cartoon character with the base drum, cymbals and trumpet walking through the field. Damn they make a bang. They smoke birds too, but I've never worn earplugs in the field until I started shooting Kents.

[CluckmeMN]

The 1625s are like shootin a rifle. My buddys dad shot em this year, he was about 200 yards away, and you could tell when ever he shot...BOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!:eek:

[Brody Edmondson]

Well, I shoot Kent skeet load 7\8 oz. for international skeet and see no difference in sound, but when I shoot fasteel when hunting, I can see your point. I find them to be a bit louder than other shotshell companies.

[Jeremy DeVries]

I just would swear they're WAY louder.

I was trying to find out if I was just losing it our what.

[buckeyegundogs]

I agree with Jeremy. A 3 1/2 " BB kent shell is an eye opener and ear closer :)

[CurrituckBoy]

On average the faster the ammo the louder it will be, if you have a ported choke it will amplify it even more.

Michael

[kingkilla]

are you guys shooting them out of patternmasters? i havent noticed it yet

[Jack Searls]

I shot them out of a PM this year and they do have a ring to them, no doubt.

[Dallas W Branch]

Guys
I may be showing my age here, but I'll tell you, no matter how loud Kent ammunition is compared to another put on some hearing protection. I've been hunting since I was a little kid shooting guns as often as I could. I pay for that dearly now.
I now wear hearing aids because I've literally damaged my hearing from shooting. I know we all like to hear the birds from a distance, and you can now with the technology & protection out there. If you don't protect them now, you won't be hearing those birds in the future.

[Joel Draxler]

Guys
I may be showing my age here, but I'll tell you, no matter how loud Kent ammunition is compared to another put on some hearing protection. I've been hunting since I was a little kid shooting guns as often as I could. I pay for that dearly now.
I now wear hearing aids because I've literally damaged my hearing from shooting. I know we all like to hear the birds from a distance, and you can now with the technology & protection out there. If you don't protect them now, you won't be hearing those birds in the future.

Not to hijack the thread but I have to agree. I am young and pretty new to duck hunting but it only took one time in the blind (laydown, pit, or permanent) for me to realize I wouldn't go out without hearing protection in. I don't know how you can handle it without.

As far as the Kents go I also agree that the 1625's are noticeably louder. The 1560's don't seem to be so much.

[Jeremy DeVries]

Thanks guys..... At least there is some confirmation to it.

I am in the process of finding a decible meter so I can find out exactly how much loder they are. I'll post my findngs.

I am also definately on the hearing protection gig. I haven't been in the past, and am ready to start. I suppose I have Kent to thank for opening my eyes,.........or ears.:D

[Adam Reid]

I am with you Jeremy, I shot the Kent 3 1/2's last year and noticed a lot more ear ringing at the end of the day. Some of my hunting buddies are wearing the Pro-Ears and seem to like them. I will probably buy some sort of protection for the upcoming season. I have been shooting for around 22 years now without protection, while hunting. I always wear muffs or plugs at the range.
From my understanding the muffs that are electronic allow good directional hearing while in the blind but shut the sound down on the shot. If anyone has tips or tried them while hunting any advice is appreciated.

[Dallas W Branch]

I have both the Walker Game Ear I (hearing aid type)and the Pro Ears Dimension 2(muffs) and out of the two I like the Muffs the best, they are tapered so when raising the gun up your not knocking them every time.
I have also tried the Walkers Game Ear Digital, and thats very similar to hearing aid but inhanced, & $$$$. If you decide to purchase a hearing protection device, I would suggest you take it outside and wear it when its windy - that I must say is the most annoying thing about these devices. This is one of the best investments I have ever made.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u25/denali4dog4/earplug.jpg

You can get these at your local Hearing Care location, they are custom fit to your ear, which takes about two weeks to receive, they come in a variety of colors and even camo, no batteries and a lot less expensive than the other devices.
$120-150.
Several of the Dallas Police and Swat team wear these, because they can hear well and offer the greatest hearing protection.

[Jeremy DeVries]

Thanks Dallas. Thats great info.

[Matt Rodgers]

Dallas, I am still not clear on what the name of the protection is that you have pictured there. I have been hunting waterfowl since I was 12 and have always worn protection while at the range and such but always wanted to be able to hear the birds, my calling and my comrades while shooting and just did not wear protection. To be honest, I really never thought about it and didnt know any better. This year I am definitely getting something that will allow me to hear as well as possible to ambient noise while facilitating great muzzle blast protection. I am 27 yo now and suffer from tinnitus and hearing loss in both ears from all the shotgunning I have done and am really sad and mad at myself about this. While it may be later that I should of done, this year I wont be going into the field w/o ear protection again! All young waterfowlers should take this to heart, you only have one set of ears and the technology is out there to protect your hearing so use it! I sure wish I would have!

[Rob Jepson]

Dallas...what is the circular deal on the plug on the right?

[chessieman]

As a firearms trainer for 17 years and who now has lost about 50% of my hearing I would strongly suggest that all you younger hunters wear good hearing protection while hunting.

I wear the electronic muffs while hunting, if the weather is bad and I don't want to have the expensive muffs out in the rain i carry a set of the slim line type muffs, with both types you can wear them at about the top of your ears so you can still hear yourself calling.

When it's time to shoot all you have to do is push down on the top strap of the muffs in the middle of your head and they will go down over your ears and protect you from the next salvo.

If you start doing this now you will thank yourself 20 years from now

[Dallas W Branch]

If you visit with a audiologist (Ear Dr.) they will tell you that the hearing protection out there - ear muffs or hearing aid type or even the little spongee ones you squeeze and put in your ears do not protect your hearing enough to prevent hearing damage. Don't get me wrong it does help, and its better than nothing.

A little info. on the quick, painless process on the hearing devices you see posted, plus how & why they work.
PROCESS: They first place a small piece of cotton with a piece of thread attached to it down the canal of your ear. They then fill your ear with this caulk type paste. You wait a few minutes, it hardens then they pull it out-Simple. They then have the mold of your ear canal and send it off to having the device you see above made. Takes about 1-2 weeks. $120-150(total for both ears) depending on colors.
HOW & WHY: The reason it works better is that it completely seals your entire ear. The little silver thing with a pin hole in it has a valve that shuts off automatically then reopens on its own when the loud noise goes away. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but it does....without batteries.
The thing I have found is that I can hear really well and they are comfortable.
Hope this helps.

[randy m]

thanks for the info on those dallas. i had no idea i was having any hearing loss until one night with the window open the wife says to me " boy them crickets are loud tonight". i was laying on my side with my right ear in the pillow. i could not hear them at all until i lifted my head. my left ear no longer can detect that particular tone. kinda scary at only 33 years old.