HALO .223 SUPPRESSOR, TOO LOUD

[bogey1]

i purchased a gemtech halo suppressor for the .223 about four months ago and finally shot it the other day... boy it was loud.... shot winchester something or other, one in a field next to trees which i know you get the sonic crack, the next i fired straight in the air.. still loud enough to merit hearing protection... what gives? no i didnt oil it, and i didnt shoot more than two rounds...

[XD45]

i'm not an expert on suppressors by anymeans, but even the 9mm is still somewhat loud and just about my limit of wanting ear protection on.

[Mtdew]

I'd say it's hearing safe, hearing safe can be really loud though.

hearing safe is 139.9 db and lower

a 10/22 w/ standard velocity ammo is 141 db

The HALO tested @ 136.9 db

223 cans are just not that "silent" since the SS crack is loud @3500 fps

[MarcS]

actually, you'll experiance permanent hearing loss to any exposure of 130dB and above.

If you expected more sound supression, your watched to many movies. Gunshots are loud. Muffling them significantly results in noises that are still loud.

[danp]

Keep in mind .223 is also supersonic, you can't suppress a sonic crack.

If this is your first time hearing a .223 suppressor it may come as a surprise.

[JayBell]

as a further note, NEVER add oil or water to a high power rifle suppressor, you may seriously damage the suppressor and the firearm...

if the MFG says its ok, do it, but I've never heard of one that did...oil and other sacrificial ablative media is for cans designed for its use.

[arrrrgh15]

I find my HALO to be hearing safe most of the time. That said, it's just to the point where I think I might want to put in some ear plugs. I think this is normal for 223 suppressors. Keep in mind the sonic crack and cycling of the action (for my AR) contributes to a lot of the noise. If your shooting an AR, have a buddy shoot it and stand opposite the ejection port door and you'll see what I mean.

[Mtdew]

Originally Posted by MarcS

actually, you'll experiance permanent hearing loss to any exposure of 130dB and above.

If you expected more sound supression, your watched to many movies. Gunshots are loud. Muffling them significantly results in noises that are still loud.

140 is considered hearing safe by the supressor industry due to OSHA's maxium limit on Exposure to impulsive or impact noise being set @ 140db

Thats why anything under 140 will be called hearing safe

(I'm not saying 130 wont damage things i'm just explaining where the industry gets it's numbers from)

[aubie515]

If you want a quiet .223...I suggest buying some subsonic loads or loading your own subsonic ammo. Suppressors are great, but it won't make any weapon completely quiet.

I think you are asking/expecting way too much for any suppressor. Try using the HALO on a 223 bolt action and you will notice a difference in the sound. I went from using my Gem Tech Outback II on a semi 10/22 to a bolt Marlin and there was a huge difference in noise level.

If you are that unhappy with the HALO, I'd be willing to take it off of your hands and I'll even pay for the tax stamp.

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by Mtdew

140 is considered hearing safe by the supressor industry due to OSHA's maxium limit on Exposure to impulsive or impact noise being set @ 140db

Thats why anything under 140 will be called hearing safe

(I'm not saying 130 wont damage things i'm just explaining where the industry gets it's numbers from)

medical studies on hearing loss all agree that the osha numbers are high. 130 is the threshold for instantaneous, permanent hearing loss to any noise above that level.