CCI 22 Ammo Decibel Ratings Chart

The hunter's eternal dilemma: to trade off power for quietness. While some ammo is designed to reduce both speed and noise, it's a rare exception rather than the rule. Centerfire rifles and pistols create unmistakable and noticeable noise when fired, whereas rimfire is louder than a lawnmower. Even with suppressors, guns still produce sound waves that can be detected by human ears.

The 308 round, even when fitted with a suppressor, barely reaches safe decibel levels without hearing protection. However, the 22 rimfire cartridge is relatively easy to bring down to hearing-safe levels, especially when using weaker and slower subsonic ammo. For instance, the low-powered CCI 22 Long Rifle has a significantly lower decibel rating compared to other rounds.

Looking at various suppressed and unsuppressed gun types reveals some interesting facts. As a benchmark, a lawnmower typically produces around 90 dB of sound, while a common BB gun hits 97 dB. Our handy suppressed gun decibel chart provides a quick reference point for comparing different cartridges.

Suppressors are another way to reduce gunshot noise below the 140 dB threshold. All hearing protection designed for shooting is intended to bring the sound level down to this threshold when using common ammo. However, the effectiveness of hearing protection varies depending on the type and design.

Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB) on a logarithmic scale, meaning that every 10 dB increase represents a multiple of 10 times over the previous rating. Sounds 10 times louder than total silence would be 10 dB, while sounds 100 times louder than silence are 20 dB.

More powerful centerfire ammo is even louder, reaching levels that can cause permanent hearing damage and physical pain. For example, a 22 caliber rifle with standard velocity ammo produces 140 dB of sound. This is loud enough to require hearing protection during shooting.

In contrast, slower bullets may be less effective at shorter ranges while the quietest ammo might also be the weakest. Most rifle and handgun bullets move faster than the speed of sound, creating a distinct 'crack' as they break the sound barrier. Very rarely do silencers enable silent shooting; instead, they reduce noise levels to within acceptable limits.

In conclusion, the CCI 22 ammo decibel ratings chart provides valuable insight into the varying sound levels produced by different cartridges. While some ammo may be designed for reduced noise and power, it's essential to understand that most centerfire rifles and pistols still produce noticeable noise levels even with suppressors. For safe shooting practices, it's crucial to use hearing protection and follow proper guidelines for gun handling and maintenance.

Cci 22 ammo decibel ratings chart