Thread: 16" vs 22" barrel noise level

On the decibel scale, a sound 10 times more powerful than 0 dB is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than 0 dB is 20 dB.
A sound 1,000 times more powerful is 30 dB. So the difference in your example is actually quite a lot. You should consider suppressing your rifle if not already, you could shave 20 - 30 dB depending on the suppressor. That will make the biggest difference and will save your ears most importantly, along with reducing recoil.