So to reiterate.
I wear hearing protection for all range shooting and these days probably 60% of my own hunting shots.
In the past it was no protection for any shooting.
There has been 4-5 occasions in my hunting life where my own shot has rung my bell so to speak ,all in the bush and blast back to the ear from a big bloody tree or a bank/bluff.
Slow learner maybe but I now recognise those situations that will reflect blast
Those few shots a year without protection and with the age and experience to not give a fuck if I pull the trigger or not(so would now recognise a blast back situation and not fire)
My first 308 had a few inches hacked off the end and was ok noise wise if a bit louder, but when would it be obscenely loud or instant irreparable hearing damage loud?
Bookmarks