Sigh, this is why folks who never have, should not post simple data and make odd claims.
First I have never hunted a dead hog, have made a few dozen that way so I do know a bit about hunting them... have you ever hunted feral hogs?
Next the example used in the OP is probably the worst combo to use- a short barreled AR with a pistol length suppressor- the direct impinge system vents unsuppressed gases back into the action- this is like a dodge charger coupled to a Yugo muffler with a big hole in the exhaust pipe- not very effective.
How a suppressor works- first they change the volume of the area the hot gas flows into- bigger is better. Next they have a baffle system that chops the acoustic wave up reducing the supersonic signature to a sharp hiss. Number and design of baffles counts. Have you ever used one?
Moving on to hunting hogs- all 'real' Americans know the story of Sgt. York but for the few who don't... among his other accomplishments he took out a German patrol, one man at a time with a unsuppressed bolt rifle. Asked how he did it he said the same way he shot turkeys, he shot the tail end Charlie first and worked his way forward.
So back to my statement that backround noise can obscure the sound of a suppressed weapon. The sharp supersonic crack of a rifle does carry fairly well, the suppressed hiss of the suppressed weapon doesn't- again have you fired one???
Now all experts on shooting sounds knows there is a difference between in front of a weapon and behind one. What I said is BEHIND the suppressed weapon we could be unmuffed and hold conversations.
Not much you can do about the bullet's supersonic crack, however once separated from the muzzle blast it isn't all that impressive, what matters most is the distance from your head the bullet passes. Within 3 feet and the crack does get your undivided attention, out at oh, 6 to 12 feet depending on some exterior ballistic factors the sharp crack is diminished and there is a Doppler effect as it continues on passed, further off the line of flight and the crack is very muted with more angry bee buzz than anything as it leaves the AO.
Lets combine the experiences- you hunt ferals hogs from a distance of 2 to 300 meters, you shoot from front to back and on the edges. You'll get 3 or so hogs before the passel figures out they are being shot and haul butt. They can do over 20mph but if you can use Mil-dot you stand a reasonable chance of knocking down another hog.
Now onto this chart- I doubt anyone would have thought a Daisy BB gun almost breaks 100 db... :shock:
But I'm sure everyone who shoots often knows their earmuff NNR score- mine is 27. Now like the sticker MPG rating on a car no one gets the rating. So according to the chart you present my relatively mild 308 combined with my earmuffs still has me above the painful threshold.... :roll:
Interesting a set of muffs are so effective with a 20 something db rating but a suppressor apparently isn't... :doh
I can assure you it doesn't hurt to shoot over 100 rounds a day or spot for a dozen guys who shoot 100 rounds a day- eye strain on the spotting scope is another matter.
I've never 'decibeled' my rifle, never knew a BB gun was 97db and am pretty sure my experience means a tad more than a chart claiming a BB gun is that loud.
Perhaps gaining some experience in this matter would help you put this chart in it's proper place..
eace
