Loadness of Benjamin Discovery in .22 caliber

[Techie]

Can I get opinions on just HOW loud is a totally stock Benjamin Discovery in .22 caliber when shot outdoors?  Do you feel the need for hearing protection?  I know perceived loudness varies greatly depending on the environment, and shots sound a lot louder if shot around trees than in a wide open field. 

I'm trying to determine if I'd need hearing protection most of the time outdoors or not.  I shoot .22 L.R. rimfire rifles in my back yard with subsonic ammo without hearing protection regardless of environment, while I use hearing protection for .22 high-velocity ammo when shooting near trees but not on the wide-open prairie.  If the Disco is louder than a .22 rimfire rifle shooting sub-sonics, I don't want it.  With a .22 rimfire pistol, I need hearing protection even with sub-sonic ammo.

Most of my shooting with a Discovery would be outside but near trees and buildings.

I realize I can put a moderator on it or get a Marauder, but I don't want to deal with that if possible.  I like the light weight of the Disco and the fact that it only has to be pumped to 2000 psi.

Thanks!

[dmeguy]

It will not be any louder than subsonic 22lr in stock configuration.

[redlined_b16a]

Subsonic in a pistol is loud,in my henery arms rifle its about the same as a disco.

[Dbez1]

I would not feel the need for hearing protection outdoors.  If you are near buildings that are occupied, others may object because it does sound like a mild .22 rimfire.

[Norm_m]

If you are going to shoot one or two shots is one thing but if you are going to shoot a hundred shots everyday is another thing. It is a simple thing to use hearing protectors!

Protect your hearing as once it is gone it will never come back. ASK ME I KNOW! Back a little over 50 years ago I did lots of shooting as a kid and at that time  there was little to no mention of loud noise damaging your hearing. Boy I sure which I had the info back then that we have now!

Norm

[Techie]

The buildings I'm talking about are just the outbuildings on my land.  I'm not concerned with disturbing anyone, just about whether it's loud enough to want hearing protection.  If I need hearing protection, I don't want that gun.

[grich]

I have a Disco .22 and it is loud but not loud enough to need hearing protection. Note have fired it in the house, in a 3x16' hallway and its loud but did not feel the need for hearing protection. After the hallway test, I did put on a TKO airguns moderator 6" and its almost as quiet as my Hatsan AT-44 QE short, so i can shoot in my backyard.

[K.O.]

well if loudness is your main concern tune it down to 8-10 fpe... or whatever you can put up with as far as loudness...

[Techie]

Thanks all.  I ended up buying a Maximus and it's a lot quieter than I thought it would be.  Slightly longer barrel and slightly less power than a Discovery, so I assume quieter than a Discovery.  I see no need for a moderator or hearing protection with the Maximus unless shooting indoors.

[Rob M]

jeez, in the army we used to argue if 5.56 required hearing protection ..

[Techie]

jeez, in the army we used to argue if 5.56 required hearing protection ..

Eh?  What'd you say?   

[Rob M]

huh???    yes, it was a bravado thing

[KnifeMaker]

Air Force guys never did think Army guys were very smart. Guess we were right! LOL!!!

[Rob M]

hahhahahahaaaa.