So the guy that doesn't want that added cost, length to barrel, etc. etc.....are crazy? I shoot with both suppressed and unsuppressed rifles and still choose to hunt without one in most cases. Lots of good hearing protection and muzzle devices on the market. Not to mention....even when shooting suppressed, you should still wear hearing protection. Especially if you are at a range with multiple firings in a session.
The writing is on the wall. I'm very glad to say that at the range now, more than half the people there have suppressors. It makes the experience so much nicer for everyone involved. Already, those people that show up with a brake and blow everyone's eardrums out get a bit of side-eye. The ratio will just continue to improve. It's a choice for now, but I expect in a few years when access and price have become more favorable and basically everyone has one, the more "urban" ranges will require them. Because if you're getting closed in on by neighborhoods and keeping the doors open is a struggle, it will be an obvious move to make the range less of a nuisance.
Of course I still wear ear-pro at the range. It makes shooting suppressed sound like a pellet gun. But if you're thinking about putting ear-pro on in the field, you are likely either missing opportunities or losing hearing you'll never get back. Yes, I'll take hearing safe decibel levels all day.
My 5" can is on a rifle with a chopped barrel so it doesn't add length or weight versus the same gun stock.
It's a matter of opinion, for sure, but I do think it's a crazy choice to not hunt with one if you have the means to do so. But it's everyone's prerogative, for now!
