Determining the weapon producing the highest sound pressure level involves considering various factors, including caliber, barrel length, and propellant type. A howitzer, for instance, generates significant overpressure, while certain large-bore rifles also produce extreme sound levels potentially exceeding those of some artillery pieces. Measuring these levels requires specialized equipment and careful methodology due to the complex nature of blast wave propagation.
Understanding the sound intensity generated by firearms has implications for hearing protection development, noise pollution assessment in military training areas, and civilian safety regulations. Historical development of increasingly powerful weaponry has paralleled advancements in materials science and propellant chemistry, leading to present-day considerations about the acoustic impact of such technology.