.50 Poll - the future

[Flatliner333]

Has everyone noticed who voted in the first selection?

[Ratt]

Has everyone noticed who voted in the first selection?

Wow...I did NOT see that coming...

[Enemy]

the big thing will be in tournament pb if smartparts can convince a seires to only allow for .50 cal than .68 is done, that will be the tell all.

[greensplash]

yes if 50 cal takes over im sure many people on this site will be done with paintball seeing as how will any mag work


theres a petition on pbn odd place but they have alot of people pushing against it

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=3227066

[Skoad]

I have been out of the game for a long time. What is this .50 all about? Are there any realistic advantages backed by data? Is it just something the 'industry' wants to change to drive sales back up?

Anyone explain this to me, or direct me to a post or article somewhere would be appreciated.

[Lohman446]

Based on basic formulas if the ball weights 1.5 grams it should be equivilant in flight characteristics to a 2.8gram 68. If it weights less it could be substantially worse (and a few tenths of a gram makes a massive difference) if it weights more it could be better - if it weighs 2.8grams it could be substantially better. However, base computations of equivilant fill show it coming out to something like 1.2 grams. SP (GI MILSIM) has said it is a denser fill - but will not elaborate or cannot. Since noone outside of those hyping it have gotten hands on it, and noone seems willing or able to give weight, noone really knows or can even predict. Going off known factors it looks far inferior (1.2 grams).

[BigEvil]

Yeah yeah I know this is futile - but sign it anyways. They are watching.

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=3227066

[RavishingEddie]

I don't understand why paintball has been so slow to evolutionize the paintball. We have found ways to make markers smaller lighter, more efficient to the point were finding a notable fix is difficult.
We however have not found a way to manufacure a paintball more cost effectively. If Smart Parts or any other company wanted to really put a strangle hold on the competition, they would simply have to find a way to make quality paintballs for say $20.00 a case.

You wanna "evolutionize" paintball? Well then theres your homework!

Now making 50. cal paintballs is really the laziest and most selfish concept I have heard.

Why? Because making a 50. cal instead of a .68 cal is like telling people to drive scooters or motor cycles instead of developing hybrid cars.

Selfish because 50. cal will significantly lower production costs of paintballs, but where is the guarantee that they will share these savings with the consumer? Reference oil companies.

[Reiner]

Is it just something the 'industry' wants to change to drive sales back up?

Anyone explain this to me, or direct me to a post or article somewhere would be appreciated.

.50 cal was an idea brought to us by Richmond Italia. Italia was a bigwig in paintball for a long time and sold out a few years ago and "retired" from the paintball industry. Recently, he has wanted to get back into the paintball industry and .50 cal is his idea (gimick?) to get back in. He's selling it as a way to make paintball cheaper for players, more profit for field and store owners, a multitude of improvements in performance and the ability to have smaller equipment and carry more ammo. The way he's marketing it, it makes you wonder why anyone would ever be oposed. But it is marketing. That's what marketers do, sell people on perceived value and Italia is very good at it. Especially when you consider how he has used the rumor mill to do most of the marketing for him. He's literally got the industry in a buzz and all he did was put out a couple of press releases and granted a couple of interviews. The man is very smart from a business perspective.

It's interesting to watch how some people have been absolutely opposed to the idea dnothers have been behind the concept and both sides argue with passion. All this without any of them having actually seen the new .50 cal paintball. It's quite comical when you think about it.

I Italia has enough supporters now that even if the .50 cal don't measure up to snuff, there will be anough people who are going to want it to succeed, that there will be a market for it.

[Newt]

It wouldn't be all too hard to do a refit for a mag. Basically, we're looking at a new barrel, a breech sizing sleeve, possibly a new sear or sear extender to make up for geometry, and a smaller bolt. The latter is the hardest, since you'll have to mess with the pneumatics of the Lvl-10 bolt.

Over all, I can see how it would make things easier from a manufacturing standpoint. .50 caliber = 0.500". Instead of having to wastefully turn down expensive 3/4" round stock for a .68"+ diameter, you can order 1/2" round stock and you're good to go in many cases.

Still... completely ditching existing technology is a huge pain. I just switched to the mag this past season. I love it and can't see myself buying another marker in the near future.

When you build an industry on a standard like .68 caliber or inches or metric or whatever, it's not easy to change. I remember reading that the solid fuel rocket boosters for the space shuttle were the diameter they were because it's the max width they can fit on a railroad car. Railroads were built to size on existing roads, which were sized for carts, which were standardized by the Romans. The Romans built their roads to fit their chariots, which were standardized on the size of two horses butts. Shaking off a legacy standard is not something the human creature is easily made to do.

I say if we're going to do it, let's just go all out and adopt a metric standard like 25 mm.

[insixdays777]

The follow is a post from Jack Rice of Alienpb. Owner and designer of the Alien paintball markers. www.alienpb.com

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=3228393

"The biggest question is the disance - side line - back to back is not impressive - they said it was shooting 270 but I took my chrono and it was 320 + - 10

I was also told that the rules should be changed so 50 cal is allowed to shot higher speeds because the impact was less, give them an advantage to make things fair.

On the the side I also saw EGO's convert kit and, as I suspected, two sleeves and a new bolt changes it quickly.

From what I saw if you want to play in a smaller area with less impact then 50 cal is good - maybe even for newer players or younger players - so it hurts less - maybe walk on's all play 50 cal so nobody gets over shot - might be really good for the sport overall. But as far as real ballers changing - not from what I saw...my opinion anyway "

First objective eye witness comments I have seen. Looks like GI was fudging on the velocity. Does not surprise me. funny that Jack noticed a distance issue and they where still shooting at 330ish.

This has changed my mind. I fully support .50cal now. Please suckers buy it. I cant wait to shoot you from across the field with my .68cal.

I hate to break it to GI Milsim, but they arnt going to be able to get field standard FPS increased to over 300fps, its just not going to happen. Insurance issues, ASTM issues, enforcement of 2 different calibers at 2 different speeds, not going to happen.

[insixdays777]

Looks like Scott Rice (Jack's son), of alien paintball shot it and was shot by it. He makes a GREAT point that I have not heard yet about it. It is hard to trace the ropes and see the smaller hits from across the field.

http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=3228457

http://www.youtube.com/user/Matteasy7#p/u/2/xYTs0d7JI5o

This looks like the above narrative. Not sure if the guy getting shot is Scott but I am sure it was the same deal/setup. Watch the video, I know it low res, but the balls do become very hard to see after about 75feet.

[LK-13]

newest option in .50 cal paint hoppers for the up and coming field owner?
the all new

"PAY AS YOU PLAY COIN OPERATED HOPPER SYSTEM!!"

avalible in both AGG FLAMING FORUM RED
and TACTICAL BLACK (rails sold separately at outragously inflated prices even though the MAP makes sure we screw the field owner)
signed B. Gardner.

tournament size:


Pump/Limited Rounds Play:


Tactical Black:

[druid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZabfFBZ0bQ&feature=sub

and

http://mcarterbrown.com/50ballistics/

Yes you can argue that lack of chrono showing and other "empirical" testing items were mis-performed [on video] but it shows exactly what I've been saying all along...the .50 cal sucked 20 [well, 15] years ago and it still does.

I rest my case.

[CatoRockwell]

It's foolish to assume that it will flop... I hope it does, but lets face the facts:

1. This time around it has the support of almost all major manufacturers
2. The vast majority of paintball players buy into all the hype out there and will buy what they are told to buy
3. Although the range is what? 10-15 percent shorter, it is almost 50 percent more efficient.
4. Most manufacturer's are making conversion kits for existing markers.
5. It saves companies money on paint. We all know they will end up charging us the same amount, but they'll save a bundle.

Now there is a whole list of disadvantages, which others have been happy to point out, but just trying to be realistic: Most players on this forum are capable of independent thought, but this is a small minority in paintball. For every one of us, there is at the very least 10 players who buy into the hype and for example buy a new Ego every year, or at least wish they could.

Once they Sponsors convince the Speedball teams to adopt it (which is as simple as saying: "you'll play with what we tell you to play with"), it'll all be over from there. I think that 68 will still be around, but I honestly don't think 50 is going away this time.

I honestly haven't shot it personally, and maybe it is neato, I don't think I'd be willing to give up the range, but either way I hope one of the great Tinkerer's on this forum comes up with a conversion kit for the mags, that way I have my options without losing my baby.