This thread was made to dispell any misconcieved notions about barrels in paintball and what different variables, when presented, will do to them and to the flight of the paintball that they emit.
Good, now that I have you confused, I'll begin:
Paintball markers were never meant to be dead-on accurate. In fact, it's physically and scientifically impossible to make a paintball as accurate as a bullet, not only because of it's round shape and arced trajectory, but also because of it's low mass/weight. To add to that, even the best of nitrogen systems will never have dead-on efficiency, such as a chrono reading of 285, 285, 285, 285, 285, 285, etc. It will always vary by 2-3 FPS at the very least, so the ball will never fly perfectly or like the ball before it every shot. Now, on to a few misconceptions. Scientifically speaking, the longer the barrel the LESS distance and the LESS accuracy, contrary to popular belief. The reason for this is that drag = deceleration, and deceleration = larger arc and less distance. Scientifically speaking again, the optimum barrel length is 10"-12", as that is the best length for efficiency, accuracy, and distance. Actually though, anything above 6" is going to be relatively the same. The length of the barrel matters quite a bit in one-stage or one-piece barrels (like many of the low cost options today), but in two-piece stepped-bored barrels, it doesn't matter that much. Personally, I never go past 14", but many people find a 16" barrel to be great for Sup'Air or Hyperball to push into the bunker or the bunker grooves.
Anyways, if you have questions, please ask and I'll answer to the best of my ability.
Mike
*Note* I made this thread for two purposes: one, to help with any misconceptions about barrel accuracy, range, etc., and two, to make sure that people don't keep posting those damned "which barrel do I buy?" threads. Please...for the love of god. Don't post anymore of those threads after this one. I'll even pay you not to.
Good, now that I have you confused, I'll begin:
Paintball markers were never meant to be dead-on accurate. In fact, it's physically and scientifically impossible to make a paintball as accurate as a bullet, not only because of it's round shape and arced trajectory, but also because of it's low mass/weight. To add to that, even the best of nitrogen systems will never have dead-on efficiency, such as a chrono reading of 285, 285, 285, 285, 285, 285, etc. It will always vary by 2-3 FPS at the very least, so the ball will never fly perfectly or like the ball before it every shot. Now, on to a few misconceptions. Scientifically speaking, the longer the barrel the LESS distance and the LESS accuracy, contrary to popular belief. The reason for this is that drag = deceleration, and deceleration = larger arc and less distance. Scientifically speaking again, the optimum barrel length is 10"-12", as that is the best length for efficiency, accuracy, and distance. Actually though, anything above 6" is going to be relatively the same. The length of the barrel matters quite a bit in one-stage or one-piece barrels (like many of the low cost options today), but in two-piece stepped-bored barrels, it doesn't matter that much. Personally, I never go past 14", but many people find a 16" barrel to be great for Sup'Air or Hyperball to push into the bunker or the bunker grooves.
Anyways, if you have questions, please ask and I'll answer to the best of my ability.
Mike
*Note* I made this thread for two purposes: one, to help with any misconceptions about barrel accuracy, range, etc., and two, to make sure that people don't keep posting those damned "which barrel do I buy?" threads. Please...for the love of god. Don't post anymore of those threads after this one. I'll even pay you not to.
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