Do barrels affect accuracy?

[hitech]

I have tried to include what I think to be the most likely answers. If I haven't included one that is close enough for your opinion please feel free to post your opinion.

Added: In responce to BlackVCG's comments, lets assume that we are only including straight, smooth and round bore barrels.

Another Add: If you think that ANY design feature (see above) of a barrel affects it's accuracy other than making the velocity more consistent please vote Yes. Thanks

Thanks in advance for participating.

[BlackVCG]

I think it's more a combination of things.

-The gun regulator needs to consistently put the same pressure behind the ball.

-The barrel needs to be concentric and round inside, not elliptical like some barrels are.

-The barrel needs to be smooth and have the same surface finish throughout the barrel so the ball doesn't hit spots that create an increase in drag.

-The paint needs to be as spherical as possible and consistent in size.

-The paint to barrel fit needs to be good so the amount of air that flows around the ball is minimal.

Keep in mind we are shooting a "blunt body" object which is not aerodynamically stable and accuracy is still random, but there are factors that can make it worse such as those I previously mentioned.

[hitech]

Originally posted by BlackVCG
Keep in mind we are shooting a "blunt body" object which is not aerodynamically stable and accuracy is still random...

But, did you vote? If not, did my addition make a difference?

I didn't include anything about regs., etc. because this is only about barrels.

[PzYcO]

just for a reference, do you think a 5" barrel will shoot as accurate as a 12" barrel? I dont. But then again, if you go over 12" you are just wasting space.

[TheTramp]

Absolutly! It is one of the many factors that effect accuracy.

[BobTheCow]

Originally posted by BlackVCG
I think it's more a combination of things.

Definitely. I don't wanna vote for just one, but if you changed it to a multiple-choice poll I'd definitely pick that some barrels are better than others, as well as the paint-to-bore size relationship.

[TheTramp]

Originally posted by PzYcO
But then again, if you go over 12" you are just wasting space.

Unless you are using a longer barrel to "work" your bunker. As a back player I would not be able to properly work my bunker and stay tight if I had anything less than a 12" barrel. Personaly I like at least a 14" if not a 16".

Short barrels are for the front guys IMHO.

NOTE: This longer barrel doesn't make me more accurate it just makes to easier to push in air bunkers or stick my barrel through the corrigation on hyperball bunkers.

[�.C.]

I think they do improve accuracy, but I do not believe in the greatness of most of the after market barrels. I do not find a difference between stainless steel and aluminum. I don't find a difference in one piece or two piece. Also I think all of the "higher grade" barrels are just as good as the "lower grade" barrels. From experience I prefer a teardrop rather than a boomstick. Boomsticks, all americans, and all those other "higher grade" barrels perform a tiny bit better if not exactly the same as the "lower grade" barrels. The only thing that really matters is bore sizes and how well honed the barrel is. I don't even find much of an accuracy differance between 14" barrels and 8" barrels. The only difference I find is in range.

Even though I don't believe in the "higher grade" barrels I still like to buy them because they look cool

[shartley]

We all know that a polished barrel shoots farther and more accurate than one that has been anodized or powder coated.

[hitech]

Originally posted by shartley
We all know that a polished barrel shoots farther and more accurate than one that has been anodized or powder coated.

Ah yes, but did you VOTE!

[shartley]

Yup.

[Miscue]

Yes, they do have an effect. If you don't have a barrel, your accuracy will be very very bad.

[SlartyBartFast]

Originally posted by Miscue
Yes, they do have an effect. If you don't have a barrel, your accuracy will be very very bad.

Absolutely the best answer yet!

I voted, but the poll asks about velocity and accuracy. Consistent velocity out of the barrel is the best you can really hope for in paintball. Check deep blue about the forces on a paintball in flight.

But yet again, who cares? Most of the people who are the most vocal about accurate barrels then go and fan their trigger and use bizzare unstable firing positions.

[Vengeance]

I believe that some barrels are made with more love than others (lapco, dye, SP). However, I still believe that paint/barrel match is a key factor to accuracy and consistency.

[hitech]

Originally posted by Miscue
Yes, they do have an effect. If you don't have a barrel, your accuracy will be very very bad.

How 'bout it Miscue, did you vote?

Very cute, BTW. However, I did "cover" that in an added comment!