68/3000 vs 68/4500 tanks

I just had a question about the tanks PSI.

The places I go to (local field, few fields in SC and Camp Blanding Nightmare City Scenerio) seem to have problems filling 4500 bottles to their capacity and I see them fill it to 3000psi.

A friend of mine was telling me that even though you have a 4500psi bottle filled to 3000psi, you still get more shots then if you had a 3000psi bottle.   I am having problems seeing how this is true.  Is it?  Or is he just blowing smoke?

I am looking at upgrading my 48/3000 (bought when I was had limited $$$ and it was under $70) to a 68/3000, but am also looking at the 68/4500's but they are kinda costly and if I can't get it filled to capicity most of the time it seems like a waste.

Edited by Klink

Sorry, it double posted for some reason

See below

Edited by Klink

That is not true a 68/30 and a 68/45 filled to the same PSI will get the same shots per tank. Its simple physics.

3K is 3K.  You will only get the same amount of shots. You do not have to get your bottle filled at the field. Check around to see who else fills them. If you have a full 4500 and 3K tank you should not need refilled at the field.

If you have the money, and are older than say 13 or so, I suggest the 4500. I say this because the tanks are good for what 10-15 years? At some point in the tanks lifetime the field near you will be able to fill to 4500, or you'll move and a field there will be able to fill it.

Monk wrote: Unicorn wrote: tanks are good for what 10-15 years? I always thought that you had to get them rehydroed every 2-3 years.

You have to get most HPA tanks re-hydroed every 3-5 years. The composite/fiberglass wrapped bottles have a limited life span of 15 years. After 15 years the bottle is no longer able to be re-certified and must be placed out of service (i.e.destroyed).
Steel tanks are lifetime tanks and can be re-tested and certified every 5 years, until they no longer pass hydro.

Klink wrote: I am looking at upgrading my 48/3000 (bought when I was had limited $$$ and it was under $70) to a 68/3000, but am also looking at the 68/4500's but they are kinda costly and if I can't get it filled to capicity most of the time it seems like a waste.

For $10 more you can get a Pure Energy 72/3000, I jus received mine last week from these guys http://www.firstcallpaintball.com/pages-productinfo/category -709_739_727/product-812/paintball-tanks-nitro-pmi-piranha-p ure-energy-72ci-3000-psi.html?zenid=1f05783384c58b323d3deb4d 67b3d038