Sniper vs Flatline

What is your style of play? Front, mid, back?

Is there a significant defference between the two?  I checked on ebay and the sniper barrel is half the price of the flatline. 

Ok, you obviously need a lesson in the physics of paintball.

All paintball markers if chronographed at the same speed shoot the same distance.

The only exception to this rule is barrels that create backspin on the ball, like the flatline and apex. The flatline and apex can shoot balls around 150ft, normal barrels only shoot about 75ft. The disadvantage to the flatline and apex is they only have moderate accuracy a normal ranges. At the max effective range, because the ball travels the same speed as any other ball from any other barrel; the ball is traveling so slow chances are you will not get a break on target. The Flatline/Apex is best used as a suppression barrel. The reason why they are so expensive is because they will give increased range.

The deciding factor for a normal barrel is the accuracy. The finish on the barrel, and bore size are the factors that effect accuracy. Barrel length does not. You only need about 8" of barrel for the ball to stabilize itself in flight. After about 14" you are just wasting extra gas to push the ball down the barrel. You want a barrel that is of medium bore size (.689) so you can use the widest range of paint possible with the best accuracy. You also want a barrel that has a nice finish on the inside.

I would suggest a J&J Ceramic or Lapco Bigshot as both are awesome barrels and they are cheap. Both are bored .689 so you shouldn't have any problems with any type of paint you use.

The sniper barrels are junk. They are nothing but a longer stock barrel with a name slapped on there to make newbs who think they are ub3r 1337 5n1p3rs but them. DO NOT BUY A SNIPER BARREL.


Edited by Snake6 - 23 November 2007 at 10:55pm

Accuracy is determined by paint to bore match and the barrel finish as explained above. So accuracy can be subjective depending on what paint you are using. To get the best accuracy out of a wide range of paints I would go with a barrel kit if you are not on a budget. If you are on a budget, I would check out the Lapco Bigshot, or J&J Ceramic.

Check out these links:

http://ottersccustoms.com/paintc.html

http://ottersccustoms.com/borec.html

Yuk, don't limit yourself to either the Flatline or the "Sniper" barrel. Do research on barrels which have the Tippmann threads you need (98? A-5? etc.).

If I had to go with either a Flatline or a "Sniper," I'd go with a Flatline to be unique... be disappointed with it... and buy a barrel from another company (probably Palmer's Pursuit Shop).

the_skdster wrote: For accuracy go with a J&J or a lapco.  for range go with a APEX.  its that simple.

Edited by the_skdster - 24 November 2007 at 11:31am

the_skdster wrote: the_skdster wrote: For accuracy go with a J&J or a lapco.  for range go with a APEX.  its that simple.

Those are your two best bets. There are other barrels too. Most barrels are better than the stock barrel, but there are better ones.

born2ride wrote: cutom 98 with etrigger and cyclone feed on gun i had a chance to compare a sniper barrel was not to impressed with it. i think the stock barrel was just as good. the distance was the same and accuracy was about equal. i know the paint i was using was so so stuff. by  know means am i an expert. i have just been playing for a year. i would really like to see a barrell that stands out from the rest.that can use differnet paint and be effective.

Distance will be the same with any straight barrel.

Otherwise, agreed.