Ideal Barrell

Ok guys I need some help here. Ive been playing for about 2 years now and I think Its time for an upgrade. My and my crew always play in the wooded area around the Sam Houston National Forrest. Im looking for a new barrell. I need suggestions. Im looking for something that will increase my shot, nothing huge just something to give more distance and accuracy. Im using the first marker I bought, An A-5 with no upgrades. The majority of my opponents carry Custom Pro's. Some of the guys have upgraded to J+j Barrells and Ive really noticed the difference. Theyre paint was flying past me and I was Having Trouble getting an accurate shot at that distance. I dont have any knowledge of barrells and was wondering what would be the best choice for my gun. My style is usually run and gun and it seems to work well for me, but I would love to try some sniping. The flatline is a little out of my price range. Any alternative or some info on the flatline would be appreciated.  

Short version:

No barrels, with the exception of the Flatline (F/L) and Apex provide a range advantage.  Standard smoothbore non-backspin barrels will all put paintballs out to approximately the same distance when fired at the same approximate velocity.  The F/L and Apex use differing methods to put a backspin on the paintball; creating a lift effect which flattens the trajectory and increases range.  The price of this increased range is decreased consistency (which affects accuracy) and the chance that the paint won't break at longer ranges.  Consistency is affected because of variables that occur when the spin is imparted to the ball combined with the fact that the longer ranges which are achieved allow these variables and other environmental factors more time to interfere with the flight of the paintball.  Bounces occur more often because while shots from backspin barrels do tend to maintain their velocity better than shots fired from normal barrels there is a point where the spin of the paintball falls below the critical RPMs needed to maintain lift and both velocity and accuracy decrease rapidly at that point.  (However, a small chance of a hit is better than no chance at all.) 

Almost any after-market barrel will prove superior in consistency to the stock barrel.  This improved consistency (the ability of the barrel to duplicate the same effects on the paintballs from shot to shot) translates to increased accuracy once the user becomes familiar with the barrels performance.  Most folks here on the forum will recommend J&J Ceramic or Lapco Bigshot barrels.  Both are outstanding for the price and each has its own unique advantages.

I recommend browsing some of the stickied posts on the forum and doing searches on this subject.  There is a lot more information available on the forum.

Final Note.  The range disadvantage you mentioned in your post could be due to the fact that your opponents are shooting at greater velocities than you are.  What do all of you have your various markers chronographed too?

Edited for clarity.


Edited by Mack - 16 January 2008 at 9:22pm

http://www.p8ntball.be/prodimages/BT/BT-M16Apex-98_Small.jpg

judging by what u said, this will do you nicely

When you get into backspin barrels choice becomes a personal preference issue.  I can't stand the Apex but know folks who really like them.  I am a big fan of the F/L barrel but some people aren't.  When you get into these type of barrels it is best to test before purchase if possible. 

One other thing to consider with the Apex is that modifying the spin on it affects velocity so a marker would need to be rechroned after changing Apex settings.  Because of this, most tournaments and some commercial fields disallow their use.

Lapco >>> all.
Sorry, I had to say it .

A friend of mine has an apex and likes it a lot, but he doesn't use it much any more because he finds it to be more of a hassle then it's worth. If it's between the JJ and the apex, I recommend the JJ. But if it's any barrel, then I recommend the Lapco.

The JJ is really good though. Almost, if not just as accurate as the Lapco (though in my admittedly limited experience, the Lapco is a tad better with respect to accuracy).

What is up with these kids thinking they are ub3r 1337 5n1p3rz? You cannot snipe in piantball, get over it.

Ace_Of_Spades wrote: Snake6 wrote: What is up with these kids thinking they are ub3r 1337 5n1p3rz? You cannot snipe in piantball, get over it.    just shuttup about it on other threads and stay on the one we are discussing, in the meantime, why dont you help this guy out its his second post too, give him a break

No, DO NOT turn this into another sniper debate. You may think that you
are trying to stop another from forming but you are not.

He has allready recieved a ton of advice and his questions have been
answered. If anyone is stopping the flow of advice, it is you.

The second post is just as good as the 500th post to learn the truth about
logic and physics in paintball. It is probably better this way too.

Ace_Of_Spades wrote: carl_the_sniper wrote: Ace_Of_Spades wrote: Snake6 wrote: What is up with these kids thinking they are ub3r 1337 5n1p3rz? You cannot snipe in piantball, get over it.    just shuttup about it on other threads and stay on the one we are discussing, in the meantime, why dont you help this guy out its his second post too, give him a break No, DO NOT turn this into another sniper debate. You may think that you are trying to stop another from forming but you are not. He has allready recieved a ton of advice and his questions have been answered. If anyone is stopping the flow of advice, it is you. The second post is just as good as the 500th post to learn the truth about logic and physics in paintball. It is probably better this way too. for all i know, snake6 could have told him another barrel option, how am i NOT stopping it? i told him to stay off other threads when it comes to the "s" word, i figured hed take some good advice and listen

This reply makes minimal sense.  How would you not know if snake "told him another barrel option?"  After all, you quoted snakes post.

Thanks guys I decided on the JJ 14'' I ordered it today and should have it next week. Thanks again guys. Maybe I should mentioned sharpshooting instead of sniping. I just want better accuracy not a barrel to throw my paint a mile.

What would happen if you threw a apex on a flatline?