Good morning,

I did a search through the forums looking for a bit of help on this topic but only found some scattered info, so I though I would create the topic.

I’ve only been playing three weeks and run a 98c stock, with the only upgrades being a double trigger, and a new 16’ smartparts progressive barrel. The field I play at has a general and advanced class. Because I didn’t wanted to spend hundreds of dollars on upgrades and most upgrades kick you into the advanced class I’m trying to keep my gun as stock as possible. Ie…no compressed air, nitro, electronic anything….

Here’s the problem….I went through about ¾ of a case of the best paint I could find (please see the topic on my paintball to barrel test http://www.tippmann.com/players/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=115615&PN=2 - http://www.tippmann.com/players/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp ?TID=115615&PN=2 ) and chopped 2-3 balls. One was really bad and contaminated most of the balls in the hopper. I’ve never had a barrel break. The other chops weren’t has bad.

The day before was about the same count, 2-3 chops, no barrel breaks and I used one case of paint again high quality rps marbleizers.

So here’s a simple question. What do you think is the #1 cause of a chopped ball? Pulling the trigger to fast for a standard hopper to feed? A bad front bolt? Paint? etc.

You could be having chopping problems for a couple different reasons.

1) bad paint to barrel bore match

2) Velocity is to high

3) bad quality paint or paint that had been sitting around to long

4) colder weather can cause paint breaks

5) Your hopper isn't feeding fast enough.

ScarFace22 wrote: You could be having chopping problems for a couple different reasons. 1) bad paint to barrel bore match 2) Velocity is to high 3) bad quality paint or paint that had been sitting around to long 4) colder weather can cause paint breaks 5) Your hopper isn't feeding fast enough.

Well in my case the paint to barrel match was the best I could find (see my other post) but the ball was being chopped to the paint barrel match doesn't matter. Velocity was around 250-270 yesterday and near 280-289 the day before, so that isn't it. I was using great paint and it was 65 deg....so I have to assume Hopper feeding is the main cause at this point.

adrenalinejunky wrote: the hopper is most likely your problem, standard hoppers are very inconsisent, you wouldn't necessarily have to being going that fast for it to cause that, a minor jam and the ball could be late even at low BPS rates. it could just be anomolies as well, 2-3 out of 1500 isn't that bad, and while marbs do have a decently thick shell, they are specified for low breech pressures by RPS.

Great info. I didn't think 2-3 was really bad...but I wanted to hear what the experienced players were getting. Funny thing you mentioned the RPS for low pressure, I saw that noted on there website and called them. I was told I could shoot it in my 98c without problems. I'm going to try another paint and see if the numbers stay the same.

Last sat. I put 2000 rounds of Draxxus Blaze into my 03 vert feed autococker with Evolution II hopper. I did not have a singe ball chopped or a barrel break. The balls were in great condition with very few minor flaws, and were a perfect size for my barrel. Then I put through 1000 of my friend's PMI Menace, I think it was. These balls were to small small for my barrel and had many flaws. Still i did not have a single ball break or be chopped. Keep in mind that i have never chopper or broken a ball before, not even in my 98c(Which I did not shoot that much before i sold it to my friend, who has yet to break or chop a ball in it.)

I hope this data helps in your on going search to find the cause of ball breaks and chops in your gun. We all know you want to solve this problem. All i can say is that I think it is your hopper. you may or maynot be out shooting your hopper but that the balls are being delayed from entering the feedneck and enter the breach at a later end of your fireing cycle and being chopped. Try sanding down the inner walls of your feedneck in your hopper or buy a electronic hopper.