I shot one of the barrels from my friend's barrel kit. It was 14 inches long and it added SO much range to my shot. I've never shot so far with my 12 inch.

I have a deal on AO to buy a 10 inch ultralite. Would this barrel be just as accurate as a 12 inch and have just as much range as a 12 inch? And would a 12 inch have as much range as a 14? Or is it just the type of barrel that determines range?(Nothing to do with length)

Darur wrote: Erm, this forum is for gun problems . . .

Thanks Liquid3.

  14" is about the optimum size for a paintball barrel. Try out a few, and remember that just because one may cost more than another doesn't necessarily mean it's better.

Frozen Balls wrote: 10" through 14" yield no noticeable difference in performance.

That's exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks.

Sorry about the wrong forum. I'll choose more carefully next time...

Liquid3 wrote: Hi, I'm going to try and tackle this without getting too technical. In a word Yes, but lenght only increases range and accuracy to a point. That point seems to be around 14" in various studies. After that you are using alot more air to push the ball though the barrel w/ out a significant increase in accuracy or range. Another issue is whats called effective barrel lenght which is the actual lenght that the ball is tightly held and guided by the barrel ( usually only 3-6" in the back of the barrel. After this point the ball is floated out of the barrel by the gas. Where the step occurs you allow gas past the ball and velocity and range are diminished from what they would be if that didn't occur. Another consideration is porting. If the barrel has porting starting  further back on the barrel you will start loosing velocity as soon as the ball reaches this point, reducing range. All this and alot I didn't mention can be summed up to if you want max range get a high quality 14" barrel w/ good tolerances a long effective barrel lenght and porting no more than 1/4 of the barrel lenght. Your difference in range between different barrels is a combination of these factors. This is all just general ballistics which holds true for all firearms. I did leave out a few other issues and all the variables or I would be here all night. Hope this helps.        P.S. Yeah, I know more than you needed. I got carried away, Sorry.

 Thank you.

Distance - absolutely not.  When fired at the same muzzle velocity, any two guns using any two barrels (other than Flatlines and a few other gimmicks) will shoot exactly the same distance.  Period.  End of discussion.

Now, accuracy and effective range - much more difficult question.  :)

I am not aware of ANY proper scientific studies that meaningfully address the effect of different barrel lengths and types on accuracy.  Not one.  There is a fair amount of anecdotal evidence, however, to suggest that quality longer barrels (to a point) are more accurate at longer ranges, resulting in longer effective range.  At short range, however, I think you will find that any two quality barrels will shoot more or less the same.

Heya Boyd- long time no see!

All you need to do it make sure there's 6-8 inches of UNPORTED barrel length, and any length following this should be for porting just to quieten the gun down and not apply too much force to the ball. The 10" UL prolly has too much porting (not just 2" of it) so I'd go with a longer one.

Like mentioned above a few hundred times, range is the same and accuracy is about the same. It's consistency that counts- if you shoot at that guy, will the next shot go there if the gun isn't moved and the wind stays consistent?

Thanks. I think he sold it anyway now. That made me mad cause I was first in line for it but now from hearing this I'm glad I didn't waste 30 bucks. I'll go for a 14 inch because all of the fields at my field are long range. That should give me more accuracy, but take a little more gas, correct? It doesn't matter though. My field gives free air.

try a 14'' dye excel

That 2" could result in quieter operation, dependant on the amount of porting. All you need is 6-8" non-ported, then after that accuracy isn't affected. It also wouldn't consume much more air, and it wouldn't be anything to worry about.

Boydster , your friends barrel kit , could have given you a better paint to barrel match , just as big a factor , if not more , than length !!

^^^^ somebody mentioned 6-8 inches of unported barrel , and then porting for being quiet , thats good advice .

If your looking for a barrel that can be accurate , and want to get a barrel kit , get one with 3 inserts , one for small bore paint (.684-686"), one for medium sized paint(.687-689") , and one for large paint (690-691)