Sniper vs Flatline
Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: Paintball Equipment
Forum Name: Upgrades and Customizing
Forum Description: Trick it out!
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=171669
Printed Date: 02 January 2026 at 11:30pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Sniper vs Flatline
Posted By: Jockamo
Subject: Sniper vs Flatline
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 10:30pm
| What barrel would be best a sniper barrel(16") or a flatline barrel? Need info. |
Replies:
Posted By: Snake6
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 10:32pm
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What is your style of play? Front, mid, back?
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Posted By: Jockamo
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 10:34pm
| I have only played once. We good out in the woods with our quads sometimes, what would best best for that. |
Posted By: Jockamo
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 10:37pm
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Is there a significant defference between the two? I checked on ebay and the sniper barrel is half the price of the flatline. |
Posted By: Brainless
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 10:51pm
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If you want to be accurate, you have to get in close. If you want to fire "lucky shots" from across the field, hoping one or two out of a few will hit, go with the Flatline. But do some research to find what paintballs players like to use with their Flatline barrel (check pbreviews.com, search for Flatline barrel, look for recommended paintballs in the reviews). They call the other barrel a "Sniper" barrel to attract mil-sim players. A longer barrel is not what improves accuracy or range. I call long barrels "Peekaboo" barrels because you can poke around air-filled bunkers with them easier, which is their main benefit. If you want an accurate barrel, try Palmer Pursuit Shop's Vented Brass Barrel. They can coat it black so it doesn't shine. Other people recommend J&J, Freak, Deadly Winds (not sure if they make Tippmann barrels). Good luck to you. Look at lots of reviews before ordering anything paintball. Only a Flatline barrel (and the Apex) can improve projectile distance if those are what you are looking for. ------------- 98 Custom Inline Stabilizer Lapco Bigshot Low Pressure Kit |
Posted By: Snake6
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 10:53pm
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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. -------------
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Posted By: Jockamo
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 10:56pm
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I'm just asking which one is more accurate |
Posted By: Snake6
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 11:04pm
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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 -------------
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Posted By: sinisterNorth
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 11:04pm
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At a constant velocity with good shooting conditions, it will depend on the paint. If the paint matches the bore well, you'll get better accuracy.
------------- Pumpker'd; (V.) When a pump player runs up and shoots you at point blank range because you thought 20bps made you good. |
Posted By: Brainless
Date Posted: 23 November 2007 at 11:09pm
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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). ------------- 98 Custom Inline Stabilizer Lapco Bigshot Low Pressure Kit |
Posted By: thejudge
Date Posted: 24 November 2007 at 12:17am
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For accuracy go with a J&J or a lapco. for range go with a flatline. its that simple. ------------- Stay low, run fast, and hope that paintball doesn't hit your... http://www.deltasquad.info/"> 
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Posted By: the_skdster
Date Posted: 24 November 2007 at 11:29am
 ------------- ~OTKer_4_Life~ The Gear A-5 ShinyInternals E-Grip w/WAS APEX PalmersStabilizer MP5CollapsableStock RemoteLine 42mmRedDotSight TacCap WarsensorTacticalVest |
the_skdster wrote:Posted By: carl_the_sniper
Date Posted: 24 November 2007 at 5:41pm
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I wouldn't do either.
The J&J ceramic/lapco bigshot barrels are both superrior to the sniper and comparable in price. The apex is better, and cheaper than the flatline. ------------- <just say no to unnecessarily sexualized sigs> |
Posted By: SSOK
Date Posted: 26 November 2007 at 6:06pm
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Those are your two best bets. There are other barrels too. Most barrels are better than the stock barrel, but there are better ones. ------------- 
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Posted By: born2ride
Date Posted: 28 November 2007 at 12:52pm
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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.
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Posted By: carl_the_sniper
Date Posted: 28 November 2007 at 1:26pm
Otherwise, agreed. ------------- <just say no to unnecessarily sexualized sigs> |
Posted By: thejudge
Date Posted: 28 November 2007 at 2:51pm
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and if you want something that can use just about any paint get an edge kit from J&J. Any bore size you will need is there.
------------- Stay low, run fast, and hope that paintball doesn't hit your... http://www.deltasquad.info/">
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