Upgrades and Customizing - Best X7 Phenom Barrel

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Best X7 Phenom Barrel

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=187412
Printed Date: 16 February 2026 at 8:06am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Best X7 Phenom Barrel

Posted By: McG
Subject: Best X7 Phenom Barrel
Date Posted: 27 December 2010 at 1:40am

I'm pleased to announce that I'm a proud owner of a brand new Tippmann X7 Phenom Electro. With some of my christmas cash, I plan on purchasing a barrel. I'm mainly looking at the Flatline, the Straightline, and possibly a Hammerhead Bang Stikxx 16 inch, 5 fin kit.

I've got the Flatline on my 98, and to be frank, I'm not a huge fan of it. I've only used it in-game once, and I chopped a lot of paint, and my balls weren't shooting straight, even after I adjusted velocity, and got the flatline perfectly aligned. I meticulously set it up perfectly, and it didn't want to work. I was using okay paint, about $40/case. Hard shell, small bore (about .675 according to my micrometer), minimal seam. I've heard better things about the X7 Flatline though.

The straightline and hammerhead are more unknown to me. All I know is the rifling, and that the straightline is made by hammerhead for tippmann. I want to know more about these, hear more reviews. What's the range compared to the flatline? How accurate are these actually? How often do they break? Is it worth the cost?

And if there other barrels out there you think I should buy, I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

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Tippmann X7 Phenom

Tippmann 98 Custom
Modded out to the Max

Replies:

Posted By: Uber J
Date Posted: 27 December 2010 at 1:35pm

I would definately recommend the straightline or hammerhead system, especially after what you have experienced with the flatline before. The only difference, besides cosmetics, between the 98 and Phenom flatline is the overall lenfth and adapters. Both are finnicky on paint and accuracy. The straightline is for all purposes the exact same as the hammerhead barrel, both have rifiling but in my experience doesnt do anything. The most important aspect of these barrels as with any other barrel system is the interchangeable backs (fins). Because of this you can match any paint to your barrel for overall better accuracy, air efficiency, and less paint breakage. If you are willing to look at other barrel systems i would also recommend the freak barrel system by smart parts or ultralite barrels by dye. The freak barrel system should be fairly cheap seeing as its a smart parts item and they have recently filed bankruptcy, the ulralite barrels on the other hand are very expensive (unless you find them used) but you also get a very good barrel. hope this helps.

Posted By: McG
Date Posted: 27 December 2010 at 3:53pm

I figured they were the same. I figured the rifling wouldn't work as well as they try to say it does.

I hear those tend to chop a lot of paint from the seam between the back and front pieces of the barrel. I was looking into the J&J Ceramic kits too.

I like the idea of the flatline so much, that it makes me want to buy it. I like having more range than other players. But it sucks when it doesn't work.

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Tippmann X7 Phenom

Tippmann 98 Custom
Modded out to the Max