Posted by: Spitzer on February 12, 2003 at 20:48:24

Sorry Hare, don't need to go back to school to stand by my opinion. I've played with rifled barrels before (both paintball and real firearms) and they just don't work with paintballs. In case you're wondering what kind fo rifle I shoot, it's an Anschutz match rifle. Sniper Bob, sorry for the brief reply earlier. I was in a rush. Didn't want you to make a bad decision. The reason why you put rifling in a firearm barrel is for projectile stability. Note that a bullet also has a tapered head for a lower ballistic coefficient. As the bullet spins, it parts the air (much like a drill bit) as opposed to pushing it aside. Putting a spin on a bullet also keeps the bullet straight because of centrifugal force (I think it's centrifugal). It matters for a bullet because it's designed for penetration, but a paintball is round and doesn't have a "pointy end first" consideration. A paintball is nice and round. Unless it's given a tapered head of some sort, rifling won't help increase accuracy. The closest thing one can do to make a paintball travel further and truer is to either impart a backspin on it (as in with the flatline barrel or mag z-body), or put dimpling in it like a golf ball. A super smooth barrel (such as J&J ceramic) will also help by reducing the possibility of a spin being induced. The only way I can imagine rifling helping a paintball is if it's spinning so fast that it's spinning the air aside with it's non-existant point... but then again, a paintball is only travelling at 300 fps and I doubt you can get alot of spins at 300 fps barrel velocity. My suggestion? Get a Dye Boomstick (if you can). There's a reason why all the pros use this barrel. And Hare, unless you provide me shot group data comparing a rifled barrel to a smooth bore, I'm still going to say that rifled barrels were hyped up and are useless for paintball. Also, since you were rude in your response, I'm going to say that you've been suckered by the manufacturers hype and advertisements and that it's only your imagination that you're shooting tighter groups. If you can provide me with valid shot group data, I'll take back everything I've said. And a final note to everyone, do your own research before you buy anything. Having a little bit of skepticism will save you money and grief in the long run. I only trust ppl that I know are very experienced, such as Bill Mills and Tom Sparkman. Spitzer

Follow Ups: Re: Aww come on Hare... that's cold man... bocasean 02:33:03 02/13/03 (1) Thanks for clarifying Spitzer 10:52:50 02/13/03 (0) Actually... Spitzer 21:00:02 02/12/03 (5) Re: Actually... hipboyscott 21:09:21 02/12/03 (4) yes, egg shaped would be better Spitzer 23:26:57 02/12/03 (3) Spin, shell verses paint Jason "Zippy" Finnie 11:26:07 02/13/03 (2) A few considerations Spitzer 15:02:05 02/13/03 (1) Re: A few considerations Tom Sparkman 15:17:45 02/13/03 (0) Post a Followup Show your name as: DefaultRealnameBothNickname E-Mail address (eg: joeschmoe@aol.com): Show your e-mail address? DefaultYesNo Your Password: Don't have a password? CLICK HERE - Forgot your password? CLICK HERE Subject: Subject:Message: : Sorry Hare, don't need to go back to school to stand by my opinion. I've played with rifled barrels before (both paintball and real firearms) and they just don't work with paintballs. In case you're wondering what kind fo rifle I shoot, it's an Anschutz match rifle. : Sniper Bob, sorry for the brief reply earlier. I was in a rush. Didn't want you to make a bad decision. : The reason why you put rifling in a firearm barrel is for projectile stability. Note that a bullet also has a tapered head for a lower ballistic coefficient. As the bullet spins, it parts the air (much like a drill bit) as opposed to pushing it aside. Putting a spin on a bullet also keeps the bullet straight because of centrifugal force (I think it's centrifugal). It matters for a bullet because it's designed for penetration, but a paintball is round and doesn't have a "pointy end first" consideration. : A paintball is nice and round. Unless it's given a tapered head of some sort, rifling won't help increase accuracy. The closest thing one can do to make a paintball travel further and truer is to either impart a backspin on it (as in with the flatline barrel or mag z-body), or put dimpling in it like a golf ball. A super smooth barrel (such as J&J ceramic) will also help by reducing the possibility of a spin being induced. : The only way I can imagine rifling helping a paintball is if it's spinning so fast that it's spinning the air aside with it's non-existant point... but then again, a paintball is only travelling at 300 fps and I doubt you can get alot of spins at 300 fps barrel velocity. : My suggestion? Get a Dye Boomstick (if you can). There's a reason why all the pros use this barrel. : And Hare, unless you provide me shot group data comparing a rifled barrel to a smooth bore, I'm still going to say that rifled barrels were hyped up and are useless for paintball. Also, since you were rude in your response, I'm going to say that you've been suckered by the manufacturers hype and advertisements and that it's only your imagination that you're shooting tighter groups. If you can provide me with valid shot group data, I'll take back everything I've said. : And a final note to everyone, do your own research before you buy anything. Having a little bit of skepticism will save you money and grief in the long run. I only trust ppl that I know are very experienced, such as Bill Mills and Tom Sparkman. : Spitzer [ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ WARPIG Tech Talk - Miscellaneous ]