What Affects the Accuracy of a Marker?
Accuracy, distance, firing rate, and efficiency are all important in paintball. However, these can not be definitively ranked. Every player is different and values some of these qualities over others. If you’re just starting out, you’ll develop your own preferences as you gain more time on the field. Intermediate or seasoned players will likely have figured out which marker strengths they prefer.
This blog post will focus on accuracy. What aspects of a marker and equipment affect shooting accuracy and how can a player achieve an improvement in this area? Training and practice can only take someone so far. A player can have near perfect aim nine times out of ten, but still end up a missing the target. Why? Poor quality barrels or paintballs are probably to blame. Check out how these could be holding you back:
Barrel Length
The length of the barrel is at the top of the list when a marker’s accuracy is determined. Stock markers tend to come with a barrel length of 8.5 inches. Upgrading to a longer barrel will bring increased accuracy simply because it will be easier to aim.
However, barrels that are too long will bring some drawbacks as well. A barrel length between 12 and 16 inches is ideal for improved accuracy and minimum negative effects. Anything above 16 inches will of course have fantastic accuracy, but a lot of potential drawbacks as well. It’s up to the player to decide if these are worth it.
Potential drawbacks of using a barrel above 16 inches:
- Decreased distance
- Increased processing time
- Increased contact between paintball and barrel
- Higher potential for frozen or shattered paintballs in cold temperatures
- Increased mass of marker, adding weight or making it more difficult to hide
Barrel Bore Size
The bore size of a barrel is another factor that affects accuracy. A stock barrel usually has a bore size of .690 and decreasing the size will result in better accuracy. It is recommended to start by modifying to a .688 bore size and gradually decrease from there, depending on preference.
The easiest way to do this is to purchase a barrel kit that offers modifications of many different bore sizes, ranging from .675 to .691. Note that paintball size used with the modified barrel may need to be adjusted along with bore size for maximum accuracy.
Barrel Cleanliness
How well the inside of the barrel is maintained could have an effect on accuracy as well. Over time, paint, mud, dirt and oil can accumulate inside the barrel and slow down the operation, resulting in decreased accuracy.
Make sure to remove the barrel and clean it occasionally in order to prevent this. Use a squeegee and some water, then wipe it with a dry towel. Polish with a very light coat of oil and allow it to completely dry before reassembling. Do not use soap, chemical cleansers or abrasive wash cloths.
Paintball Quality
In addition to the quality and modifications of the barrel, the chosen paintballs have a big impact on the accuracy of the marker. The use of high quality paintballs results in a much higher accuracy. It may cost a bit more to purchase a higher quality brand, but it will be worth the investment if accuracy is your goal.
The reason this works is because better quality paintballs contain a much more dense material that fills the entire space inside the shell. Cheaper paintballs are often only filled partially or filled with a material that leaves room for air bubbles. This then can cause the filler to settle to one side and the ball to curve in that direction from the weight.
Paintball Size
Lastly, if ultimate accuracy is the goal, it is very important that the paintball size is chosen to match the bore size perfectly. If the paintballs are too small, they will move around freely inside the barrel and potentially shoot off in all different directions. If the paintballs are too big, they could get stuck in the barrel and slow down operation or eventually shatter.
To find out if the paintballs match the bore size, try dropping one vertically down the barrel. It should stop up inside, but become easily dislodged with a light blow of air.
Think about all of these factors when shooting for a higher accuracy with your marker. Make sure to find the perfect barrel length for your playing style and keep the inside clean and polished. Choose a high quality paint that fits the bore size properly. All of this combined with some practice and skill, and your marker is sure to be extremely accurate.
Play note – sometime facilities require a certain kind of paintball, our “house paint”. They might also check yoru marker for certain industry standards , such as fire rate and power. investigate your play field to determine if your marker is appropriate.
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