Bore Size

[can'tthink of1]

Not sure if this is the right area, but oh well.

Over the past year, people have been starting to disclaim that paint to barrel match isn't important as long as you have a good barrel/paint, and the bore size is bigger than the ball.

I've reached a point where I'm ordering a 14" CP barrrel for my twister, an I have a choice between .689, and .693, and I don't know which one to pick.

I've heard that with a bore bigger than the ball, you will get less chops, and will be just as accurate when compared to a bore that is matched to the barrel. (this idea is only for open bolt markers since closed bolt markers need to match bores to prevent rollouts).

So, I am wondering all of your opinions on this idea. And if I should get the .689 or .693, mind you my paint is always around .688-.689

[MasterOfPupets]

It does matter when it comes to consistency. But, if you're only getting 1 bore size, bigger is better due to mis-shaped paint. I'd go .693 if you're only getting one, but a barrel kit is definately a good investment in the end.

[Edwin]

I agree with Master on both accounts. I like a barrel kit as you can match the paint at the field. Since almost every field uses different paint it is a good idea to be able to match the paint. Airsoldier.com has the mac dev kits which are very reasonable. I personally like the Hammerhead Barrel System.

[MasterOfPupets]

I, personally, shoot a freak (actually have 2 full kits now) and couldn't be happier. Say what you want about it or SP, I bought this before most other kits came out (only others were CP and J&J and they were badly overpriced) and it's shot great for me since. Hell, I've had my stainless and blue freak since before I had my tribal (was on a blue pl cocker) and just got lucky that the new one matched.

[usagi_tetsu]

I've been saving up my pennies for Sanchez Machine's SM1 kit. I like how the insert screws into the marker, not floating in the backpiece. I also like how they include a tool for easy removal of the barrel and separation of all the pieces.

Other than my Tribal, though, I almost exclusively shoot Lapco Bigshots in all my Tippy's, and they're .689. They'll take whatever crap paint I happen to be using, and fling it like there's no tomorrow. CP's have good performance that I've seen, so you're good there.

[MasterOfPupets]

If lapco made a kit, that's what I'd use. They don't though. Hell, if they made all the bore sizes they offer in cocker threads I'd just buy all the barrels. But, again, no such luck.

[usagi_tetsu]

Lapco does make a kit, called the Snapshot. Go here (http://www.lapcodirect.com/barrels.htm), then choose autococker, then Snapshot. The kit runs $250.

[CrazyLemurBoy]

You need a good paint to bore match for closed bolts, and it helps drastically with efficiency. Not a good match means balls roll out of your barrel when you tilt them down.

[can'tthink of1]

I don't know guys. I think kits are a waste imo. For what you pay, you could get 2 one piece cp barrels, or a 2 piece cp with 2 backs or something, and save some dolla dolla.

I might just go with the .693, cause I've heard that I'll only loose the ability to clean the barrel with other shots, and you lose a slight amount of efficincy. Hrmmm, but then the pro's are, you don't have to worry about barrel breaks, and you can shoot any size paint.

Hrmmm... I dunno. If only cp made .691 bore 1 pieces.

[CrazyLemurBoy]

For open bolts, go with a big size. Closed bolt almost requires a kit... I'm only offering an educated opinion...

[can'tthink of1]

I figure I'm just going to go with a .689 bore, just because I'm going to be using a 45/4500 tank, so I'm going to need all the efficency I can get. And I only play rec, so its not like my paint changes (byop) so I just shoot the same stuff usually.

[warpedmephisto]

I'm not doubting at all what anyone else here has said, but I shoot just about any kind of paint through my CP .689 a JT .690 and Dye Boomsticks which are .688 and I have never had a problem. I personally don't buy into the paint/barrel match hype but rather just quality paint. If you want to, can't, you can use some of my barrels to help make your decision.

[CrazyLemurBoy]

My idea is use a caliper and average the size of your paint... its your best bet. If not, use barrels and gauge goodness.

[Jakesak]

There are numourous pro teams that use the biggest bore they can. Mostly due to the quick clean out larger bores provide. There is even someone on Bob Long's team that has a .700 barrel, and he swears by it. Personally I use a 14in .693 Hammerhead.

[CrazyLemurBoy]

Dynasty uses .693's on their freaks. They don't bother with the inserts.

[can'tthink of1]

So what does everyone say?

.689 OR .693

Right now I'm thinking I'll go with the .689 for the slightly better efficiency.

[Jakesak]

Depending on when you play also, as today, while reffing, I don't think I saw one person NOT chop and use the Krolon Touch to try to get someone out. A larger bore would help with this and, in theory, make your barrel cleaner, quicker. And to tell you the truth, your efficiency wouldn't suffer so much that you could really tell. But really, it is up to you. If you are going to be shooting the same paint every time, then get the size that matches. If you might use some different paint, tournaments and such, then a larger bore would be better, IMHO.

[can'tthink of1]

I think larger bores wouldn't help clean paint, they would just help to keep it from breaking. Cause if the bore is larger than the paint, then the next ball would be cleaning the barrel out as well as a ball would clean if it was close the the bore size of the barrel. I might be wrong thou.

[Jakesak]

The paintball, as well as the broken paint around the ball, comes out, instead of the paintball pushing out the paint, and more likly to break or curve out the barrel. But this is all theory, as many have tried to test this, but no one has came out with proven results.

[bullschmidt2k3]

The only time I break with my tribal is barrel breaks, and that is seldom and I have a .689 I want to get a .693 or a .691 ( if they make it) I don't think it's that it cleans it out better, but more like the paintball doesn't touch the edges so much and isn't as sensitive to having paint in the barrel...


I'd go with the .693 my self... thats what my next barrel is going to be...

[can'tthink of1]

Hrmmm, see, I'm also having to worry about efficiency somewhat, cause I will be using a 45/4500, that might only be filled to 3k usually. So those few balls might be a real help. I don't know... Hrmmm.

[Jakesak]

Then by all means go for efficiency.

On a side note, I am still trying to get my gun tech to bore out my tribal barrel to .700. I will let you know what happens, if it happens.

[CrazyLemurBoy]

If you really need to hone out your own barrel, but a diamond micro hone and hone em out yourself, its not too hard, if you have the proper machinery to do it.