How Far Can A Paintball Gun Shoot? – Paintball Beasts

How Far Can A Paintball Gun Shoot

Although paintball guns are capable of shooting far distances, their effective range is much shorter. The distance covered by a paintball also varies depending on the type of gun and the paintballs used. But exactly, how far can a Paintball Gun shoot?

Before we get to that, let’s first understand the basic terminologies that are used to measure the range of a firearm. It is not simple to provide a simple distance that a paintball will travel. Factors including safe range, effective range, and absolute range must be considered.

So without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Effective Range

The effective range is the farthest distance at which a paintball gun can shoot with precision. The accuracy of your shot diminishes significantly beyond the effective range. Beyond this range, the chances of hitting your target become very slim.

In Paintball, the effective range also refers to the maximum distance at which a paintball will break on impact. In order to break on impact, a paintball is required to hit an object at a certain velocity.

When the paintball reaches the effective range, its momentum is lost and it will likely bounce off instead of breaking on impact. As a result, even if you somehow manage to hit your opponent, it will not appear on your scorecard.

Most paintball guns have an effective range of 100 feet (at 260-280 FPS), which means that you will be able to hit and mark targets with precision up to 100 feet away.

Safe Range

The safe range is the maximum distance at which a paintball gun can shoot without causing any serious injury. As an International Paintball Safety Standard, most paintball guns are capped at around 280-300 FPS. In small fields and indoor games, this limit is further decreased to 260 FPS.

At these velocities, the paintballs will break on impact and without causing any injury and you might be able to achieve a maximum distance of 70-90 yards depending on your marker.

Even at these velocities, a direct hit to a sensitive area can cause serious injuries, especially in close-range combat. That’s why it is better to chronograph your paintball gun to a safe velocity.

Absolute Range

The absolute range is the theoretical maximum distance at which a paintball can travel. In other words, it is the farthest that a paintball can travel without being obstructed by an object or losing momentum.

Paintballs can travel several feet before slowing down to a point where they hit the ground. The absolute range of a paintball gun can vary but most high-end paintball guns can achieve the absolute maximum range of up to 400+ feet.

How to Make Your Paintball Gun Shoot Further

The distance that a paintball gun can shoot varies depending on the type of gun, the size of the paintball, and the velocity at which the paintball is fired. Here are some tips to make your paintball gun shoot further.

1. Increase the Velocity

Velocity is one of the most important factors that determine the range of a paintball gun. The faster the paintball moves, the further it will travel before hitting the ground.

If you want to achieve a longer range, you can crank up the velocity of your paintball gun. The international safety limit of a paintball marker is 300 FPS. However, most fields and tournaments allow a maximum velocity of 280 FPS. Make sure that the velocity of your paintball marker doesn’t exceed the safety limit.

2. Install a Barrel with Backspin

Another way to make your paintball gun shoot further is by installing a barrel with a backspin. Backspin is the action of spinning the paintball on its axis as it leaves the barrel. This effect is done by spiral grooves present inside the barrel which make the ball spin. This gives the paintball extra lift and helps it to travel further distances.

Most high-end barrels come with backspin technology. If you are looking for a barrel that can help you to achieve a longer range, make sure to look for one with backspin technology.

Of course, a backspin barrel will negatively affect the accuracy of your paintball gun. So, it’s probably not suitable for inexperienced paintballers.

3. Using First-Strike Rounds

First-strike rounds are a type of paintball that is designed to travel further distances. Unlike typical paintballs, First-strike rounds are circular at the front and cylindric at the bottom with fins on the tail. These fins are aerodynamic and provide them stability in the air which result in a much better range and accuracy than a typical paintball.

However, First-strike rounds are more expensive than regular paintballs. On top of that, you will also need a First-Strike round-compatible paintball marker to shoot them. So, if you are looking for a way to make your paintball gun shoot further without breaking the bank, this might not be the best option for you.

Final Words – Wrapping it up

To sum it up, the range of a paintball gun depends on various factors such as the type of gun, the size of the paintball, and the velocity. Most paintball guns have an effective range of 100 feet. However, with the right barrel and an increased velocity, you can make your paintball gun shoot further.

Always be aware of your surroundings and make sure not to exceed the safety limits when cranking up the velocity of your paintball gun. With these tips, you can improve your game and take down opponents from a longer distance.

Happy Paintballing!

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