2013-11-04 / 20:38 UTC GMT +00:00
One item that will contribute to the overall accuracy formula of any AEG/GBB/BAR/Pistol is the barrel.
Inner barrel diameter, material used to make the barrel and length of the barrel are some of the contributing factors that can improve accuracy in your Airsoft rifle.
Barrel length.
When it comes to barrel length, longer is more accurate right?????? WRONG. All the research that I have done has indicated that AK length inner barrels (roughly 18â€) have the best accuracy to length ratio. Now I know that is a bold statement and people will not agree with me but from experience I have found that barrels in the rough area of 18’’ are the most accurate. Just make sure you match your barrel length to the correct cylinder to get the proper air volume mix. (Read my post on cylinders if you don’t understand)
My test AEG was a Magpul PTS Masada running a full length cylinder. I had 3 barrel lengths that I tested for not only 400FPS but 450FPS DMR.
Inner barrels were all Prometheus 6.03 stainless steel barrels (roughly $70-$100+ each)
318mm
380mm
469mm
After gaming each barrel multiple times, I found the 380mm inner barrel to be most accurate out of the 3 test barrels. (using the same hop up rubber)
BB’s used were BB BASTARD .28’s
I found that the 469mm barrel just couldn’t reach out and touch someone at extended ranges. The bb’s almost appeared to gently float out of the barrel. Since then I sold the 469mm inner barrel and to this day I still use my CQB and carbine length barrels in game.
Barrel material.
When the piston is released and it slams into your cylinder head a lot of vibration is reverberated throughout your AEG. Stiffer and harder materials in your inner barrel will improve your accuracy because less vibrations will travel down your inner barrel. Understand, this is something that might improve your accuracy slightly. It’s not going to be the difference between making that 200FT one shot hit or not.
I have seen inner barrels that are made from aluminum, brass or stainless steel. I have had a lot of success from stainless steel inner barrels that all my current AEG,GBB and BAR setups have.
Barrel inner diameter.
There are a lot of different inner barrel diameters. And there is a lot of talk as to what diameter is considered the best for accuracy and range. We all know that the most common Airsoft bb is 6mm in diameter. But most BB manufacturers hold their diameter tolerance at 5.95mm + or – 0.01mm. It should go without saying that you can’t shoot a 5.95mm bb out of a 5.94mm inner barrel, the bb will jam.
Some inner barrel diameters I have seen in the past range from:
5.98mm
6.01mm
6.02mm
6.03mm
6.04mm
6.05mm
6.08mm
6.23mm
Keep in mind that tighter barrels will yield higher FPS since more air is pushing on the bb and not blowing out the sides of the bb itself. Tighter barrels will require frequent cleaning because any spec of dirt or debris can cause jamming in your barrel.
The newest thing on the market is wide bore barrels. Back in the day tight bore barrels were all the rage. 6.01.6.02 and 6.03 barrels were considered the more accurate of barrels. Now there are companies marketing that their 6.08 and even 6.23 barrels will yield better accuracy than tight bore barrels. Their theory is that with a wider barrel the bb will ride a cloud of air out your barrel not making contact with the inner surface of you barrel. And that tight bore barrels causes the bb to rattle inside your barrel before it exits.
Wide bore barrels will yield slower fps because more air will escape around the bb rather than pushing the bb behind it.
I am a firm believer of Prometheus 6.03 stainless steel barrels and PDI 6.01 stainless barrels. Thus far I own 3 Prommies and 2 PDI barrels. I find that the 6.03 inner barrels gives me plenty of range and accuracy. But of course each barrel will work differently with each setup so it’s up to the user to see what will give you the best performance.
If you have any questions please post away.
Inner barrel diameter, material used to make the barrel and length of the barrel are some of the contributing factors that can improve accuracy in your Airsoft rifle.
Barrel length.
When it comes to barrel length, longer is more accurate right?????? WRONG. All the research that I have done has indicated that AK length inner barrels (roughly 18â€) have the best accuracy to length ratio. Now I know that is a bold statement and people will not agree with me but from experience I have found that barrels in the rough area of 18’’ are the most accurate. Just make sure you match your barrel length to the correct cylinder to get the proper air volume mix. (Read my post on cylinders if you don’t understand)
My test AEG was a Magpul PTS Masada running a full length cylinder. I had 3 barrel lengths that I tested for not only 400FPS but 450FPS DMR.
Inner barrels were all Prometheus 6.03 stainless steel barrels (roughly $70-$100+ each)
318mm
380mm
469mm
After gaming each barrel multiple times, I found the 380mm inner barrel to be most accurate out of the 3 test barrels. (using the same hop up rubber)
BB’s used were BB BASTARD .28’s
I found that the 469mm barrel just couldn’t reach out and touch someone at extended ranges. The bb’s almost appeared to gently float out of the barrel. Since then I sold the 469mm inner barrel and to this day I still use my CQB and carbine length barrels in game.
Barrel material.
When the piston is released and it slams into your cylinder head a lot of vibration is reverberated throughout your AEG. Stiffer and harder materials in your inner barrel will improve your accuracy because less vibrations will travel down your inner barrel. Understand, this is something that might improve your accuracy slightly. It’s not going to be the difference between making that 200FT one shot hit or not.
I have seen inner barrels that are made from aluminum, brass or stainless steel. I have had a lot of success from stainless steel inner barrels that all my current AEG,GBB and BAR setups have.
Barrel inner diameter.
There are a lot of different inner barrel diameters. And there is a lot of talk as to what diameter is considered the best for accuracy and range. We all know that the most common Airsoft bb is 6mm in diameter. But most BB manufacturers hold their diameter tolerance at 5.95mm + or – 0.01mm. It should go without saying that you can’t shoot a 5.95mm bb out of a 5.94mm inner barrel, the bb will jam.
Some inner barrel diameters I have seen in the past range from:
5.98mm
6.01mm
6.02mm
6.03mm
6.04mm
6.05mm
6.08mm
6.23mm
Keep in mind that tighter barrels will yield higher FPS since more air is pushing on the bb and not blowing out the sides of the bb itself. Tighter barrels will require frequent cleaning because any spec of dirt or debris can cause jamming in your barrel.
The newest thing on the market is wide bore barrels. Back in the day tight bore barrels were all the rage. 6.01.6.02 and 6.03 barrels were considered the more accurate of barrels. Now there are companies marketing that their 6.08 and even 6.23 barrels will yield better accuracy than tight bore barrels. Their theory is that with a wider barrel the bb will ride a cloud of air out your barrel not making contact with the inner surface of you barrel. And that tight bore barrels causes the bb to rattle inside your barrel before it exits.
Wide bore barrels will yield slower fps because more air will escape around the bb rather than pushing the bb behind it.
I am a firm believer of Prometheus 6.03 stainless steel barrels and PDI 6.01 stainless barrels. Thus far I own 3 Prommies and 2 PDI barrels. I find that the 6.03 inner barrels gives me plenty of range and accuracy. But of course each barrel will work differently with each setup so it’s up to the user to see what will give you the best performance.
If you have any questions please post away.