Golf Ball Barrel FAQ

squeaks · Posted: 09/12/2007 3:21 AM Post subject:

Okay, so one of the most asked about barrel is the golf ball barrel. Here are some frequently asked questions(and some unfrequent ones too).

Q: Why golf balls?
A: Simple, a golf ball is made for flight. It's already weighted and it's spherical. This is good for us spudders since most of us don't have rifled barrels.

Q: What is a golf ball barrel?
A: It is one of three things, 1 1/2" SDR 21 or two pieces of 2" pipe sleeved into one another. I've also been told that 2" clear or acrylic barrels fit golfballs quite nicely. They also come in "pretty" colors but at a high price.

Q: Does one of the two types of pipe work better?
A: Supposedly the 1 1/2" SDR 21 works better because it is smooth the whole way. When you sleeve the 2" pipe with another piece of 2" pipe there is a small crack left that runs the legnth of the pipe.

Q: Which is cheaper.
A: SDR 21 is cheaper unless you order it from someone online. It costs about $0.50 a foot. Plumbing stores are usually trying to get rid of this stuff.

Q: I can't find SDR 21. Why not?
A: It's one of three things. You may be trying to get it at lowes, home depot, etc. They don't carry squat when it comes to pipe. The people at your local plumbing store may not know what SDR 21 is. Ask them if they have Class 200 pipe Lastly, they may just not have it in your area.

Q: So what exactly is SDR 21
A: SDR 21 is also known as Class 200 pipe. It's called this because every nominal size of pipe in Class 200 is rated to.......guess what? 200 PSI! It is slightly thinner than SCH 40 until you get to 6" pipe, at which point it is thicker. This is why it is sometimes called thinwall pvc. Just remember to find the SDR 21, Class 200, or 200 psi on the pipe before you buy it.

Q: So how well does SDR 21 fit a golf ball?
A: SDR 21 has an ID of 1.7". A golf ball has a diameter of about 1.65 or close there to. If you put it in the barrel it slides with ease but if you put a tissue on the golf ball it is tight.

Q: If SDR 21 isn't rated to as high of a pressure should I not use it in my pneumatic?
A: It is plenty safe unless you are firing above 200 psi. At long legnths the pipe bends. It is a common practice to sleeve it inside 2" sch 80 pvc to make it stiffer and to increase it's pressure rating. 2" sch 80 has an ID of about 1.9" as is the same OD of SDR 21. This is also done with hybrids since SDR 21 isn't rated to the pressures hybrids get to.

Q: Can I breach load golf balls?
A: Yep. You have several options. Use male and female adapters and twist it on, make a homemade bolt or like unto such, or use 2" cam locks. With the cam locks you could sleeve the pipe in 2" sch 80 and use male and female fittings to attach the cam locks or you can epoxy the cam lock onto the pipe. Some filing/sanding is required for this since the cam locks ID is a little too small.

Q: What do I do to sabot the golf ball?
A: Foam, tissue, toilet paper, old rag, etc. Just experiment.

Q: I can't find some locally. Where can I get some?
A: Order some online from someone. Gort, Pimpman, and BC (listed in no particular order) all sell the stuff. It is a bit more expensive though at around $3 a foot.

Thanks and I hope it was informative,
Squeaks