Difference between revisions of "Paintball"
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| − | A '''paintball''' is a small hollow sphere filled with a non-toxic, washable 'paint'. They are designed to splatter upon impact.<br> | + | A '''paintball''' is a small hollow sphere filled with a non-toxic, washable 'paint'. They are designed to splatter upon impact and typically have a .68 caliber size. <br> |
| − | They are commonly available for the game of paintball, and they are round and have a fairly uniform mass - generally good for accuracy in smoothbore | + | They are commonly available for the game of paintball, and they are round and have a fairly uniform mass - generally good for [[spudgun accuracy|accuracy]] in smoothbore [[barrel]]s. |
== Aerodynamics == | == Aerodynamics == | ||
Paintballs are assumed to have a Cd of about .5, as they are smooth spheres.<br> | Paintballs are assumed to have a Cd of about .5, as they are smooth spheres.<br> | ||
| − | They may be launched out of a curved barrel to increase range via the Magnus effect (the same at work in [[hop-up]] devices. | + | They may be launched out of a curved barrel to increase range via the Magnus effect (the same at work in [[hop-up]] devices). |
== Use and target performance == | == Use and target performance == | ||
| − | Paintballs are typically launched out of 3/4" CPVC, as that is the most commonly available that pipe that is a close match for their diameter. Some prefer 3/4" sch 80, and the ultimate is recognized as being 3/4" sch 120, although this pipe is extremely hard to find and not commonly used. | + | Paintballs are typically launched out of 3/4" CPVC, as that is the most commonly available that pipe that is a close match for their diameter. Some prefer 3/4" sch 80 [[PVC pipe]], and the ultimate is recognized as being 3/4" sch 120 PVC pipe, although this pipe is extremely hard to find and not commonly used. |
Sch 120 barrels are thicker and are a tighter fit, [http://forums.spudtech.com/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=2772 decreasing sag and increasing velocity]. | Sch 120 barrels are thicker and are a tighter fit, [http://forums.spudtech.com/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=2772 decreasing sag and increasing velocity]. | ||
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* A twig, a paintball typically ruptures. | * A twig, a paintball typically ruptures. | ||
| − | * A water-filled milk jug, a paintball typically ruptures. | + | * A water-filled milk jug, a paintball typically ruptures and may pierce the jug. |
* A tree, a paintball ruptures. | * A tree, a paintball ruptures. | ||
* A rock, a paintball ruptures. | * A rock, a paintball ruptures. | ||
| + | * A person, a paintball typically ruptures, resulting in laughter (or serious injury - see below!). | ||
| − | Due to their low sectional density, most launchers will fire a paintball too fast to be considered safe, which is generally considered to be 300 fps. Furthermore, actually making a reliable, accurate, and rapidly firing weapon is a complicated task that probably can't be done without a lathe.<br> | + | Due to their low sectional density, most launchers will fire a paintball too fast to be considered [[safety|safe]], which is generally considered to be 300 fps. Furthermore, actually making a reliable, accurate, and rapidly firing weapon is a complicated task that probably can't be done without a lathe.<br> |
Even then, most fields won't let you play with your homebrew weapon; spud guns that fire paintballs should be considered target-practice devices only. | Even then, most fields won't let you play with your homebrew weapon; spud guns that fire paintballs should be considered target-practice devices only. | ||
[[Category:Projectiles]] | [[Category:Projectiles]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:16, 1 June 2008
A paintball is a small hollow sphere filled with a non-toxic, washable 'paint'. They are designed to splatter upon impact and typically have a .68 caliber size.
They are commonly available for the game of paintball, and they are round and have a fairly uniform mass - generally good for accuracy in smoothbore barrels.
Aerodynamics
Paintballs are assumed to have a Cd of about .5, as they are smooth spheres.
They may be launched out of a curved barrel to increase range via the Magnus effect (the same at work in hop-up devices).
Use and target performance
Paintballs are typically launched out of 3/4" CPVC, as that is the most commonly available that pipe that is a close match for their diameter. Some prefer 3/4" sch 80 PVC pipe, and the ultimate is recognized as being 3/4" sch 120 PVC pipe, although this pipe is extremely hard to find and not commonly used. Sch 120 barrels are thicker and are a tighter fit, decreasing sag and increasing velocity.
Paintballs are typically breech loaded, and their shape allows them to be stored in magazines/clips.
Upon impact with:
- A twig, a paintball typically ruptures.
- A water-filled milk jug, a paintball typically ruptures and may pierce the jug.
- A tree, a paintball ruptures.
- A rock, a paintball ruptures.
- A person, a paintball typically ruptures, resulting in laughter (or serious injury - see below!).
Due to their low sectional density, most launchers will fire a paintball too fast to be considered safe, which is generally considered to be 300 fps. Furthermore, actually making a reliable, accurate, and rapidly firing weapon is a complicated task that probably can't be done without a lathe.
Even then, most fields won't let you play with your homebrew weapon; spud guns that fire paintballs should be considered target-practice devices only.
