Custom size paintballs

[Eddbot]

Hey everybody, i'm in the process of building a gun, and i'm starting to consider the possibility of making it a paintball gun for use on large woodsball fields, but i really don't want a .69" barrel. So, i was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on molding 1/2" paintballs. Like where to begin... because i have no idea... and i can't find different sized paintballs in any google searches...

Any help would be appreciated, post your ideas, or just post to tell me it's not gonna happen, either way is fine...

[dudeman508]

I know i saw someone try this before on this forum. I think he made shells first by rubbing glue around a mold and then filled them.

[Gippeto]

Crosman used to make a .50 cal paintball version of their 357. Someone had to be making the paint for it.

Found some.

http://www.blow-gun.com/storefront/merc ... ory_Code=9

[Eddbot]

Thanks Gippeto, that looks promising, and inexpensive.

Although i do want to see this thing with the glue... It sounds like i could make an elongated paint...dart... because i don't know if the balls will roll out the barrel...

[Velocity]

I think they also make .40" for blowguns and whatnot.

[Lentamentalisk]

.40cal blowgun paintballs:
http://www.blow-gun.com/storefront/merc ... ory_Code=8

[Eddbot]

i think i figured out an effective way to do it, i'm going to use the stephan method of making nerf darts, but replace the lead shot with a paintball seated in the foam

how's that sound?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Why manufacture your own ammunition though? Unless you're planning a highly accurate sniper, one shot one kill sort of business.

[Orpackrat]

RAP4 has .43 cal paintballs and oversize .43 cal paintballs.

[ALIHISGREAT]

Firstly, i doubt paintball fields would allow homemade paint.... infact i am sure they wouldn't allow it.

Secondly, smaller paintballs tend to have Bursting problems... like with the RAP .43 cal paintball pistols, they often don't burst as i believe the velocity restrictions are the same between .43 and .68

[Orpackrat]

If you refrigerate paintballs, they will become brittle and break a lot better.

As to the velocity restrictions, that only at some fields. Some will allow you to increase the velocity to make up the difference.

[Eddbot]

Why manufacture your own ammunition though? Unless you're planning a highly accurate sniper, one shot one kill sort of business.

For a bolt action...smooth-bore... (typing rifle is so tempting ) I kinda want something that hits what I point it at the first time.

Actually, I'm trying to figure out how to rifle copper, I know that one guy did it with a hex head bolt, but that sounds difficult and a little unreliable.

[Hubb]

Actually, a hardened hex head bolt the right size would probably work great in rifling copper. I'd never thought of it, but it should work with some experimenting.

As far as making a homemade paintball gun, have you considered a shotgun? Assuming you are either playing at an outlaw field or one that would allow such a devise, I don't see why you can't use paintball airsoft pellets in a wad. If you fire 20 or 30 pellets at a target (within range) you're bound to hit it

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Any thoughts on how rifling would affect a projectile with a liquid centre? I think you're better off with a tight fitting barrel and perhaps weighing your paintballs for consistency. There was a thread recently with a list of specifications for an accurate paintball gun.

[Hubb]

There has been so much debate on whether rifling affects paintballs (positively and negatively) that it ain't even funny. Some swear by it while others say it's impossible. I wouldn't know as I've never used a rifled barrel to shoot a paintball.

As you said, JSR, the better accuracy will come from the better matchup of ammo. Consistency plays an important roll, too. The biggest accuracy enhancer, though, (IMO) is the operator, as in any firearm. You know, the fundamentals such as sight picture / alignment, steady aim, not pulling the shots, etc.