Quest for paintball alternatives

Potatoes last one shot, so build reusable! Discuss ammo designs and ideas. Tough to find cannon part or questions? Ask here!
User avatar
Anatine Duo
Specialist
Specialist
Canada
Posts: 186
Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2014 11:16 am
Location: cottage country
Has thanked: 36 times
Been thanked: 20 times

Tue Jan 21, 2020 12:21 pm

I have been seeking alternatives to paintballs for some time and thought I had the perfect solution in the "dimpled wax shell powder balls" but they are now not available apparently despite the continued listing by several retailers.

I tried some yellow foamies which are fairly precise (52 grains+- 1) but will not cycle through my delightfully engineered TMC magazine. I can't say enough about this magazine. It is the main reason this quest for ammo is happening.

I ordered at considerable expense Bulls Breaker Balls, supposedly Nylon, but they are neither Nylon nor 68 cal, most around .645. Mass varied wildly with most about 33 grains but a group closer to 40. They cycle but will not hit in 12" circle at 5 meters.
IMG_0669.JPG
Also shown are 3 actual paintballs, roughly spherical, don't store well, and the flight characteristics of a liquid filled roughly spherical object.

Marbles are too small.

Next I tried sleeving down the barrel to snugly fit the Bulls Breakers... video test:



The sleeve works but has longevity issues. It's only a couple thousandths of an inch thick.

Next idea:
IMG_0668.JPG
It takes some technique but it can drop a glue ball +- 1.5 grains and just snug enough to take a puff of air to drive it through the barrel. Varying the temperature of the mold can give different diameters. I made some too tight to push through with lung power (cast at room temperature).

video test of glue balls:



Another idea to try is modifying the hot glue (talc filler) or try beeswax.

Also considering dipping marbles in epoxy and rolling in cork dust...

Machining a new barrel?!?! Might need some help on the 98 thread. I was considering buying a cheap barrel and boring it out for a metal sleeve.
User avatar
jackssmirkingrevenge
Five Star General
Five Star General
Posts: 26179
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:28 pm
Has thanked: 543 times
Been thanked: 319 times

Donating Members

Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:42 am

Anatine Duo wrote:
Tue Jan 21, 2020 12:21 pm
I have been seeking alternatives to paintballs for some time and thought I had the perfect solution in the "dimpled wax shell powder balls" but they are now not available apparently despite the continued listing by several retailers.
We stopped importing them due to lack of sales, also they were quite expensive, around 40 of your finest Canadian dollars plus tax for a bag of 500.
hectmarr wrote:You have to make many weapons, because this field is long and short life
Michaelnicc4
Recruit
Recruit
United States of America
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2020 6:44 am

Wed Feb 19, 2020 7:40 am

good decision
Post Reply