what makes a longer barrel less accurate

[ilieahot]

just about every barrel company offers 16 and 18 inch lengths. if the length doesnt increase accuracy than why make them so long? and please save the "because peolpe are stupid, and they think it looks cool" answer.

[mr_bunny67]

longer barrels are more accurate, but they give that accuracy at a cost of range, air efficiency, and ease of movement (harder to duck behind cover with a big barrel you have to manage too)

Companies sell them because both people think they look cool and they believe that the benefit of accuracy is worth the detractors

[ilieahot]

a marker with a 12 inch freak shoots 280fsp and the same marker with a 16 inch freak shoots 280fsp. how is the range in the second marker less?

[festersmydog]

There has never been any documentation of longer barrels being more accurate. This is a myth and not fact. 2 paintballs leaving 2 different length barrels at 280 FPS will go very close to the same distance and if they both have a good paint to bore match, they will both be accurate. Ask yourself this, on the 16" barrel, what did it take for the paintball to travel 16" until it exits the barrel? Is the paintball already slowing down when it exits or is it still excellerating? How much air did I waste, just to have a 16" barrel? I would NEVER buy a 16" barrel or for that matter even a 14" barrel. 12-12-12 or in my case 11.5 :D

[july_favre]

Longer barrels arent more accurate but they do have more range. a 16" and a 10" barrel will have a 6" difference.
Longer barrels are easier to point with. They are also good for poking through bushes in the woods or putting it slots and pressing against air bunkers in tourneys.

[ilieahot]

if a ball is slowing down as it comes out of a 16" barrel and speeding up as it leaves a 12" barrel, but they both leave at 280fsp, what is the difference?

[PiranhaAquaPhaze]

ilieahot is rite, all that think otherwise shouldnt be paintballing, a ball that leaves the barrel at 280 fps will go jus as far as a paintball at 280fps from a 10 inch barrel. REMEBER PEOPLE PAINTBALIN IS DIFFERENT FROM THE REAL THING!!!!different projectile, different propellent and different firing system!!!accuracy depends on the paint/barrel match and the quality of the barrel.

[ilieahot]

somebody finally knows what i'm saying. in my opinion, longer is generally more accurate but definetly less practical. i have a freak barrel with 14 16 18 inch tips. the 18 is definetly more accurate than the 14 but i hardly ever use it. i just wanted to set the record straight. the difference in accuracy isnt that great but if that is what u r looking for knock yourself out. the 14 in my opinion is better for my playing syle. i hope this helps someone, good luck and happy paintballing!!!:D

[old68]

Thanks. I like 14" the best too. I wrote a little diatribe on the whole barrel length thing here (http://www.pbreview.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=24442)