Long or Short? Which is better?

[scmudslinger]

I own a stock Tippmann Model 98 Custom and am looking to purchase a new barrel. At first, I assumed that longer was better, as most newbies probably would. However, I have read other articles and reviews claiming that the longer a barrel is, the shorter a paintball will travel. Which way should I lean towards, a longer barrel or a shorter one? Thanks for your help,

SCMUDSLINGER

[Creeper]

Unless you intend to stay a newbie and play with newbies forever, no longer than 14". The reason I say that comment is because I've heard first time players so "WOW he has a 20" barrel, that must be awesome!" Any veteran would rightfully laugh at you. (I beleive there is an article about barrel length on www.paintballtimes.com ) So stick with a 14" or 12". If you play front, go with the 12", the 14" would probably provide more accuracy and range but a larger size (and 2" is a big deal, especially on the already long c98). Your other option is to get an 8" barrel or something small like that if you exclusively play speedball as a frontman. It won't give you the range and accuracy, but it will be much easier to maneuver.
If recball is your game, then I would recommend any 14".

[Alexi1337]

Yeah, anything over 14" is too much. I have a 14" and it's very accurate but really not the best rangewise. The farther the ball has to move in the barrel, the more it slows down (therefore it travels less).

[The JOE]

I'll just toss my two cents in here - No matter what barrel you get (unless it's the Flatline) your ball will travel the same distance. No barrel has a range advantage over another (aside from the Flatline...again).

I would think, though, that an extra 2" of barrel makes it just that tad bit easier to sight down the barrel with? It did with my Xcel.

(Basically I'm just saying that the length of the barrel should have no effect on range.)

[Crime Dog]

This is not a Tippmann question. It's a barrel question. Therefore, this thread is being moved to the Barrels & Paint forum.

Guys, please do NOT post barrel questions in the Tippmann forum! Thank you!

[Bob Mundon]

shorter barrels will be more accurate since the more barrel you have, the more imperfections to affect teh ball, the less accuracy

[PBfreak01]

Originally posted by scmudslinger
At first, I assumed that longer was better, as most newbies probably would.

Don't worry about feeling stoopid, everybody goes through that phase (apparently I never left it...). But anyway, length should not be what you are concerned about; you should be worried about how well the barrel was machined.
Ex: Equation makes an 8" barrel, the bizerk, with an incredibly small amout of runout (0.0095, I believe). The result? Good accuracy, comparable with some longer barrels (It even gives the freak some competition; It has inserts as well), good range, and good efficiancy. All that for a whole lot less then some "better" barrels.

P.S.
You should check out the other barrels Equation makes, they're all pretty good for their prices.