Tips For Choosing Airsoft BB Guns
Some say BB with Ball Bearings, Ball Bearings, or Baby Bullet, but refers to the same projectile / pellet that is 6 mm in size made of plastic which is commonly used for airsoftguns. Very different from the 4.5 mm metal projectile that is commonly used for airguns.
VARIETY OF BB
BB for airsoftgun has several variants. Most of them are made of plastic, but some BBs are made with different variations, namely as follows:
Biodegradable or Non Biodegradable
Projectiles made from conventional plastic tend to pollute the environment, because of course plastic cannot decompose rapidly in nature. It took hundreds of years for nature to break down conventional plastics. Conventional BB is usually coated with non-biodegradable coatings.
Conventional BBs will last longer if they are stored for a long time, meaning they do not have an expired period, but will be more damaging to the environment, because they are non-biodegradable. Meanwhile, biodegradable BB will be reduced in quality if stored for more than 1-2 years, it will break more easily when BB enters the barrel.
Biodegradable BB is slightly higher than conventional BB. The choice depends on you as an airsofter. However, it is still recommended to use a biodegradable BB that is environmentally friendly, but still FUN, but does not harm nature.
Tracers
This type of tracer / tracker BB is suitable for use when playing night games, because this BB is glow in the dark or lit in the dark. This BB is used in conjunction with a device that provides light before the BB is launched. This tool is usually mounted on an airsoftgun unit as a silencer, or in a magazine. The mechanism is simple, the BB tracer is illuminated by the device just before the BB is thrown out of the barrel.
For those of you who want to look cool when carving (war games) at night can use this BB. But this BB shortage is higher than normal BB. Especially for BB tracer types that are biodegradable.
Non-Tracable
This BB is the opposite of BB tracers, BB is black and cannot be tracked so the opponent cannot find where the BB came from. The problem is the shooter himself will find it difficult to trace his own shots. Hit or not a hit will be hard to know especially if it is carved at night.
Paints
Also called "paint balls", very similar to other types of sports namely Paintball, BB breaks and leaves paint stains on hit players, the difference is this BB is 6 mm in size. Very rarely used in Indonesia, or maybe no one uses it. This BB deficiency is as follows:
- removes the airsoft unit warranty.
- Can not be used on units that have hop-ups, because the possibility of BB will break inside the inner barrel so that the paint is scattered.
- cannot be used also in mid-cap and hi-cap magazines, because the mechanism that pushes the BB upward will press the BB so that it breaks in the magazine. This is also the reason for the Paintball firing unit, filling the projectile from above.
Markers
BB is coated with powder which will leave a small mark when touching a certain surface. This BB risk will leave a residue in the airsoft gun and magazine unit. So that it will potentially damage the parts of the moving airsoft unit, and is quite troublesome because it needs to be cleaned at any time. This BB has never been used in Indonesia, for one of these reasons.
Metal
BB size 6 mm with metal material is also available, but has never been used in carved / war games. This BB is heavier and will certainly hurt players if used in war games. Therefore, this BB is only suitable for shooting targets, because with BB metal the accuracy will be better. But at the target shooting / firing reaction this metal BB is also not used.
Ceramic
BB ceramics are made from ceramic crystals, and are made to obtain a truly uniform BB weight, as well as uniform dimensions and shape of the surface. The BB trajectory will be consistent with better accuracy. The process of making BB ceramics is more complex and the material is more expensive, therefore the price is also more expensive. This BB is also dangerous if used in war games and is not suitable for close quater battles.
Glass
This BB is made of glass, and will break after being shot and then hit the hard surface. The risk of using this BB breaks inside the inner barrel. This BB is also not used in war games, because it is quite dangerous. If you are exposed to goggles / goggles / goggles it will be dangerous, because the fragments may be damaged
Explosive
As the name implies, this BB will explode after being shot and hit the hard surface. Besides exploding it will also give off a spark. This BB is much more expensive than regular BB, never used in war games, and certainly has the risk of explode in a magazine or inner barrel. This BB is prohibited from being used in airsoft sports whether it's war games or reaction shots.
WEIGHT
BB weight will affect the performance and accuracy of the shot. Choosing the right BB for you depends on your role in the game, place of play and needs. For close range games (Close Quarter Battle), using the lightest BB will be suitable, while for sniper / marksman and sharpshooter, you should use a heavier BB.
In essence, the farther the distance between players, the heavier BB is needed. The assumption is that if the BB is fired through the same unit with the same energy, then the more BB weight will reduce the BB muzzle velocity (FPS).
For example, for AEG, the Fulan DD MK18 with standard and BB 0.2 Gram will get 360 FPS (Feet per Second), but if using BB 0.25 Gram will get 336 FPS. Even though the muzzle velocity decreases, the heavier BB will go further than the lighter BB.
A lighter BB will move faster to reach the maximum speed, but it will also lose energy faster. About the accuracy of a heavier BB will be better, because there is less risk of external influences.
BB is lighter
BB is heavier
higher-velocity (FPS)
- closer distance *
- smaller inertial mass and inertia
- smaller momentum
- more vulnerable to crosswind
- lower accuracy
- velocity (FPS) is lower
- further distance *
- greater intersia and inertia mass
- greater momentum
- more resistant to crosswind
- higher accuracy
- suitable for CQB
- suitable for indoor CQB
- suitable for assault roles and close combat
- suitable for long distance (sniper)
- suitable for outdoor
- suitable for sniper and sharp shooter
* influenced by other settings, including hop-ups.
The lightest BB commonly used is BB with a weight of 0.12gram per grain and a maximum of 0.43 grams per item. But the actual size varies greatly, not only 0.20 grams up to 0.45 grams. Check out the following list:
0.11 gram - very rare especially in Indonesia, its use is the same as size 0.12 gram.
0.12 gram - very easy to get and commonly used for lower grade airsoft or spring type with velocity less than 250 FPS. If it is used for a type of airsoft with high power, it is likely to break inside the barrel. Its accuracy cannot be relied on for long distances because it is vulnerable from outside influences.
0.135 grams - Usage equals 0.12 g. Very rare especially in Indonesia.
0.15 gram.
0.16 gram.
0.20 gram - This BB is very easy to get, the most common type and is the standard for the chronograph (a tool to measure the BB velocity shot). In Indonesia, many in circulation are mainly biodegradable. Although this is commonly used, players usually choose a BB with a heavier weight for example 0.25 grams.
0.21 grams - very rare.
0.22 grams.
0.23 grams - usually the best alternative if not using 0.20 grams or 0.25 grams.
0.24 g - rarely or not in Indonesia.
0.25 g - BB weight that is popular for AEG, GBB, GBBR, or bolt action / spring. BB weight of 0.25 grams became the toughest mass for airsoft with small power, but it became the right mass for airsoft with medium and high power. Accuracy will be better using this BB than lighter ones.
0.26 gram.
0.27 grams.
0.28 gram - the best weight if you choose between 0.25 and 0.30. Prices can be cheaper but with a performance similar to 0.30, both accuracy and resistance to wind.
0.29 gram.
0.30 grams - the weight used by most sniper and sharp shooter / DMR players. Excellent accuracy especially for the indoor arena, but for outdoor it would be better to use 0.36 or 0.40 grams.
0.32 gram - an alternative standard for snipers.
0.36 grams - BB which is heavier for sniper, for balance and stability of shots. Heavier slower but more accurate.
0.40 gram - better accuracy and stability, but requires an airsoft gun with quite large power and a more expensive price.
0.43 gram - the highest and heaviest BB weight for sniper airsoft gun. Better accuracy but too much because it requires higher airsoft power. The energy produced is too dangerous if fired on another player.
0.66 grams - not used for human targets.
0.90 gram - BB nickel steel sold by British Abacus Clamport. Air rifle class, not used against human
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