.50 phantom

[rogalxxx]

ok it would hit the board anyway, sooner or later . Don;t get me wrong, I'm not for the change, unless I see the non biased test results.
What would happen to a phantom? Would an adapter kit be possible to make?

the way I see it, there should be a bolt with smaller face,  or a groove a ball could srest in. plus a new barrel and feedneck insert/SC feed adapter.

[INTEL]

Adaptable, yes. Viable, yes. Potentially quite cool, big yes. If .50 paintballs were to  come out as an alternative to .68 (not a replacement) then there could be some really cool results. The first thing that would have to happen is someone would have to make a decent, mass market .50 marker. Second, a paint company would have to follow with quality .50 paint. Third, insurance would have to sanctify the action. Assuming a paintball of equal mass at equal velocity (due to insurance standards) a denser .50 ball would benefit:
*Greater Range
*Greater accuracy
*Greater capacity
*Greater efficiency

I know people are stuck in their .68 mindset, but who honestly thinks that when they converted bath ball machines to make paintballs that the size of bubble bath soap capsules was perfect for the sport? It was a random number that was easy to use at the time. Now it is a huge industry utilizing specialty equipment, I wouldn't mind seeing a viable .50 paintball. Just MHO, and a couple mathematical facts.

-INTEL

[Have Blue]

Converting a Phantom to .50 (or .62, or any sub-caliber) would be pretty straightforward - new breech, new barrel, new bolt.

Now, rant time...

We've had .50 and .62 paint before.  Both lost out to .68, as they did not have the range and did not break as easily on impact.  Making a denser .50 round is a very big 'if', unless paintball manufacturers start pouring large quantities of bismuth into their mixes (can't wait to see paint prices after that).  Additionally, I think the ASTM F1776-99a standard for masks may only cover .68 paint - we'd need a new standard to cover .50 as well.

Now, having said all that, I think there may actually be a place for .50 in the sport - in sidearms.  .68 is too bulky to have a reasonably sized pistol, and it's not like you need high FPS for pistol work (clearing the inside of a building or castle, bunkering someone, etc.).  However, as ammo for your primary, .68 is here to stay.

[super_stanchy]

Converting a Phantom to .50 (or .62, or any sub-caliber) would be pretty straightforward - new breech, new barrel, new bolt.

Now, rant time...

We've had .50 and .62 paint before.  Both lost out to .68, as they did not have the range and did not break as easily on impact.  Making a denser .50 round is a very big 'if', unless paintball manufacturers start pouring large quantities of bismuth into their mixes (can't wait to see paint prices after that).  Additionally, I think the ASTM F1776-99a standard for masks may only cover .68 paint - we'd need a new standard to cover .50 as well.

Now, having said all that, I think there may actually be a place for .50 in the sport - in sidearms.  .68 is too bulky to have a reasonably sized pistol, and it's not like you need high FPS for pistol work (clearing the inside of a building or castle, bunkering someone, etc.).  However, as ammo for your primary, .68 is here to stay.

agreed on the pistol part:D

[Old Dog]

I used a 50BMG a number of years ago, one could really reach out and touch somebody, but 50PB negatory...

Just my $.02

[INTEL]

The density issue is different, but hardly insurmountable. Paintballs have a density that is comparable to (but slightly higher than) water. The trick to increasing density is to find a water soluble mineral that has no other major side effects. Salt is an option, though they would have to conduct tests on salt staining. It has the potential to find a market niche, perhaps pistols and milsim markers, but the practical benefits are many. Forgot to mention that .50 requires a good amount less material, and could be produced much cheaper. One of the reasons we are seeing shrinking paint sizes right now.

-INTEL

[splattttttt]

HB, thanks. Best conclusion I've heard yet... And I agree 100%

[thkyle]

How about adaptation for airsoft?

Lots of folks like to play airsoft and that ammo and game play is here to stay.

[splattttttt]

I never tried it.

[angelpena]

If Carter would make a .50 it would shoot even flatter.

[Ed]

Airsoft is OK, but its a true honor game to play.

[thkyle]

Airsoft is OK, but its a true honor game to play.

That's one of the things I like about it. I've met quite a few people that "used" to play paintball, but started playing airsoft more because it was more like what they remembered that the game of paintball was years ago. A game of honor.

I like both, but thought it would be really cool to be able to play either with my Phantoms. My son is playing more airsoft these days. It's a lot cheaper, and it's a lot easier to find a place to play airsoft. Places that you couldn't play paintball at. You can play airsoft in your back yard.

I still like paintball the best, and some of the airsoft crowd are a little too into the milsim role play. That's fine as long as they don't act like snobs about it.

[Nitro]

i went to wold cup this year and http://gimilsim.com/ was showing off thare .50 stuff up down left and right thay had a 30ish foot range ware you could shoot the .50 markers and paint and ill tell u that from hands on with it that at 290 fps the drop off on the .50 paint was SILLY! and it dnt shoot better then any other premium paint ive shot out of my phantom as stated befor it would be a good paint size for side arms or a scatter round from a law or shot gun stile marker but its use as a primary caliber will most likely be determined by the insurance companys... think about it... if the insurance companys like the smaller paint better (less energy transfer at the same FPS) and start charging a larger amount for the use of .68... just food for thout

[Timmycuddler]

ya nitro i wasnt impressed at wat i saw and that paintball 2.0 blasphemy was dumb i dont think we were the only ones

[casperct]

Adaptable, yes. Viable, yes. Potentially quite cool, big yes. If .50 paintballs were to  come out as an alternative to .68 (not a replacement) then there could be some really cool results. The first thing that would have to happen is someone would have to make a decent, mass market .50 marker. Second, a paint company would have to follow with quality .50 paint. Third, insurance would have to sanctify the action. Assuming a paintball of equal mass at equal velocity (due to insurance standards) a denser .50 ball would benefit:
*Greater Range
*Greater accuracy
*Greater capacity
*Greater efficiency

I know people are stuck in their .68 mindset, but who honestly thinks that when they converted bath ball machines to make paintballs that the size of bubble bath soap capsules was perfect for the sport? It was a random number that was easy to use at the time. Now it is a huge industry utilizing specialty equipment, I wouldn't mind seeing a viable .50 paintball. Just MHO, and a couple mathematical facts.

-INTEL

Well now the maufacturer is having to retool those 68 cal bubble bath bead machines I am sure they will keep them around and have limited runs till it sticks or flops.
"Forgot to mention that .50 requires a good amount less material, and could be produced much cheaper. One of the reasons we are seeing shrinking paint sizes right now"
Using less material is a way to make money,thus the reason for smaller paint I agree.