Phantom Velocity Issues (Yes I read the other topics...)

[MattG666]

I have recently resurrected my phantom from storage to fix a velocity issue that made it unplayable last time I used it. I am no gun tech and kept it out of sight, out of mind. Until today.

Today I took it in to get some tests done after reading other topics on the forum here. I tried to unscrew my velocity until the screw came out so I could try to let the nylon set screw drop in more, but the screw would not come out. So i kept it at minimum velocity and played around with ball detents. The balls I was using would not reliably fit any of the colours (red seemed to work the best though), so I was getting inconsistent readings. It would shoot a few nice shots around 220-is then spike up to 235 and back down to 209 etc... then a few more shots would even out.

The best I could do was use tape in the barrel, and it worked a little more consistently, but still enough jumps to cause concern. After all my testing the velocity screw remained at the most outward position and had not moved, so I think I eliminated that problem.

Could it really all be because of paint to bore match? I know the paint I use at my field is very small and inconsistent, but this bad? I remember a time when it worked fine, so I can't tell if it is an issue with my gun or my paint to bore match. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[thkyle]

It sure can.

Bad paint can turn worse numbers than that. Especially if it is both too small and, not round. There is not much that a person can do mechanically to overcome bad paint to barrel match.

Everything depends on the consistency of the paint. A perfectly tuned paintball gun can burp out the exact same amount of CO2 down to the molecule each and every shot, and if the paintballs are all different............the results will be too.

[super_stanchy]

There is not much that a person can do mechanically to overcome bad paint to barrel match.

bore match your barrel/paint.

throw a different sizer (if your rockin ccm or python) or get your barrel bored for freaks.

if you have inconsistent paint, underbore, it'll force your paint to shoot a bit more consistant than close or overborring.

if your rockin your stock barrel, i bore em for freaks, pm me for details.

-Stanch

[MattG666]

Thanks guys, info much appreciated.

Unfortunately I am not a good machinist at all. That, and I had my gun acid washed so might reduce resale value if I ever decide to sell it. Where can I get barrel kits for my phantom? Which ones are recommended?

[super_stanchy]

i am a machinist....

i do em daily. phog discount:)

barrel kits:
ccm
python
ifits
freak backs (with freak handle or a UC kit)

i love my ccms on my ccm markers....
i love my freaks on my phantoms

havnt had a ccm for my phantom... but i would assume its godly:)

[MattG666]

How well does the tape method work? How exactly do you do it properly? I would guess that if you screwed it up you would put spin on the ball, or even break the ball.

[thkyle]

Tape only prevents rollouts or paintballs sliding up into the barrel. Similar idea as the detent rings.

I prefer barrels like the Lapco microshot at .681, but paint has become increasingly smaller and there has even been what I feel is "pure bull" stories going around that paint that was smaller than your barrel was some sort of advantage. Hogwash! It should be round, and it should need just a "little" push to enter the barrel. Everything else is just bunk spread to justify the cheap, lousy, and meant to be slung by the bushels from semi's paint.

Barrels for the Phantom were common just a couple years ago, but inventories have sold out and have not been replaced. It's getting hard to find barrel kits or inserts for Phantoms. Here, MCB, ebay etc are going to be your best choice to find something.

My second choice would be a J&J Edge kit, or Freak inserts if you can find them. CO2 needs 6 to 8 inches to get the ball up to speed. Another option would be to get a body from HB Airsoilder.com that is threaded for Autococker barrels. It's a little easier to find barrels for AC threads.

[KlownSnypr]

Deadlywind has a one piece carbon fiber barrel for the phantom but alas you need the increasingly harder to find at a good price freak inserts.
CCM makes a barrel kit with sizer backs for the phantom: http://cgi.ebay.com/CCM-Phantom-Barrel-Kit-Pol-Black-6E0010-/280403405786?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4149586bda
And you can get a DW Barrel with an insert, or 3: http://www.deadlywind.com/products/88-fibur-cf-barrel.aspx

If you need something right away I'd probably go with the ccm kit as I think you can still use the stock pump handle versus the DW barrel which you would need a undercocking kit like wevo or rainman's.

Like what was stated I am sure, you should look around on the various paintball forums and find something that you like. Freak inserts might be more common and you can have your stock barrel bored out to accept them.