What components of an AEG affect range the most?

[matteumayo]

I've heard lots of mixed opinions on whether or not various components will noticeably affect range.

I think the easiest way for me to ask this (and for you to answer) is a list of questions:

1. Does a longer barrel affect range?

2. Does the quality/build of a TBB affect range? (e.g: Madbull versus Prometheus)

3. Does the thickness of the bore affect range? (6.01, 6.03, 6.08)

4. Does the number of feet traveled per second (fps) affect range noticeably?

5. Does the weight of the bb affect range noticeably?

6. Does the hop-up affect range? (i.e. H-Nub, PCS...)


These are all I can think of right now. Basically I want to know which component/upgrade will affect the range the most.
Please provide some background to your answers!

Thanks,
-matt

[Falcon7]

1. To a certain extent. You don't want your barrel to be too long or too short.
2. Yes.
3. Maybe, but will probably effect accuracy the most. Best diameter for your gun depends on a couple things, and I've seen some arguments that a wider diameter can even be better.
4. Yes, but a good bucking and nub also helps dramatically.
5. Yes, once again you want balance. Not to heavy or light.
6. Yes.

[Blizzard]

1. If it is completely stabilized throughout and is significantly longer than the original, then the groupings should be tighter at longer range, but might not affect the range itself.

2. No, it will affect groupings at a range. Madbull Vs. Promy is a bad example because they are made differently. Promy Vs. Matix - they will shoot the same for about 5k rounds, then the Matrix will gunk up because of lesser machining quality. I may have purchased a lemon, but I've put the same rounds through both my Matrix and my Promy barrel, (Bioshot .28's) and the Matrix one picked up a coating of plastic inside. The promy on the other hand is perfectly clean.

3. Yes, a QUALITY 6.01 will improve range a bit over 6.03 because of a tighter air-seal and more stable BB flight.

4. No. A gun shooting at 330 FPS with .28's will out-range a gun shooting 400 FPS with .2's.

5. Yes, as stated, a heavier BB with higher velocity will increase range.

6. Yes, somewhat. It will improve your effective range, not so much your total range.


Overall, the main facet affecting RANGE is the BB weight combined with velocity. The rest affect your effective range.

[Falcon7]

4. No. A gun shooting at 330 FPS with .28's will out-range a gun shooting 400 FPS with .2's.

Maybe, but if you have two guns with the same hopup/barrel components shooting the same weight bbs, the one with higher FPS will shoot farther.

[matteumayo]

4. No. A gun shooting at 330 FPS with .28's will out-range a gun shooting 400 FPS with .2's.

Maybe, but if you have two guns with the same hopup/barrel components shooting the same weight bbs, the one with higher FPS will shoot farther.

So, if a gun were to be shooting 320 with .25s, and going about 120 feet before dropping, would a 400 fps spring cause a large range boost?

Would it be more like 150'?

[G36 FTW]

1. Does a longer barrel affect range?
Yes, a longer barrel will stabilize the spin on a bb (what keeps it in flight); theoretically, if it is too long, the bb will bounce along the insides of the barrel resulting in less accuracy and range.

2. Does the quality/build of a TBB affect range? (e.g: Madbull versus Prometheus)
Yes, the smoother the bore the less destabilization occurs resulting in better range and accuracy. Also, softer metals like aluminum may bend after long periods of use or jams- so steel and brass tight-bore barrels are advised.

3. Does the thickness of the bore affect range? (6.01, 6.03, 6.08 )
Yes, the tighter the bore the more stable the bb is, but if the barrel is dirty the worse it is (a dirty 6.01 barrel is worse than a dirty 6.03 barrel) So keep them clean with rubbing alcohol (no silicone, dust sticks to that).

4. Does the number of feet traveled per second (fps) affect range noticeably?
Some say yes some say no. Technically yes; personally I haven't noticed a difference in range.

5. Does the weight of the bb affect range noticeably?
So-so, the heavier the bb the faster it falls, but the more stable it is in air.

6. Does the hop-up affect range? (i.e. H-Nub, PCS...)
Yea. A high quality bucking correctly installed is everything. The H-nub won't effect range, it just stabilizes the horizontal spin (keeps bbs from spinning sideways and flying left or right).

[Beran]

a more powerful spring and good hopup are what will affect your range the most. note, i did not say accurate range. for purely getting the BB out as far as you can, there is no substitute for more power.

somewhere out there someone did a pretty hardcore ballistic physics test and figured out that a BB weight of .28-.30 is the ideal weight for range and accuracy. im no physics geek, but it had something to do with the BB keeping its inertia longer because of the added weight. makes sense, you can throw a golf ball a lot farther than a ping pong ball.

barrels will affect your accuracy at range. springs will affect your maximum range. hopups can affect both. ammo will affect both to a lesser extent.

the ideal setup that ive found for the best range and accuracy is this:

1. 385-400fps output on the gun (spring/compression/etc, just looking for overall power)
2. 450-510mm tightbore inner barrel. stainless steel is preferred. ive had good luck with prometheus. some people swear by shorter barrels, but i personally wouldn't go shorter than the 363mm in most M4s.
3. at the very least, one of the mad bull blue buckings and an H nub or shredder nub. a high quality hopup unit is advisable as well.
4. good quality ammo that is at least .25g.

i have a G&G M16 shooting at 385fps with a 6.01 dees barrel, a systema hopup unit, blue madbull bucking and H-nub. i used to shoot "private parts" brand .25g BBs through it, using a 4x ACOG as an optic. with that rifle, i managed to hit a guy two separate times (he thought it was a fluke and walked back to the same spot after respawn. it turned out to not be a fluke.) at what we later measured out to be around 250 feet. it was a lobbed shot, but wasn't too extreme.

[pseudoanimosity]

So-so, the heavier the bb the faster it falls, but the more stable it is in air.

Where did you take physics? No matter the BB weight, it will fall the same amount as a heavier BB, but will be affected less by air resistance, so it will travel farther.

[matteumayo]

So it looks like what I'm looking for to increase range is a 380 spring and some new hop-up buckings?

Kind of confusing, since the stock has like a 300mm inner barrel would I see a big difference if I switch to this?

http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/accessories/conversion-kit/for-aegs/star-g36ke-handguard-for-g36-series-extra-long.html

[pseudoanimosity]

What I did with my M4 to increase the range along with adding a spring was changing the hop up, and getting a tightbore that was longer than my stock barrel, then running it through a mock silencer.

[matteumayo]

What I did with my M4 to increase the range along with adding a spring was changing the hop up, and getting a tightbore that was longer than my stock barrel, then running it through a mock silencer.

So what I said would work?

Also, how much further was your range after said upgrades?

[G36 FTW]

So-so, the heavier the bb the faster it falls, but the more stable it is in air.

Where did you take physics? No matter the BB weight, it will fall the same amount as a heavier BB, but will be affected less by air resistance, so it will travel farther.

Which is exactly what I said, I just stated it differently.


And that is a pretty good kit Matt, I got one a few years back.

[Falcon7]

So-so, the heavier the bb the faster it falls, but the more stable it is in air.

Where did you take physics? No matter the BB weight, it will fall the same amount as a heavier BB, but will be affected less by air resistance, so it will travel farther.

It won't fall faster, but it will drop off earlier in terms of distance due to lesser speed.

[pseudoanimosity]

Yeah, my pseudo-DMR kit is pretty sick. I would recommend it to anyone.

[pseudoanimosity]

So-so, the heavier the bb the faster it falls, but the more stable it is in air.

Where did you take physics? No matter the BB weight, it will fall the same amount as a heavier BB, but will be affected less by air resistance, so it will travel farther.

Which is exactly what I said, I just stated it differently.

My bad bro, I interpreted it differently