As with many other technical aspects of airsoft, it pays to do your research. Once you’re familiar with the sport, the combat modes, and the different types of guns available to you, the next thing to consider is the type of ammunition you’ll be firing during the game. Select the wrong ammunition and this can affect your range and accuracy.
So today we’re going to clear it all up for you. By the end of this post, you’ll know which ammunition types are (and aren’t) suited to each game mode, gun, and purpose. Once you’re ready to get involved, you can browse all of the major ammo here at Urban Airsoft.
Airsoft Ammo Factors to Consider
There are only a few things you need to consider when you select the ammunition for your airsoft gun. The ammo you use during a round of airsoft is always going to be BBs. But not all BBs are made the same. These are the distinguishing features that you should know about.
Size
Size is an important factor, but there are typically only three variations of BB size: 4.5mm, 6mm and 8mm diameter. Take a brief moment to ensure that you select a BB that fits your gun. Otherwise, the pellet might not fit or, if it’s too small, it will fire without any discernible force. 99% of the time you’ll be using 6mm BB’s, so it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever need to double-check the size.
Weight
The weight of your BB’s, on the other hand, is certainly more interesting. This is probably the most important consideration you’ll need to make when selecting airsoft ammo. With the same powered weapon, a lighter weight BB will travel faster than a heavier weight BB.
The gold standard BB’s are usually 0.2g but BB’s at 0.25g, 0.28g, and 0.3g, all the way up to 0.5g, are not uncommon. In principle, the more force the gun can output, the heavier weight BB you can propel through the gun barrel.
For fully automatic weapons, pistols and shotguns, a 0.2g up to 0.28g have the widest range of application. These guns are designed for close and medium ranged combat.
For a higher-powered weapon such as a sniper or DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle), a 0.30g up to 0.5g is ideal. These are designed for long-distance weapons These heavier weight BB’s are less affected by wind, meaning that they will fly slower but have better accuracy.
Colour
There are many different colour BB’s available to you, the most common is white. Another great BB is the tracer round. These glow red or green and are highly visible in a darker, usually indoor, setting. When lots of people are running tracers it certainly feels like a battle straight out of Star Wars.
Material
Finally, you’ll need to make sure that the airsoft BB material is suitable. There are 2 main types of BB, plastic and biodegradable (known as bio BB’s), which degrade away after a period of time.
In the modern world, every manufactured product should be made from recycled materials, or at the very least, produced in a sustainable way. Airsoft ammunition is no different. Since many thousands of plastic-based materials are used, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of leaving the BB behind after the game.
Plastic BB’s are the cheapest, but on some airsoft sites, you won’t be allowed to use them. These BBs aren’t water-soluble and are instead better suited to indoor use. Eco-friendly ammo, on the other hand, is the standard material for many airsoft sites throughout the United Kingdom.
Does Airsoft Hurt More Than Paintball?
We know what you’re thinking! We’ve spoken about airsoft ammunition at length in today’s article, and the whole point of the ammunition is, well…to hit somebody. While certain game modes involve hitting targets, the majority of the time you’re in the arena you’ll be focused on targeting your opponents.
But you have nothing to worry about. Airsoft pellets are lighter and smaller than paintballs. The impact of a BB on your skin hurts significantly less than that of a paintball.
Airsoft Ammo with Urban Airsoft UK
Whether you’re looking to organise your first airsoft game, your hundredth game, or you’re considering purchasing some new equipment and ammunition, our experienced team are here to help.
Get in touch today to find out how we can help with any of your airsoft needs.
