Why 6/8mm?

16960 Views 62 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Cheese Man, Jul 7, 2011

bobgengeskahn

Discussion Starter · Jun 23, 2011

Why has airsoft stuck to the 6/8mm (hardley 8mm anymore) platforms? Is it to preserve safe MEDs? Is it because if we went bigger there would be too much mass? Or is it just because the industry has decided that for us?

I have been looking into custom BB designs for a project and designing custom 6mm BBs is just damn small. Then I contemplated going to 8mm. Most recently I have been thinking about going as large as ~10mm (0.40cal. to be exact). From varous topics I have read I can see a few problems/hesitations for going so large, the main concern most likely being that increased mass = increased MED/more safety concerns.

However, I would pose that for a sniper role, since our MED is longer anyway; a slightly larger round at the heavier range of existing BBs (0.4 - 0.5) would be able to be fired at a lower FPS with greater stability resulting in better range and increased accuracy. Wheter it would be custom 8mm rounds or going as large as what I am thinking I don't know, but its just a thought.

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inthetallgrass

· #2 · Jun 23, 2011

It would require a lot more force to propel it. It would then have to go over the joule limits set by fields.

inthetallgrass

· #6 · Jun 23, 2011

Yeah maybe but paintball guns have an energy of 11 joules. Somehow I don't think anything near that would be allowed to be used in many places.

inthetallgrass

· #7 · Jun 23, 2011

BeckLR1 said:
A heavier round fired slower would be great but you would be arc-ing it to the target.

I think 6 is too small. The only reason I did not go to 8 is because the 8's are not a precise as the 6's and I did not want to make rounds. Of course if you are firing slower and heavier the exact roundness may not be a question. You mat not even have to spin it or not very hard at least.

I know some companies have made 8mm sniper rifles that never caught on. I suspect inertia of how things work today is why is all. It is not broken, people are not asking for a change so there is no movement to change it. Just a guess.

I definitely think the idea has merit. For a project especially!

I like the 6mm paintball idea. Never looked into it too hard but it solves the problem of people not acknowledging they are hit.

I also like the "nerf" dart idea. Why not shoot a high density foam dart with a soft tip. 700 fps with that won't hurt but you'll feel it and you can make them fly straight. Like a blow gun. Accurate and long range. Just not round.

You know madbull make some 8mm BB's don't ya. Also I'd give you the site that sells like 20 different types of 8mm bb all in stock. BUT I can't remember it, sorry.

inthetallgrass

· #13 · Jun 23, 2011

That would make an awesome BB.

inthetallgrass

· #18 · Jun 23, 2011

bobgengeskahn said:
inthetallgrass said:

That would make an awesome BB.

Click to expand...

That is the idea... however, I have a few modifications in mind for our applications. I'd like to try a boat tailed version and a concave version with a flared end similar to a pellet... this is all going to depend on when I can get a test platform set up.

So like a blade BB. Also don't start with the dimpled BB's again.

inthetallgrass

· #19 · Jun 23, 2011

roguewolf said:
The only problem that I see with dimpled BB's is a loss of compression in the barrel. The dimples would allow quite a bit of air to slip around the BB. That's not to say that it shouldn't be attempted though. Maybe use a larger barrel and a sabot?

The dimples wouldn't affect or effect? it if they were spaced a good bit. As in there is always a full seal.

inthetallgrass

· #21 · Jun 23, 2011

Ho yeah I realized that straight away. I was just saying in case others didn't and took the dimpled theory into the spotlight again.

inthetallgrass

· #25 · Jun 23, 2011

bobgengeskahn said:
Gotta spend money to make money ... however this doesn't count when its money spent on smokes... I still cant figure that one out...

Leave the jokes for the lounge *Really serious mod (Not that there is any here - all the mods on ASF are cool)

The 6mm flared blade bb obviously had some merit if it went after the alpha stage and were actually sold. The only problem is hop-up being less effective. We could make a BB with actual wings like a dart. - Plastic and superglue?

Also for a really quiet and consistent shot - a breech loading weapon. As in charge it and then put the bb in the top? Anyone thought of that?

inthetallgrass

· #27 · Jun 23, 2011

You'd just have to eliminate the hop-up so you'll have to make up for lost range with power.

inthetallgrass

· #34 · Jun 24, 2011

Yeah man that would be awesome.

inthetallgrass

· #41 · Jun 25, 2011

Generally plastic of this kind would be of bad quality would it not?

inthetallgrass

· #53 · Jun 28, 2011

The only pics of that are looking down the barrel im pretty sure.

inthetallgrass

· #56 · Jul 1, 2011

Awesome. You are awesome.

inthetallgrass

· #61 · Jul 2, 2011

bobgengeskahn said:
This is how BBs are made:

All BBs, reguardless of brand, are typically made in 3 or 4 major factories in China. The defining factor that you pay for is the polish quality and precision in the molding process. The polish is typically done in a tumbler with a polishing powder in it (like super fine sand).

The materials that I am looking at are... different. There are certian characteristics that I need for my idea to work, so I have a few things in mind that I am going to try, but nothing solid yet that I really want to discuss yet ;-)

Well you should discuss them as I am sure there is people here experienced in this ort of thing that could help you pick a suitable material. Btw I am not insulting your ability.

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