A little more than 10 years have passed since the previous test of bbs that we had made.
Meanwhile most brands have developed a range of heavy beads for us, snipers. Thus the rare 0.36 or 0.43 have been joined by even heavier weights like 0.45 or 0.50. Now we find most of these weights in visible colors in the scope.
In the end it still makes us more than 40 bbs tested!
I thank Skavenger, Fitruff, Bowy and Samo for their help on this comparison and the different people who sent us samples
Our sponsors, Airsoft-Entrepôt and OUTOOR & TACTICAL, offered us many samples and I warmly thank them.
Why these criteria?
– The first concerns the weight in according to the power of your replica we will go on a nominal value of different weights. More the replica is powerful, more we will go on a heavy bbs for better stability and a conservation of the final residual energy. The smaller the weight difference within the same bb, more accurate you will be.
– The diameter is mainly conditioned by the diameter of your inner barrel, from 6.12 we went to 6.08, then 6.04 and finally 6.01. This narrowing race is supposed to improve accuracy, but at the moment I will not judge anything. (You can go to PDI’s website. It commercial reference for precision inner barrels and you can see how they explain things)
Regarding the bbs, they are undersized, unless they are deformed or if there is dirt, but there should be no problems.
The tests are based on factual data and others more arbitrary/empirical. The weight was measured with a scale with 3 decimal places before zero, and the diameter with a digital caliper reseted at each measurement. In the meantime we acquired a palmer-type micrometer for increased accuracy because some diameter data seemed a little weak (5.90-5.91 on bbs expected to be around 5.94-5.95).
The tests is done out on a sample of 15 – 20 balls. The units are in their respective values. There is only the hardness that we noted in number of stars from 1 for a « soft » bb to 5 for that almost indestructible. This makes it an empirical value but the purchase of pro hardware in the area of hardness far exceeds our budget.
So we proceeded to cut the balls with a Santoku particularly sharp.
Due to lack of time, we haven’t tested the biodegradable side of the bbs.
Manufacture of a bb
The bb come from a liquid mixture of « plastic » injected under pressure into tiny molds. Once cooled, the molds open in 2 and we come out some bbs connected to each other by bridges. These bb plates pass in a machine that will press and separate the bbs from the bridge.
The bbs then go into one or more machines the famous « dual polish » that will refine the surface state. I didn’t manage to know if it was a kind of sand or other. I’m thinking that’s 2 different grains for the dual polish. This process aims to eliminate traces of bridge cutting and allow them to be as smooth as possible.
To add weight to bbs, different minerals can be added to the composition of plastic, the minerals « dust » for example: BLS explains that they use zinc powder.
The BIO bb is made with corn powder for light weights and PLA (polylactic acid) for heavier ones.
Sometimes we have some kind of grease on the bb. It was straight and more recently some King Arms. Is it to protect the bb form the air? To lubricate the magazines? In our case, it is particularly annoying because of contact with the HU rubber with the bb. So I would tend to advise to lightly wash these bbs.
This test took almost a year to be done between taking measurements, lack of time, equipment worries, waiting for new bbs, etc. I hope it will bring you lots of elements to optimize your shots.
The bbs are presented by the weight in order to provide as quickly as possible the appreciation of the different bbs according to your usual game weight.
We start with a venerable bb
Maruzen 0.30
Appearance : white and slightly milky
Bio : no
Weight : 0.297g weight difference of 0.02 g
Roundness : good, average diameter 5.89
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Found on ebay at 10 USD for 1800 bbs
Comment : A good lightweight BB
SIIS 0.30
Appearance : white and slightly milky
Bio : no
Weight : 0.297g weight difference of 0.02 g
Roundness : good, average diameter 5.89
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 2 Stars
Price / Availability : I didn’t found this bb. I’m thinking that they are no longer sold.
Comment : The same result as the Maruzen one. Maybe this BB comes form the same factory ?
Rocket platinium 0.30
Appearance : white
Bio : no
Weight : 0.301g weight difference of 0.03 g
Roundness : good, average diameter 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 2 Stars
Price / Availability : I didn’t found this bb. She was sold by GunFire.
Comment : Available in 0.28g too.
Devil Blaster 0.30
Appearance : white
Bio : no
Weight : 0.301g weight difference of 0.03 g
Roundness : good
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 17.8 EUR the 3000 bbs.
Comment : Produced by ASG. Good value for money.
Geoffs 0.30super natural precision
Appearance : white
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.299g weight difference of 0.03 g
Roundness : good
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4 Stars
Price / Availability : I can find this bb on different websites including at our sponsor Outdoor&Tactical. The prices start at 6.30 EUR for 1000 bbs. The price is decreasing according to the quantities.
Comment : Very good bbs that you can use on your gbb’s
Geoffs tracer 0.30 precision
Appearance : white (green on darkness)
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.303g weight difference of 0.03 g
Roundness : good
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 8 EUR for 1000 bbs. The price is decreasing according to the quantities.
Comment : Need to use with a tracer unit. Tips : to use with an automatic gun, you can add normal bbs with the tracer one to a better use so That’s less expensive.
Geoffs tracer 0.32 natural précision
Appearance : white (green on darkness)
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.320 g weight difference of 0.05 g
Roundness : good
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 8.88 EUR for 1000 bbs at our sponsor Outdoor&Tactical. The price is decreasing according to the quantities.
Comment : Tracer BB in 0.32.Iit’s better to use them with a sniper rifle than the 0.3.
The second part of the test concerns the bbs more used by our sniper rifles between 400 and 470 FPS
An originality in 0.35
Umarex elite force 0.35
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.332g weight difference of 0.04 g
Roundness : Between 5.89 and 5.93
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : They are no longer findable. 18 EUR for 2700 bbs
Comment : Bad bbs because there are difference in weight and diameter…
0.36g BBs
King Arm « heavy » blue 0.36
Appearance : blue and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.37g weight variation between 0.365 and 0.377
Roundness : good average at 5.90
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 1 Stars they are rather soft
Price / Availability : Available with an average price of 14 EUR for 2000 bbs.
Comment : It’s a general purpose bbs even if there are variation of weight and more weight than indicated.
King Arm « heavy » green 0.36
Appearance : green and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.36g weight variation between 0.351 and 0.365
Roundness : good average at 5.90
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 2 Stars a little more than the blue one.
Price / Availability : Available with an average price of 19 EUR for 2000 bbs.
Comment : It’s difficult to see the bbs trough the rifle scope. (It’s difficult for the target too)
Devil blaster 0.36
Appearance : Black
Bio : no
Weight : 0.358g weight variation between 0.352 and 0.368
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.97
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Available in black at 27 EUR for 3000 bbs.
Comment : some weight variation and a large diameter, better to use with a “wide bore barrel”.
A-E ( Airsoft Entrepot ) Bio 0.36
Appearance : White and shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.367g weight difference less than 0.002g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.9
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Easy at Airsoft-Entrepot at 10.90 EUR for 1000 bbs.
Comment : It’s the brand of Airsoft-Entrepot since few years. (That’s a repack of BLS)
BO rain 0.36
Appearance : White and shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.341g weight difference of 0.001g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Easy. 15.90 EUR the bag of 1500 bbs.
Comment : another bio bb. Since 2 or 3 years, many factories made bio heavy weight bbs, for us, sniper. That’s good for a better world.
BLS 0.36
Appearance : White and shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.360g weight difference of 0.004g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.9
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Easy. 20 EUR for 2800 bbs.
Comment : It’s a brand that goes up since end of 2016. That bbs have very good reputation on the field.
GEOFFS 0.36
Appearance : White and shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.360g weight difference of 0.006g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.94
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 12 EUR at Outdoor&Tactical.
Comment : Good 0.36
Shoot Again pro sniper 0.36
Appearance : White and matt
Bio : no
Weight : 0.36g weight difference of 0.007g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.91 But… 3 month later… 6.10
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 2 Stars
Price / Availability : Less available in recent years7 EUR for 500 bbs in a vacuum pack.
Comment : For me, Shoot Again is in first time a paintball shop with his own brand of paintball bbs.
It’s rare to find bbs in a vacuum packaging. Be careful when you buy bbs in a vacuum pack, because when the pack is open… The bbs inflated after 2-3 month. It’s sad because the matt appearance is good thing to take a great hopup effect on the rubber.
Geoffs 0.38
Appearance : Grey and Shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.380g weight difference of 0.003g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.94
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Available at Outdoor&Tactical.
Comment : An intermediate bbs, maybe a good bb to a medium power to mix stability and range.
0.40g bbs
It’s a recent weight, because since 10 years, we had only some 0.36 or 0.43 for ours rifles.
King arms 0.40
Appearance : Grey and Shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.404g weight difference of 0.005g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 2 Stars
Price / Availability : no available, 25 EUR for 2000 bbs.
Comment : It’s difficult to see the bbs trough the rifle scope.
Demoniac precision 0.40
Appearance : Grey and Shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.405g weight difference of 0.007g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Easy at 18 EUR for a bottle of 2000 bbs.
Comment : good bbs slightly under calibrated. It’s a better thing to use them with an inner barrel 6.01 or 6.02
ASG 0.40
Appearance : White and Shiny. A little bit orange if you drink too much mojito.
Bio : no
Weight : 0.401g weight difference of 0.002g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.91
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : Easy at 17 EUR for 1000 bbs.
Comment : During the test, what surprised us is the “cold” contact of the bbs. Is it because there are metal dust inside ?? One of my favorite bbs in recent year.
CYC 0.40
Appearance : black and very shiny. Even if you drink too much mojito, they stay black.
Bio : no
Weight : 0.40g on the package, but 0.376 with a weight difference of 0.002g (maybe the factory drink too much mojito here…)
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.91
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : directly from the manufacturer 18 EUR for 2500 bbs.
Comment : The first bbs ordered by Sniperland for our members in 2012. Our members made very nice shots, but it’s very difficult to see trough the rifle scope.
Shoot Again 0.40
Appearance : white and matt
Bio : no
Weight : 0.41 weight difference of 0.003g
Roundness : king of craters (check photo), diameter at 5.91
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 7.9 EUR in vacuum pack of 500 bbs like 0.36 (available in 0.43 and 0.45 but not tested)
Comment : Same thing as the 0.36. The bbs inflated.
GEOFFS 0.40
Appearance : white and Shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.4 weight difference of 0.004g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.93
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4 Stars
Price / Availability : 17 EUR for 1000 bbs, like others Geoffs, you can order them at Outdoor&Tactical.
Comment : really good bbs
A-E Bio 0.40
Appearance : white and Shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.402 weight difference of 0.002g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 13.9 EUR for 1000 bbs at Airsoft Entrepôt.
Comment : A good bbs, easy to find them in France at our French sponsor Airsoft Entrepôt.
BLS 0.40
Appearance : white and Shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.402 weight difference of 0.002g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 13 EUR for 1000 bbs.
Comment : It’s the same values than the A-E bio 0.4. Maybe the A-E is a repack of the BLS, but whatever, it’s a really good quality of bbs.
KYOU 0.40
Appearance : orange and Shiny. We can see them trough the rifle scope.
Bio : no
Weight : 0.407 weight difference of 0.005g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : yes
Hardness : 2 Stars
Price / Availability : Not available
Comment : An old bbs that I still have a stock
Duel code 0.40
Appearance : grey and Shiny.
Bio : no
Weight : 0.405 weight difference of 0.005g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.91
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : 13 EUR for 1000 bbs.
Comment : bbs gave by a player. Never tested in game but good characteristic.
BB king 0.40
Appearance : white and matt.
Bio : no
Weight : 0.409 weight difference of 0.004g
Roundness : average diameter at 6.2 (yes 6.2… not 6.02)
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 1 Stars
Price / Availability : 13 EUR for 1000 bbs.
Comment : This bbs stayed inside his package sealed 2 or 3 years ago. It was a new bbs in white and heavier. I can see that all bbs inflated inside, before that I open the sealed package. Since that, the brand apologized but I broke the feeding tube of my aps2, now I stay scalded.
Longbow 0.40
Appearance : white and shin, slightly granular.
Bio : no
Weight : 0.404 weight difference of 0.004g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.91
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Price / Availability : available in UK at 18 EUR for 1000 bbs.
Comment : expensive bbs
That’s all for this second step in the future we test the heavy heavy bb’s 0.43 to 0.88
It’s the 3rd and last parts of this test with the super heavy bbs.
In this last parts one other will coming in the end, the magnetic test.
0.43 It was the maximum weight for many years
Straight 0.43
Appearance : black/grey
Bio : no
Weight : 0.431g weight difference of 0.005 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.91
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : No longer available.
Comment : The first sniper bb, her second name is Sekito. The reputation that this bb was in metal was false. It was because the appearance of the bb and her sound. In beginning of the 2000 years, it was “THE” bb.
WE 0.43
Appearance : green and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.430g weight difference of 0.007 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : 14 EUR for 2000 bbs
Comment : The green bb is more discreet in your rifle scope and to identify where the shot comes from.
Airsoft Entrepot 0.43
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.440g weight difference of 0.002 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : You can find this bb at our sponsor Airsoft-Entrepôt. 15.90 EUR for 1000bbs.
Comment : A very good bb. I used them at the Sniperland Golf 2018.
Geoffs 0.43 super precision
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.430g weight difference of 0.004 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.94
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : You can find this bb at our sponsor Outdoor&Tactical. 21.00 EUR for 1000bbs.
Comment : Good bb.
ASG Accuracy International 0.43
Appearance : white beige and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.430g weight difference of 0.002 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.95
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : on internet at 20 EUR for 1000bbs
Comment : a very good bb that I used at the Sniperland Golf 2017
Guarder 0.43
Appearance : black and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.432g weight difference of 0.005 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : on internet at 13 EUR for 1000bbs
Comment : This bb was sent by one sniperland member to do this test. I never used them in game. I don’t know how the bb on the field is.
Madbull 0.43
Appearance : white and matt
Bio : no
Weight : 0.444g weight difference of 0.007 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : findable at naturabay. 33 EUR for 2000bbs
Comment : I never tested this bb in game.
BLS 0.43
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.430g weight difference of 0.004 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 Stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : 15 EUR for 1000 bbs
Comment : good bb, no problem.
BB king 0.43
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.455g weight difference of 0.05 g
Roundness : bad, maximum at 6.5mm
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 1 Star
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : 14 EUR for 2000 bbs
Comment : The same inflate problem as his little sister in 0.36. Just under, you can check the Kalashnikov bbs. It’s a repack of BBKing…
Kyou Perfect 0.445
Appearance : pure white
Bio : no
Weight : 0.433g weight difference of 0.001 g
Roundness : perfect
Bubbles : cutting test is impossible
Hardness : cutting test is impossible, it’s too hard
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : 45 EUR for 30 bbs
Comment : I like this bb. It’s a ceramic bb. His surface « mirror polish » and his hardness are exceptional. I’m thinking that is a bearing ball.
The store www.Softwarshop.com sent me a sample few years ago, it’s the same always. The bb was shot on metallic target and it has not been broken or damaged. I don’t advise to use them in game because of his expensive price.
Go to the 0.45
Madbull 0.45
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.456g weight difference of 0.005 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : 38 EUR for 2000 bbs
Comment : no problem with this bb.
BLS 0.45
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.456g weight difference of 0.005 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.92
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : 38 EUR for 2000 bbs
Comment : no problem with this bb.
Geoffs 0.45 super natural precision
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : yes
Weight : 0.454g weight difference of 0.003 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.94
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : Like the others Geoffs, go to Outdoor&tactical
Comment : The 0.45 Bio is THE solution to play on the field who the non biodegradable bb is not allowed.
Geoffs 0.46 precision
Appearance : grey and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.462g weight difference of 0.003 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.94 mm
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 3 stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : Like the others Geoffs, go to Outdoor&tactical, 19 EUR for 1000bbs
Comment : The only one 0.46 in this test
Geoffs 0.48 super precision
Appearance : white and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.480g weight difference of 0.002 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.96 mm
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4 stars
Magnetic : no
Price / Availability : Like the others Geoffs, go to Outdoor&tactical, 27 EUR for 1000bbs
Comment : the heavier white bb available, but the more expensive too
0.5g, the 50 BMG of the airsoft ^^
Geoffs 0.5
Appearance : grey and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.502g weight difference of 0.002 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.96 mm
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4-5 stars, it’s the harder bb in this test.
Magnetic : yes
Price / Availability : Like the others Geoffs, go to Outdoor&tactical, 24 EUR for 1000bbs
Comment : need to be use with high power rifle for a maximum range. This BB will give you a better wind stability and good energy conservation.
BLS 0.5
Appearance : grey and shiny
Bio : no
Weight : 0.502g weight difference of 0.003 g
Roundness : good, diameter at 5.93 mm
Bubbles : no
Hardness : 4-5 stars, it’s the harder bb in this test.
Magnetic : yes
Price / Availability : 16 EUR for 1000bbs
Comment : a must have for long range shooting -> 145 m to beat https://youtu.be/MFKex0KT3EM
Bearing 0.88
Appearance : metal
Bio : no
Weight : 0.86g weight difference of 0.01 g
Roundness : perfect, diameter at 5.9 mm
Bubbles : cutting test is impossible
Hardness : cutting test is impossible
Magnetic : yes
Price / Availability : 35EUR for 1kg
Comment : Metal bb is just to calibrate, not to play. This bb doesn’t work for our power, 40% heavier than 0.50….
Conclusion
Judging from the work and the hours spent on it appears that apart from very rare «hummingbirds» there are no more bad bbs on the market. I think that as the hop-up rubber or inner barrel, the technology and the increased market has allowed for more reliable new manufacturing processes. Quality control is the same.
After research on the different bbs that have suspected it to come from the same manufacturer I think the difference is mostly polishing with more or less higher levels of finish. The samples should be given to a laboratory to finely study the composition and make it possible to be sure, but this is beyond the financial means.
Now it isn’t more appropriate to look for the perfect ball because they are almost all of them but rather the one that will match best with your replica or your way of playing. At this level we can congratulate Geoffs which offers almost all possible weights 0.32/ 0.36/ 0.38/ 0.40/ 0.43/0.45/0.46/0.48 and 0.50. In 2004 I wrote this « it’s up to you to make your choice based on your power, the distance at which you make the majority of your shots and other parameters (fast or precise bb, wind or not, shooting through cartons or not, etc.). This is more relevant than ever. Finally I would like to remind you that we are on measures so fine that the presence of dust, hair or other inside your hop-up will have more influence than using a bb that may have 0.04g of difference from one to the other. In the outside disturbers, the temperature and the humidity also have an influence on your hop-up and of course I don’t speak about the presence of the wind
A summary table with all the data will be posted on the Sniperland forum.
Groquik – Sniperland 2018
Description of Geoffs bbs
GEOFFS™ SUPER PRECISION™ (SP). Probably the best quality available in the market.
GEOFFS™ SUPER NATURAL PRECISION™ BIO (SNP). Probably the best bio quality available in the market.
GEOFFS™ PRECISION™ (P). The same as others or better quality of bbs available in the market, but less expensive.
GEOFFS™ NATURAL PRECISION™ BIO (NP). The same as others or better quality of bio bbs available in the market, but less expensive.