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AIRSOFT GUIDE: Airsoft Velocities

Velocity vs. energy for 6 mm Airsoft BB's. For comparison purposes, 3.00g is the typical mass of a paintball pellet and 0.2g is the standard for an airsoft pellet. At 3g mass, a pellet flying at 100 metres per second (330 ft/s) results in 15J of kinetic energy, while a 0.2g results in 1J. It is important to distinguish that, on airsoft, the impact energy is very close to the kinetic energy of the pellet because the collision is almost elastic. On the other hand, in paintball, the pellet disintegrates on the collision, leading to an inelastic collision and thus the impact energy is smaller than the kinectic energy of the pellet. Nevertheless, the typical impact energies of the airsoft pellet tend to be much smaller than of the paintball.

6 mm Airsoft BB's mass and their usage

• 0.11 g Manufactured by HFC, same use as .12‚ gram. Extremely Uncommon.
• 0.12 g Extremely common, standard weight for all low grade AEG's and spring guns. Not to be used in any small arms beyond low-cost, low quality replicas firing under 250fps. These pellets are notorious for breaking inside high-powered guns because they are hollow inside. The low weight of this pellet also causes it to be extremely inaccurate because they are easily affected by the slightest of breezes.
• 0.135 g Same uses as 0.12 g. Extremely Uncommon. MFI standard. Not to be used in most guns.
• 0.15 g Same uses as 0.12 g. Uncommon. made by only Air Venturi
• 0.16 g Essentially the same as the 0.15 g pellets. made only by Air Venturi
• 0.20 g Second most common weight. Standard for almost all velocity tests. AEGs are able to use these, however, most experienced players will use heavier masses due to the increased accuracy and range. Bio versions made by Green Devil or G&G being one of the most popular makes in the Scandinavian countries and many other parts of Europe, & UK.
• 0.21 g home made by covering .20 g with pencil lead. great for "paintball" but leaves residue in barrel
• 0.22 g - no longer in production. Used to be available from KWC and Western Arms.
• 0.23 g - Heavier pellets for AEGs. Blends speed of 0.20 g with range and accuracy of 0.25 g. Made popular by Tsunami Airsoft. Used less now in favor of .20g & .25g
• 0.24 g - Only known manufacturers are Airstrike (a subsidiary of Daisy) and Crosman
• 0.25 g - Third most common weight, especially popular for the higher-powered AEGs used in America. This is the heaviest mass for lower powered AEGs, blowback and spring guns. Tokyo Marui standard AEG, gas, and spring guns are set at the factory for 0.25 gram BBs, and they usually include a package of 200 of these with the gun. These are available in bio and non-bio versions from many sellers including Valken, EliteForce, 6mmProShop, and Matrix. Bio versions made by Green Devil or G&G being one of the most popular makes in the Scandinavian countries and many other parts of Europe, & UK.
• 0.26 g - Made by TSD in biodegradable form.
• 0.27 g - Made by Bioval BBBMAX. They are (ostensibly) considered to be of the same grade, if not higher than the Maruzen SGM, while being significantly less expensive.
• 0.28 g - For higher velocity AEGs or sniper rifles. Typically cheaper than 0.30 g but yields similar performance. Bio versions are made by Guarder or G&G, some of the most popular manufacturers.
• 0.29 g - Maruzen Super Grandmaster BBs, designed for their Air Precision Shooting series of guns. One of the most precisely ground and accurate BBs available, but cost roughly 10x more than typical alternatives.
• 0.30 g - Standard mass for most sniper rifles. Have become more common in recent times with some of the top brands like Bioval and Bioshot, Bio versions made by various manufactors including G&G and Tokyo Marui.
• 0.32 g - Also standard for sniper rifles. Offers excellent balance of velocity and stability for most spring and gas sniper rifles. A well-known brand is Goldenball.
• 0.36 g - Heavier pellets for sniper rifles. Slower, but have high stability. Produced by Madbull Airsoft, among others. BB Bastard manufactures a ceramic BB in this mass class.
• 0.40 g - Heavy pellets for airsoft sniper rifles. Mad Bull is a known producer. Even slower than 0.36g but even more stable and maintains its velocity better.
• 0.43 g - For the highest level of upgrades in spring and gas sniper rifles. Usually graphite coated.
• 0.66 g - For extreme long range, not used against human targets. This is a ceramic CNC machined BB made by BB Bastard.
• 0.90 g - Nickel-plated steel BBs sold by Abacus Claysports of the UK.