Jacob(smooth) Wrote:Thanks Insanity, that's helpful. Few questions...
Assuming masks and goggles are a must, (nobody wants a pellet in the ear) how easy is it to tell if you've been hit? Do you need to wear shorts and T shirts etc to tell if you've been hit, or do you want to be in thick layers to stop the bruising? I ask cos I'm wondering about involving my nieces / nephews (early teens)
What sort of fps is the minimum for effective use? If it a a weak fps one, does that mean you can't tell if you've been hit or just that the accuracy is for shit at more than 6 feet?
Even cheap spring guns at 200fps are enough to give you a good sting through clothing. It shouldn't be an issue, especially this time if year. Getting hit on bare skin isn't all that much fun even at 200fps. I've messed with those kinds of guns with just a T-shirt and it can be fairly painful. Not enough to stop it being fun but enough to make you more careful/sneaky next time.
As for your niblings, I think you will only be able to tell once they try it. I'd say stick on something long sleeved, maybe a jacket and jeans if they are concerned. They will still feel the hit and occasionally one on tight clothing that will sting. Most hits won't do more than look red for 20-30 mins bad ones can welts for a day or two. Avoid anything less than a meter with 200fps, it can hit hard enough to draw blood at that range.
Most spring rifles, pistols, shotguns fall between 200-300fps. Accuracy varies. I've always done well with cheap shotguns, they are accurate to around 20m. Same with pistols. Other assault rifle types tend to do whatever they want. They are still fairly accurate close range, something like 10m then fly off one direction. You should use 0.2 gram bb's they are more accurate than 0.12g's.
If you go as high as 300-330fps then you will get some nasty hits. You'll 100% know about it. I'm fortunate enough not to have been hit by one anywhere less than 20m away. Most UK sites only allow you to fire single shot in CQB with these types just because it's enough to spoil your fun getting hit lots at close range. For the family friendly battles you want to do I'd stay away from anything over 250fps.
At a certain point you have to pick between power and accuracy, you want to be able to hit people but not ruin their day, 200fps makes you think twice about charging in close range, 330fps is enough to piss somebody off. I'd go with 200fps unless the firefights are going to be 40m between opponents.
