Good BB weight for sniper rifles / Kar 98

[Blackbeard]

Ok, I'll admit I am thourghly confused. I researched and read countless pages of info concerning the best bb weight to use for a sniper rifle. I have read many things and some of which contradict each other. I have heard .3, .36, and .43/6 gram teflon coated bb's work the best, but considering how a bag of 1000 costs somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 bucks, needless to say I haven't actually tried them out. And when I go to sites to look at the prices, they don't mention anything about the bbs being teflon coated. So my question is what is the best weight for a sniper rifle or more specifically the tanaka 98k, where is the best place tobuy them, are they teflon coated, and are they really that much better to use performance wise than the .2 or .25 gram bbs. Thanks.

[xaos]

Heavier weights do two things: They decrease the potential for bbs to be blown off target by the wind, and they make it a bit easier to punch through soft cover.

As for what works best...that's something you'll have to figure out for yourself. Everyone has an opinion, and they're all valid...because that's what works for that specific person. Bite the bullet, buy some different weights, try em out, and decide what works best for you.

[frostee]

I'll answer the last part of your query first. The best place to buy bb's is The 6mm Shop (hit the link on the sidebar). They're economical, fast, friendly, knowledgeable... and they are located in Ohio, our neighbor to the south.

My answer to the first and most important part of your query is... whatever bb flies the best. No joke. The only way to find out which bb is right for your gun is to try as many as you can and see which one flies the farthest while maintaining decent accuracy. Do not pay heed to those who would tell you that one specific bb, over all others, is the bb you should be using. Sample them all (or as many as you can afford) and make the decision for yourself.

Now I'll give you some advice based on my limited experience with Kar98's, but exceptional experience with upgraded bolt action rifles... I would recommend you start your search for your perfect bb at the .30 gram weight and move up from there. And, I'll tell you why. The heavier weight bb's have a greater potential for getting through leaves and light debris that are blocking the target. If you find your self playing in wooded areas most often, penetration capability is a good thing to have.
You may find that .20's or .25's shoot much further than some of the heavier bb's. And, provided the hop-up doesn't send them into orbit, distance is a good thing, but always keep the penetration factor in mind.

I also know from experience that Kar98's tend to shoot very well in the warm summer months. With the fps your Kar should be shooting at, you should have no problem firing .30's or heavier for quite some distance.

As for the coated bb's versus uncoated. Straight makes two coated bb's which I believe to be of consistently good quality, Straight graphite coated .36 gram bb's .43 gram bb's. Straight also makes a .36 gram uncoated bb, which I believe to also be of good quality and virtually indistinguishable from the gray, graphite coated.
But as I said, you must try them to find the one that suits your airsoft replica the best.

Edit- Ok, that's not fair Xaos... I started my answer before yours, but I got called away from my desk before I could finish and post.

[luke213]

One thing to consider, I saw a Sniper BB sampler some time ago, and I can't seem to track it down again though someone sold one. It came with around 100 rounds of several of the hevier grades of BB's to allow you to find which one works best for you. Take a look around some of the retailers or search for it. If I come accross it I will link you, though it seems the price for the whole thing was around $20 and gave you most of the .30g+ grades of popular BB's to test out.


Luke

[xaos]

...and I kept mine short, Frostee, knowing your expert opinion would be much more valuable than the snippet I offered

[frostee]

Bah, expert opinion... I just talk to hear myself talk.