Most of us know that the accuracy limit of a gel blaster is around 20 meters. Some claim to achieve the precision of an A4 paper at 25 meters, but that usually involves angling the muzzle upward to hit the target randomly in a parabolic trajectory. This article is for beginners and those looking for guidance. Remember, we're aiming for minimal spread within a 15-meter range, not a straight line—gel balls don't follow a straight line! Here are some tips:
1.Have you installed the hop-up?
Is the hop-up dial set correctly? For instance, if you're using an ATK, you should use a .5 dial for a 7.5-9.5 tube, or else the hop-up won't work effectively.
2.What's the inner diameter of your barrel?
Based on this, choose the right size gel balls! If they're too small, they won't have enough power, and if they're too big, they'll fly erratically. So, for a 7.2 tube, you should use 7.1-7.3 gel balls, and so on.
3.Initial speed is crucial!
I always strictly control my initial speed, and personally, I find 65-75 to be optimal. The hop-up is also basically only compatible within this range. If the speed is too low, the hop-up won't have the desired effect and may even lower the trajectory. If the speed is too high, the gel balls could shatter, and the hop-up effect can be too severe. High initial speed might hurt more, but have you considered the gel balls? They could shatter if not handled with care.
4.Control the moisture!
Each time you play, the gel balls at the bottom of the box tend to be less accurate. Remember to shake off any excess water on the surface before using them.
5.Too much oil in the gearbox!
Oil is good, but too much of it can cause problems. All types of hop-ups work through friction, and if there's too much oil, they can become too slippery and ineffective.
6.If the hop-up is installed too far from the muzzle (too far inside)
The gel balls may hit the inner barrel or the flash hider, and the airflow inside the barrel could become too chaotic. After all, a 0.2g gel ball can't withstand too much turbulence. Therefore, the hop-up should be level with the muzzle to avoid any interference.
7.The blaster's gearbox and inner/outer barrels need to be securely fixed.
The best installation method is to ensure no movement between the inner barrel and the gearbox, tightly fitting the receiver, wrapping the inner barrel with at least two layers of electrical tape, fitting an outer sleeve over it, securely mounting the outer barrel on the handguard, and using AB glue to fix the hop-up on the inner barrel to prevent loosening. A stable gearbox system can greatly improve your blaster's accuracy!
8.Use a metal barrel! Precision drawn metal barrels!
Acrylic tubes have larger tolerances due to the heat extrusion process during manufacturing, and even though you might not see it, the inner wall might be uneven, affecting the stability of the trajectory. Metal barrels, commonly made from 6061 or 7075 aluminum alloys, are more durable. Choose ones sold by reputable stores for better accuracy. I don't recommend ones with internal oxidation treatment as oxidation can lead to flaws and breakages. Precision drawn tubes won't have this problem. The lower the friction coefficient, the smoother the acceleration of the gel balls.
9.Barrel length!
The barrel should not be too long! Many posts have mentioned that overly long gun barrels are just for show. 4-inch and 7-inch are the way to go!
10.Air tightness!
Where do you need air tightness? I can responsibly tell you—it's needed at the cylinder head, between the push head and the cylinder, between the push head and the inner barrel, and between the gel balls and the inner barrel!
Also, remember to use AB glue for the tee and the inner barrel, 704 is not good enough!
Lastly, remember to pay attention to details during the manufacturing process! Areas that need to be solid should be solid, and areas that need to be polished should be polished! A good blaster isn't built overnight; it requires continuous adjustment unless you can purchase ultra-high precision parts, which, sadly, is a rarity in the gel blaster world. If you enjoy tinkering, keep swapping parts to meet the above 10 conditions. Also, be aware that out of 10 3D printed hop-ups, maybe only one or two will work effectively due to poor precision.
If you've achieved the above 10 points, you've completed 50% of your revolution. The other 50% is soaking the gel balls! Choose good gel balls! A perfectly fitted blaster setup must find its perfectly compatible gel balls. The so-called accuracy is: a perfectly fitted blaster + perfectly compatible gel balls = high accuracy!
Lastly, let me share a nice 4-inch setup with you: an ATK precision drawn 7.2-9.3 tube, a third-generation range extender core gel ball (9.3-15.8-effectiveness 7), air Mach, Blackstone 1.4-21-150 spring, gold motor, and enhanced transparent 7mm gel balls. This setup has been tried and tested many times, and it's a proven plan based on continuous practice. As for the installation details, remember these three words: "polish, stabilize, air tightness".
