The weight of the airsoft ammo you shoot is one of the easiest things you can change if you notice something off about accuracy.

Perhaps your shots just aren’t going far enough. Or maybe, when you shoot, the ammo dips or inexplicably yaws off to the right or left.

It’s possible that these issues can be caused by a low-quality airsoft barrel, or even because your hop-up system isn’t calibrated, but it could also be attributable to BB weight.

Here are a few things you should know.

About Airsoft Ammo Weight

It is easier for lower-powered airsoft guns to shoot, or “hop” lightweight airsoft pellets farther. If you shoot heavier BBs out of an underpowered airsoft gun, they just won’t get very far.

However, there’s a flipside to this. Lighter BBs, since volume does not change, are lower in density than heavy BBs.

Consequently, air resistance plays more of a part in affecting lighter airsoft ammo than it does on heavy ammo.

Therefore, heavier ammo shoots farther and more accurately from more powerful airsoft guns, like high-powered AEGs and spring-powered airsoft sniper rifles.

Here are some basic guidelines for you to follow.

.20g BBs

The standard weight for airsoft ammo is .20 grams. These are used in low-powered airsoft guns like gas-blowback pistols.

You can expect decent range from BBs of this weight, as well as acceptable accuracy, but don’t expect to be blown away. Also, remember, as you move up in power, accuracy, and range will suffer.

Also, .20g BBs are used to chronograph airsoft guns, so your FPS rating indicates the muzzle velocity you can expect with .20g BBs only.

.20g-.25g BBs

Some shooters bump their preferences up to .25g airsoft ammo when they graduate to more powerful AEGs or upgrade their existing platforms.

This is another standard weight (.25g) and offers a slight boost in performance over .20g BBs. The optimal power for airsoft guns shooting .20g to .25g BBs is between 300 and 400 FPS.

.28-.32g BBs

Most airsoft players that shoot modified guns with boosted performance and power tend to gravitate towards heavier BBs between the weights of .28g and .32g.

While there are heavier BBs, most stronger AEGs tend to offer great speed, range, accuracy, trajectory and stability with airsoft ammo in this weight range.

If your AEG has muzzle velocities in the high 300 FPS range or is over 400 FPS (with .20g BBs) it makes sense to bump up to .28g or .32 BBs.

Super Heavy Airsoft Ammo: .36g to .45g BBs

The heaviest airsoft ammo of all, between .36g and .45g, is best reserved for the most powerful airsoft guns of all, most of which are spring-powered airsoft sniper rifles that can break 400 FPS - some even get close to 500 FPS.

These heavier weights, when paired with high-powered airsoft sniper rifles, offer the best range, the greatest aerodynamic stability, and most importantly, accuracy, which is critical when taking shots at extended ranges.

What About .12g BBs?

There is one class of super-lightweight airsoft BBs which weigh .12g. These, however, are only suitable for use in underpowered airsoft guns, like weak spring-powered airsoft guns. Stay away from these for competitive play, as most of them are hollow and can break inside of your airsoft gun and damage the internals.

How to Identify High-Quality Airsoft Ammo

There are a few things to look for in high-quality airsoft ammo. Some of these things are:

• Polished, one-piece design that’s solid. (Solid BBs won’t shatter easily).
• Construction from a special plastic polymer like ABS or PLA that’s chip, fragment, and split resistant.
• Preferably, airsoft ammo should be made from non-recycled material to ensure quality control and consistency.
• If you play in an airsoft event that requires biodegradable ammo, make sure you use the right BBs.

Hop-Up Systems, Buckings, and Airsoft Gun Barrels

While airsoft ammo can impact the accuracy of your airsoft gun, it is not the only factor. Two others are the barrel and the hop-up system, including the bucking.

One big thing to look for is a tight-bore barrel, with a very small inner diameter that closely matches the diameter of the airsoft ammo. Many tight-bore inner barrels are only 6.02mm or 6.05mm.

Some airsoft guns come equipped with them, but not all do, so consider making that upgrade.

Also, consider the barrel material. Many barrels are made of brass and stainless steel alloys. Stainless steel is superior because brass corrodes and pits over time, which can gravely affect accuracy.

There are also special barrels, like Maple Leaf Crazy Jet barrels that create a cushion of air around the BB as it exits the barrel, stabilizing it and encouraging greater accuracy.

The hop up system is another component that significantly impacts accuracy in airsoft. This is the system that controls how much backspin is imparted to a BB as it leaves the barrel.

Backspin imparted by the hop-up system spin-stabilizes the BB and creates lift via the Magnus Effect which helps carry the BBs over greater distances.

One part of the hop-up system that makes a big difference is the bucking.

This is a rubber or polymer piece that actually contacts the BB before it enters the barrel by applying friction to one side of the BB.

Depending on how hard or soft the bucking is, it will impact spin stability, and thereby, accuracy and range.

The harder the bucking, the better it is for higher-FPS airsoft guns. Therefore, buckings for high-powered AEGs are usually harder, and buckings for airsoft pistols are usually softer.

Make sure the bucking hardness matches the airsoft gun because a bucking that is too hard or too soft can adversely impact accuracy.

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