Editing Airsoft (section)

== Projectile ==
{{Main|Airsoft pellets}}
Most airsoft guns fire round plastic pellets, usually white, but Tracers are common as well. The pellets mostly range from 0.12 to 0.48&nbsp;g. However, the most popular weights for AEGs (automatic electric guns) and GBB* (Gas Blow-Back guns) are 0.20&nbsp;g to 0.32&nbsp;g (whose muzzle velocity ranges from approximately {{convert|250|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} to {{convert|400|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}). While heavier rounds (0.36–0.40&nbsp;g) are typically used in long-range and sniper applications since they are more stable in flight and less easily deflected by wind.

The pellets, which are called BBs, are usually bought in bags or bottles of 2,000 to 5,000, but other sizes are available, such as a 250,000 round (65&nbsp;kg) package of tournament grade BBs. Biodegradable BBs are a fraction more expensive than non-bio counterparts, but many fields require them. BBs are typically 5.95mm ±0.01&nbsp;mm in diameter.

=== Ballistics ===
{{Further|topic=Airsoft pellet ballistics|Airsoft pellets#Pellet ballistics}}
[[File:AirsoftM4Front.jpg|thumb|An airsoft player shooting from behind cover, wearing [[goggles]] to fully seal the area around the eyes and a [[Balaclava (clothing)|balaclava]] to protect the face]]
Due to the low [[muzzle energy]] (less than {{cvt|1.5|J|ftlb|disp=or|lk=on}} even for high-power models) and poor [[sectional density]], the pain an [[airsoft pellet]] causes on skin impact is about the same as getting pinched. As a reference value, a standard 0.20&nbsp;gram 6&nbsp;mm pellet, which is the most common size and weight, traveling at {{cvt|100|m/s|ft/s|lk=on}} has {{cvt|1|J|ftlb}} of [[kinetic energy]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=All About Airsoft Guns: Calculating Airsoft Gun Muzzle Velocity and Kinetic Energy|url=https://www.socomtactical.net/airsoft-gun-fps-calculator/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=High Speed BBs|date=13 April 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> Calculating the Joules and energy generated by airsoft guns is important because of phenomena like "joule creep" where the FPS remains the same while the energy of the airsoft BB leaving the airsoft gun barrel increases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why We Should Care About Joules and Airsoft Guns - All About Airsoft Guns|url=https://www.socomtactical.net/airsoft-gun-fps-calculator/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=Socom Tactical Airsoft |date=13 April 2017 |language=en-BG}}</ref>

Different regions vary in the velocity airsoft guns are allowed to shoot at. In the United States, velocity differs from the type of gameplay field. Close Quarter Battle arenas typically regulate velocity on airsoft guns at around {{cvt|350|ft/s|order=flip}}. For outdoor fields, velocity is usually regulated by the type of gun. With a standard {{convert|0.20|g|gr}} pellet, fully automatic Airsoft Electric Guns (AEGs) are often set at less than {{cvt|400|ft/s|order=flip}}, semi-automatic [[Designated marksman rifle|DMR]]-style AEGs at {{cvt|400|-|450|ft/s|order=flip}}, and bolt-action (manually cocked spring-piston) [[sniper rifle]]s at {{cvt|450|-|500|ft/s|order=flip}}.<ref name=":0" />

The maximum [[effective range]] of field-legal airsoft guns is all around {{cvt|100|m|yd}} with a highly upgraded sniper rifle replica.<ref>{{cite web |title=Airsoft GI – G700F Sniper Rifle Accuracy And 250 Feet Range Test |website = [[YouTube]]| date=25 April 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lSyWYj5CK8 |access-date=10 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623215330/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lSyWYj5CK8 |archive-date=23 June 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Most airsoft guns used for field play will have an effective range of around {{cvt|43|–|67|m|yd}}, depending on the intended [[gameplay]] role.<ref>{{cite web |title=Section IV: Effective and Maximum Range for 6&nbsp;mm BB's |url=http://mackila.com/airsoft/atp/04-a-01.htm |access-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125021248/http://mackila.com/airsoft/atp/04-a-01.htm |archive-date=25 January 2015}}</ref> Most Airsoft guns are capable of shooting from {{cvt|60|to|125|m/s}}, although it is also possible to purchase upgraded internals that will enable the gun to shoot up to {{cvt|550|ft/s|order=flip}} or higher. In [[California]], a common limit for [[CQB]] is {{cvt|350|ft/s|order=flip}}.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} In Ireland, Italy and Japan the muzzle energy limit for airsoft guns is 1 joule no matter what the type of gameplay. In the [[UK]], the law allows weapons locked to semi-automatic and bolt-action rifles to fire up to 2.5 joules (at [[muzzle velocity]] up to {{cvt|518|ft/s|order=flip|disp=or}}). Any weapon "which is capable of discharging two or more [[projectile|missile]]s successively without repeated pressure on the trigger" is limited, by law, at 1.3 joules (velocity up to {{cvt|374|ft/s|order=flip|disp=or}}).<ref>{{cite web|date=November 2017|title=Policing and Crime Act 2017 - section 57A|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/125|access-date=25 November 2020|website=legislation.gov.uk|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006141245/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/3/section/125|archive-date= October 6, 2022}}</ref> Northern Ireland has a maximum velocity of {{cvt|100|m/s}} with 0.20&nbsp;g pellets, without regard to the type of equipment.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} In Sweden, the legal limitations of airsoft guns caps the energy limit at 10 joules for manual guns, and 3 joules for semi- and fully automatic guns.<ref>{{cite web |title=Luftvapen, paintball, soft air gun och övriga vapen – Lagar och regler – polisen.se |url=https://polisen.se/Lagar-och-regler/Vapen/Paintballskytte/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809210018/https://polisen.se/Lagar-och-regler/Vapen/Paintballskytte/ |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2016}}</ref>

The ballistics of spring- or electrically powered airsoft guns differ from real firearms in that a longer barrel will not always result in better accuracy.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} The "sweet spot" for barrel length in a spring/electric powered airsoft gun is around {{cvt|450|mm}}, beyond which added barrel length will not improve accuracy.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} In any case, barrel quality, velocity consistency, and hopup quality/design are more important factors with regard to accuracy.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} Added barrel length will result in slightly increased velocity if the cylinder size and compression are appropriate for the barrel length. For example, a gun with a large cylinder and a long barrel will shoot slightly harder than a gun with a small cylinder and a short barrel (''[[ceteris paribus]]'').{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} This rule will apply even for barrels longer than {{cvt|500|mm}}, if there is enough cylinder volume and air compression to propel the pellet through the barrel.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} However, the resulting velocity increase will be hardly noticeable. The only considerable advantage of using a longer inner barrel in an AEG or spring-powered gun is that it generally will make the gun quieter due to the weakened [[muzzle blast|muzzle pop]].

In gas-powered guns, added barrel length (to an appropriate extent) can result in increased velocity and accuracy to a degree. Tighter-bore barrels will increase velocity because there will be less space between the pellet and the barrel for the air to escape through. Most stock airsoft guns have {{cvt|6.03|-|6.05|mm}} bore barrels, but best performance<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bestpelletgun.com |title=Welcome to BESTPELLETGUN.COM |website=bestpelletgun.com |access-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801004606/http://bestpelletgun.com/ |archive-date=1 August 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> is usually seen with "tightbore" barrels, which are {{cvt|6.01|-|6.05|mm}} in diameter. However, the tighter the bore, the more likely the chance of a pellet jam, and subsequently, tightbores need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly. It is generally agreed upon that a high-quality 6.01-6.02&nbsp;mm barrel will provide the highest muzzle velocity, while a good-quality 6.03&nbsp;mm or 6.05&nbsp;mm barrel will provide the best compromise between power, accuracy and ease of maintenance. The actual accuracy difference between tightbore sizes is debatable and usually outweighed by bore consistency. Although, with the newfound popularity with HPA guns, the debate has been opened that barrels with a larger diameter (up to {{cvt|6.13|mm|disp=or}}) could provide a more accurate shot. Due to the higher volume of air surrounding the pellet it negates the chance of the pellet coming into contact with the barrel, throwing the pellet's trajectory off, similar to a musket, in how the bullet slams about before leaving the barrel.