Paintball ammunition – what do you need to know about it?

Paintball is a game that works great as an alternative to other physical activities. Spending free time with your friends shooting paintballs is first of all a lot of fun and adrenaline. In addition, the game can be freely modified, the rules can be changed, you can play individually or in teams – there are many options. However, for each type of game balls are necessary, which you do not know much about. What is paintball ammunition? What is it made of and is it dangerous to your health?

Paintball balls – what are they?

Paintball balls are special ammunition for equally special weapons, which are called paintball markers. The cartridges are fired using compressed air or carbon dioxide. Paintball balls are simply capsules that contain a small amount of paint sufficient to mark the person hit. Therefore, the balls are destroyed when they hit something, coloring clothing or an obstacle encountered along the way.

An interesting fact is the speed at which the balls fly out of the marker. They reach up to 325 kilometers per hour, so the chance for effective dodging is really small, if not impossible. In this day and age and advances in technology, even paintball games with replicas of real weapons and cartridges in the form of laser signifiers have begun to appear. Nevertheless, the classic version is by far the most popular.

What are paintballs made of?

Paintball balls are made of gelatin, and the paint in them is created on the basis of food-grade gelatin, which is completely safe. Thanks to this, the game does not adversely affect our health. If we have ever taken medicines in capsules, then we certainly managed to notice that they are made of a soft substance, which inside hides a powder with the drug. Paintballs are manufactured from the same material. The balls must be strong enough to withstand the force of the air pushing them out during ejection, yet soft enough to shatter upon collision with an encountered surface. Then all that remains of the ball is a colored stain, which can be easily removed with water alone. Sometimes it happens that you need to help yourself with soap, but this is not a stain that will never come off. With the help of a suitable agent, the garment can be washed in a washing machine without the slightest problem.

Can paintballs affect the game and its outcome? Of course! Choosing the right paintball ammunition significantly affects the final outcome of the game. Paintball balls are divided not only by the color of paint in them, but also by classes, which determine the speed of flight, weight and many other factors. Not only that, but different paintballs are used for games in winter and others during summer when the temperature is much higher. It is this parameter that affects, among other things, how the hit will feel and how the food gelatin will behave. This is why it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the types and classes of paintballs before playing.

Is paintball ammunition dangerous to life or health?

Paintball balls are virtually harmless, and this is due to the fact that they use food coloring. The gelatin contained in the small balls has not been shown to have any effect on the functioning of the body. It does not cause allergies, and in addition, it washes off quickly and easily. Balls with colored filling can threaten the health of the athlete in other ways. In the past, it was much less common to observe the wearing of protective masks during the game, which often ended in serious injuries. Today, a mask sufficiently protects the face and eyes from being hit. In addition, it often also covers the lower part of the face and ears. The shell of the balls is soft, so their impact on the body should not hurt. Only when shot at close range, you can already feel the impact.

Featured photo: Pixabay