Frequently Asked Questions | Paintball 101

paintball frequently asked questions

If you’re just getting into the sport of paintball then I’m sure you have a lot of questions going through your head. Here at www.pbreview.org, we try to answer as many of these questions as possible. However, not every question is going to need its own article to answer  

For this reason, I created this list of frequently asked questions that I will update over time as I think of new questions to answer. 

You can also contact us here if you have any questions you want to be answered. 

How old do you have to be to play paintball? 

The minimum age to play paintball at most paintball facilities is 10 years of age. Some paintball fields don’t even have a minimum age limit as long as the child is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If you’re planning a paintball party and some of the children are under 10 years old then you may want to see if your local paintball field offers low impact paintball. Low impact paintball uses .50 caliber paintballs that have about ⅓ of the impact of the normal .68 caliber paintballs. 

How fast does a paintball travel? 

The average speed that a paintball travels after being shot from a paintball gun is around 280 fps (feet per second). 

You can always adjust the velocity to be lower or higher if you wish, but if you’re planning to play at an actual paintball field then you’ll have to follow their rules and use a chronograph to set your maximum velocity to around 280 to 300 fps. 

This is to ensure the safety of all players around you. 

Does it hurt to get shot by a paintball? 

Yes, it may sting a little when you get shot by a paintball. If you’ve ever been popped by a rubber band before then you can expect the pain of being shot by a paintball to be somewhat similar. 

Fortunately, the pain you experience from being hit by a paintball is actually what makes paintball so much fun. Without the fear of being shot players would just run around in the open instead of trying to hide and take cover. 

If that’s more your style you may want to stick to Nerf. 

How long do paintballs last?

The average shelf life of paintballs is 4-6 months if properly stored in a cool and dry environment and rotated often. Failure to store your paintballs properly in a cool and dry environment could cause them to swell and to become hard or soft (depending on the weather). Rotating the box over or shaking the bags is also important to do once every week or so in order to ensure that the paint doesn’t settle inside of the ball or the outside shell doesn’t become dimpled.

Now just because the average shelf life of paintballs is 4-6 months, this doesn’t mean they completely expire after this time. Some paintballs can actually shoot fine after a year or more if stored under the right conditions. Of course, the paintballs will become less likely to break over time but this is to be expected.

Do paintballs stain clothes? 

The simple answer is yes, but also no. Let me explain.

Most of the paintballs made today are both eco-friendly and easy to wash out of clothes. However, some of the cheaper paintball brands that you’ll find on the shelf of your local department or sporting goods store could possibly stain your clothes if you’re not lucky. At the very least it’ll be hard to wash out. 

Learn More: What to Wear for Paintball | Clothing Tips for Beginners

If you’re really worried about removing paint stains from your clothes then you need to make sure to scrub them in the sink or throw them in the washer immediately once you get home. Also, avoid wearing any light-colored clothing as they’re easier to stain and harder to remove stains from. 

How Much Does it Cost to Play Paintball?

The average price to play paintball for a day is around $40 to $50. This price includes the field fee, all-day air, rental gear (marker, mask, and tank) and a bag of 500 paintballs. The cost to play will be even cheaper if you bring your own gear, paint, etc. Unfortunately, most fields don’t allow outside paint.

Depending on how many paintballs you plan to shoot you may need to buy multiple bags ($15 to $20 a bag) or even a whole box ($50 to $75). Bringing your own party (10+ players) will typically save you around $5 to $10 a player as well. 

Every paintball field is different though so make sure to call or visit the website of your local field before you go out and play. 

How Long Does a Paintball Game Last?

The average paintball game can last anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. 

While speedball games are played at a fast pace and usually last around 5 to 10 minutes, woodsball games are played at a much slower pace and typically last around 15 to 40 minutes. Scenario paintball games can last anywhere from 16 to 24+ hours.

2 COMMENTS

  1. I want to surprise my boyfriend with paintball gun supplies… what all do I need? He talks about a co two tank, what size? Is there gun cleaning fun tools?
    Thank you for your help!

  2. If he wants to use Co2 then I would buy him a 20 oz Co2 tank as it can hold more air than the smaller sized air tanks. For cleaning tools, I would buy him a cleaning kit that comes with lube and O-rings. You may want to check and see if there’s a cleaning/repair kit designed specifically for his paintball gun (if he has one that is). A squeegee would also be useful so he can clean his barrel after a paintball breaks.

    Hope I was helpful. If there’s anything else you want to know don’t be afraid to ask!

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