.43 Paintballs vs. .68 Paintballs

When choosing paintballs, it is important to get the correct size ammunition. The wrong-size paintball will often break inside of a paintball gun and will not fire. While there are several sizes of paintballs available on the market, two sizes have become the most popular. The .43 caliber and the .68 caliber paintball are the ammunition of choice for almost any paintball gun on the market.

  1. What Is a Paintball?

    • Paintballs are small gelatin capsules filled with non-toxic, biodegradable, water-based paint. When shot from a paintball gun, the soft, brittle shell breaks, releasing the paint on the target. The paint washes away easily with water will not stain clothing or skin.

    What Does Caliber Mean?

    • When talking about paintballs, many people use the term caliber. The caliber of a paintball is the same as its diameter. This means that a .43 caliber paintball is smaller than a .68 caliber paintball.

    The .43 Caliber Paintball

    • These small paintballs are designed primarily for use in pistol-style and replica paintball guns. Replica paintball guns are modeled after real rifles and machine guns. Although these paintballs may be much smaller in size, their price is about that of .68 caliber paintballs. They are available in a wide variety of colors as well.

    The .68 Caliber Paintball

    • The .68 caliber paintball is the most popular size, as it accommodates almost all paintball guns. It is commonly available at stores, paintball fields and online. Unlike the .43 caliber paintball, this type is available in many brands and often features colorful designs.

    Is Either Size Better?

    • Both .43 and .68 caliber paintballs have virtually the same performance. They use the same type of ingredients and are equally accurate. The main advantage that a .68 caliber paintball has is the size of the splat: A .68 caliber paintball leaves a much more noticeable paint mark on the opponent.