Which Airsoft BB Weight Do I Need?

One of the most overlooked parts of airsoft is choosing the correct BB weight. The tragedy of new airsoft players is when they spend hours picking out that shiny $300 AEG, only to load it with cheap .12g BBs and break the gun! Oh, and not to mention, you probably voided your warranty as well!

Although there are various weights for BBs, the four most common types you will see are .12g, .2g, .25g, and .3g. A few things you should note: the lighter the BB, the higher your velocity or FPS. The heavier the BB, the more accurate and less affected it is by wind resistance. This means your BB will actually travel further than a lighter BB, even though the lighter BB will have a higher velocity. The general rule is to shoot the heaviest BB your gun works with.

.12g BBs:

These BBs work well in spring guns or low powered electric guns. NEVER use these bullets in high quality electric guns, as they may jam and destroy the internals! Many manufacturers will consider your gun void if you shoot .12g BBs! One problem with the .12g BBs is that many horrible generic brands are offered at big box stores, and probably shouldn't ever be used! Make sure they are seamless and precision ground BBs.

.2g BBs:

This is the most common and acceptable weight for airsoft guns. They can be used for almost any gun except very cheap pistols and low powered electric guns. However, they are not suggested for higher end sniper rifles. If you are new to the game, or just aren't sure which weight to get, this is the one for you!

.25g BBs:

These are heavier grade BBs and should generally not be used in spring guns unless they are sniper rifles. This is often the choice of more experienced airsoft players, as they provide the best accuracy and travel the furthest.

.3g BBs:

These BBs are primarily meant for sniper rifles. They will provide the highest accuracy and distance, and will also pack quite a punch. It is possible to use these BBs in a high upgraded AEG, but otherwise you will be disappointed due to the low FPS.

The other weights you will find are basically just a mix of what I've written above, so a .23g BB will trade a bit of accuracy for a higher velocity. You will also find ultra-heavy .36-.43g BBs that are meant for highly upgraded sniper rifles.

About the author:

Eddie Woo is an airsoft enthusiast who has done extensive research on airsoft BBs. He is also the owner of Airsoft Guns Now, one of the fastest growing airsoft retailers in the nation.

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