Testing Team Q&A
What was your goal in this testing?
To present imperical data of First strikes impact forces compared to spherical .68 roundball under similiar conditions such as; Weight, Feet per second, Temperature, and bore size. The goal is to present unbiased testing data to the ASTM and have the testing done in scrict controlled environment using high tech sensitive recording devices. Eliminating as many variables as possible. This presentation is an attempt to get the wording changed in the 1979 ASTM standard to include other shapes then sperical for paintballs. FSR are immediately disqualified because their shape does not conform to "spherical" as the standard specifies. Getting the wording changed to include non spherical projectiles will pave the way for the FSR to be tested against other ASTM standards. This cannot happen until their shape is accepted.
Does the polystyrene shell conform to ASTM standards?
The ASTM 1979 standard does not specify anything other then "typically gel based shell". The frangibility of the round was not a goal in this testing. ASTM has a few standard tests that rounds have to pass to be accepted for use in paintball, one of them being the break test. In the break test, out of 30 random balls, 10 are fired at a piece of plywood 80 feet away at 280FPS +/- 20FPS and if they all break, they pass. There is no black and white specification for shell composition and biodegradability is not a issue at this time.
What preparation did the rounds go through before testing?
Each round was weighed, and measured for diameter. The weight window was between 3.15 to 3.25 grams. ASTM maximum weight allowed for a projectile is 3.5 grams, there is no minimum. We wanted to make sure the rounds tested were as close in size and weight as possible. Which is no easy task, out of a box of 100 FSR only 5 or 6 fell in that weight range while Graffiti was typically more heavy. The more mass, the greater the force. Bore size was kept in between .687-.689.
Why was FSR only tested against Valken brands?
Valken paint is highly respected and very consistent. Due to time constraints it was the only viable option that was commercially available. Redemption and Graffiti are widely used on fields.