Do freak barrel inserts make a difference when it comes to accuracy?

[Sadman102]

Well, like it said, I just wanna know if they do make a difference because I’m getting a barrel milled for my 170r because I have a special nightmare blue anno. But I’m left with two options, a 5 inch or an 8 inch inserts i’m leaning more towards the 8 but I wanna hear all your guys opinions

[ChillswitchEngage]

No difference at all IMO.

[Cross-Country]

They don't do anything. Get a one piece barrel in the bore size you want, and never think about it again.

[Jonnydread]

Efficiency, velocity control and roll outs. Accuracy is 99% the paint.

[Ego10Baller]

They really don't do anything. I've made some of my best cross-field shots with a 5" stock emek barrel on my CS2. Like others have said, it's all about the quality of paint.

[NabyArmeDrommel]

As others have said, accuracy is all about quality of paint but the consistency of your marker is also big. For an open bolt spoolie like a 170r, you'll get more out of properly maintaining your regulator and bolt.
Barrel kits are good for closed bolt markers like cockers where the only thing preventing rollout is bore matching.

[iamthelazerviking]

On a modern spool valve, not really worth it. Only really matters with a closed bolt.

[Chuck E Ducky]

It dose absolutely nothing for accuracy. Especially on a 170R that has functional detents. I wouldn’t bother.

Paint isn’t consistent enough anymore to take advantage of the efficiency benefits. + the 170R is so efficient anyway. It’s not an issue that needs fixing. Not that you break paint in a 170R but if you do the stock barrel will shoot clean. Something a Freak bore will never do. I would leave it as is keep fresh detents in it and call it a day.

[Fubarius]

For me it's about consistency. Not just shot to shot, but from day to day, weekend to weekend. Paint will do will do what paint will do, but with a Freak I KNOW that I have the same paint to bore match (whatever type of match it is, totally separate debate) each time I load up the gun. It's never a tighter than expected bore day, or a looser than expected bore day, it will be the same type of day each time.

I've gone entire summers with out having to adjust my gun at the chrono, 290 fps. Every. Single. Weekend. No relative chance to bore match, so no change in velocity. Just had to pick the correct insert and use the same match system every time.

[nak81783]

When paint can vary .030” or more from ball to ball within the same bag of paint, or worse, from polar axis to seam axis on the same ball, there is no benefit to any type of insert/back system - one rolls through, the next breaks. One orients one way to get a higher velocity; one orients another way to get a lower velocity (in fairness, the orientation variation happens no matter what). Since no one can effectively bore match (actually slightly underbore) due to paint variation, then overboring is the best solution.

I have some other threads with pictures and tables showing such tolerances on paint, and how loading orientation affects velocity, if you care to view them.

If paint ever gets to a spherical diameter of .005” or less total tolerance, I may reconsider (but probably not). Until then, I’ll continue to use my .693” one piece barrels. Although, with all the measurements I’ve taken, I could probably go down to .689” or .685” and still be overboring the vast majority of the time (I’d have to look at the data again). However, since I already have the .693s and don’t care about slightly better efficiency or the slightly louder shot signature, I’ll keep using what I have.

For closed bolts, use some type of barrel detent just to prevent rollouts- RedLeaderSB‘s, 3d printed, tape, nail polish, etc.

[TencenT]

I'll say it. Yes. With modern paint I have available to me. No, nothing helps. It sucks.

[Tarsun2]

i always used them to size the barrel for the ball. Too tight and it could lead to more barrel breaks. Too loose and you lose efficiency/velocity. But accuracy was never considered.

[Ecapnation]

Tube is tube...

Paint has not been good enough lately to even try for accuracy

[Cunha]

My least accurate guns have been with insert systems

But I'm confident it was because they were closed bolt guns and were experiencing partial roll outs with the too gentle bore match.

Open bolt guns the tighter ball fit seemed to make them better to shoot a break clean and efficiency.

[cockerpunk]

for accuracy? no.

for consistency and efficiency: yes some effects.