BB Weight Shootout! Best BB for Your AEG

A common question we get asked is, “What’s the best weight BB for my airsoft gun?” The answer is: It’s complicated!

In the video below, we take a look at the most common BB weights used by most airsoft players and run them through a stock G&G Armament Combat Machine. Though every gun will perform a bit differently, this makes drawing general conclusions quite simple. The .20g BB is by far and large the generic industry standard for many users for its reliability and widespread availability. The round is consistent and performs well in many different guns, making it a great all-around choice for AEGs that may be stock or shooting within CQB FPS ranges. You’ll not want to go any lighter than this round for your rifle, as generally most .12g BBs are poorly made and can have casting seams that will damage your gun’s hop up unit.

When your gun is shooting a bit closer to the FPS ranges typically associated with outdoor play, you may want to consider anywhere from a .25-.32g BB. Though you’ll lose velocity of the round due to the heavier projectile, this range of BBs typically produces a more stable flight pattern and increased overall accuracy at range. The .28g BBs used in our video scored the most hits out of all rounds tested, offering optimal accuracy and range from the maximum engagement distance. These BBs are also quite popular for airsoft LMGs at events that allow them to shoot above normal Rifle FPS limits.

Generally speaking, .34s, .43s and beyond are usually reserved for sniper or marksman platforms that have been upgraded extensively, as the extreme FPS these airsoft guns produce are generally unstable with anything lower weight than that. The stock Combat Machine we used in testing was not able to produce enough backspin via the hop up for these rounds to be a viable option in any scenario.

Check out the full video below!