Based on the article and discussion on 68caliber.com, the ASTM standards for maximum ball weights for different calibers have been revised. Mike Lukas, Chairman of the ASTM sub-committee for paintball posted a very good response explaining the decision-making process in forming the ASTM standards – the full text can be found here. I really suggest you read the whole article, as it seems that the weights that were initially posted were early inputs to the standardization process. However, the wording of the outline has now been revised to be more accurate in proportions of the weight to the ball volume.
This Directly from the article, words of Mike Lukas:
During our conversation I was clear that these new “proposed changes to this standard are not predetermined as final in any way”, I feel that was missed by many of your readers. The various paintball calibers in the revised standard have existed on the fringes of the paintball market for as long as 24 years in some case. The intention of this standard revision was to simply bring them within the current standards scope in the simplest way possible. During that process of the weight factor was inadvertently reduced based on the diameter rather than the volume of the paintball which is not the best method. I feel based on my knowledge of the ASTM process that this would have vetted itself out during the regular ballot process, however based on the comments from you readers, as of last night that oversight has been corrected and new data has been put forward for the maximum weight for each caliber as follows:
43 caliber – 0.90 grams
50 caliber – 1.40 grams
55 caliber – 1.70 grams
62 caliber – 2.50 grams
68 caliber – 3.50 grams
I would like to thank all those who commented on your original article for their help. This ballot item will be presented for ASTM vote shortly and we will see the results of that vote over the next few months.
These weights feel a lot more reasonable, but I must say that I was also deeply impressed by the level of detail and the constructive attitude Mike Lukas had in his response to the players’ concerns.
