Airsoft pellets

Most airsoft guns fire spherical plastic pellets ranging from 0.12 to 0.88 grams in weight, though the most popular weights for AEGs are between .20 and .28 grams. Heavier rounds (.30-.48 grams) are typically used for long range and sniper use, as they are more stable in flight and less easily deflected by wind, so are more accurate. They usually come in packages of: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and even as high as 125,000.

To increase range most airsoft weapons are fitted with 'hop-up' systems which cause BBs to fly level, and straighter for a longer period. The hop-up effect is caused by back spin on the BB, which minimizes the drop experienced by the BB, and increases the flying distance, by increasing its lift according to the Magnus effect.

Pellets are typically 6mm in diameter, though 8mm varieties exist for specialty guns. Pellet quality is important, as malformed ones can damage the Airsoft guns parts. Malformed, soiled, or low-grade pellets with seams and burrs can also be much more inaccurate - even a small deformity will throw the pellet off course.

Paintball pellets are also available for airsoft guns but are unpopular due to the incompatibility with hop up systems as well as the damage they can cause when a pellet bursts inside a gun. Paintball rounds allow hits to be objectively verified, these pellets leave a clear paint mark on the player showing that they have indeed been hit.

Most airsoft pellets are made of plastic but biodegradable airsoft pellets are also available. Commercial fields usually only allow biodegradable pellets to avoid the buildup of plastic pellets littered across their field, it also has less of an impact on the environment because regular pellets take too long to break down when biodegradable pellets only take from four months to two years depending on the conditions and brand.