Howdy fellow gel blaster warriors!
As someone who has been playing with these awesome toy guns for years, I’ve been asked countless times just how far gel blasters can shoot. And honestly, it’s a 100% VALID QUESTION!
When you’re out on the field, the range of your gel blaster can make all the difference in whether you hit your target or not. It will not be fair if your opponents hit you with gel balls countless times and you fall at the first hurdle every time.
But, don’t worry, I faced the same problem too when I started playing gel blaster battles with my friends several years back. After some experience, I decided to test the shooting range of different gel blasters and the factors that influence it. So, I figured that it was the right time to share my knowledge on the matter and put the debate to rest.
Let’s dive in and find out- THIS IS THE WAY!
How Far Do Gel Blasters Shoot? Here Is The Truth
To find out the shooting range, my friend Jeremy helped me, and we used 22 gel blasters from brands like Gel Blaster, UnlocX, Nerf Pro, Anstoy, Tansar, etc., with different specifications. We set up 8 targets at distances of 30 feet, 50 feet, 70 feet, 90 feet, 110 feet, 130 feet, 150 feet, and 170 feet, with a gap of 20 feet from each.
“Storm the front!” Jeremy screamed in excitement after completing the setup.
I nodded, “Yeah, let’s begin!” and started testing every gel blaster by shooting them at the targets.
Starting from the closest 30 feet target, we gradually increased the distance. To my surprise, all of the 22 gel blasters hit the 30 and 50-foot targets, and then some of them started to get out of range. While none of these guns hit the 170 feet target, only a few could get closer to 150 feet. The outcome is similar for Orbeez guns and splatter ball guns too.
After the experimentation, it is proven, and I can confidently say that gel blasters can shoot as far as 30-150 feet, depending on the power, speed, and several other factors. The most powerful blasters have a longer range, while the low-FPS models can not go so far.
Here is a table for some of the remarkable gel blasters we tested with their range.
| Gel Blaster | Rated Range | Tested Range |
| Gel Blaster Starfire XL | 150 feet | 148 feet |
| Gel Blaster Surge XL | 150 feet | 147 feet |
| UnlocX 4-in-1 Gel Ball Blaster | 100 feet | 99 feet |
| Gel Blaster Surge Gen3 | 100 feet | 102 feet |
| Nerf Pro Gelfire X MrBeast Gel Blaster | 85 feet | 85 feet |
| Anstoy Electric Gel Ball Blaster | 70 feet | 68 feet |
| Tansar GBN Gel Gun Blaster | 50 feet | 46 feet |
What Type Of Gel Blaster Shoots The Farthest?
From the above experimentation, it is clear that Gel Blaster Starfire XL and Surge XL shoot the farthest- as much as 150 feet. These sci-fi-style gel guns have a muzzle velocity of 250 FPS and a firing rate of 12 gellets/second. These two toy guns have the longest range within the safest limit.
Besides these gel blasters, Orbeez guns and splatter ball guns like SplatRBall SRB1200 and UnlocX have a long range of 100+ feet too. In this aspect, you may also consider different types of gel blasters with various designs:
- Sniper: Just like in the case of real firearms, sniper gel blasters usually have the longest range. They can shoot up to 80 feet or above.
- M416: Gel blasters based on the M416’s design are close behind, with a range of 70 feet.
- MP5: As you might expect, an MP5 gel blaster has an even smaller firing range. These guns can fire up to a distance of 45 to 65 feet.
- AK-47: There are a lot of AK-47 gel blasters in the market, with varying ranges. Some can barely fire to a distance of 35 feet, while others can reach 70 feet or more. I even came across an AK-17 gel blaster with a range of 100 feet.
- Glock: If you’re a fan of Glock pistols, you can go for a blaster of this design. These gel pistols have a range of 45 to 65 feet.
- P90: Once again, different manufacturers make P90 gel blasters with different ranges. It can be anything from 40 to 50 feet.
Also Read: Can You Shoot Water With A Gel Gun?
Factors That Determine The Range Of Gel Blasters
Power Source
The type of power source used in the gel blaster can affect the shooting range. Electrically powered blasters typically have a shorter range compared to gas-powered blasters. In my experience with electric gel blasters, the battery capacity also plays a vital role. 11.1V 1800 mAh and 7.4V 1200 mAh batteries are the most powerful to maximize the shooting range.
Weight And Speed Of Gel Balls
The weight of the gel balls used in a gel blaster can have an impact on its shooting range due to a phenomenon known as “Projectile Motion”. When a gel ball is fired from a blaster, it travels through the air and is affected by gravity and air resistance. The trajectory of the gel ball is determined by its weight and shooting velocity (FPS), and these factors interact to determine how far the ball will travel before hitting its target.
Heavier gel balls have more mass and are, therefore, more affected by gravity, causing them to slow down faster in a shorter distance. However, because they have more mass, I have seen them have greater impact force upon hitting a target at a close range.
Barrel Length
Although gel blasters work in a different way than real guns, the barrel length still plays a vital role in the speed and accuracy. I have blasters with longer barrels that can shoot further and help me hit the target with greater precision.
Hop up System
The hop-up system is a mechanism in gel blasters that puts a backspin on the gel ball as it exits the barrel, which creates an air cushion that helps to reduce air resistance and improve the ball’s stability and accuracy in flight. This can increase accuracy and shooting range, especially for shots fired at longer distances. A well-designed hop-up system can significantly improve the shooting range of an Orbeez gun.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions, such as wind and humidity, can have a significant impact on the shooting range of gel blasters. These conditions affect the trajectory of the gel ball as it travels through the air, which can cause it to deviate from its intended path and reduce its shooting range.
Strong winds can cause the splatter ball to lose velocity, and it can also create turbulence and eddies in the air, which can further disrupt its flight path. On the other hand, high humidity can cause the gel ball to absorb moisture from the air, increasing its weight and affecting its ballistic properties. This can cause the gel ball to travel a shorter distance and reduce its accuracy.
Quality Of Components
The quality of the components used in gel blasters can significantly affect their shooting range and overall performance. In general, higher-quality components result in better accuracy, consistency, and shooting range. Some of the key components that can affect how far gel blasters will shoot include the gearbox, motor, battery, hop-up system, and barrel.
Skill Of The Player
The skill of the player is a critical factor that can affect the shooting range of gel blasters. Even the most powerful and well-equipped blaster can underperform if the user lacks the necessary skills to operate it effectively.
The ability to aim accurately is a vital key skill that can affect the shooting range of the blaster. A user with good skills can adjust their aim to compensate for different factors that can affect the trajectory of the gel ball, such as wind, humidity, and distance. They can also adjust their aim for different shooting positions, such as standing and kneeling, to maximize the range of the splat gun.
Do Smaller And Harder Gellets Go Even Further?
In case you’re wondering if you can make your gel blaster gun shoot further by using smaller and harder gel beads, your suspicion is correct. The structure and size of gel balls indeed affect the range if you keep the mass, shooting angle, and muzzle velocity the same. Firstly, a smaller gel bead is lighter as it has less water content. Secondly, its relatively hard structure lessens air resistance.
However, there are two problems. Firstly, hard gel balls are brittle and prone to breaking faster. Secondly, you should not reduce the size of Orbeez balls lower than what the manufacturer recommends for your particular gel blaster, which is usually 6-8 mm. If you do, the toy may not function properly, causing jamming and other problems in the gun.
The Takeaway
In conclusion, the shooting range of gel blasters can vary depending on several factors, including the power, the quality of components, the ammunition used, and the skill of the user. On average, gel blasters can shoot between 30 and 150 feet, but this can be extended with upgrades and modifications.
To maximize the shooting range of a blaster, it’s essential to choose high-quality components, use the right ammunition, and practice good shooting skills. With the right combination of these factors, gel blasters can deliver accurate and powerful shots at impressive distances.
