Fuel tank or paintball air systems is a must-have gear for paintballing, and the air tank available are compressed air tanks or Co2 air tanks. Both co2 cylinders come in various sizes to make the game comfortable for you.
Today I will tell you about the various sizes of CO2 paintball tanks; I will talk about the hpa tank another day. So what is the best size CO2 tank for paintball?
Best size paintball CO2 or liquid carbon dioxide tanks depends on various factors, including your experience, tank weight, and how many shot you want. If you are experienced and can shoot wildly, a 20 oz paintball tank is the best choice. It will allow you to shoot 1000-1200 shots without switching the tank and is best fit for all-height people.
A 20 oz is the best size overall. Want to know why? Then scroll down and be with me till the end.
Here you will get to know more about the best size paintball CO2 regulator, why it’s best, what is the alternative option, and what are the other available sizes of it so you can make the best choice after comparing all the sizes.
Different sizes of CO2 Tank For Paintball
As I told you above, CO2 paintball tank is available in a few different sizes; now we will know more about those sizes, so choosing the best size tank becomes easier. CO2 air tanks are filled with carbon dioxide. The air systems used for paintball games are 4oz, 9oz, 12oz, 16oz, 20oz, and 24 oz sizes.
A 4oz tank can offer you a minimum of 150 shots, while a 24oz can offer up to 1500 shots.
While playing paintball, 4oz or 9oz tanks are not so used as they can shoot less than others. The most popular co2 tank sizes are 12oz, 20 oz, and 24oz. Let’s know in detail about them.
12oz Tanks; This size tank is mostly designed for beginner-level paintball players. It is one of the lightest paintball tanks that will allow you to shoot 600-700 per fill. This tank is in steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber materials. Like always, carbon fiber paintball tanks will cost more than others but are the most lightweight. You have to spend around $3-$5 to refill a 12oz CO2 regulator.
16oz Tanks; This one is also a beginner-friendly cartridge size. It won’t weigh much more than 12oz but will offer more shots, 800-850 shots per fill. You can easily refill this tank at the same cost of $5 at any local fill station. But remember you have to refill the CO2 air pressure cartridge within the certified time (5 years)
20 oz Tanks; A 20 oz paintball CO2 regulator is considered the best fit for a paintball game. It can last till the game ends; you can shoot 1000-1200 shots with this tank size, which is more than you need a day. After refilling, this tank will weigh 2.6875 lbs. This weight can differ depending on the material the tank is made of. Carbon fiber tanks will with lighter, and aluminum tanks will weigh heavier than carbon fiber and steel air bottles. Therefore, not everyone can carry such a heavy load while playing.
24oz Tanks; This is the largest size air tank regulator available that weighs itself 1oz, and after filling it with CO2 gas, the weight of the paintball tank will be around 3.125 lbs. This high pressure air source can give you up to 1500 shots. And what is surprising is, in most places, you can refill this tank for almost the same cost $5-$6. If you are not tall or fit, you will find it harder to handle the 24oz CO2 tank.
Why 20 oz is the Best Size CO2 Tank for Paintball
All the tank size has their own benefits, but considering all the needs 20o CO2 paintball tank is the best. Why? Let me explain.
First, if you are a beginner paintballer and want a good tank option that won’t be too heavy to carry, 20 oz fulfill it. This one offers you up to 1200 shots per filling, not too heavy you can’t handle it. While a 24oz tank is much longer, it’s almost difficult to handle for short people and also weighs more.
On the other hand, a 16oz tank is lighter but will offer only 800 shots which are too less; you have to refill it very often if you want to continue paintballing for a long time.
In the end, a 20 oz paintball tank weigh medium, allow you to shoot a good amount of shot, and is easy to carry, so it’s the best paintball tank you should go with. And as it offers more shots, it will run a long time, and you don’t have to refill it anytime soon, saving some money and hassle.
Is 12oz CO2 tank is a Good Option for beginners?
Yes, a 12oz paintball CO2 tank is a good option for beginners if they want to play and relax. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and affordable. You can run and play without getting tired for a long time.
But in the long run, it won’t benefit you. Because it can offer you a maximum of 700 shots, which is very less. And as you are new to paintballing, obviously, you are not yet good at accurate shooting. So you will waste many shots at blind shooting.
That way, 700 shots will not let you play for a long time, and you have to refill the tank very soon. Refilling the tank doesn’t only mean spending money; it’s also a hassle. If you don’t have a refilling set up, you have to take the tank to the local shops and refill it; it’s kind of wasting time, money, and effort.
However, if you don’t want to continue paintballing for a long time but just for enjoying it frequently, then a 12 oz refillable co2 tanks are the perfect one. As I told you above, unlike the hpa tank, CO2 needs to be checked and recertified every 5 years. In that case, if you play very often and can’t empty the tank before 5 years, it’s just gonna be wasted. So it’s better to go with a 12oz CO2 tank.
FAQ
How many shots in a 20 oz CO2 tank?
A 20 oz paintball regulator can offer you a minimum of 1000 shots and a maximum of 1200. Sometimes it can vary depending on your paintball gun.
How many paintballs can you shoot with a 3000 psi tank?
With a 48 ci /3000 psi tank, you can shoot 450-500 paintballs. And when it’s a 68 cubic inch 4500 psi tank, you can get up to 1000 shots.
How much psi can a 20 oz CO2 tank hold?
Since co2 tanks are filled with liquid co2, how much psi this regulator can hold depends on temperature. Co2 At 87.9-degree temperatures will transfer the pressure into gas and can produce up to 1100 psi. But if the temperature drops, the tank remains same but not the liquid inside the tank. At 70-degree temperature, a 20 oz co2 tank can hold 800 psi – 850 psi.
How Long Will my 12-gram CO2 Cartridge Last?
Your 12-gram CO2 cartridge can last for 150-200 shots. Just as I said before, it can differ depending on the paintball gun you use.
Final Words
As you can see, there are different sizes of refillable CO2 regulators. Paintball players can choose the size depending on their game map and how many shots they need. If they’re just starting out in paintball and want to play with friends, then a smaller size co2 cartridge is ok.
But for more advanced players on paintball field, I recommend going with the bigger options. In that case, a 20 oz tank will suffice most of your needs! It can blast up to 1200 paintballs.
What’s more?
You finish the game without switching the tanks frequently with its extra capacity. So, without a doubt, the best paintball air tank size depends on your own requirements, but overall I will go with the 20 oz CO2 paintball regulator!
