- Beast Lime/Sky/Black

First Impressions
The Columbia 300 Beast in Lime/Sky/Black pairs an eye-catching color scheme with a proven technical concept. The cover is the Bend-It Hybrid Reactive coverstock, finished with a 500 Siaair/Crown Factory Compound/Crown Factory Polish surface. The core uses a classic light-bulb shape that already brought success to the original Beast models. The core numbers at 15 pounds show a 2.54 RG and a 0.033 differential, which should provide controlled ball motion with medium to higher energy in the backend. On top of that, the patent-pending Hypershock Technology is used here, a technology that originally came from Columbia's high-performance segment.
Comparison
Compared to other entry-level balls, the Beast positions itself as a versatile option with a clear step up on the backend. This Hypershock surface was used for the first time in a ball in the low to medium performance class, after previously appearing in high-performance balls such as the Columbia 300 Swerve series and the Tyrants. The surface should offer a balanced mix of the right amount of skid and a continuous backend reaction without exaggerated sharpness. Against traditional urethane balls, the Beast offers noticeably more length and backend potential, while compared to more aggressive reactive balls it should react in a more controlled and predictable way.
On the Lanes
The Beast was developed specifically for lightly oiled lane conditions and should produce a skid/flip reaction. It should be especially effective when the lanes break down and angle adjustments toward the inside become necessary, or when the lanes are already hook-heavy at the start of a game. On typical house shots it looks very clean with an angular backend. One important advantage is its tendency not to overreact when it hits friction, which matters especially at the end of the day on burned-up lanes or on shorter oil patterns. Because of its skid/flip reaction, it works well for classic up-and-in lines and is a solid option for tournament house shots.