Methods are presented which improve the performance of semi and fully automatic paintball guns include sensing paintball and gun bolt position during loading to coordinate and pace the gun for maximum automatic feed rate and minimal chopping. In addition, methods are presented for indicating a need for servicing through an alarm when the magazine nears empty based upon various conditions such as sensed magazine feed rate fall-off. Additional apparatus are discussed for carrying out the methods, and for performance of other tasks such as selection of pre-wind in spring-type forced-feed loaders.