As promised, here is my review of the Columbia300 Reaction Ricochet.
The ball that I have started with 4.25 oz TW and a 3" pin distance. After drilling, the static weights were around 0.5 oz positive side, 0.25 oz thumb and 2.25 oz TW. The ball is drilled 5x3.5 (pin just below and a little to the track-side of my middle finger; cg in the fourth-quadrant).
The first time that I was able to throw the ball, I hated it. The 2+ oz TW helped the ball down the lane very well, but it also resulted in a LOT of stored energy. When I finally rolled the ball enough to tame down the snap, it rolled-out and left me 8-pins.
Since that I believe I've thrown the ball on five different occasions and LOVE it. While I have just (this week) figured out how to read the ball, I can say that it could be the biggest boomerang hook ball that I have ever thrown. Even with the pearlized and holoflex additives, the ball reads the dry WAY too well.
For my game, it seems the ball works best when there is a greater volume of oil on the outer boards, throwing from an inside line (28 to the 7 or tighter, when possible). The ball cover and TW help the ball through the heads, and the core allows the ball to rev up in the oil. Without the oil on the outside, the ball seems to bleed energy too early to be useful.
This ball has replaced my El Nino X-It as my fresh oil, high-volume ball. I've noticed, however, that as the heads dry up (and the oil carries down), the X-It will roll cleaner with a more readable arcing motion.
It doesn't seem possible to miss right with this ball. I've thrown the occasional ball wide-right (four total in about 28 games) -- however the ball always recovers enough to take out at least 7 pins. That leaves me with the caveat of "stand left and throw right" with this ball. Just give the ball room and keep up the ball speed. Much thanks go out to the Columbia300 developmental and technology team for the release of this ball.
The only league that I'm currently bowling in is at our island's "reverse" house -- basically, they lay down a medium to heavy volume (seems to be 30-40 units) flat shot where everyone insists on playing deep... because one guy in the 80s DOMINATED the lanes playing that shot. So, because everyone depletes the middle oil, they create a reverse block on the inside. Instead of following everyone else, I decide -- on the advice of my coach -- to play the OB outside the 8 board. Where I would need to be near perfect with my X-It, this ball gives me mistake area 3-4 boards right and one board left. Considering that I'm trying to play ten to the seven, that's about as beautiful of a ditch that I'll ever see. 8^)
Versatility (on a scale of 1-10): 3 -- this balls strength is in oil, and it shows up as a weakness on any other shot.
Oil (same scale): 9.999999999999; I know the Tombstone would be more aggressive on a pond.
Dry (same scale): 2; if you're going to use this ball on dry, you would have to have no other ball with you in the bag!
Transition off the oil (same scale): 8.5; the Ricochet has a very clean read off of the oil. Even if it stands up early, it doesn't have a jerk-motion on the hockey stick.
Shape: Definite hockey-stick
Over-All: 19 cans out of a case
As an aside, this ball was an incorrect purchase for me. I was looking for a ball to fill the void between my Crush/R and X-It for oil. I'm certain that the ball will be rated higher than a 19 (out of 24) by other bowlers because the ball works great for those that I bowl with.
The next ball that I get will possibly be a Werewolf. Then, after that, I'll get a Turbo Urethane or Thunder Flash if I can find the weights. Once I get another ball, I'll post another review.