I've thrown the Action Packed with it's factory finish, and I would DEFINATELY sand it down. Mine is drilled stacked leverage, and with the factory polish on it, it got down the lane and snapped hard on a really light oil pattern, and I loved it. However, I don't bowl on light oil very often, so i took a green scotch brite pad to it. Not only does it look like a totally different ball, it reacts better too. For me anyways.
It seems to hook earlier, but then just stops and really whacks the rack. Reminds me of my old Super Carbide Bomb.
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My Arsenal:
Brunswick Ultimate Inferno, Hammer Road Hawg, Columbia 300 Action Packed, Rotogrip Spare Tire