The invention is an improvement to an active paintball loader used to feed a supply of paintballs to the breech of a paintball marker wherein the loader is located remote from the marker breech to reduce the target profile of the paintball game player. The loader includes a conventional reservoir for storing a quantity of paintballs, a drive mechanism for moving individual paintballs out of the loader reservoir and into a feed tube where they are forced to the breech inlet of the marker. Locating the loader on the compressed gas storage cylinder reduces the frontal area of the marker/loader combination thereby reducing the target area of a competitor using the LRL during a paintball competition. The location also improves the balance of the combination marker, loader, gas cylinder apparatus making it easier for the player to handle during evasive maneuvers during paintball game play. The improved location of the loader relative to the breech inlet also allows use of a substantially straight feed tube which reduces the propensity for paintball rupture which reduces the chance that a paintball game player will be taken out of competition due to a paintball feed jam.