My First Pneumatic Launcher

[Solidtwerks]

Hi, I'm new to spud files, and have been lurking for a while. This is my first attempt at making a pneumatic launcher and I have just recently finished it. It operates off of a 14 by 2 inch PVC air tank filled via schrader valve. The air is release through a modified sprinkler valve. The barrel consists of a 2 foot long 3/4 inch piece of PVC pipe. External finishes include a wood stock, scavenged airsoft ar15 rail system, a leapers 3x9x40 scope, and a magpul AFG. The current ammunition I'm using are spent 12 gram co2 cartridges wrapped in a ring of duct tape. It is zeroed in at 120' but past that the co2 cartridges start to tumble so I'm looking into making custom rounds. Any comments/suggestions are welcome.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Not at all bad for a first effort!

If you want to turn CO2 capsules into "proper" slugs, saw them in half and pour something heavy in the nose et voila, two slugs! One trick is to put solder or lead shot in it, then heat the capsule until it melts. Alternatively, you could pour a mixture of epoxy and something heavy, or drill a hole and thread it for a bolt.

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Hits nose first every time

[Solidtwerks]

Thanks for the amazing tip. Although, I couldn't manage to heat the cartridge enough for sodder to melt in it. In its place I used three .22 pellets and hot glue. Here's a pic of the round and a firing video.

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[PeteS]

Nice. Very cool launcher.

I'll have to make some of those projectiles too.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Great shot!

[Tipsypyro]

For a quick projectile, try concrrete. Saw off some uniform lengths of the pipe your barrel is made from, wax coat the insides and fill them with quick-crete. they are semi heavy, high impacct, barrel-protective, correctly sized, and frangible.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

For a quick projectile, try concrrete. Saw off some uniform lengths of the pipe your barrel is made from, wax coat the insides and fill them with quick-crete.

If you throw in a smaller diameter foam cylinder, or a closed lightweight container, you could make something reminiscent of a foster slug which would be aerodynamically stable in flight: