Pneumatic Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle

[whittingstall]

This (my first pneumatic!) particular rifle was designed to be portable, and most importantly easy to pump, reload and fire (and not cost a million bucks in parts). I didn't want to lug the pump around in a backpack or have to attach and detach it all the time to fill it or have to hook it up to a compressor. It is simply the airflow assembly, pump, and stock all sandwiched together using steel collars to hold it to the gun stock.

The pump I used is rated for 160psi, all pipe fittings are galvanized, making them a little heavy, but at least reliable. The air canister used is, for now, a 2L bottle which can store enough air for 4-5 good shots at 100psi (I also have a 710mL for single shot). It's not the greatest tank, but until I can get my hands on a spent fire extinguisher it will have to do the trick. A sewn camo bag slides over the bottle to make it a little more safe in case the bottle blows, and it looks cool too =). The valve used is a standard WaterMaster 3/4", and is fired electrically using two 9V's in series. The firing circuit has a safety switch on top of the stock just perfect for the thumb (misfiring ball bearings or marbles is never fun). The barrel is 1/2" x 3' with a sliding breach. The hideous pea-green valve, shiny fittings, and metallic silver pump were painted black to make it a little more esthetically pleasing.

It can put a paper dart through your couch if you're not careful, and a ball bearing through a road sign. If anyone knows some good and cheap 1/2" x 1.5" ammo please let me know, I'm trying everything under the sun but most projectiles do not handle high velocities well. I need something accurate =) Here are some pics, lemme know what you think, cheers.

[jrrdw]

Looks kinda bulky with the tank hanging on the side but portabilty is great. I would stick with the current tank, a metal one will be heavy. Acorn nuts with bolts screwed into them, then grind the hex heads off untill they fit good would probly be good ammo, cheep/easy to make/abundent. Over all, nifty sniper!

[Hotwired]

...you're using a 2L soft drink type bottle at 160psi?

I doubt the camo bag will do anything if the bottle rips and you might want to get a new pair of eardrums if it does.

Anyway, how are you getting multiple shots from the bottle? I can only see the one valve there (the sprinkler) which looks like it drains the entire bottle for each shot.

I'm using potato up to 200psi in my 15mm barrel which is close enough to 1/2". I'm also using lead slugs which weigh about 20g. They're melted using a soldering iron and soldering wire into moulds so nothing too high tech. (see ammo section for more info)

I'm wondering how you can pump it up to 160psi with it attached to the stock like that (a bit high?)

I think it would be better separate, you're lugging dead weight while firing and its not too much hassle to carry it separately.

It looks ok but I'm reserving 'good' for the pump being separate

Nice use of the stock btw

[whittingstall]

The PUMP is rated for 160psi, which the 2L will definitely not take, so I'm not using it at 160psi, max about 110-120psi IF you wanna be risky. The stitching on the camo bag will rip far before the bottle blows (which means stop pumping). But I would lose a good portion of my hearing if it blew. =)
The valve is fired electrically, so if you're fast on the trigger you can fire a quick shot, exhausting 20 pounds or so from the tank before the valve closes. If you hold down the trigger you get a full shot but it's not really practical because the tank's volume is about 4 times that of the barrel, so you're just blowing air and wasting time pumping for nothing.
It is, in fact, easier to pump this way because if you want 100psi you can stand the gun up on the butt and pump away while standing, so it's the same as being on the ground except you don't have to be hunched over. But, with the 710mL bottle 10 pumps is 50psi and I'd rather not have to take out the pump, attach it, pump it, detach it and put it back in the bag for 10 simple pumps. As far as weight goes, it weighs no more than an AK-47 with a loaded mag @9-10lbs.

[Recruit]

Nice gun looks amazing. Question is that 007Golden Eye in the 64 ?

[subterranean]

wow recruit, is was just about to ask the same question. By the way nice gun, but one thing i would change is the pump. You can buy a portable mini-bike pump that works pretty well. This might save some room,weight, and make it a little less combersome.

[Recruit]

wow recruit, is was just about to ask the same question.

I can read your mind Just kidding. Anyways I think the pump is fine for now lets him wear out the newness effect and them start upgrading it.
I love playing the most of the 007 games but for some reason no one likes playing them with me (says in a side whisper maybe because I always with without cheating sometimes when they are cheating ).

[whittingstall]

It is indeed 007! Arguably the best 64 game, I see you're all paying attention to detail. =)

Subterranean - As long as the mini-pumps are able to pump up to a high psi it would be a good substitute, thanks for the suggestion!

[imablackskater]

definitely go for the mini pump because that looks bulky and for a tank try making one or using a an old glass soda bottle you will definitely get a higher pressure for more powerful shots

[MrCrowley]

007 is the best game ever! I love playing it on the 64.

If your looking to use a fire extinguisher as a chamber check out my gun that uses two: http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/viewtop ... 422&#56422

nice gun btw.

[lukemc]

007!!! i was just playing the other day such a good game especily 4 player. best stratigy get proxy mines and put them on the ammo boxes. srry got a bit carryed away nice gun would look nice with a mini bike pump.

[judgment_arms]

Nice, how’d you rifle it?
For .50cal ammo, if you live in the good ol’ U.S.A., get .495dia lead balls from Dicks or most sporting good stores. You’ll need to wad them but they should work and be highly accurate.

[COD_FILLETS]

Why not add some legs to the bike pump and turn it into a bipod?

[chaos]

mate nice gun!.... i cant believe i hadnt seen it yet.

but why a plastic tank? i looked at the pics and go "whoaa! hes got co2 lookout" but to bad it isn't that would kick @$$. i looked at your idea and thought that maybe if you had like 3-4 coke bottles in a backpack then had a secondary chamber just before the s/v you probable could get a few more shots at your higher pressures

like this:

[integral]

i have gotta say, the sliding breech looks sooo clean and uses minimal material.

great job with the gun man:P