The RamRail Oodammo Rifle

This is a concept rifle inspired by the Innovation Challenge for a SlingShotgun, but it doesn't fill that role.  Rather, this weapon uses a rail system to propel a ram to high speeds over a distance longer than that which can be achieved in a conventional ram rod gun, generating more kinetic energy to be transferred into the projectile and hence the target.  Basically, this concept has the potential to outperform even the turret rifle series in terms of raw power and distance, and this is my best effort to date.  I tried to make it as compact and economical as possible without sacrificing comfort or performance, and the result turned out to be one of the most powerful K'nex guns I've ever made.  Anyway, you're here to build it for yourself, not listen to me sing its praises, so on with the instructions!

One last thing: it was damn near 2 in the morning when I made this 'ible so I only had my iPhone camera to hand.  It suffices for the instructions but I'll definitely be updating with some sexier shots from a decent camera to show the weapon off more for those who don't want to build it but want to see some better pictures.

Step 1: Main Body

So here we make the main chunk of the weapon.  Follow the on-image tags CAREFULLY as there are some places where I made small mistakes in the pictures.

Comments

[jaffawarrior1]

Awesome gun I have an idea to make it able to take unlimited force and not break off the rod that the ammo is on

[Ben_the_Builder]

do you mind, (if i ever get around to posting my last hassles cos of my stupid internet '-.-) ,if i use your kinetic concept in a kind of shotgun like fashion? i think i have an idea how it may work ^_^

[knexguy]

Yeah sure.

[Ben_the_Builder]

awesome ^_^

[PotatoCoffee]

Looks clean and comfy!

[bhuty]

I built everything correctly but it just doesnt work...

[Inventor X]

Where do you put the bands for the part that rams the bullets..??

[sak-j]

I build everything right for as far as i can see, but my ram doesn't hit the oodammo
Could use some help with that c:

[Sharir1701]

nice clean design. great work. i love how the stock connects with the rails and has a shoulder rest. it just makes it cooler imo. keep up the good work!

[tytiger33]

How does it compare to Lt. Licorice?

[knexguy]

Lt. Liquorice's ram is quite a bit longer so this is probably a bit less powerful, but my version is also more compact. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Depends what you want really.

[tytiger33]

But your ram is smaller and lighter too so it may equal out.

[Kinetic]

As always, this looks great. Glad to see you building again. Might we see a video on this?

[TheDunkis]

I like it. I haven't seen too many clean looking guns recently, so this is a nice refresher. Does the mag tilt, though? If you were to give it a tilting mag, it'd actually make for a good war weapon just in that what it loses in efficiency of a turret, it gains in size and speed of a magazine.

[~KnexBuild~]

How far does this shoot?

[knexguy]

I've only tested it with 2 64's as that's all I have at the moment, and it can manage over 40 feet comfortably. I doubt it will be able to match a TR18 before it destroys itself by the impact of the ram on the front, but this is just a first attempt at this concept.

[didexo]

I think you have KnexBuild and I beat great job!

[james4]

I don't decapitate white rods.I decapitate green flexies.That's how you make cut white rods.

[Raz1r Knex Bull3t]

The trigger mech almost looks like it was from Zak's turret bow. Good work though. : )

[knexguy]

It's actually not that similar, if memory serves his used a really complex mechanism that went all the way through the stock and blocked the ram at the top rail, not the bottom.

[The Nomlack]

Awesome. I'm going to build it right now!