Scorpion LDR
This is the first rifle to be added to the ricochet armory. The name came from the sting it delivers (scorpion) and Long Distance Rifle (LDR). It is about 3.5 feet in length, which to me, is rather compact for a sniper rifle. It has an effective range of 85-100 feet and has a max range of at least 115-125 feet. The LDR also has plenty of power to punch through .5 inch Styrofoam with ease.
Goals:
One feature I was unable to incorporate into the LDR was a high or medium rate of fire. The rate of fire on the LDR is slow due to it having to be breech loaded. The reason a magazine wasn't incorporated for a higher rate of fire is as follows. First off, previous design attempts had magazines, but all failed. By eliminating the magazine, the chance for magazine failure or jams were eliminated as well. Second, sniper/long range rifles don't need a high rate of fire because their purpose is to shoot from afar, as well as maintain stealth. Lastly, the initial reason for why the LDR was created was as a technology demonstrator, so there was no need for fancy add ons.
Darts:
The darts fired from the LDR are homemade as well. They consist of a weighted tip and a foam body.The weighted tip is made with custom molds and 3 different materials. The body of the darts are .5 inch foam backer rod that was cut to 4.5 centimeters in length.
Mechanism:
The mechanism used in the LDR is a spring mechanism. This mechanism works by using a piston, spring, and cylinder. The piston is connected to the spring and it rides inside of the cylinder. When the bolt is pulled back, the piston compresses the spring and is held in place by the trigger. As the bolt is pushed forward, it moves the cylinder forward, thus creating an air space. Once the trigger is pulled, the piston launches forward pushing the air in the cylinder into the barrel and launching the dart. The LDR's mechanism is also used in airsoft guns and nerf guns as well.
Goals:
- Distance- achieved
- Power- achieved
- Durability- achieved
- Field striping- unsuccessful
- Accuracy- achieved
- Ability for optional accessories- achieved
- Compact- partially achieved
One feature I was unable to incorporate into the LDR was a high or medium rate of fire. The rate of fire on the LDR is slow due to it having to be breech loaded. The reason a magazine wasn't incorporated for a higher rate of fire is as follows. First off, previous design attempts had magazines, but all failed. By eliminating the magazine, the chance for magazine failure or jams were eliminated as well. Second, sniper/long range rifles don't need a high rate of fire because their purpose is to shoot from afar, as well as maintain stealth. Lastly, the initial reason for why the LDR was created was as a technology demonstrator, so there was no need for fancy add ons.
Darts:
The darts fired from the LDR are homemade as well. They consist of a weighted tip and a foam body.The weighted tip is made with custom molds and 3 different materials. The body of the darts are .5 inch foam backer rod that was cut to 4.5 centimeters in length.
Mechanism:
The mechanism used in the LDR is a spring mechanism. This mechanism works by using a piston, spring, and cylinder. The piston is connected to the spring and it rides inside of the cylinder. When the bolt is pulled back, the piston compresses the spring and is held in place by the trigger. As the bolt is pushed forward, it moves the cylinder forward, thus creating an air space. Once the trigger is pulled, the piston launches forward pushing the air in the cylinder into the barrel and launching the dart. The LDR's mechanism is also used in airsoft guns and nerf guns as well.