gap 67 prevents current from flowing through rails 41 49 and 43 however should the gap be closed by the presence of conducting material current will flow through rails 41 49 and 43 the oppositely directed currents flowing through rails 41 and 43 will create a strong repulsive force which will forcibly eject a metallic projectile should it be present within gap 67 a hole 63 surrounded on all sides by insulation 65 is positioned within rail 41 opposite gap 67 presence of the hole 63 permits introduction of a projectile from the left of the diagram by mechanical or pneumatic means into gap 67 insulator 65 which surrounds hole 63 prevents conductive contact between the projectile and rail 41 it should be noted that hole 63 does not sever or break electrical continuity in rail 41 as will be explained later the size of hole 63 must be larger than the projectile illustrated in fig2 it should be noted that gap 67 is somewhat v shaped having an opening which is larger near rail 41 the significance of the v shaped gap 67 will become apparent from an examination of fig2 4 10 and 11 which illustrate the inventive device and its cooperation with the railgun of fig1 turning now to fig2 there is shown generally the inventive projectile 100 header section 101 is generally wedge shaped.