andistardust

Wow! Thank you all for the information!

I don't already own the tampons I plan to use. I was considering using OB's because they are small and compact and they are wrapped in plastic so there wouldn't be the risk of them absorbing anything and expanding in the barrel. However, if the string will help them fly then the wrapper bonus is moot. They come in a variety of sizes, but I think the Regular or Super are probably the closest in diameter to nerf darts. Here is a link to a photo of this tampon.

Just to be clear, this is a performance piece so I don't need the tampons to fly that far, I would say 6-10 feet is fine. It is more for the effect of shooting tampons into the audience.

Also, although I appreciate the tutorial on making my own snapbow, which I find intriguing, I would rather use an existing nerf gun because the performance piece references Rambo and I looking at nerf guns that look like machine guns or similar.

Another question- rather than modifying a gun, could I modify Nerf darts? I noticed the darts have little plastic pieces on the tip. Could I remove the foam and attach a tampon that are a similar diameter and length? Obviously this loses some of the effect of shooting just tampons out of the gun, but if it is otherwise impossible than could this be an option?

Again, thank you all for your time and helping me troubleshoot this