To test the water gun, I prepared a solution of one quart of distilled water, one tablespoon of sodium chloride (table salt) and one ounce of red food coloring.  The solution was loaded into the gun's breech through a length of thin polyethylene tubing connected to a syringe.  The capacitors (1.5 mF total) were then charged to 10,000 volts (75 joules stored energy).  A 50 mH inductor limited the discharge rate (18 KHz).  The gun's muzzle was aimed at a piece of 8.5" X 11" plain white paper held in a vertical stand.

This is a picture of the water gun firing.  Just to the right of the muzzle are two incandescent curved tracks, probably particles of tungsten or stainless steel (see results for more on this).

 
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