[Bozos of Bones]

Yes, that's what a railgun is. They're fun stuff, I've even built a few weak ones, now working with a univertity mate to make something with more oomph. Rail guns are fun.
Anyway, let's get back to the PPPP. I distinctly remember Star Wars Episodes 4-6 having proton plasma weaponry. I think someone took the name "Star Wars Program" too literally. Now, I know that plasma is manipulated by magnetic fields, but firing plasma through a railgun seems rather counter-productive, as it would probably dissipate in ~50 meters of flight, unless a laser was used to lead the plasma. And I'm pretty sure were years away from anything like that in laser technology, so I am having a hard time buying this.