Let's Talk SlingShots

G

Gautier

Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
461
Just what the title says. I'd like to hear your views and opinions on slingshots, wrist rockets, rock launchers, catapults, etc. Whatever you call them, we've all had one at one time or another, either growing up or currently.
How viable do you think a slingshot is for small game hunting? I know I can wreak havoc on beer cans/bottles out to about 20-30 yards, and they do wonders for pigeon/pest control when you need to be quiet and not disturb the neighbors. This is in a comfortable setting though. Do you think it'd be a viable survival tool, when carrying a firearm isn't an option for whatever reason?
In my mind I can see some potential there and I'll just go ahead and list a few of the pros and cons to get us started on some discussion.

Pros
1)Weight-They weigh virtually nothing, and carrying ammo is optional, so you could always forego the extra weight of steel or glass shot and just find some smooth round river rocks or what have you along the way.

2)Ammo-As above, ammo is plentiful wherever you go, so long as you have a working band and hands you'll be able to fire it.

3)Legality-I could be mistaken, but as far as I know, sling shots are legal just about everywhere you could venture into, including national parks(Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here.)Hunting with them on the other hand may not be depending on your area, check your local laws and regulations.

4)Noise-No need for hearing protection(though I'd still advise eye protection) and less of a scare for the animals if you miss, which means you're more likely to get another shot(the more opportunities you have in a survival situation the better I figure). Neighbors, fellow hikers, or in the fantasy realm of survival...pursuers, wouldn't be bothered or alerted.

Cons
1)Range-Some may be a good deal better than me with a wrist rocket, no doubt, but I still can't see it being viable past about the 30 yard mark and 50 at best if you're lucky.

2)Velocity-I guess this ties into range a little, but the FPS is only around 250-500 depending on what sort of band you have. This ultimately affects stopping power, so unless you're using store bought 3/8" steel shot, you'll be lucky to get more than a small rabbit, but squirrels and birds are well within reason.

3)Skill required-In a world of laser pointers, ranged reticles, and high powered optics most people would just rather not fool with something so archaic.
Others just lack the coordination or ability to accurately use one. Definitely something you would need to be well practiced with before using it as a primary means of small game gathering.

4)Man made components-Just like a firearm, if it does break out in the wilds, you're pretty much SOL unless you've brought along some spare bands or can rig up a ranger band to the yoke. Bows seem to be the best bet for a self sufficient sort of hunter, but I digress, there's plenty of archery talk already. :p

So, what are your thoughts and opinions on slingshots? I'm also interested in hearing if anyone has ever used them for legal hunting. Debating on whether or not to give it a whirl this dove season, after a bit more practice that is.


Gautier
 
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I can only speculate but I'd suspect that using irregular shaped missiles would really affect the accuracy, and nice round pebbles arent in abundance everywhere.
 
I think slijnhgshots are a great value in a kit.. in my home state it is illegal to hunt with them, but as a child before I knew what the regs where I wreaked havoc on many squirrels in my yard. I usually keep one in my bag because they are hella fun if nothing else
 
True enough that odd shaped projectiles do have some effect on the accuracy. Notably those with flat sides act as a sort of airfoil and cause lift. I guess I'm just lucky in regards to finding plenty of smooth round rocks, though. I seem to be able to find them wherever I go, then again, I do stare at rocks a lot...lapidary is addictive. :p


Gautier
 
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I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I think a sling (like David used to dispatch Goliath) is superior to a slingshot for such purposes. It's smaller, lighter, easier to carry, better range and stopping power, easier to fashion out of available materials (paracord, clothes, plastic bags, whatever), fewer parts, can take a greater selection of ammunition, is less recognizable for what it is to the unfamiliar, and so on. The only disadvantage is that it is harder, requiring more skill and practice.
 
Evolute said:
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I think a sling (like David used to dispatch Goliath) is superior to a slingshot for such purposes. It's smaller, lighter, easier to carry, better range and stopping power, easier to fashion out of available materials (paracord, clothes, plastic bags, whatever), fewer parts, can take a greater selection of ammunition, is less recognizable for what it is to the unfamiliar, and so on. The only disadvantage is that it is harder, requiring more skill and practice.
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I'm with Evolute on this one. I've never been able to use a rubber band slingshot, but for some reason the old fashioned sling seems to work easily for me. I made mine out of some scrap leather for the pouch and latigo leather bootlaces for the thongs and find my rocks at most convenient riverbanks. I don't worry about the out-of-round factor as most man-made clay ammo from ancient days was more pillow shaped anyway. I can't hit the broad side of a barn when throwing like a baseball, but with the sling I can hit the broad side of a barn. Sometimes even the narrow side! Actually, accuracy and velocity develop pretty quickly. However, it's still best if there is no one standing behind me.... :eek:

Stitchawl
 
i keep a slingshot band in my psk because they are only $3, hardly weigh anything and i think i could take out some rabits or squirrels if i needed to.
 
`One of these days I'll get around to finishing the one in this picture. It's osage orange.

IMG_5656.jpg
 
Evolute said:
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but I think a sling (like David used to dispatch Goliath) is superior to a slingshot for such purposes. It's smaller, lighter, easier to carry, better range and stopping power, easier to fashion out of available materials (paracord, clothes, plastic bags, whatever), fewer parts, can take a greater selection of ammunition, is less recognizable for what it is to the unfamiliar, and so on. The only disadvantage is that it is harder, requiring more skill and practice.
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I disagree. Don't get me wrong, I love slings and I love slinging, but as a survival weapon, accuracy is much easier with a slingshot and there's no wind up to scare the game. It's also better suited to use a slingshot with either hand, not so easy with a sling.The downside, of course, as has been mentioned is unless you have spare bands when your original breaks, you are screwed. Slings on the other hand can be made from all kinds of material found in the bush (cordage fibres), can handle much larger ammo and will give you more distance. I've heard that during some wars, slings were used to sling grenades.


One of my slings:
Coyossling2.jpg




BTW, another use for a slingshot - slinging arrows with cord attached to get bear hanging rope up into tree. The nylon guide supports the arrow at full draw. It doesn't have to be an arrow, of course. When we're canoeing, and if necessary, a convenient length of straight stick fills the bill.
357e6331.jpg


Doc
 
A traditional sling is something I've never really tried, other than once or twice when I was a young lad that is. So, I'm not sure how proficient I'd be with one of those. For the same reasons the distance thing has me wondering. I find it kind of hard to believe it would beat a man made sling shot unless it was just extremely long, giving you that much more mechanical advantage.
Maybe I'll try making a traditional sling and do a side by side comparison one of these days. Definitely some interesting points though on weigh and concealability, etc.


Gautier
 
there was a time i was a crackshot with a sling shot. i carried it just about everywhere and plinked to excess with it. for fooling around i used talconite from the freighters. my brother would get me a coffee can full now and then. for serious work i used a cast lead ball about 44 caliber. the sling shot was a standard wrist rocket. come to think of it i sure miss monkeying around with a sling shot. i guess i'll have to change that.
 
Gautier said:
3)Legality-I could be mistaken, but as far as I know, sling shots are legal just about everywhere you could venture into, including national parks(Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here.)
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You're wrong, at least in Mississippi, while carrying it concealed in a pack or pocket. ;-)

Miss. Code section 97-37-1.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 45-9-101, any person who carries, concealed in whole or in part, any bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife, switchblade knife, metallic knuckles, blackjack, slingshot, pistol, revolver, or any rifle with a barrel of less than sixteen (16) inches in length, or any shotgun with a barrel of less than eighteen (18) inches in length, machine gun or any fully automatic firearm or deadly weapon, or any muffler or silencer for any firearm, whether or not it is accompanied by a firearm, or uses or attempts to use against another person any imitation firearm, shall upon conviction be punished as follows:
 
I was thinking about this the other day.
then I put the elastic bands and a piece of leather on my psk.
it doesn't weight much, and takes no space at all.
 
Slingshots have filled my stew pot with Quail and rabbits. Nothing like a 1/2" steel ball at high speed to gather dinner.
 
I've got a bunch of them. The fastest has a large brace that covers the forearm, pulleys for the rubbers to work on, and the bands themselves are progressively tapered. Get some muzzleloader lead balls in the 40-50 cal range and they hit pretty hard. Half inch steelies are also good but the lead balls are obviously heavier for the same diameter.

In Northern Canada friends take grouse with them pretty easily. Of course, a lot of grouse will simply fly up on a branch and sit there looking at you. They may even give you a few shots, if needed.

DancesWithKnives
 
hmmm.. been doing a bit of reading on this thread and was wondering if you guys also considered that the sling can be fashioned out of ranger bands in a survival situation. but then again so can the other type of sling shot.. hehehe Where i am from the traditional sling shot has been used to bring down small birds( smaller than a swift) with surprising accuracy, with the "Y" part being made out of a part of the guava tree. my thoughts are that this is more of a close up weapon than the david and goliath type which can be used at greater distances.....:D what do you guys think?
 
Guille said:
hmmm.. been doing a bit of reading on this thread and was wondering if you guys also considered that the sling can be fashioned out of ranger bands in a survival situation. but then again so can the other type of sling shot.. hehehe Where i am from the traditional sling shot has been used to bring down small birds( smaller than a swift) with surprising accuracy, with the "Y" part being made out of a part of the guava tree. my thoughts are that this is more of a close up weapon than the david and goliath type which can be used at greater distances.....:D what do you guys think?
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While you can throw a small (50cal) round ball with a rubber slingshot, you can't throw a golf ball sized rock very far. A sling can throw a golf ball sized rock 40-50 yards with force and accuracy. As with any other weapon or tool, practice makes perfect.

I'm far more accurate within a 1 meter target at 20-30 yards with a sling than with a rubber band slingshot, but that's only because I've practiced with the sling and NOT with a sling shot. However, I never have run out of sling ammo, nor do I have to carry any with me, so I guess the question is; what are you using it for? If it's for fun and hunting, and you can carry your ammo to be sure you have it with you, AND if you practice with it, the rubber band sling shot wins out. If you are depending upon it for survival purposes, and you have practiced with it, I think the sling is a better option simply because of the size and availability of the ammo you can use. Neither of these will work without practice. :(

Stitchawl
 
notos&w said:
You're wrong, at least in Mississippi, while carrying it concealed in a pack or pocket. ;-)

Miss. Code section 97-37-1.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 45-9-101, any person who carries, concealed in whole or in part, any bowie knife, dirk knife, butcher knife, switchblade knife, metallic knuckles, blackjack, slingshot, pistol, revolver, or any rifle with a barrel of less than sixteen (16) inches in length, or any shotgun with a barrel of less than eighteen (18) inches in length, machine gun or any fully automatic firearm or deadly weapon, or any muffler or silencer for any firearm, whether or not it is accompanied by a firearm, or uses or attempts to use against another person any imitation firearm, shall upon conviction be punished as follows:
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Notos&w, I think you may be confusing a rubber powered sling shot with a traditional 'sling shot.' The two are very different. The traditional one is more like a sap or blackjack idea, or a sand-filled sock. The traditional sling shot, often referred to as a 'slung shot,' was usually made of braided rope or cord with a large 'lead 'shot' inside a "monkey's fist" knot on the end. It wasn't a projectile weapon; it was a hand-held 'bopper.'

On the other hand, as with most ambiguous laws, a lot would depend upon the local leo's interpretation of that law.


Stitchawl
 
I've killed many a bird back in my prime (around 8 years old :D). I'm still pretty good with a sling shot. I use steel ball bearings, especially after being in physics and learning about all of the drag rocks have with air resistance. Great for squirrels and birds.
 
I have a Muskrat Man slingshot. Very accurate as well as ergonomic and pleasing to the eye. I use pachinko balls (It's a kind of slot machine that pays out in ball bearings here in Japan). They are deadly.
 
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