Slingshot primer

[AStone]

Over the last couple of days, I've gotten hooked - again - on slingshots.

It started innocently over here in this thread. I found myself getting so excited about the concept that I was starting to hijack the OP's thread, so instead, I thought I'd just start one of my own to explore this more.

Here's my first substantive post in that thread, for background to this one.

Well, dang. I'm hooked.

I dropped in on this thread on a whim a couple of nights ago and posted, not really thinking I'd stay long. But now that it's in my thread subscriptions, I got pulled back by 22's post. And having a nice slingshot in the wilderness kit - or at least the makings for one - couldn't hurt. At the very least, I could use it to plink pine cones, and I might even be able to add a little meat to the stew pot with one. Would be fun to try (to keep from opening a can of sardines or anchovies, or ... worse). And I'm about to take my first camping trips <--- note plural ) in over a year during the next few months in some big, rugged country, and I plan to make it fun and try out some new gear that I'm researching now (for example, a large knife/machete for chopping and batoning wood for fire and shelter).

So, I'm in.

As a kid, I loved slingshots. I'm not sure how old I was when I got my first, but around five or six. My dad loved them, too, especially wrist rockets. We'd take one to the county landfill (aka 'dump') when we went (this was in the '50's) and shoot cans and bottles. Loads of fun.

I never hunted with one, but can see that it would be totally doable. And quiet, especially in places where one would prefer not to announce presence with a small caliber report. (Even .22 shorts and pellet guns make more noise than a sling shot.)

I haven't owned one in years, but have watched some of Joerg's videos.

I can see there's going to be some nice tips in here, so I'll hang out and learn.

Question: if you were going to buy a Cadillac of slingshots, what would it be?

Here's the one that followed that.

See, I knew I'd get sucked in.

I've just spent a bit of time searching and bookmarking. Very interesting reading.

Here's a decent article on "what to buy", an overview survey of SS makers with comments about quality.

From that, I found the Trumark and Sanders pages.
Here's a nice little pictorial on Saunders models which is part of a much large site just called "The Slingshots Page".

And check out the fiber optic sites on this Trumark. Tacticool SS or what?

SlingshotShop.com looks like a useful resource, as does Archery Exchange (several Saunders available there).

Geez, why do I feel like a kid?

Added by edit: From what I've read so far, I'm guessing the Saunders Wrist Rocket Pro may be the Cadillac. Or maybe the Porsche.

Also, found a forum devoted to slingshots; appears to be connected to the Trumark pages.

Followed by this one.

Well, I'm about ready to pull out the credit card for a Saunders Falcon 2. Just under $20 plus shipping.

So, another question: any body know of a source of inexpensive balls - preferably metal - in the 1/4" to 3/8" range?

Saunders sells balls, and they come with some of their 'packages', but they're not necessarily as cheap as I suspect they could be. (but for that package, shipping is free, so ... )

I'm thinking of steel buckshot or used ball bearings. I've searched a bit for both in bulk, but I'm not having much luck so far.

After that post, I learned some new stuff about the Falcon 2,
but decided to explore it here more rather than there so I didn't hijack the OP's thread any further.

Here's what I learned that I have a question about. In the second review of this Amazon page about the Falcon 2, the author claims that the pouch of the Falcon 2 will only shoot 1/2" balls, that 1/4" and 3/8" won't work in it. Further, shoot rocks in it is out of the question. The issue seems to be about the pouch design; it's hard plastic designed to hold the 1/2" ball, not smaller ones, let alone asymmetrical rocks.

So, my next question (in addition to all those above) is, where can I find a pouch for a Falcon 2 that will accommodate smaller balls and even rocks that I can add to a set of good double bands, and how do I make that modification? That is, how do I attach a new pouch to the flat bands?

And what flat bands do you recommend? I've seen reference on youtube to a set of bands for the Falcon 2 created by "Slingshot Bill" (who reportedly was much involved in the Falcon 2 design), but can't find reference to them.

I've got some other questions, too - hence the thread name "Slingshot primer" - but I'll save those for later.

Muchas gracias in advance.

 

[AStone]

Got two responses to my questions over there. I'll post them here for completeness.

The 1/4" steel balls are sold in stores like Kmart and I would guess Walmart and are made for slinghots.

I buy cheap taconite slingshot ammo on Ebay. It's dirty, but excellent for plinking. I save the steel balls for hunting.

Fun Fact: In New York State---yes, where I live---slingshots with wrist supports are illegal. Okay, it's not a fun fact, just a plain fact.

 

[AStone]

Just found this video by Joerg - who is a THR member (I mentioned his videos above) - that is relevant to this thread. In particular, in the video, he compares the Saunders hawk to a different slingshot by Fish. He raises the issue about both the pouch and the bands of the Saunders, and prefers the Fish.

Clearly, I've got more to learn. But I still want a wrist rocket because I'm a small man, not a big guy like Joerg.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

The Slingshot Forum and the Trumark Forum are get places to talk shop about Slingshots old and the new custom makers of hunting slingshots.

 

[AStone]

This wiki article also offers useful background for a primer.

 

[AStone]

Liking this one best at the moment. Tubular bands. Even though not the preference of target shooters (they like the double flats), this article contends that the tubes are more stable over time, and are less likely to cause eye injury, and accept 5/16" and 3/8" balls.

The wrist rocket I owned as a kid had tubes.

 

[AStone]

Others with tubes.

Saunders Folding Falcon

Barnett Black Widow

Barnett Diablo

 

[JoergS]

Tubes are actually a lot slower than flat bands. They do last a bit longer, but that is pretty much where the advantages end. Most of the mass produced slingshots are sold with tubes (Saunders beeing the exception), simply because it is cheaper.

You can very easily make your own flat bands, way more powerful than tubes and with less of a draw weight. You can make your flat bands matching the weight and type of your ammo perfectly well.

A typical bandset, made at home, will cost about 2 dollars. It will outperform store bought bandsets by a great deal.

You can find the link to my "band manual" (free) and my online band dimension calculatore here:

www.slingshotchannel.com/band_calc.html

Making your own slingshot from a wooden fork is easy, and fun. See this video, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlWecURh_OU

As for the Saunders bands, Bill "Texshooter" Harriman makes great replacement bands with leather pouches. See this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4j-weKRqRY

Good luck!

 

[22-rimfire]

There is one thing about slingshots that I suffer some confusion... are we seeking blunt force injury to take the game or penetration? When David took down Goliath, it was blunt force injury but he could certainly get some serious velocity on the projectile with a sling versus slingshot.

 

[hang fire]

And check out the fiber optic sites on this Trumark. Tacticool SS or what?

Only nubies would go for this. A slingshot is an instinctive weapon, practice enough, judging distances and POI become second nature.

I have used slingshots with .36 lead balls on rabbits where they would almost go through and through. .44 LB was best for blunt force trauma, they died quicker from it than the penetrating shot with .36 LB.

Speaking of flat bands, I will give away my age here. But when a kid, I could get old used red inner tubes for free from filling stations, I became a hoarder and connoisseur of them for making bands from. It was almost a disaster for kids using slingshots when the latex red inner tube supply dried up and were replaced by the black synthetic ones,

Was stationed in Germany 1956-58, we were once on maneuvers when some communication equipment came in packaged with large sheets of latex rubber. Another country guy and I pounced on them for making slingshots, we killed three hares and a rook the first time out. The city boys were fascinated and almost overnight half the company was running around shooting slingshots. It all came to an abrupt end when someone put a 1/2” nut through the windshield of the CO’s jeep.

 

[AStone]

Only nubies would go for this. A slingshot is an instinctive weapon, practice enough and judging distances and POI become second nature.

I thoroughly agree, Hang Fire. I guess those fiber optics might help some, but it seems more of a gimmick.

Interesting point about .44 v .36. Filing that one away for use.

Joerg, thanks much for your advice. I was hoping you'd stop in here and offer your thoughts.

Will definitely check out all those links, starting now with a late dinner. I may have some questions later ...

 

[AStone]

Joerg, after watching Slingshot Channel videos and reading pages for about 2 hours,
my new interest is in the Dankung Cougar. Metal, tubes and flat bands. I understand the grip now.

From where do you recommend that I purchase one?

 

[AStone]

This seems to be the place to get a Cougar.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Instinctive

Only nubies would go for this. A slingshot is an instinctive weapon, practice enough and judging distances and POI become second nature.

[ -snip- ]

Old Rufus Hussey would agree. Sadly, he is no longer with us, but there's a video record of the old "bean shooter" at work.

 

[10thMtn]

sling-shotting is fun. this is how i'm introducing my boys to marksmanship. it definitely teaches you how to instinctively aim and shoot. i don't want sights, scopes, or any fancy gadgets. just a boy/man and a slingshot, and lots of rocks, marbles, and steel balls is enough.

 

[reppans]

I just got into slingshots...

Take Joerg's advice, forget the commercial surgical tube wrist braced slingshots and go with a flat band from a smaller custom maker like pocketpredator.com or flippinoutslingshots.com - it makes all the difference in the world. $25 will get you a fabulous shooter. Just for the hell of it, I re-banded my old wristrockets with store-bought Daisy tubes and pouches and it shoots horribly... heavy pull, weak power, and I can't hit anything with it. It would definitely turn me away from what is otherwise a great sport/hobby.

I have a safe full of guns, compound and recurve bows, and high-end German air guns.... I have to say that a decent flatband slingshot is more fun than all of them. It has something to do with being a bit more challenging (without sights); the added dimension of you proving the power/propellant (like a bow); ability to customize power (like a reloader); extreme low cost and maintenance; and, of course, the ability to shoot/carry anywhere (except NJ). And make no mistake, modern flatband slingshots are as inherently accurate as pistols and can be as lethal on small game at close range. OK, so it's not much of a self-defense tool, but I'm glad as it would wipeout the broad legality of the device.

It more than satisfies the shooting itch for me, and I can pop off a few hundred rounds in my basement or backyard, with reusable ammo, and no worries about my neighbors. I haven't been to the gun range since I got it!



25' basement "range"

 

[AStone]

Reppans, yes, I have seen the light re the wrist rockets v ... what does one call the other style? Traditional? Traditional Y? Traditional fork?

It clicked for me last night while watching videos, especially Jörg's, especially this one introducing the Cougar along with use of pinkie and flipping down, and this one by Perry of A+ Slingshot on called "the Slingshot Grip" using thumb and index finger. Both offer great material for a primer.

By they way, Jörg also reviews those A+ slingshots here.

 

[AStone]

Arf, that video of Rufus Hussey is amazing.

Shows what one can do with a very simple tool and point shooting can do,
and that small game can be taken (or so his story suggests with rabbit head shots).

PS: just after I posted this, I found this video of Rufus on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

 

[hang fire]

Latex sheet rubber of desired thickness here: http://www.rubbersheetroll.com/latex_rubber.htm

 

[10thMtn]

Just for the hell of it, I re-banded my old wristrockets with store-bought Daisy tubes and pouches and it shoots horribly... heavy pull, weak power, and I can't hit anything with it. It would definitely turn me away from what is otherwise a great sport/hobby.

You're definitely way ahead of the curve than I am. I just bought the Daisy models because that's what I had access to at the time. I had no idea there were custom models with flat bands when I got them. Although we're having fun with what we have (we don't know any better), I'm going to have to buy one of the better ones to experience what you're talking about.

 

[reppans]

Rufus is an amazing instinctive shooter... Also check out [Master?] Bill Hays on YouTube. He's an amazing aiming shooter and owner of the pocket predator.com site

 

[22-rimfire]

This thread has been interesting. I might just have to get back into the slingshot game again for kicks. I still don't have a good feel for the "power" of these newer flatband designs, but it is not a lot of money. So, I may play.

 

[reppans]

Hey folks, just wanted to share my progress.

I probably have around 1500 rounds under my belt, shooting my first home made band set, and these are my last 4 target sheets from 25'... each with about 15-18 shots each. The last sheet, my worst, I put about 4-5 shots through the same ragged hole just under the post-it. I've settled on 7/16" steel ball bearings as my favorite "ammo".



Shot another round with my mass-produced, commercial wrist brace, rebranded with new Daisy yellow tubes, and confirmed it still sucked - heavy short draw, shaking at full extension, hard to accurately hit anything. I suppose I could practice enough to get better with it, but no where near the instant gratification of a modern flat-bland. I'll pass. (Down side of flat bands is that won't last as long.... around 1,000 shots or so, but as Joerg mentioned quite easy to cut and make yourself.)

I don't think I can much better with my Glock 19... maybe my S&W 686, but not the Glock.

 

[AStone]

Very cool, Reppans. Nice work.

Makes me all the more sure that's the way to go.

And I forgot to ask when you posted the pic of that black slingshot earlier : what is it? Who makes it? What's the material? How do you like that offset handle? I'm not sure I understand that, so help me understand it.

 

[reppans]

Mine's a Bill Hays Seal Sniper...it's his cheapie model at $25 made of black polymer and his site is pocketpredator.com. I mentioned his videos and website on an earlier post. However, I honestly believe its more in the flat bands, pouch and ammo selection than the frame itself.

The offset handle is for sideways shooting (gangster style), with the two forks parallel to the ground, index finger and thumb riding up on the fork in/on the indentations which greatly helps with the leverage and makes a wrist brace unnecessary. Asymmetrical design so it can be flipped and banded the other way for lefties. It's how most of the precision target shooters are shooting.

You really gotta search for some of Bill Hays YouTube videos, I think he's about the most accurate precision shooter I've seen able to light friction matches at 10 yrds, split lead ammo against knives and other cool party tricks.