"The Avalanche" - Slingshot Of Mass Destruction

[JoergS]

Slinghshots are powerful weapons. But there is a limit to their destructional capabilities, as the speed of rubber is limited - and so is the speed of the ammo. One can use heavier ammo to achieve more energy. But there is a limit to that, too - if the ammo gets too big, it won't penetrate, just smash. Heavy ammo is expensive, too.

A big steel ball like the 20 mm (.79") is pretty much the maximum size ammo that makes sense. The ones used in this video will crash though wooden boards, watermelons, even coconuts. But imagine what a simultaneous impact of six of them can cause!

The Slingshot Channel presents "The Avalaunche" - the first slingshot crossbow that shoots six rounds at the same time. One trigger pull and all six are on their way to the target.

The weapon is big and has an enormous draw length. This means the six balls hit with about 60 Joules each. Enough power to demolish several objects! As always the video contains slow motions recorded at 40x realtime (1200 fps).

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfFAjaymQM0

 

[janobles14]

so dang cool! this may be my favorite oddity you have made!

 

[M-Cameron]

haha....excellent!


so when should we expect to see a bowling ball slingshot?.........come on, dont tell me you havent thought about it

 

[Odd Job]

I like it!

 

[heron]

That thing looks appropriate for mounting in the back of a Toyota pickup . . .

 

[Squatting Bear]

Very cool, and it looks cheap to make!

 

[Mp7]

...

Nice.


Any more info on range?


It could be like a survival-Shotgun for hunting deer?!?!

 

[BRad704]

Attack of the Show just needs to have a dedicated segment to you Joerg. It is amazing how fast you come up with new ideas and designs and actually get them built!

 

[JoergS]

This one took me about ten hours, fine tuning was needed. It originally shot 12 balls at the same time, but the rubber bunched up behind the "fork" and the shots went wild.

The slomo camera is invaluable for these early stage issues.

 

[Sharpdogs]

Awesome! Simply awesome.

 

[ultradoc]

haaa. that is too cool!

 

[schnauzer]

While this is really cool for use and show on YouTube it's not practical.
Not to rain on your parade or anything but...
The Kohler WI riots of 1934 were a prime example of the power of sling shots and their use. Projectiles were mere 1/2" bolts from simple slingshots.
2 killed and 34 injured. I have a "wrist rocket" type slingshot and can easily put a hex bolt through a 1/4" plywood sheet. Plenty of power to kill an individual if the shot was placed well.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Not to rain on your parade or anything

Somehow I don't think you'd be able to get any of the rain to actually land on Joerg's parade.

Take a few minutes and browse his YouTube (Slingshot Channel) videos documenting all manner of different slingshot designs.

I know that if I wanted to discuss practical slingshot designs, Joerg is the first person I'd ask.

 

[USAF_Vet]

The lumberyard has to be very happy to see you coming. Amazing as usual. My wife thinks I'm nuts watching your youtube videos.

 

[DAdams]

My wife thinks I'm nuts watching your youtube videos.

Particularly that ricochet that took the window of the house out.

 

[schnauzer]

I know that if I wanted to discuss practical slingshot designs, Joerg is the first person I'd ask.

True, but my point was totally dismissed... I contend the outrageous designs he comes up with are impractical unless viewed as pure novelties, hence my point of including a real life event for reference.
While I may seem critical. I think Joerg is the go to guy with respect to slingshots. However... The old tried and true designs still work well and the amount and rate of fire is only limited by the skill of the user. Would you have time to tote an almost 2 meter wooden contraption to the firing line let alone load it while under fire from a single shot wielding attacker with some skill?

 

[BWatts]

LOL that's a little bit amazing! Straight through that wooden board. I think we need a new name for it, as "slingshot" fails to capture the marvel of something held like a rifle!

 

[M-Cameron]

While I may seem critical. I think Joerg is the go to guy with respect to slingshots. However... The old tried and true designs still work well and the amount and rate of fire is only limited by the skill of the user. Would you have time to tote an almost 2 meter wooden contraption to the firing line let alone load it while under fire from a single shot wielding attacker with some skill?

i dunno....i dont think Joerg would have a hard time carrying that thing around...dudes pretty ripped......

True, but my point was totally dismissed... I contend the outrageous designs he comes up with are impractical unless viewed as pure novelties, hence my point of including a real life event for reference.

and thats exactly what they are.....no one is going to war.....no ones hunting moose......its made for fun...and it really doesnt require any other reason.

 

[Motega]

Thanks for sharing that.... lookout Goliath!

I wonder how long it takes for slingshot rubber to take a set? When the zombies come this would be a great booty trap. (that's what I said, BOOTY trap!)

 

[BADUNAME37]

I certainly would not care to have those balls flying into my face within 20 feet!

I can visualize one, if not TWO eyes poked out and those balls entering my brain -- not to mention another ball that takes my nose half off and yet another one that knocks all my front teeth out and pokes a hole in the back of my throat after taking out the top portion of my tongue!

No thanks.
I'll let someone else take the hit, someone who is critical of this man for having fun building these things.

I say, if anyone has a homemade weapon that is better than these, bring them out, let's see them -- if you don't, then don't bother with the criticism!

 

[omcf]

Here Here! While Joergs videos may occaisionally suffer from humor (if you think that is a defect) closer analysis reveals that many of the concepts he uses have wider applications. The non-firearms section is just that; when you do not have access to firearms, how are you going to improvise, adapt, and overcome the situation? Taking an idea from his sling-bow videos, one from the winch operated sling-cannon, and this, what could you come up with when you have no access to firearms? Perhaps zombies are never going to be an application, ok, can you build a better spear-gun for fishing?

 

[ShroomFish]

I need that! I remember my first slingshot, such fun

 

[BADUNAME37]

I know that if I wanted to discuss practical slingshot designs, Joerg is the first person I'd ask.

True, but my point was totally dismissed... I contend the outrageous designs he comes up with are impractical unless viewed as pure novelties, hence my point of including a real life event for reference.
While I may seem critical. I think Joerg is the go to guy with respect to slingshots. However... The old tried and true designs still work well and the amount and rate of fire is only limited by the skill of the user. Would you have time to tote an almost 2 meter wooden contraption to the firing line let alone load it while under fire from a single shot wielding attacker with some skill?

Suppose you are not permitted to own a firearm, for any number of reasons that have nothing to do with being a convicted anything! Perhaps someone is in the states on a visa or they are in the process of gaining citizenship, or they live in an area where firearms are nearly impossible to legally own!

 

[JoergS]

Guys, I know full well that many of my complex contraptions aren't having a lot of practical applications. That's fine. But I firmly believe that especially the crazy videos draw attention to a great, young sport. The growth rate of the slingshot forum and of the tournaments I attend is the clear proof.

People see the videos, and some of them do catch the slingshot bug. Very few go out and replicate my crossbows - but they simply buy or make a conventional slingshot. Great!

As useless and impractical my "mass destruction" crossbow is - if you find yourself in the wild, with no resources but your BOB and your skills - then a single shot slingshot crossbow, made from a tree branch with a knife and a length of rubber, is your best chance to kill small game. It takes almost no practice to hit a bunny from 15 meters with it. Free hand slingshot shooting is far more difficult to learn.

 

[Gord]

As useless and impractical my "mass destruction" crossbow is

Maybe for some people who are overly fixated on human offensive/defensive contact with their hardware.

Frankly, this looks like a nearly perfect close-range/large-game hunting solution to me if a firearm isn't available or feasible for whatever reason. Easy to homebuild, easy to source or craft ammunition, powerful, good shot spread, and quiet - I can see it taking deer quite easily, and without alerting others (animals or people) nearby as a gunshot would.