FunSlinger wrote on Feb 12^th, 2007 at 2:54pm:


True Fun slinger, it can be confusing when people do that.  I agree that the main thing is getting a stone from a to b but also think that any extra data could be useful when it comes to designing slings, so equally confusingly I agree all round and don't take an either/or position.  I also like sv's ideas for an accuracy standard yet still think degree of accuracy could blend in to it somewhere as it could be applied to any range and any target, useful as we all have differant ranges, both with respect to where and how far we are capable of throwing.

Gunonwheels... i.e.civil war cannons and other assorted artillery.  The cannons always shoot point blank into targets of various sort for accuracy (windage and elevation).  The bowling ball mortars (yes you read correctly) fire at extreme elevation and fire for height (subjective), distance and strike (the target is placed on the ground and consists of a circle of xx feet in diameter).  That being said... slinging in my experience is of two distinct varieties... 1)indirect siege casting for extreme range (usually anything over 50 yards/meters).  The second is direct, point blank fire and requires a slinger to be quicker than the archer, quicker or farther away than the spear chucker, able to be laughingly close to a swordsman and as deadly at point blank fire as a David.  David could dance away from Goliath's spear and stay back from his sword.  I have to believe Goliath was petrified with fear when he saw the TYPE of warrior coming to face him.   Back to Accuracy standard for any "meet" type competitions.

Siege casting.    Distance and accuracy similar to mortar targets work... however artifical ponds allow instant visual feedback of strikes.  One can start with wading pools and go from there.

For point blank, another instant feedback target would be preferred.  I had a friend who shot his cannon at two gallon bleach bottles filled with water.  GREAT feedback for a hit (gasoline fill with a lit candle behind it is also rather spectacular).  Firearm Silhouette shooters got tired of punching holes in targets so make em out of steel and get one shot per each to knock them over.  Hit and wiggle em and you score a zero... got to knock it over.  For point blank slinging water-balloons hanging either self supported or netted make great sling targets.  Again a hit without rupture is a no score.

Water balloon wars using a water based paint solution for fill also works well for team "warfare" competitions.  Referees are still needed to score "out of action"'s (how well painted you are).

Silhouette shooters have "range" type competitions as well as "field" competitions (engaging and dropping targets in field type conditions).

I guess what I'm saying is one size does not fit all... especially for a slinger of moderate skill and understanding of the weapons versitile use.

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First, let me say, that I agree with, Matthias.  The Spaniards have set the standard already.

Accuracy at/with distance.  In ancient times, if I had a Company of slingers (120 men) that could hurl stones out to 300m, I'd have them hold their fire until the onslaughting enemy reached the 'kill zone', then give the command to fire.  Those of you familiar with the 'beaten zone' of modern MG fire easily recognize the same effect of each type of weapon.  With 120 projectiles hitting the killzone at the same time, one doesn't have to be accurate, just strong and skilled enough to get the glandes to rain down onto the skulls of the enemy.


btw: all my distance shots resemble the tradjectory of mortar rounds, nothing flat.

EDIT:  Military formula: whenever firing down-range at an enemy--always, always...its "P" for Plenty.