How far can you sling??
I know we all can sling but how far I was talking to a mate and asked him how far was 100 yards he said as far as that tree to me it seemed like 75 yards, so does everyone have a different preception of distance or what, the last time I ran 100 yards was at school 50+ years ago, scary or what (it nearly killed me then heaven only knows what would happen now if i tried it) anyway the point of this ramble is does any one know of an easy way to measure 100 yards so that I can get some idea of how far I can really sling, I am going to try a length of string to start with a stick on each end.

I think many people are quite inaccurate in judging distances. There seems to be a strong tendency is to overestimate rather than underestimate in most cases

I used to take my measure of 100yds as being the length of the football (soccer) pitches near where I used to throw - close enough for me, anyway. For general use, perhaps the best thing is to learn how long one's stride is. That can be pretty accurate, and a lot less trouble than measuring tapes etc. Doesn't solve the problem of judging the distance when you can't walk there of course. If you want to do it 'properly' can't see anything wrong with the sticks and string, though.

Inspired by the discussion of the ATAX I made a small image that can be used as a rangefinder. But I didn't try it yet.

You would have to print the image with 90 dpi, glue it to cardboard, cut out the hole. Then hold it 60 cm (24") away from you and look at a 180 cm (72") big man (or imagine one). Depending on how big he apears in the hole you know the distance (though not very accuratly).

Maybe I will later upload the vector image, but for now you have got the bitmap.

Go check out the distance chart from the main page- this answers the main question.

I paced out 240 yards, I probably slung a wee bit further as I paced from the fence bordering the wood and the stone hit a tree within the wood :-)

But distance is one of those things that is down to technique as  much as anything else.
If you have a straight over hand/arm style then yes 100 yards is a good throw. If you use a sidearm, or helicopter/sidearm style then 100 yards is merely a place to start.

In  a few days at the SLINGFEST we'll be measuring with gps on a field that is over 500 yards long.

I figure with a good stone and my new long sling I should be able to hit 300 plus. but we'll see :-)   

And if you came you could too :-)

I am currently slinging tennis balls 50-60m (underhand) and was able to get rocks over 100m. Like others, I pace to where my amo lands to measure distance (+- 5 m). Unfortunately it has been a while since I was able to throw rocks in a gravel pit. The last time I slung rocks was at the beach, where pacing is a wee bit difficult.

I figure I should be able to get rocks to go 150m with an underhand throw (maybe more), but this technique limits the sling length that can be used. I just tied a second knot in my 90cm sling (to get it down to 85cm) since I was occasionally hitting the ground with it. I split its leather pouch when the rock in it collided with  a rock on the ground (with the poor piece of leather caught in between).

To answer DesertPilot, for the underhand method I have found that a bigger range of motion during the throw to be important. Instead of twirling the sling around with my wrist stationary, I have my arm extended (and rotating from my shoulder) during the last 1/2 or 3/4 of my throw. This way the sling length is really 85cm + my arm length (which is probably the same as for a sidearm style). I find a very relaxed throw (using my whole arm) will go much further (with no apparent effort) than only using my wrist and a lot of effort. I discovered this by accident, but I expect it is a similar technique to a softball pitch. 

Perhaps I will one day learn a sidearm or pirouette style to use longer slings.

  I dont know if you have a driving range nearby, I do. I'm lucky enough to have a local range where they let me sling a bucket of golfballs as long as they are not too busy. Its great because there are signs at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 yards so I know how far each is going. To be honest 250 yards is not much of a challenge and I can nail the net at the far end of the range with nearly every shot, but its still a great way to spend a morning. The only downside is that I'm limited to casting golf balls which are way too light. The whole thing is also surrounded by a HUGE net fence so it's perfectly safe. Once in a while someone wants to try my sling and I happily oblige, that may be my favorite part. Its funny, my great grandfather owned the land that the driving range is on back in the 1890's.
   Creole mustard.

[quote author=curious_aardvark link=1190116884/0#6 date=1190171547]If you have a straight over hand/arm style then yes 100 yards is a good throw. If you use a sidearm, or helicopter/sidearm style then 100 yards is merely a place to start.[/quote]
I studied David Taylor's videos, worked on the form in my living room, then headed out to the coast to experiment with a sidearm throw with my 1m sling.

My my.

All in all, I must say that it was a profoundly rewarding experience.  And I must thank curious_aardvark for this useful and valuable advice!  But additional experiments will have to be postponed until I can find a larger practice site :)

Slinginginmass, as an underhand thrower, I look forward to seeing some pictures (or video) of you throwing. Right now I do not think I would make more than 200m. How long are the slings that you use for underhand throws?