Aussie wrote on Oct 10
th, 2010 at 11:57pm:
Can't help noticing the smallish target looks like a pin cushion. It'll be quite a while, if ever, before you're getting that sort of accuracy with a sling. Looks like an atlatl would be a deadlier weapon. Is 73 mph a typical speed? Slingstones would generally be quicker even if less accurate.
I just calculated the speed of the second throw, and it was about 83-85 miles per hour. The third throw was about 73 miles per hour. So I have some work to do in the consistency department.
My first throw ever (not in the video) was my best. It's been downhill since then. But it is fun.
By the way, the other holes in the target are from the bows/arrows of others. I think the darts can be thrown faster than I am doing. As for which is more deadly, atlatl or sling, I don't know, it probably depends on the target, distance, projectile, etc., but I do know I wouldn't want to be hit by either.
With a field point I did stick one arrow about 1" deep into the treated wood. I am surprised by how much energy these things have. Those targets are very well constructed, and I was surprised by how much they were made to move when the target's frames were hit.
As I think about it, the dart oscillates, sustaining transverse waves as it moves forward. One thing I suspect is that if the target is hit at the wrong point during the dart's oscillations, the dart tip amplitude may be at a maximum on impact, which I guess might reduce penetration with a simple point tip. On the other hand, such lateral energy may increase the wound channel with a suitable hunting tip situated to be parallel with the transverse waves.