Slinging.org Forum - Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity?

Atlatlista Ex Member	Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity? Apr 20^th, 2012, 7:22pm So, now that I've got this stiff-cord Peruvian sling, I had to really put it through its paces in the woods. I put about 100 stones through it, and one thing I noticed was that it seems to increase my velocity quite a noticeable amount. Has anybody else seen this with stiff-corded slings?
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Aussie Past Moderator Joined Nov. 1, 2006 Luke 14:14 Posts: 3265 Gender:	Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity? Reply #1 - Apr 20^th, 2012, 8:22pm It's not so much that the cords are stiffer as that they are heavier. This means that they are less affected by wind resistance and "close-in".
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Dan Interfector Viris Spurii SlingingGuide Moderator Slinging Rocks! Posts: 3389 Gender:	Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity? Reply #2 - Apr 20^th, 2012, 10:13pm Aussie knows more about this than anybody, and I think he's right on. It's more of a sling weight/density thing than the cord stiffness.
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xxkid123

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Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity?
Reply #3 - Apr 20^th, 2012, 11:49pm

Cords need a bit of stiffness to be effective. Something like paracord stiffness is perfect, although you can do softer as well. Stiffer cords will be slightly better than really soft cords, as those don't release correctly, same with overly stiff cords.

I'm guessing it's the weight of the cords that's doing it. Againt I think that there's a good balance in cord weighting. Too light and they get tangled/don't release on time, too heavy and your shots will hook over because the cords are releasing late, or are going too fast.

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Atlatlista

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Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity?
Reply #4 - Apr 20^th, 2012, 11:57pm

Yeah, I had a hook or a late release when I started using it. I had to adjust for that, but I think it was more due to the fact that I've changed slings and wasn't used to this one than a deficiency of design. It works fine now. I made one really nice shot. I aimed for a poison ivy leaf on a tree trunk at about fifteen yards and hit it. It was fun and a public service!

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curious_aardvark Slinging.org Administrator Taller than the average Dwarf Posts: 9039 Gender:	Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity? Reply #5 - Apr 21^st, 2012, 12:12pm how long is the new sling ? length impacts velocity more than anything else. weight is good too.
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Atlatlista

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Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity?
Reply #6 - Apr 21^st, 2012, 12:18pm

Quote from curious_aardvark on Apr 21^st, 2012, 12:12pm:

how long is the new sling ?
length impacts velocity more than anything else.
weight is good too.

Length is 38 inches from middle of pouch to end of cord, which is the same as my softer Peruvian sling that I patterned it on. Only difference is cord thickness and stiffness. My sling has thinner, stiffer 16 strands cords while the original has, I think 12 strand cords that are looser and thicker.

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curious_aardvark

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Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity?
Reply #7 - Apr 21^st, 2012, 12:27pm

what soirt of weight ammo do you use ?
If you use fairly light ammo then yep the new sling will move faster through the air with less effort.

I suspect if you up the weight of the ammo you'll find less difference between the two.

Also bear in mind that hairy cords have an extremely large surface area and the hairs will act exactly as the fuzz does on tennis balls to increase wind resistance. (you said you use wool right ?)

Even if the hairs on the cord look really short and negligible. because of their sheer number they create a large surface area.

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Rat Man

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Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity?
Reply #8 - Apr 21^st, 2012, 1:07pm

Quote from xxkid123 on Apr 20^th, 2012, 11:49pm:

Cords need a bit of stiffness to be effective. Something like paracord stiffness is perfect, although you can do softer as well. Stiffer cords will be slightly better than really soft cords, as those don't release correctly, same with overly stiff cords.

I'm guessing it's the weight of the cords that's doing it. Againt I think that there's a good balance in cord weighting. Too light and they get tangled/don't release on time, too heavy and your shots will hook over because the cords are releasing late, or are going too fast.

IMO kid's statement gets it right.
To overcome that "hook," release more from the center of your body. Instead of releasing with the rotor out to your right (if right handed) try releasing from the center of your chest. This corrects the hook for me when I use a sling with very heavy cords.

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Atlatlista

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Re: Stiffer Cords = Greater Velocity?
Reply #9 - Apr 21^st, 2012, 2:54pm

Quote from curious_aardvark on Apr 21^st, 2012, 12:27pm:

what soirt of weight ammo do you use ?
If you use fairly light ammo then yep the new sling will move faster through the air with less effort.

I suspect if you up the weight of the ammo you'll find less difference between the two.

Also bear in mind that hairy cords have an extremely large surface area and the hairs will act exactly as the fuzz does on tennis balls to increase wind resistance. (you said you use wool right ?)

Even if the hairs on the cord look really short and negligible. because of their sheer number they create a large surface area.

Interesting. I actually was using as heavy or heavier rocks than for my floppier-corded sling. That sling though has a lot of loose fibers, compared to the one I made which has practically none.

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