Just came back from a small session slinging with the staff sling.
Well it wasn't really a staff just an 80cm stick and a Y-sling of about 50 cm.
Threw bout 25 rocks weighting between 200 grams and a kilo with most being over 500g.
Max range I got was about 60 meters with the short staff sling.
Here's some of my observations:
- the Y sling works like a charm on the staff, it releases the rock perfectly in line with the staff. although a regular sling will do just as good I think, because heavy rocks will force the regular sling to release just as well.
- The staff sling is very fun, you don't need to care about ammo weight and size up to a kg, any big old rock will work, its weight will defeat the air. You just lob the damn thing
- Less strain on my arm and body throwing 500g with the staff sling compared to the 250 grams with a regular sling, much less.
I think the staff-sling belongs in every slinger's arsenal
It definitely doesn't replace the regular sling but it adds to it
It allows you to throw an even greater range of weights and make use of ammo other wise not usable.
I believe the regular sling is better regarding precision, penetration, biconical ammo and distance, , but keep the staff sling for anything above 250g. Your body will thank you.
Now time to try bigger staffs and experiment different lengths. It's very fun throwing such huge rocks past 50 meters without the strain on the body. Can definitely see how this is an effective weapon. If I had an ancient army I would want staff slingers and regular slingers.
The staff slingers could be recruited more quickly and no armor is going to protect you from a 600g rock falling from the sky. Or If I was a shepherd, I would want a dedicated sling for my staff as well.
I like it mostly because I have access to a large amount of rocks too big for my regular sling, but which are no problem for the staff sling.