Hello Friends,

I went out today to shoot bows with my daughter.  Just made her a longbow and accessories last week.  We had a great time.

I took along my slings just in case there were some rocks in need of throwing.  Well, what do you know, there were.  I threw several dozen, mostly for distance, very few for accuracy (which was good because I don't have any.)

I used two different slings, one with four #24 strands in the cord and one with four #72 strands.  You can see these in the gallery.  The #72 is the newest with black pouch and white cord.  I threw stones of varying size from about 1.5 oz to maybe 5 oz.  They were various shapes as well.

I threw a lot of them at some woods about 225 ft away.  Straight line throws mostly.  When the stones contacted the trees it was a sound to behold!  Much power in those stones, many whirring loudly as they went (the more gland shaped ones that is).  I also threw some in the 30 to 45 deg. range for distance.   With different size stones, I easily cleared the tops of some 70 ft pines at about 225 ft.  How far did they go?  I don't have any idea, but I don't think over 300 ft is out of the question for some of them.  I could throw to around 160 ft with almost no inclination to the release.

Now, here is the cool part.  These were all single windups.  No multiple rotations at all.  I did try some double and triples, but could not control the release.  No feel for the stone's position, it just wanted to keep going 'round.

Also of note was the tremendous power of the stones.  As they went through the woods, they often clipped off small limbs.  They fell as if clipped by bullets from a rifle, no vibration or moving in the direction of the impact, just straight down.  (I have witnessed this many times with bullets hitting limbs.)   When they hit the trees, it was solid and loud.  I have no doubt that a 2 or 3 oz stone could very likely kill a person at 50 to 100 yards if hit in the head.  A 5 oz'er would be devastating indeed. 

The velocity was several hundred feet per second at release.  My arrows go around 180 fps from my recurve.  The stones were much faster when thrown well, possibly as much as 300.  I gave a very strong flick at the end of the throw.  Of course, with a very poor aerodynamic coefficient, they slow down quickly, but I still have no problem believing in Yurek's well practiced 400 ft + thows.

BTW, these slings are my standard 34" from loop to center of pouch.  I wear the loop over my ring fiinger and lay the cord through my hand.  So, about a 32" sling +/-.  I found the smaller cord more friendly in some respects.  The larger cord seemed to make the joints of my hand and fingers hurt worse.  Don't know why.  It also has much more inertia to overcome when the stone is opening the pouch.  Needs larger stones.  They both wrapped completely around me after each throw.  Had to undwind myself.  This was worst when throwing straight since my release is more horizontal than I realized before.

Jeff <>< who had great fun today.

On the other hand, we humans tend to be rather frail.  Goliath, a rather stout giant, fell to a stone.

If a 5 oz stone impacted at 150 fps it would have an impact energy of 109 ft/lbs.  While low, I believe this would be enough to kill if properly placed.

Now, to be a bit less morbid, this could easily take small game like rabbits.  You might even stun a javelina long enough to stab it with a spear.  Meat on the table. MMMMMM!!!

Jeff ><>

My computer censors d e aa d l y  and k i l l e d

Whatever resource says the sling generates 30 ft/lbs should be read with a jaundiced eye.  There is a lot to this.

See my new post on this subject 

Jeff <><

Great stuff Yurek!

Did you say 300 meters?  That's over 900 feet!!!!!!!!!!

WHOA...


Jeff <><