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Good idea! Can anybody try that? Preferably reproducing ancient equipment and techniques as closely as possible and/or investigating how different techniques might affect the results.

How about sling coals of fire ?? 
I got the idea when we light a fire outdoors yesterday.
( By the way I light it with Flint-stone and steel. It was a pretty nice feeling when I managed it that way!)

Ulrica

  Yeah!!!!

Just wonder how the sling would look like ....

Could also be an idea of lighning the olympic fire at the international Slingolympic

Hondero,
I didn´t knew that

And I also just learned that Baleric Is is called Mallorca.
I´ve been there once, many years ago.   

Tell me if you find the video.

Ulrica

Yes, the molotov- sling surely works well, and for great loads even could be used a staff-sling. Our beloved sling has been used of multiple ways throughout the time. Its last registered military use was in the Spanish civil war (1936-1939), in which it was used to send grenades. Can you  imagine a sling launching of grenades to 100 meters? 

Hondero

Fascinating topic...

After trying my new sling out today, I have to say that it seems very unlikely that even on very long flights that air resistance will ever overcome the tumble imparted by leaving the pouch.  So, the almond shape must use the tumbling or be designed to create tumbling.  A rapid spin on a nearly spherical object would create gyroscopic stability in a plane perpendicular to the spin axis.  Myself, I throw vertically, over or underhand, the gyroscopic spin means my throws tend not to slide left or right, unless the stone has such an odd shape that the air resistance overcomes the gyrostabilization.  But maybe the shape is for psychological effect.  We've probably all noticed the hum created by rapidly spinning non-spherical stones.  Imagine being on the battlefield as a group (legion, battalion, whatever they're called) of slingers all release missles designed to hum.  It would be like being attacked by an angry horde of bees!  Mind you, bees that can break your bones!  Could be very effective against enemy morale

One theory for the elongated 'almond' glandes shape is that they stay put in the pouch better than a sphere, making for faster spinup.

Pouch release does indeed spin the projectile, my observation shows.  And a flat shaped glandes will 'buzz' when thrown and spun.  

My theory for the flattened shape is that they wanted the 'buzzing' when they fly. Remember, glandes weren't for hunting or sports. 'Effectiveness' is more than accuracy and efficiency when talking about a military purpose.

Hannibal said his elephants were annoyed at the buzzing of slingstones.  The torrent of slings was used by generals more to break discipline and induce fear in the opposing troops than to do actual damage. It they heard the 'buzzing' of a near miss it would have as much, or more, effect as a hit. Very demoralizing, and very effective.