Dan
That is the way I figured it out! Your illustration confirms it!
Thanks!

What I am most interested in are the historical implications of such a throw; if a man nowadays can do it, with (presumably) less training than an ancient Balearic slinger, then I would guess that an ancient slinger could sling the same distance, or thereabouts.  Does anyone know any (traditional) archery records for range, so we can compare the scores and see which ancient instrument of death is the best for range.

A long bow can shoot about 350 meters (1148 feet).  We know from historical references that slingers could out-range archers, and with distances of 1500 feet from Larry, Jurek, and others, I think it's pretty clear.    I'm not quite sure why though.  It's possible that the air resistance for an arrow is greater than that of a lead gland.  It's also possible that the mechanical advantage of a sling is better than that of a drawn bow string. 

Chris

If you are wanting to set the world's record GWR says it must be a 'stone.'  The intent is clear, they are talking about a naturally ocurring object and not one manmade. So, concrete and lead are out. But, it doesn't say which type of stone, nor does it imply that the stone can't be 'worked' to provide the best shape and weight. After all, ancient slingers shaped their stones, too.  The slingers in Guam come to mind.

For the best ballistics, the denser the material the better for ballistics.  I looked up what stone densities I could find. Here are their specific gravities. Water has an SG = 1.

Chalk = 2.3 (very easy to shape)
Granite = 2.7 (very heavy, but very hard to shape)
Gypsum = 2.4 (easy to shape)
Limestone = 2.6 (moderate to shape)
Marble = 2.7 (moderate to shape)
Sandstone = 2.3 (easy to shape)
Soapstone = 2.7 (easy to shape)
Trap rock = 3.0 (what is this?  very heavy)

Plaster of Paris = 1.8 (added for comparison, this is manmade)
Concrete = 2.2 (added for comparison)
Lead = 11.3 (added for comparison)

I would make mine from soapstone. Very heavy and easy to shape with hand or power tools. It is possible to turn soapstone in a wood lathe with scraper tools.  Dan

Every ancient sport in modern times has these same growing pains.  Ancient technology or contemporary?  The solution seems to always be the same: two records. One for classical slinging and one for unlimited slinging. So, to me, Larry holds the record for the former and David simlutaneously holds the record for the latter.

Like you mention, Hondero, the weight seems to predict the distance. But, I don't like the notion of standardizing the weights. It would be unfair for some people.  The length of a person's arm and even their weight will alter the optimum slingstone weight they should throw for maximum distance. If you standardize the stone's weight you would be discriminating against certain groups of people. The slingstone weight is a human factor, so shouldn't be standarized. That's like saying all cross country skiiers should use the same length and width ski.  

I appreciate your desire for slinging to become an Olympic sport. After all, most of the other ancient martial arts are.  That would be fun!  On a serious note, a sport cannot become an Olympic event until it has a history of competition on the national and international levels. One of the reasons I was promoting an international competition was to prepare slinging for the Olympics.

I see no reason why we should adopt the GWRs rules. Who are they anyway?  A slinging organization?  No. They are book sellers.

I think this group is the proper group to decide on what is the best regulatory means and method to use. We are the international experts. I hereby formally request, as a full member, that this group develop the regulations for distance slinging.

PS:  We can properly use the term Classical, since Greeks used the sling and the slings we are talking about are from the same era.

PPS: Alabaster is similar to soapstone in weight and ease of shaping.

Hondero.  About the javelin, the Olympics uses modern, not ancient javelins.  I understand what you are saying, but perhaps the javelin isn't a good example for your point.   

I'm pleased you agree that this group should make the rules. If they are generally adopted around the world, GWR (and the Olympic committee) will use them, too.

Dan,

Thanks for the stones densities, it is very useful.


The present GWR rules don't give an equal chanses for successors. Larry's great achievment is closest to them (predecessor's most probably too). Although, there is one exception: Larry used the dacron cords. GWR says: "... The sling is to be made entirely of leather..." I suppose that GWR rightly tries to restrain the "technological race" in that category and the rules are new. I think that a sling made entirely of common leather can't surpass David's range, with useing stones, of course. Probably, it is possible to make the special "hi-tech" leather cords, but it require special kind of leather and advanced technology too. Every one can't get it, hovever.

Nowadays there are so many kinds of common accesable and cheap matherials for making cords. So, GWR shouldn't question them, I hope. After all, ancient slingers used different common materials for slings, not only leather. They used lead glandes too. Then we could admit them as traditional ammo.

There is the problem, because Dan have set "cross-beam so high" with his unconventional stuff. I think we should find reasonable compromise. If that one can be named a SLING without hestitation and follow to beat David's record, then we will able to speak about the standard.

I'm follower of admiting the lead projectiles. There is a few reasons of it, I'm sure that it equlizes the chances. For example, one guy is able to use the granit field stones only, but other one can get and make perfect shaped projectiles of pyrite (density > 5.0) for example. Well, we have the STONES in both cases. Have those guys got equal chanse? Lead due to density tops almost all minerals. The lead is cheap and I'm sure that evryone who want to beat the record is able get them and make homemade projectiles as want. In fact, the lead is unhealthy, but one may use stannum, for example. The next important thing, lead projectiles reduces an influence of wind. GWR says nothing about that. I think, that strong wind can enlage range of stone even about 100 yards.

Summarizing, since predecessors used diferent matherials for the cords, and since David used the metal missles, then those should be allowed in next tries. However the required sling should look similar to a classic SLING and work like a SLING. For example, the leather pouch and two cords made of any material + lead projectiles with any shape.

Well... that is only my opinion, But I think that forum is the bigest sling experts community of the world and it is the best place for creation and carrying rules to GWR. I'm curious of your guys opinions and Larry's one too.

Jurek

PS. Oopss! I haven't seen last posts before.

Larry,

Thank you for that information. I'm excited I may read your words on that forum. Maybe two or three months ago I asked question about records here, but now you are here, great!

I'm sure you are able to beat David's record still. If you use the lead projectiles then you will beat that range easy.

Jurek