I want to revise the text on the front page to describe the sling better.  I think the current text doesn't convey what the sling is all about; how it's a historically significant weapon.  I've written up a little blurb that captures that notion better, and wanted you guys (and gals) to comment and help me refine it if necessary.

Old Text:

What is a sling?
Slings are made of many different materials, but all consist of two lengths of cord, fabric, or hide attached to a pouch. One cord has a loop that is typically placed around a finger or wrist. This cord is called the loop or anchor cord. The other cord, called the release cord, is commonly pinched between your thumb and index finger. It usually has a knot at the end to give better grip and provide faster reloading. The pouch is generally leather or woven fibers, and it is used to hold the projectile. Common slings use pouches ranging from 3-7 inches wide (from string to string) and 2-5 inches high. Some slings use the "lovelock" or split pouch, which uses two strings to form the cradle for the rock, as seen in the picture on the right.


New Text:

What is a sling?
The sling is perhaps the earliest projectile weapon used by mankind, except perhaps a rock thrown by hand. It generally consist of two cords and pouch. The cords are held in your hand and a projectile is placed in the pouch. The length of the cords gives the slinger a greater mechanical advantage then just throwing a rock by hand. Projectiles can travel distances over 2000 feet (600m) at speeds exceeding 300 miles per hour (480 kph). There are dozens of historical accounts noting that the sling could outrange the bow. This supremacy continued up until around the middle ages. However, before the advent of more advanced bows (and crossbows), the sling was the premier long-range weapon of it's day, and saw action in almost every major military engagement from the dawn of civilization until the fall of the Byzantine empire.

Thanks,
Chris

P.S. Do any non-Americas get the bad joke in my title?

Yep Chris, I got it... It caused some funny images and makes me wonder how a group of less than 200 slingers are going to take over the worlds golfball factories...(you guessed it I need coffee).

I'm with Ulrica about mentioning more on accuracy and such...

Yes, English you are correct; I mean the fall of the Roman Empire.  I will revise it to mention the geographic diversity of slings, and some details on accuracy, perhaps through the example of the Balears.

Chris

As for the bad joke in the title, yes, I was referring to the old Uncle Sam (left) recruitment posters (that originated from a similar british poster of Lord Kitchener - right). 
   

That record was attained with something like a 4 foot sling.  Ancient slingers likely used 6 foot, 8 foot, or even longer slings for ranged shots.  I remember reading somewhere they they either dug ditches or build scaffolding to accommodate the longer slings (so it was probably a hybrid underarm style, which makes sense if we're considering at a long range shot).  When you are talking about lead projectiles and 8 foot slings, ranges of 3000 feet seems plausible....

Chris

Techstuff measured 206 MPH (321 KPH) with one of his special slings, and I believe the length was less than 4 feet.  With a 8 foot, low-profile sling, I think 300 MPH is quite possible.  I am willing to reduce it to 250 MPH to make it more conservative.

Chris

He also said he achieved speeds close to 500 MPH with ball bearings:
http://www.slinging.org/forum2/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=1;action=display;num=10673983...

How fast does a lead glande need to go to lodge in a stone wall?

"As I believe that the collection of the Society of Antiquaries of London does not include a specimen of the Leaden-pellet or Sling-bullet of the Greeks, I do myself the honour to forward you one; of which, together with the accompanying drawing, I beg the Society s acceptance.          
   This specimen was found lodged in the Cyclopian walls of Samé in Cephalonia. "

From Chris' article.
Johnny

Been the lead softer than stone, it´s impossible the penetration, except into a join betwen two slabs

Yes, english, to mark the stone is possible and even to make a wide erosion like a bullet due to the energy of impact, but to lodge into the stone requires much more energy and the lead probably would melt on the impact before penetrating