Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: Bushbow on July 27, 2010, 01:05:47 pm
-
After making bows and arrows for years I thought it would be fun to try a slingshot. Very similar to archery, way easier to make, and I have plenty of small pieces of wood and leather. It is a blast to shoot. Plus it fits in my pocket. Picture and Video link below.
(http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/mxred91/DSCN0130.jpg) >:D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AoAz6w-zA
-
Nothing like a Slingshot to bring out the Kid in you! Nice one
-
i make slingshots and hutn with them as well. i know guys who won't go in the woods without one. i slingshot with a lead ball is lethal on any small game. I make mine from the crotches of trees as i think they are stronger. my favorite material is buckthorn, yes, that invasive, nasty crap that grows everywhere now, but it is a beautiful wood and makes a great slingshot.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b194/MN_Littles/102_6033.jpg)
-
Gopher I agree with you on the Buckthorn, and that is a nice looking slingshot. The stuff reminds me of yew (looks wise). I made a bow out of it and it came out nice, although only 45 lbs. It seems hard to find a big enough stave for a bow.I also made a for slingshot after the monkey. It is from another invasive bush species, I think it is some kind of Holly, pic below.
(http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp99/mxred91/DSCN0139.jpg)
-
That is cool! I was looking at them at BPS the other day and was wanting one....never though about making one ;D
-
Alot like shooting a bow, fits in your pocket, and more fun than should be allowed. There are a couple of good slingshot forums with lots of info to get you started. I have only been into it about 3 weeks. I almost done with my third one.
-
There was a guy that used to come to PA that made his own slingshots, said he used heavy duty surgical tubing. Used his for hunting all the time and even claimed to have killed a Deer with his hunting slingshot, shot it right in the head. His name as Chris Tindal, went by the handle Bowkin
-
my friend and i chronoed his custom wrist rocket shooting a lead ball at just over 200 fps, that would sure give ya a headache!
-
Gopher, what was the size of the lead ball? .490 for a .50 cal? .350 for a .36 cal? I would love to plug those numbers in to the calculator to figure out the energy in that shot!
-
i'm not sure, he pours his own lead shot for slingshots...now that's being committed. It wasn't as big as a 45 or 50 cal. if i had to take a guess at what size it was i would say they were about 3/8" diameter. I can measure a few when i get home tonight.
-
If you want to see the power you can get from a slingshot, check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9lJ5FoXrek
It doesn't hurt that he looks like he could pull stumps out of the ground.
-
Hmmm, let's see...3/8 equals .375". Most likely that he's using a stock, off-the-shelf, roundball mold and the most likely size would be for a .36 cal. On average those are .350 and weigh about 70 grains, if you are using pure lead, stuff like wheelweight lead would be a bit lighter.
Grain weight x Velocity squared then divided by 450240 = ft/lbs of energy
70 x 200 x 200 / 450240 = 6.22 ft/lbs of energy
-
I know this one's been around for a while, but you can't have a slingshot thread without this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieWrWLjii0&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ieWrWLjii0&feature=related)
-
Yep...that Ole Man is the King of Slingshots
-
Good grief that was a pretty incredible video
-
I can't believe he was such a good shot with such odd shaped stones, that's incredible.
Got some data for ya JW
The lead balls that my freind shoots (we got just over 200 fps) are 0.43 inches in diameter and 116 grains. that equals 10.3 ft-lbs of energy, not bad if you ask me.
In comparison, the most common slingshot ammo you can get in hardware stores and stuff is 3/8" steel. the ones i have are only 54.4 grains, giving only 4.8 ft-lbs of energy.
I need to start pouring some lead balls if i'm going to do more hunting with my 'shot.
-
i make slingshots and hunt with them as well. i know guys who won't go in the woods without one. i slingshot with a lead ball is lethal on any small game. I make mine from the crotches of trees as i think they are stronger. my favorite material is buckthorn, yes, that invasive, nasty crap that grows everywhere now, but it is a beautiful wood and makes a great slingshot.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b194/MN_Littles/102_6033.jpg)
Nice looking fork Gopher. I also like Cascara because it's strong, light and nicely colored naturally. :) bg
-
Made lotsa slingshots before getting into this bow-making craziness.
Not so many now.
Made a few for deer huntin' friends as they seem to appreciate taking a slingshot along on their hunts ... squirrels often provide ready targets.
Did do this one last spring and gave to friend at Marshall. A pc of spalted oak gifted by another friend . . . . .
(http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac48/knolltop314/100_3642.jpg)
Did another as Christmas gift, but can't find any pics.
-
I'm sure I saw somewhere on YouTube someone shooting arrows with a slingshot. As said really brings out the kid in you.
Bjrogg
-
When I started reading this thread I was thinking in the back of my mind that this subject comes up once in a while and that I was looking forward to seeing what new someone might say....then I realized I was reading MY response to a very old thread. Heck, it had been long I forgot what I had said!!!
(Funny coincidence, I have been binge watching The Walking Dead. You would think I would recognize a zombie thread faster than I did!)
-
The one on the far right was mine when I was a little kid 50 plus years ago. My Father gave it to me and I now let my Grandson shoot it (Replaced the band of course, eventually I will gift it to him but I am not quite ready to give it up yet). The other ones are just some ones that I made to mess with. The one with the green band really packs a punch!
-
Many advantages,to a slingshot.Some Survivalist "Experts",prefer them as their weapon of choice.As someone mentioned previously,they shoot arrows from them and the spine is not critical with slingshots.Im a natural fork slinger myself.
-
I guess I am confused about sling shots cause I thought a sling shot is what David slew the giant with. At any rate I have been making and using them all my 70 some years of life. During
World War Two you could get all the natural red inner tubes from the tire places. Made fantastic crotch rockets. When I used to guide elk hunters I always had one in my saddle bag to shoot fool hens. In the spring in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska I used to shoot the ptarmigan and we cooked them in the rod oven. Growing up in Cody, Wyoming we could sell Magpie legs for 5 Cents a pair. Could not afford the 36 cents it took to by 22 shells. Lots of good memories. Joe
-
Cool memories, Joe! Thanks for sharing.
-
Brain S, what is the green band material? I wouldn't mind making one.
-
imo, http ://slingshotforum.com/ is the place to go for slingshot info/advice. Those folks have the experience and helpfulness ya see here on PA.
-
Forgot to mention my brother and I killed a lot of rattlesnakes on my father in law's ranch between Cody and Yellowstone. When we had them we used old ball bearings! Learned from my dad! Joe
-
what is the green band material?
Looks like exercise band material. The big box store based in Arkansas carries 'em.
-
Joe,
I know what you mean about the name. When I was a kid, my Papaw would correct me that a "slingshot" was the name for the leather thong with a pouch that you slung around to throw the rock... like David used to kill Goliath, but that a "flip" was the name for the type that used rubber bands. That didn't keep me from calling my rubber band type device a slingshot, but I do remember to this day that the proper name is "flip". He has been gone for over 20 years now, and it still makes me smile to remember him.
Michael
-
Helmet,
It is exercise band. I bought a bunch of it at Walmart and cut it into strips.
-
Grampa used to call em "bean flips". That brings back great memories as we would walk all over creation with a pocket full of gravel and one "in the chamber." Pestered every living thing that didnt scoot when we eyed it. Even killed a rabbit once, though I can't tell you how (gravel tends to go every way but straight.) As I grew older, we would use .36 lead balls and our consistency improved greatly. With good ammo, it wouldnt be hard to knock a bird outta the tree... Gives me an idea for the next elk hunt. Thanks Joe!!
-
Hey Scott, we have carried slingshots in our packs to Colorado elk hunting. Those crazy grouse make good targets...
-
BrianS....
Have you used Theraband before?
If so,how does this exercise band compare?
Or...
How is it compared to the tubes you are using?
-
Theraband is generally regarded as the cadillac of slingshot flat bands. They produce variety of strengths for the exercise/rehab trade with gold color being the strongest.
Thereband gold doubled flat bands are primo hunting bands.
Many shooters swear by tubes, but I couldn't get accurate with them.
-
I agree Knoll.
Thats what i use.I was interested how the Green compared.I did a little research and found,that the Green is theraband only a bit less resilient to stretch.
-
The best band is theraband, gold and black are the best colours for most hunting weight ammo, blue is great for small steels/targets. I have found between 9mm and 12mm lead balls are the best calibres for hunting. Steels work well too and you can get over 300fps with tapered theraband bands. Obviously flatter trajectory but not as much stopping power.
the 'bean shooter' is a very good shot! Notice he says that he doesn't aim...that is the key to accuracy. Throwing cans etc in the air is great to train the instinctive style shooting as you can not aim even if you wanted to try.