Old-fashioned sling(shots)

[Dithsoer]

Does anyone have any experience with these? I'm talking about the old two-strings-and-pouch-David-and-Goliath kind?
Although just about no one would take such a weapon seriously today, relegating them to the novel toy category, historically they were formidable weapons. Most of the armies of ancient times had slinger units, including Rome and Macedon. Using cast-lead "bullets" anexperienced user was capable of implanting a "gland" or "glaive" into a mans skull at 50 yards.
I've been experimenting with canvas pouches and leather strings with cast-lead projectiles and so far have had some interesting and promising results. Has anyone else ever tried one of these?

 

[PercyShelley]

They're not easy for me to use, but I can see how they would be potentially very dangerous. Personally, I can't time to release or I flinch before releasing or otherwise screw it up, but with practice I have no doubt whatsoever that these are dangerous weapons. You can get a rock moving extremely fast with a good release.

Incidentally, Roman glans are fantastically amusing if you know Latin. Apparently they're usually inscribed with clever things like "duck!"

Also, does anyone know which war it was in that slings were used to fling grenades? That seems like a wonderful combination of old and new technologies.

 

[kellyj00]

I used to mess around with this in my youth.
The longer the sling, the bigger the projectile and still be comfortable.

I was never accurate enough to crack a skull from 50 yards (gheesh!), but with a 40" sling, I could get enough power to put a massive dent into plywood or corrugated steel from 50 feet or so.

I upgraded to a wrist rocket and marbles after that. Much more accurate and a lot less effort.

 

[telkontar]

In Boy Scouts, I could hit the Puget Sound 100% of the time. It's hard for me to imagine intentionally hitting a man between the eyes with a sling -- I figured I had my aim down to a 30-degree cone.

 

[Pax Jordana]

a 30-degree cone.

You're doin a damnsight better than I am, pal.

I think that slings are pretty wicked, myself. However, the only account I've ever heard of a guy getting his noggin cracked by a stone was biblical. Not to say it didn't happen..


Now, how many among us think they could hit something the size of a schoolbus at 50 yards? That, my friends, is massed fire, and probably how it worked. Imagine hail, with real hailing stones!

 

[Scotticus]

Check out http://slinging.org/

 

[bensdad]

I consider myself something of an expert with the sling. I've injured myself, damaged the siding on my parents house, and tormented our horses... all with the mighty sling. I don't remember ever calling a single shot.

 

[R127]

After practicing for half an hour or so for a couple weeks I was able to hit a mansized target at 40 yards reliably. I set up a rough experiment to gauge how fast the projectile was going and how much it weighed and was able to determine it hit with nearly the power of a .38 special only with a much larger projectile so the penetration would be less. I could hit something roughly the size of badguy's head at 20 yards reliably. I was using the Greek overhand throwing style.