ara
Member
Any recommendations on powerful slingshots? For hunting, mostly, but for anything requiring projectile responses in particular.
ara
ara
Slingshots with ball bearing ammo?
- Thread starter ara
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sm
member
I grew up the wood fork from a tree, red rubber from a inner tube , leathers from whatever , ball bearings from the Esso , Gulf, or Texaco Fillin' Station, marbles and rocks.
Felled small game, such as squirrels, rabbits, doves and even rattlesnakes and water moccasins.
All sorts of hunting, and even stopped some serious threats.
Seems tires today do not require inner tubes, and the inner tubes that are used, are not red rubber.
I personally cannot do these newfangled Slingshot Forks, nor can many others.
We still make our own forks from a tree. Like gun fit, we find "slingshot fit" to be important to take advantage of the human computer and natural eye-to-hand coordination.
Rubber varies from Surgical tubing , to industrial rubber bands, and even the store bought replacement rubber and pouch.
WE includes kids, and so we "fit" the slingshot to folks, and make sure the "pull" is not too long or strong.
Inexpensive marbles from the Dollar Type stores work real well on small game.
Steel bearings, being heavier work well for bigger uses, and these can be had from folks that do Machine work, and various other jobs that use bearings.
Diesel, Mechanics, Aviation and Rail road workers to name a few sources.
More recently we have just been getting the replacement rubber and pouch kit from Academy Sports and using on our homemade wooden forks.
There are two "strengths" and we use both. Kids do better better with "regular" and we adults with "heavy".
These were made for "tubular" slingshots ( whatever that is ).
Now we attach these as we did back in yesteryear, like one is supposed to.
We cut a notch all around the top of the fork where the rubber goes, about 3/16" - 1/4" down.
Rubber goes over the top of fork, so the notch is covered front and back.
Braided fishing line is them wrapped snug to hold rubber in place, and tie off with two square knots.
Pouch is attached to rubber by using a bit heavier braided cord.
First we measure and cut the cord and get pcs the same length.
Tie a good square knot.
Then simply use a slip knot through pouch first, and then up the same distance on rubber use a slip knot again.
Field Expedient if you will.
If we decide to change to a bigger pouch to sling Persimmons, or Gumballs, or Golf Balls, or Grapes...we keep the "good" pouch clean and use the "grunge and fun" pouch.
Ammo.
Steel bearings, marbles have been mentioned.
Also in the Dollar Stores and Craft places are nice clear and colored decorative "marbles" like folks put in vases, and with plants, or in Aquariums.
We have taken squirrels, small rabbits, doves with these marbles.
We have just taken to saving the steel bearings.
Weight tends to differ, steel is heavier, still some of the decorative "marbles" are quite "dense" and "hefty".
I was using Hunter Green and a lady friend some Cobalt Blue decorative marbles.
These were heavier than the regular marbles one plays the game Marbles from the Dollar Store.
Hard to find the quality marbles like they had when I was growing up, and these are more expensive. One Toy Store said most folks buying the "good ones" are collecting them for kids, and grandkids.
Still we hit and felled squirrels, and rabbit and doves and for testing these will break go through the passenger glass of a vehicle.
Like we do for fun with firearms, we shoot dirt. Just dirt in a box to see how far in they go.
Neat thing , these slingshots are quiet.
They will turn a bull around that is getting into something he should not be.
One shot to the rear end and he turned around, got mad and stormed off.
Felled small game, such as squirrels, rabbits, doves and even rattlesnakes and water moccasins.
All sorts of hunting, and even stopped some serious threats.
Seems tires today do not require inner tubes, and the inner tubes that are used, are not red rubber.
I personally cannot do these newfangled Slingshot Forks, nor can many others.
We still make our own forks from a tree. Like gun fit, we find "slingshot fit" to be important to take advantage of the human computer and natural eye-to-hand coordination.
Rubber varies from Surgical tubing , to industrial rubber bands, and even the store bought replacement rubber and pouch.
WE includes kids, and so we "fit" the slingshot to folks, and make sure the "pull" is not too long or strong.
Inexpensive marbles from the Dollar Type stores work real well on small game.
Steel bearings, being heavier work well for bigger uses, and these can be had from folks that do Machine work, and various other jobs that use bearings.
Diesel, Mechanics, Aviation and Rail road workers to name a few sources.
More recently we have just been getting the replacement rubber and pouch kit from Academy Sports and using on our homemade wooden forks.
There are two "strengths" and we use both. Kids do better better with "regular" and we adults with "heavy".
These were made for "tubular" slingshots ( whatever that is ).
Now we attach these as we did back in yesteryear, like one is supposed to.
We cut a notch all around the top of the fork where the rubber goes, about 3/16" - 1/4" down.
Rubber goes over the top of fork, so the notch is covered front and back.
Braided fishing line is them wrapped snug to hold rubber in place, and tie off with two square knots.
Pouch is attached to rubber by using a bit heavier braided cord.
First we measure and cut the cord and get pcs the same length.
Tie a good square knot.
Then simply use a slip knot through pouch first, and then up the same distance on rubber use a slip knot again.
Field Expedient if you will.
If we decide to change to a bigger pouch to sling Persimmons, or Gumballs, or Golf Balls, or Grapes...we keep the "good" pouch clean and use the "grunge and fun" pouch.
Ammo.
Steel bearings, marbles have been mentioned.
Also in the Dollar Stores and Craft places are nice clear and colored decorative "marbles" like folks put in vases, and with plants, or in Aquariums.
We have taken squirrels, small rabbits, doves with these marbles.
We have just taken to saving the steel bearings.
Weight tends to differ, steel is heavier, still some of the decorative "marbles" are quite "dense" and "hefty".
I was using Hunter Green and a lady friend some Cobalt Blue decorative marbles.
These were heavier than the regular marbles one plays the game Marbles from the Dollar Store.
Hard to find the quality marbles like they had when I was growing up, and these are more expensive. One Toy Store said most folks buying the "good ones" are collecting them for kids, and grandkids.
Still we hit and felled squirrels, and rabbit and doves and for testing these will break go through the passenger glass of a vehicle.
Like we do for fun with firearms, we shoot dirt. Just dirt in a box to see how far in they go.
Neat thing , these slingshots are quiet.
They will turn a bull around that is getting into something he should not be.
One shot to the rear end and he turned around, got mad and stormed off.
Bartkowski
Member
The railroad I hunt near has tons and tons of pig iron spilled down by the tracks, great ammo for slingshots, best part is it's free and basically an unlimited amount.
Pax Jordana
Member
OP,
I do believe that sm is implying that reducing something so fun as slingshotting to a mere science of precision takes away a lot of its fun.
Sure, you could buy a 50lb pull slingshot and shoot +-5.2x10-26 spherical ball bearings, but why?
Though unlike sm, I don't believe any of us will have dire need to reroute a bull anytime soon.
So go buy one, any one (I like cheaperthandirt.com for most miscellaneous naughty playthings) and try shooting rocks, marbles, ball bearings, etc. You'll find that most technical tomfoolery is an attempt to compensate for lack of skill or, more importantly, practice!
I do believe that sm is implying that reducing something so fun as slingshotting to a mere science of precision takes away a lot of its fun.
Sure, you could buy a 50lb pull slingshot and shoot +-5.2x10-26 spherical ball bearings, but why?
Though unlike sm, I don't believe any of us will have dire need to reroute a bull anytime soon.
So go buy one, any one (I like cheaperthandirt.com for most miscellaneous naughty playthings) and try shooting rocks, marbles, ball bearings, etc. You'll find that most technical tomfoolery is an attempt to compensate for lack of skill or, more importantly, practice!
sm
member
Pax Jordana,
Some bulls needs re-routing
ara Slingshots are pointed - not aimed.
These were a Rite of Passage growing up in my day, and I am one of many that continues to pass this Rite of Passage forward - with a homemade slingshot.
Fun? You Betcha!
These also meant a kid, had come along and earned some respect, and responsibility - and instilled some life lessons, about being responsible, about ethics, values and other qualities of being a member of Society.
This transitioned to BBGuns, .22 rifles pocketknives ...and all through life's transitions.
Serious Use? You Betcha!
I was born with a knack (quite a few, some good bad, some I wonder about the statue of limitations..and some....)
Mentor said when I could hit a rock he tossed into the air, I was ready to start felling birds in flight.
His first rock he tossed, I hit.
I did this five times in a row, and then "aw hell, lets see if you can hit a dove leaving the roost"
I felled 3 doves using rocks.
Just rocks, and taking doves, squirrels, and even small rabbits.
Pest control - These being quiet, and being shot near a raccoon we did not want to hurt, but to get out of the trash.
Rabid Raccoon on the other hand, will quit doing what he/she is doing,and get a dirt nap.
Heck shoot at a deer in the garden, just close, and the deer leaves..
Serious Use? Civil Unrest, firebombs, guns, really nasty and ugly and a homemade slingshot, with rocks, will stop an immediate threat.
Pointed - not aimed.
No night sights on these things either.
Just a rock from a homemade slingshot and a BG will drop a firebomb, a rifle, if you hit the elbow or let of a girl he has grabbed and ripped her blouse open hitting a knee cap.
Fun? Yeah, just like everything else as a kid.
Correct Basic fundamentals
Fit of tool to user
No known Gun Schools, Knife Schools, Sling Shot Schools, Hickory Axe Handle Schools...
But my Slingshot was fun, my pocketknives were fun, my hickory axe handle was fun batting rocks and tossing bullchips, and my very own .22 pistol -were fun.
Lessons transitioned from "fun" allowed me and kids like me to stop serious threats with slingshots, axe handles, knives and handguns/firearms.
Product of my raisin' and of the times - might explain why I put so much stock into Software not Hardware.
Some bulls needs re-routing
ara Slingshots are pointed - not aimed.
These were a Rite of Passage growing up in my day, and I am one of many that continues to pass this Rite of Passage forward - with a homemade slingshot.
Fun? You Betcha!
These also meant a kid, had come along and earned some respect, and responsibility - and instilled some life lessons, about being responsible, about ethics, values and other qualities of being a member of Society.
This transitioned to BBGuns, .22 rifles pocketknives ...and all through life's transitions.
Serious Use? You Betcha!
I was born with a knack (quite a few, some good bad, some I wonder about the statue of limitations..and some....)
Mentor said when I could hit a rock he tossed into the air, I was ready to start felling birds in flight.
His first rock he tossed, I hit.
I did this five times in a row, and then "aw hell, lets see if you can hit a dove leaving the roost"
I felled 3 doves using rocks.
Just rocks, and taking doves, squirrels, and even small rabbits.
Pest control - These being quiet, and being shot near a raccoon we did not want to hurt, but to get out of the trash.
Rabid Raccoon on the other hand, will quit doing what he/she is doing,and get a dirt nap.
Heck shoot at a deer in the garden, just close, and the deer leaves..
Serious Use? Civil Unrest, firebombs, guns, really nasty and ugly and a homemade slingshot, with rocks, will stop an immediate threat.
Pointed - not aimed.
No night sights on these things either.
Just a rock from a homemade slingshot and a BG will drop a firebomb, a rifle, if you hit the elbow or let of a girl he has grabbed and ripped her blouse open hitting a knee cap.
Fun? Yeah, just like everything else as a kid.
Correct Basic fundamentals
Fit of tool to user
No known Gun Schools, Knife Schools, Sling Shot Schools, Hickory Axe Handle Schools...
But my Slingshot was fun, my pocketknives were fun, my hickory axe handle was fun batting rocks and tossing bullchips, and my very own .22 pistol -were fun.
Lessons transitioned from "fun" allowed me and kids like me to stop serious threats with slingshots, axe handles, knives and handguns/firearms.
Product of my raisin' and of the times - might explain why I put so much stock into Software not Hardware.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
When I was of an age to be messing with slingshots, ball bearings came naturally in wheel bearings, the way God made 'em. Which wore out eventually, and had to get changed. Which the mechanic my dad dealt with at the time carefully saved in a wooden crate for all the pestilential little slingshot-packing brats that belonged to his customers.
Every time the car got worked on, I got a handful of ball bearings. What a deal!
My slingshot fork (which I still have) was cut out of an ironwood tree in the woods behind our house for me by my father before I started first grade. There was still one ruined red rubber innertube at the gas station and country store my dad ran when he first cut me that fork, but that rubber didn't last very long. It wasn't too much time till I had graduated to surgical rubber tubing, held onto the fork with rubber bands. More rubber bands held the loops at the other end of the tubing where the shoe-tongue leather pouch was attached with bootlace.
Those were the days... what, 1958, 1959, 1960. All along in there. Wrist Rockets with ball bearings? BTDT, but home made though. And it rode around a lot better in the hip pocket of a pair of faded blue jeans too, without all that unnecessary hardware.
lpl/nc
Every time the car got worked on, I got a handful of ball bearings. What a deal!
My slingshot fork (which I still have) was cut out of an ironwood tree in the woods behind our house for me by my father before I started first grade. There was still one ruined red rubber innertube at the gas station and country store my dad ran when he first cut me that fork, but that rubber didn't last very long. It wasn't too much time till I had graduated to surgical rubber tubing, held onto the fork with rubber bands. More rubber bands held the loops at the other end of the tubing where the shoe-tongue leather pouch was attached with bootlace.
Those were the days... what, 1958, 1959, 1960. All along in there. Wrist Rockets with ball bearings? BTDT, but home made though. And it rode around a lot better in the hip pocket of a pair of faded blue jeans too, without all that unnecessary hardware.
lpl/nc
coelacanth
Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2007
- Messages
- 455
regardless of the type of slingshot you use. . . . .
a bag of "00" lead shot comes in real handy. 3 of them in the pouch will definitely turn an ornery bull with an urge to roam beyond the fence. 1 in the pouch will put rabbit on the menu. If you're worried about lead contamination coat them with baby powder or corn starch.
a bag of "00" lead shot comes in real handy. 3 of them in the pouch will definitely turn an ornery bull with an urge to roam beyond the fence. 1 in the pouch will put rabbit on the menu. If you're worried about lead contamination coat them with baby powder or corn starch.
I use a Trumark http://www.slingshotdepot.com/slingshots.asp
Scroll down to the fifth one, WS-1. When I was a kid I had one and back then they were called wrist rockets. Now the wrist rocket name is used by another company and I don't like them as well. I have replaced the bands on mine with 1/4" surgical tubing - it's a lot stronger. I use cast lead roundball (same as for a muzzle loading rifle), 50 caliber. Really like the way it shoots and it's effect on target.
Bob
Scroll down to the fifth one, WS-1. When I was a kid I had one and back then they were called wrist rockets. Now the wrist rocket name is used by another company and I don't like them as well. I have replaced the bands on mine with 1/4" surgical tubing - it's a lot stronger. I use cast lead roundball (same as for a muzzle loading rifle), 50 caliber. Really like the way it shoots and it's effect on target.
Bob
W.E.G.
Member
Not the ones in my suburban garden. I can shoot at them 'til I'm blue in the face and they ignore me. When I do connect, they just sort of twitch like they were bit with a fly. I thought one of the large ones was gonna retaliate after I shot her in the neck at close range. She actually came toward me, if not actually "at" me.
I'm using a 70's era Wrist-Rocket with glass marbles.
So I don't freak out the neighbors, what I need is a high-powered BB-gun that looks like a camera.
Never No More
Member
Being that I use a flintlock, and make my own round ball.
There is always enough for my wrist rockets, just like the area cats for which I keep a box full next to my back door.
There is always enough for my wrist rockets, just like the area cats for which I keep a box full next to my back door.
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