How to make a fighting slingshot at home. How to make a powerful slingshot for hunting with your own hands? What rubber is most ideal for a slingshot?

Even though many people consider a slingshot to be a child's toy, it can still be a powerful weapon. What distinguishes a toy from a combat vehicle is the tension force of the rubber and the strength of the body. A powerful slingshot for hunting is made from steel wire or a strong stick suitable shape. And excellent rubber will be from the inner tube of a football or volleyball, a rubber bandage, inner tube passenger car, medical tourniquets or catheter No. 22. This the best materials for a truly powerful slingshot with which you can hunt both birds and small animals.

What rubber is most ideal for a slingshot?

The best option is No. 22 catheters or medical tourniquets. They can be bought at the pharmacy. They stretch well and contract very quickly, which allows the projectile to fly quickly and far. Their disadvantage is that when the slightest burr appears, they tear.

The most durable rubber for a slingshot is the inner tube from a passenger car. However, in order for the projectile to fly far (as if released with a catheter), you will need more power from the shooter when pulling. But when hunting, you can be completely sure that the slingshot will serve for a long time.

A ball inner tube or a rubber bandage stretches two or even three times stronger than a car inner tube, but neither option can boast of durability. All because of hangnails. They are formed if you cut strips with scissors. It's only a matter of time how long such a weapon will last. Usually very short. It is better to cut off parts with a blade, but no one can do everything perfectly the first time, it requires skill. Such rubber is a very delicate material.

Slingshot handle

If the weapon is planned to be powerful, then the body of the slingshot should be made with an emphasis. With this simple device, the holding hand will not get tired. If the hunting slingshot is not very powerful, and the shooter is confident in the strength of his hand, then you can do without additional support. In this case, the design becomes much simpler both in appearance and in execution.

What you need to create a slingshot

You need:

5 mm thick wire or wooden spear;
suitable tires;
genuine leather or a very durable leather substitute;
insulating tape;
nylon threads;
good glue.

First you need to do metal case slingshots. As mentioned above, it can be with or without a stop. Or you can simply cut a branch that fits the shape. If the body is made of wood, then you just need to peel off the bark, give required size, make slots for the rubber at the ends of the horns and sand them. In the case when you will make a slingshot with your own hands from wire, you must first bend it, as shown in the figure, and insert a piece of hose into the forearm rest so that the surface does not cut into the hand. After this, you need to saw off a piece of wood, which will become the handle by which the shooter will hold his weapon. We split this workpiece in half, make slits in it where the wire will go, and then drill two holes for the bolts that will tightly tighten the steel body and both parts of the handle.

Making the rubber part of the slingshot

The throwing element of the slingshot consists of two elastic bands, which are connected by a leather heel. It is needed for good fixation, for example, of a stone at the moment of a shot. A 10 x 4 cm rectangle is cut out of leather. Holes are made at the edges, into which a tourniquet or piece of the camera is inserted, after which it is secured with nylon thread. In order for a hand-made slingshot to serve for a long time, all rubber parts must be attached carefully. And the nodes must be coated with glue.

Attaching the throwing part to a wire slingshot

A slingshot tourniquet or catheter is a thin hose that is placed on the ends of the slingshot, lubricated with glue. After this, for reliability, it is wrapped on top with nylon thread or electrical tape.

Attaching the lengths of the camera or rubber bandage is slightly different. The edge of the rubber piece is applied to a metal rod, after which it is simply wrapped with thread and the knot is secured with glue. Then they wrap the top with electrical tape.

Attaching the throwing part to a wooden spear

Everything is done very simply - rubber is placed in a loop in the slots at the ends of the horns, after which it is wrapped with thread and tied. And, of course, the knots are coated with glue so that they do not come undone during the shooting process. It is important not to use wire with such fasteners, because it can damage the rubber.

Slingshot sight

If you need a slingshot with a sight, then the latter can be easily made. You need to make an arc out of wire, in the middle of which there will be a front sight in the form of a notch. It is wrapped between the horns with electrical tape. When aiming, you should connect the front sight and the target, and then shoot. However, in practice, such additional attributes of weapons do not bring such the desired result. And for a person who knows how to shoot, such devices even get in the way.

Slingshot technique

This throwing weapon allows you to hit any target very clearly. However, for accurate hits you need to feel it well. Only practice will allow you to develop a sense of distance and target, as well as the strength to pull. Beginners often ask how to shoot a slingshot; they are trying to understand the technique itself.

In principle, everything is simple - you need to visually imagine the line between the fastenings of the elastic bands on the spear, and align the center with the target. After this you need to fire a shot. However, everything is not so simple here. When the rubber is pulled back, it can easily be dislodged, and therefore the projectile can go to the side. A beginner will not be able to feel such a displacement, and therefore the sight in this weapon is useless. The shooter is also able to move the leather heel vertically when firing, which will also lead to a miss.

Only practice will develop muscle memory that will allow you to feel these displacements and eliminate them. This is precisely the secret of accuracy from any type of weapon, and especially when shooting from a slingshot.

A do-it-yourself slingshot should be comfortable, and the less effort the shooter puts into making a long-range shot, the better. Some simple solutions will allow you to shoot longer, and your hand will get tired less. If the spear itself is long, then due to such a lever the load on the hand increases. This is especially true for those models that are not equipped with a stop. Therefore, you need to make the horns as small as possible - two centimeters is enough. Depending on the tires, you can even make it a little smaller.

When pulled, the rod rests strongly on the area of the hand between the thumb and forefinger. Therefore, a thin handle will put a lot of pressure on this place, which is also not conducive to long-term hunting. To make the pressure as light as possible, it is worth making the handle quite thick - this will distribute the pressure over a larger area and reduce its force. By putting into practice these design nuances of geometry, you will get such an excellent weapon as a slingshot, improved with your own hands and very convenient. Usually, when you get your first weapon, you will understand when shooting what you need to change. And subsequently a new slingshot is created, more convenient and improved. However, the main nuances that should be followed during manufacturing are fully described here.

Safety precautions

There are some rules that will allow you to safely use a slingshot. To protect your hand from being hit by rubber and pressing pain during prolonged shooting, you should put a glove on the hand that holds the slingshot. It is rare, but it happens that the rubber can tear when pulled and hit your eyes. To protect yourself from this, you should wear

Once upon a time, hunting was one of the main human activities. Successful results provided people not only with food, but also with clothes, shoes and even jewelry. Nowadays, commercial hunting has practically disappeared, and now it is more of a hobby. Expensive, requiring not only desire, but also certain skills. There are so many weapons and devices of such quality that the hunter often only has to aim and pull the trigger. But real professionals do not recognize such tactics. Some of them also disapprove of this type of weapon such as a slingshot for hunting, considering it ineffective. However, this statement is controversial and to understand who is right, we should take a closer look at this ancient weapon.

No man needs to explain what a slingshot looks like. A homemade slingshot, made from scrap materials, has been in the hands of almost every boy. But it still doesn’t hurt to remember. Moreover, modern hunting slingshots have undergone some improvements, and manufacturers no longer use forked branches specially spotted on a particular tree. Although the principle remained unchanged.

So, a slingshot for hunting consists of three main parts:

The base, which simultaneously serves as a handle and a place for attaching the harness.
Tourniquet. Power and range depend on its elasticity and resilience.
Kozhetok. A specially selected piece of tanned leather into which the projectile is inserted.

Previously, the process of making a slingshot began with finding a suitable branch. The type of wood also mattered. Oak, ash, cherry or apple trees were best suited for this purpose. A dense forked branch was tied with twine and left for a while so that it accepted the required form. Only after this the blank for the slingshot was cut off. They removed the bark from it, polished it and burned it.

A multi-layer elastic cord was attached to the upper ends, in the middle of which a leatherette was attached - a small piece of tanned leather. Then the slingshot had to be shot, because it is impossible to make products identical in strength, range, accuracy and lethality.

IN modern models other materials are used. More durable and flexible.

Shooting principle

A projectile is placed in the skin. The tourniquet is stretched too much. The distance of the target in this case does not play a role. The projectile must receive the maximum charge of kinetic energy. Not only the power, but also the accuracy of the shot depends on this. Aiming is in progress. Then the skin is sharply released, the tourniquet instantly contracts and sends a projectile. In this case, the speed can reach 70-90 m/s, and the range is 200-250 meters. These indicators do not apply to all types of slingshots. Everything will depend on the material from which it is made, the design features and the type of projectile.

Ammunition

There's not too much variety here. But after many years and even centuries of practical exercises, three types of projectiles for hunting slingshots were chosen:

Plastic balls, different weights and sizes. They are not very effective for hunting, or more precisely, they are too light, but they are ideal for training.
Metal buckshot and shot. These are just combat options.
And, of course, small-sized and suitable-shaped pebbles. This type of shell can be easily found right on the spot.

Advantages and disadvantages

The debate on this topic will never subside. Some consider a slingshot to be an ideal weapon for hunting. Others, on the contrary, do not compare it with the same bow or hunting crossbow. And there’s nothing to say about a good branded gun or carbine. However, not all so simple.

The undeniable advantages of the slingshot:

Can be used under any circumstances. Even if you went into the forest to pick mushrooms or go fishing in the river, you can make a targeted shot at any time.
Having certain skills, preparing for a shot takes only a few seconds. Which, coupled with noiselessness, makes it possible for a second attempt to hit the target if the first was unsuccessful.
The slingshot is easy to carry and even with a supply of shells it is quite light.
Relatively high power. There are slingshots whose destructive power reaches 70 meters or more. Of course, it can’t be compared with a gun, but in a dense forest sometimes there are only ten meters left.
Silence.
And the last argument is cheapness.

What other arguments could there be that speak in favor of hunting slingshot? They certainly exist, as well as disadvantages:

To learn how to properly and successfully use a slingshot for hunting, you will need many days of training.
Large game is not available for this type of weapon, although cases of wild boars have been reported.
No matter how high-quality the harness is, its service life is very limited.
Not a long aiming range. This point was also noted in the merits, so it all depends on the circumstances in which the slingshot is used.

Having considered both lists and having considered what outweighs the advantages or disadvantages, you will have to make a choice: will you take the slingshot into service and go hunting for hares, squirrels and other small game. Or will you prefer a more lethal weapon, which will provide the opportunity to kill a larger animal.

Correct shooting technique

This concept includes two components: aiming and the hunter's stance. By mastering both correctly, you can achieve amazing results. Experienced hunters are able to hit a target that is not standing still. And it’s also not uncommon to shoot while you’re on the move.

In this light, two aiming techniques are worth considering.

Instinctive shooting

This method is based more on imagination and feelings, although it does not abolish the laws of physics. Aiming is done with both eyes, and the slingshot is controlled by sensations, because it is completely outside the direct gaze. When the hunter feels that the direction of fire has been chosen correctly, by lowering his hand with the leatherette clamped in his fingers, the trajectory and flight range of the projectile is adjusted.

The undoubted advantage of this aiming method is that the shooter does not care which eye he sees better. But the disadvantages include two facts:

If a hunter is poorly able to imagine the trajectory of a projectile, he is unlikely to achieve any success. This is the very imagination on which the method is based.
The second is the fact that after replacing a worn out harness, you will have to spend some time shooting.

Mastering this method requires long training. But having mastered it, the hunter is unlikely to leave the forest without trophies.

Aiming with an eye

Installing a landmark on a slingshot for hunting can significantly increase the efficiency and accuracy of shooting even for an inexperienced shooter. But there are some nuances here:

You will have to aim with one eye, the one that is sharper.
The reference point should be set slightly to the side, since the hand with the skin will be in close proximity to the face, and this fact can negatively affect accuracy.
When choosing a reference overlay, you need to ensure that it matches your individual color sensibilities.

The essence of aiming with an eye comes down to the following: three points must be lined up on one line. Eye, sight and target. The flight range is determined in the same way as in the previous method.

A well-made and individually adjusted eye can easily be used with several types of slingshots, simply by moving it from one to another, which can significantly improve hunting results.

Hunter Stance

When hunting with a slingshot, sometimes there is no time left to take the correct stance. Find support for your feet, fall on one knee, or vice versa, straighten up. All these movements in the forest, where any movement means danger for the animal, can scare away the prey, and you will have to spend some more time searching for it. Therefore, the hunter’s stance comes down to two concepts, from which the method of aiming follows.

In move. Experienced shooters advise not to try to keep the sight exactly on the target while moving. It is almost impossible to do this, and by and large not required. The sight can move along a certain trajectory, the ideal example of which would be the infinity sign - an eight falling on its side. The junction of the imaginary lines will be the aiming point. As soon as the shooter feels that the movements have converged at this point, and it, in turn, coincides with the target, a shot is fired. "Infinity" is not the only option. The trajectory of the sight should be selected individually.
Fixed aiming. At first glance, nothing complicated. Point the sight at the target, make sure that all three points coincide and release the skin. But there are subtleties here too. Learning to hold a tense slingshot straight throughout the entire time of sight is not easy. And one more thing: between the moment when the sight found the target and the shot, the delay should be 5, maximum 7 seconds. In the forest when hunting, this method is rarely used, since you can’t sit in an ambush with a slingshot, so it’s more suitable for aiming sports competitions and shooting.

In general, there are nuances. However, having mastered all these skills, you can safely take the slingshot into service.

How to make a slingshot for hunting with your own hands

The hunting equipment store offers quite a selection of wide choose slingshots, but remembering your childhood and making one yourself is also not difficult. To do this you will need a very small set of materials and tools:

Suitable piece of branch. Can be replaced with a plastic or metal part.
Rubber or special harness.
A piece of tanned leather.
Jigsaw.
Drill.
Scissors.
Sandpaper.

The algorithm of actions is still the same as in a cheerful, happy childhood.

A carefully selected horned branch should be cleared of bark and treated with sandpaper.
On each horn of the sighting part, about two centimeters below the ends, remove the annular chamfer under the elastic band.
The elastic is wrapped around the antlers, tied in knots, and the knots are wrapped with thread.
The center of the elastic is measured and cut.
In a piece of leather selected for the leather, holes are made along the edges.
The ends of the elastic are passed through these holes and tied with a knot.

The homemade slingshot is ready and no drawings are needed. The main thing is that the ends of the elastic bands are the same in length, otherwise the skin will be shifted to one side. All that remains is to select suitable shells and start shooting.

Review of several popular models

But let's go back to the store. Choosing a truly high-quality slingshot for hunting, and even a strong, accurate and durable one, is quite difficult for an inexperienced person. Therefore, here are a couple of the most popular models:

Model FS-1 from Truemark. Very light. The kit includes a clip for shells. Removable hand rest. Designed almost 50 years ago, it is still one of the best-selling models.
Survival Slingshot Archer Complete. Purely hunting model. The kit includes a flashlight. Arrows can be used.
The so-called fighting slingshot. Collapsible model made of anodized aluminum. There is a large scatter when shooting, since the sighting part is too wide.
The base is made of aircraft aluminum, which makes it lightweight. Due to thin rubber, the accuracy of hitting the target is increased.

The list is far from complete, but the listed models are enough to understand that finding a slingshot to suit your needs will not be difficult.

Safety precautions

Shooting, no matter where or what it is made of, is quite dangerous. Especially when the view is blocked tightly standing trees, low bush or peeking out from behind a cloud Sunbeam. Therefore, it is necessary to observe safety precautions when hunting.

The first danger is ricochet. A projectile from a slingshot flies very quickly and can change its trajectory, hitting a stone, a tree trunk, or just a thick branch.
When shooting a slingshot, you must wear safety glasses.
Carefully monitor what is on the projectile’s flight path and, especially in the immediate vicinity of the target.
And never aim at an animal unless you intend to shoot.

This is where we can finish the review of this familiar and at the same time such an unusual weapon for hunting. Good luck in the fishing.

The slingshot has long been perceived as nothing more than an attribute of defense and attack by all the boys in the yard. Behind easy way Its model, which you can make with your own hands, has become a favorite toy and even a weapon for adult men for small game. Currently, the slingshot is still very popular and has unconditional respect among boys different ages. Despite its apparent simplicity, its production can be different from each other, as well as the material used.

It is a mistaken opinion that a slingshot is just a small mini weapon for hooligan boys. Professional slingshot in the hands of a fighter it can become a real weapon with which it is not scary to go to the enemy. To obtain such a weapon block, specialists use the highest quality materials: titanium, carbon fiber. Supplemented with a laser pointer or red dot sight, it was often used to restore order during riots. A combat slingshot is also used as a first “assistant” when firearms were not used appropriately. The purpose of the slingshot is not specified; everyone uses it for different purposes. Later we will describe ways in which you can do without a slingshot, but with its help make the work easier. Let's look at what a slingshot is for, how to make it yourself, and figure out which material is preferable in everyday use.

A slingshot is a throwing weapon in which the projectile acquires kinetic energy potential energy, stored in a stretched elastic band.

Origins of the slingshot

The meaning of the word “slingshot” itself, according to some unreliable sources, comes from the word “horns”. Indeed, they do have certain similarities. It is often compared to a catapult, only in this case it is miniature device. Like many inventions that have survived to this day, the slingshot was created by Leonardo da Vinci. The original device was a slingshot without rubber, and instead there were special rollers on the axles. Inside there were springs with pulleys. A cord is attached to them, when stretched the springs stretch and create conditions for an accurate and long-range shot. Over time, this mechanism was replaced by a simpler one replaced by rubber.

What does a slingshot consist of?

In appearance, the slingshot does not have a complex mechanism, however, it is divided into several important units:

The body of the slingshot, consisting of wood or less often metal;
A throwing tourniquet that accumulates energy;
Boot, heel or saddle. Serves to hold the projectile. It may be absent if the projectile protrudes in the form of metal brackets.

A slingshot, similar to the standard model, is mainly made of wood (walnut, cherry, elderberry). For perfect shape young branches are taken as a basis in the shape of the letter Y, the young “horns” are tied together and left in this form for approximately two months. After which the shape of a regular slingshot is formed.

A serious approach to the manufacture of a slingshot determines the accuracy in the symmetrical placement of the horns relative to the handle of the base.

After two months, the slingshot is cut down. To purchase the device strong look, it should be cleared of the top layer of bark and dried, wrapped in material, for about two weeks. The slingshot is then fired over an open flame. From this point on, the ideal thickness and surface are achieved using sandpaper.

Correct selection of material

Slingshot body. Having become a favorite among young men, slingshots today are made of metal, plastic, wire, wood, and cardboard. It is natural that durable material of those listed is metal, and then wood. It’s just that a slingshot made of wood is more common due to the fact that the complexity of working with metal cannot always be used at home. Plastic is no less durable, even mechanical stress is not harmful to it. Cardboard is only suitable for playing with children, but do not underestimate its power for throwing bullets.
Choosing a rubber band. According to numerous reviews, the most suitable option is rubber sheathing of cables. The simplest option is a medical tourniquet, but only because it can be bought at a pharmacy. Many people recommend a Martens bandage, a GP 5 gas mask. A latex surgical drainage tube is considered very durable and malleable, but it is very difficult to get. Simpler options are used by those who need a slingshot only for playing, for example, rubber from a ball or a bicycle tire is used by young men. It is affordable, and its throwing properties absolutely meet their needs.
Kozhetok. Almost always he always has rectangular shape. The material from which it will be made must be durable and provide reliable wear resistance. Usually it is leather, less often suede, dermantin.

Which projectile to choose

The good thing about a finished slingshot is that you can pick up shells for it even on the street; these can be ordinary stones. The size and shape are chosen by the owner himself for personal reasons. If you want to increase destructive power, speed, and impact when thrown, then opt for special metal bullets purchased in stores. These can be steel balls, lead shot, chopped lead, or drawing lots.

A simple option to make a slingshot with your own hands

A strong slingshot will be no worse than one bought in a store, if you approach your homemade product responsibly. Find a branch that looks like the letter Y. It is advisable to use sizes that are between 15 and 20 cm long.

To ensure the branch is strong and secure, make sure there are no cracks or chips before breaking it from the tree. It’s okay if there are small scratches on the branch; they can be easily cut off with a knife;
The bark will become redundant, so it is often removed. This is done for aesthetic reasons.

The best option would be a fresh branch. But the moisture it contains is excessive, otherwise the structure will lose reliability. How to dry it. The easiest way is to wrap it in material and dry it in microwave oven. Use the correct step-by-step instructions:

Wrap the future slingshot in a small towel. Place in the microwave and leave on the highest setting for a few seconds.
The stick will create a hissing sound, when it stops, put it down again for a few seconds and do this several times.

The photo below shows what can happen if a stick is placed on for a long time no towel. It may turn black or even catch fire. So be careful, watch what you do.

Let's move on to creating notches. For this you will need a construction knife. Make cuts on the top of each branch, as shown in the photo.

Let's move on to the choice of tires. IN in this example a medical tube will be used, you in turn can use another rubber band, for example, a tourniquet, rubber from an old ball or a bicycle inner tube. The diameter is 80 mm, and as for the length, you decide what it should be. The traction force depends on this. The shorter the band, the stronger the throwing. Don’t forget that it still needs to be stretched, so you shouldn’t make it too short either. Once the length is chosen, cut the two tubes in half and tie the end of each to its own notch.
Tie a piece of dental floss around the tube. The thread will tighten the tube and make it strong.
Let's move on to creating the skin. It is not difficult to cut it from any durable fabric, it’s better if it’s leather. A 10x5 rectangle should have a small hole on each side (0.8 - 1.20 cm). Later we will thread the traction tube through these holes.

Now everything is simple. Pass each end of the rubber tube through the holes. Make a knot on each one. Manipulation with dental floss can also be used in this case, the structure will become much stronger.
The slingshot is ready. Practice using your new slingshot to shoot down any inanimate object, train your eyesight and accuracy.

This example is more suitable for the amateur method of throwing stones or other small equipment.

An original slingshot for homemade work with children

It's no secret that most children who like slingshots are boys. Therefore, you can use this master class as a development activity for your son or grandson. To start the process you will need the following tools:

Tube from toilet paper. You'll have to prepare in advance; you won't unwind a whole skein;
Insulating tape;
Pencil;
Rubber;
Scissors.

Take a cylindrical shape of toilet paper and cut it vertically, this will make it easier to roll. Roll it into a stick and wrap it with electrical tape.
At the end of a cardboard stick, make a hole the diameter of a simple pencil. Insert it, turning it round and round.
Let's move on to the skin. To make it you will need durable cardboard. Using scissors, cut out a rectangular shape and use a hole punch to make holes for the elastic along the edges.
You determine the length of the elastic yourself; if you don’t stretch it on one side only, it is approximately equal to the length of a pencil. Insert it into the holes of the leatherette, tying each end into a knot. And twist the other end onto the end of a pencil and tie tightly. This way you will get a slingshot that you can play with at home, and you can come up with anything you want in the form of bullets. For example, soaked paper from which you form bullets with your fingers.

Slingshots made of cardboard will be stronger when the handle, which bears the main force, is strong. Therefore, it is better to additionally wrap it with adhesive tape.

Rules for using a slingshot: caution

Some types of slingshots are considered melee weapons, but even if the slingshot you buy is legal to use everywhere, this does not open up the boundaries for you to shoot animals and people. Do not hold the slingshot at eye level and do not aim at the eyes of the person standing next to you; even a small bullet can lead to dire consequences.

How to make a hunting slingshot with your own hands

Makes an ideal slingshot correct design and it doesn’t matter what material it consists of. The elastic band, in turn, ensures fast and accurate flight. To find the required forked branch you will have to work hard, but you can use a jigsaw. In order to make a slingshot for hunting we will need:

Jigsaw and wood or ready-made slingshot branch;
Sandpaper for sanding;
Rubber;
Construction knife;
Drill;
A small piece of leather.

When the slingshot-shaped branch is in your hands, we begin sanding away the tree bark. If you decide to use a jigsaw, know that the handle should not be flat, and the horns must be made the same in distance between each other and in length.

We cut out a flat flexible plate from leather. We make holes on the sides for the elastic and thread it through, tying it at the ends.

To attach the elastic band to the slingshot, you can use a drill and make corresponding holes at the ends of the horns, or you can make cuts with a knife. Both methods are welcome. The main thing is that the knot is strong.

The horns should be at the same angle from the handle. And the handle, in turn, should not be too thin, since you will have to shoot from it often, the design should be durable.

You can expand your imagination and create a completely different type of slingshot using a plastic bottle. You will need:

Plastic bottle;
Construction knife;
Rubber band for money;
Finger cap.

Cut off the top plastic bottle. We don't need a lid. We put the fingertip on the neck and tighten it with an elastic band. That's it, the slingshot is ready, all that remains is to put the projectile inside and take aim.

The best stretch for a slingshot is 80% of the resting length. A good option for a throwing harness is latex.

Pocket Weapon: Where to Use a Slingshot

The first thing that comes to mind for a person who is not interested in this type of weapon is the boys playing in the yard. But the slingshot has a much broader horizon and its properties very often become useful at home. Let's figure out where you can use a pocket weapon.

Anyone who has a vegetable garden or garden knows that very often it is attacked by petty thieves such as crows and other types of birds. You can save yourself with a scarecrow, but if it doesn’t help, you can drive away the ill-wishers with a slingshot. Just be extremely careful so that if you miss, there is no other person far away from you.
“The pear is hanging - you can’t eat it” - this is how the well-known riddle begins, but today is not about it. The slingshot can be used to aim to hit the fruits that are located at the very top of the fruit tree.
The tourist needs to give the slingshot its due. A foreign country is full of unexpected surprises, unless, of course, you are aware in advance of some of its dangerous zones. In this case, a slingshot can be useful in scaring away wild animals and protecting yourself from dogs. If you decide to stay overnight in the forest for a few more days, then this is the perfect time to try your weapon on small animals. Such hunting does not require licenses or special permits.
Anglers often use a slingshot to throw food into the distance of a reservoir.
With the help of a slingshot they develop accuracy. Using it for such purposes, in a very short period of time, you will shoot down targets from a very long distance.

As you can see, a slingshot is a very useful throwing device that is accessible to every person. You can put it in your pocket and carry it with you as a protective device.

How to make a slingshot for fishing

Perhaps it will be a discovery for many that slingshots are used to feed fish at a distance of 30-40 meters from the shore, but not for the fishermen themselves. This simple device is popular nowadays. Characteristic feature for the slingshot used in the fishing industry is rubber. The force of flight depends on its rigidity. The softer the rubber, the closer and vice versa. In fishing stores you can find two types of slingshots: for crumbly mixtures of complementary foods and complementary foods in lumps. Consider the master class of a slingshot, which in fact will turn out to be no worse than the factory version.

We will need:

Pezzer catheter;
Strong thread;
Branch resembling the letter Y;
Scissors, knife;
A small piece of leather.

We clean the finished branch from the bark. You can do this with a knife or take sandpaper.
We get rid of existing moisture using a microwave, after wrapping it with cloth or drying it for about a month, if there is time for this.
We cut small transverse grooves in the upper axis of the branch.
We tie each end of the catheter with a thick thread to two holes.
From the leather we cut out the required leather jacket shape.
Make holes on the sides and attach the ends of the catheter to them. We fasten tightly with thread.

To ensure maximum flight power, it is recommended to hold the slingshot vertically. Make the balls the same, of the same weight, so that you know the approximate footage from the shore. The elastic band should be pulled as tight as possible.

They say that even a stick shoots once a year, so take the slingshot seriously. Use it for its intended purpose, namely: to hit objects to develop accuracy, for game, for feeding and for helping with housework.

Attention! Hunting with a slingshot is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation; this information is provided for informational purposes only. Follow the hunting rules and laws of your country.

Many experienced hunters have a rather contradictory attitude towards this type of weapon, such as a hunting slingshot. And there are reasons for this, since without understanding this type of weapon, it is difficult to imagine how it could be better than a gun and a carbine. However, hunting with a slingshot has a number of advantages, you just need to study the “subject” in more detail. For example, using a slingshot you can successfully hunt squirrels, hares, muskrats and otters. There were cases when a small boar was even shot with a slingshot. Therefore, very often the choice of hunters falls on this type of weapon.

What is a hunting slingshot?

First you need to figure out what parts the slingshot consists of.

At first glance, it may seem that its structure is elementary:

Handle or base. A tourniquet is attached to the handle, which helps to hold the slingshot in your hands when firing;
Tourniquet - when pulled, it accumulates energy for a shot;
Kozhetok - holds the projectile in its grip during the shot.

The first material that was used to create homemade slingshots was wood (cherry, oak, apple tree and others). To do this, they selected the densest and tightest branch in the tree, then tied the slingshot supports together with twine. This structure was left for three months so that it acquired the desired shape and secured it. Only after acquiring the shape, the branch was sawed off from the tree and the bark was cleared. The form was fired over an open fire and polished with a cloth.

The main element is the elastic band; it is necessary that it quickly returns to its original position after the shot. An elastic band up to 30 cm long was put on the base, and it was pulled not in one, but in several layers. The tourniquet is attached in small strips to the base, they are called “harnesses”. The ends of the elastic are attached to the leatherette. A leatherette is a small piece of leather with two holes for a tourniquet. Tanned leather, for example, from an old belt, is suitable.

Advantages and disadvantages

Every hunter will ask the question, what are the advantages of this type of weapon?

The advantages are quite enough to choose this type of weapon for hunting:

This is a very inexpensive weapon.
High shot power with minimal noise.
The damage radius is up to 10 meters, and there are models with a damage radius of up to 70 meters.
It is difficult to carry a gun or bow unnoticed by people, and a slingshot for hunting, given its small size, few will notice.
If the hunter is well prepared, then a shot from a slingshot can be carried out in an instant, and due to the lack of noise, a second attempt can be realized in a few seconds.
A hunting slingshot can be used in any conditions, even while walking or fishing, because you can hit any target within reach.

But there are several disadvantages to this type of weapon:

Short aiming range and small killing range compared to a shotgun.
Due to the low shot force, it is not possible to hunt large animals.
The harness wears out very quickly.
For a successful hunt, the hunter must have extensive experience and good aiming skills.

Principle of operation

So, on what principle does this compact and fairly powerful type of hunting weapon work? A classic-sized slingshot can easily fit in a hunter’s fist.

We’ve already figured out what a slingshot consists of, but how it works needs to be studied in more detail. A projectile is placed in a tourniquet or elastic band. After the projectile is inserted, you need to stretch the elastic on the sides, then take aim and release the leather insert with the projectile in one movement.

The shot itself occurs according to the following principle: with a sharp contraction of the elastic band, kinetic energy from it is transmitted to the projectile. This energy is enough for the projectile to reach a speed of up to 80 m/s, and the range can reach up to 200 m. These figures will depend on what material the slingshot is made of, what its design is and the type of ammunition.

The types of ammunition are quite varied. It can be:

Plastic balls of various sizes - used for training and practicing shooting skills. Multiple uses.
Shot, buckshot made of metal of various sizes. Used directly for hunting.
Small and medium stones.

Shooting technique

How to properly use a slingshot for hunting and make the most successful shots that hit the target? Hunting with a slingshot can be a pleasure if you know the shooting technique.

The main thing in hunting with a slingshot is the aiming and stance of the hunter. That is, you need to understand the essence of how to shoot from a slingshot. First, let's look at the aiming technique. There are basically two techniques: instinctive and targeted.

Instinctive shooting

The essence of this method is that the hunter aims “by eye”. In this case, two eyes are focused on the target, the hunter sees the slingshot and skin only with peripheral vision. In this way, the goal is achieved more by intuition than by sight. If, according to the hunter’s feelings, the direction of the weapon and the rubber bands is correct, then the skin itself goes down. The advantage of this type of aiming is that the projectile range is automatically calculated. And when hunting, calculating flight range is a very necessary quality.

Another advantage is that it does not matter which eye sees better. The disadvantage of this type of aiming is that when changing the slingshot or the rubber band on it, you will have to re-master the aiming technique, because the trajectory of the projectile changes from quality characteristics this type of weapon. In order for shots to be accurate when intuitively aiming, you must be able to mentally imagine the trajectory of the ammunition. And this requires shooting experience, which can be gained by shooting at cans or targets. During the learning process, you need to constantly imagine which line the projectile will fly along, try not to blink during shots, and see the point where the projectile hits after the shot.

Aiming with an eye

When shooting with an eye, the results are more effective. The sight can be any landmark on the slingshot that aligns the eyes, the shooting device itself, and the target. You can make your own guide. The point of aiming will be that the aiming eye, the sight of the slingshot, will be lined up strictly in a straight line. For this type of aiming, it is better to use one eye, which has sharper vision. The second eye can be closed for convenience.

Most often, when using an eye gauge, the skin will be in a tense position in the area of the face on the side of the dominant eye. But we must not forget about convergence, which can significantly deteriorate the quality of shooting. Therefore, the slingshot sight must be placed at some distance so that the lines intersect at the location of the target. The sight is convenient to use when several models are used for hunting, with different strengths tension and shot quality.

Depending on the hunter’s stance, and also depending on whether he is moving or standing still, several types of aiming and shooting can be distinguished:

Aiming technique while moving- keeping the sight steady while moving is a very difficult task, almost impossible. But this type of technique does not require the hunter to be completely immobilized. When moving, the sight should move along a line similar to a figure eight laid on its side, or along the line of the infinity sign. The point where the circles will intersect should be the target point. In fact, the point of aiming will be that the skin will be released when the line of sight coincides with the location of the target. It's important to act quickly here because great importance What matters is how quickly the skin is released. As you gain experience, your shots will be well-aimed and accurate. The sight line can move along other trajectories. Some use horizontal or vertical movements of the sight.
Fixed aiming technique. With this technique, you need to aim the sight at the target, lock it and fire the shot. With experience, this technique gives very high results. To achieve high results in this technique, the main thing is to learn how to hold your hands with the weapon in a stationary position for as long as possible, and when shooting, make a minimum delay, up to about 6 seconds. This tactic is mainly used when shooting from a sports slingshot.

Safety precautions

When shooting with a slingshot, it is important to follow safety precautions so that you don’t get hurt instead of the animal:

When hunting with a slingshot, you should always wear safety glasses;
You should not aim at animals if you do not intend to shoot at them;
you always need to see who or what is behind the animal you are aiming at;
do not shoot into the air over hills and buildings if the target is not clearly visible;
beware of ricochet.

The same rules apply when shooting from a sports slingshot.

Hunting tactics

You can hunt small animals or birds, such as hares, ducks, and squirrels.

The tactics of hunting with a slingshot are somewhat different from hunting with other types of weapons and have some features. In this case, the hunting tactic is to get as close as possible to the animal, or to lure it out of the hole. In this case, the ammunition is released silently and if the first attempt is unsuccessful, there is a high chance of making a second, more successful shot, since the animal may not notice or hear the first shot.

Review of popular models

Nowadays, the market offers a huge selection of slingshots for every taste, but among them there are the most popular factory-made models, and not homemade slingshots:

Slingshot for hunting produced by the company Dankung is a powerful slingshot for hunting. Simple in design, it perfectly performs its functions. Made of aircraft-grade aluminum, its weight is about 200 g. Its main advantage is shooting accuracy, which is ensured by a narrow spear. Ideal for hunting.
Company's fighting slingshot Gloveshot Made of anodized aluminum, it can be disassembled for ease of carrying. The rod is wide, which reduces shooting accuracy, however, with constant training, accuracy increases significantly.
Pocket Predator Hathcock Target Sniper- this combat slingshot fits perfectly in the hand, and does not cause any unpleasant sensations when shooting. The base is made of steel, which is surrounded by a layer of rubber on top. Can be classified as a sports slingshot.
Survival Slingshot Archer Complete is a tactical slingshot designed for hunting. It is distinguished by its equipment, which includes a flashlight that helps with night hunting. You can also use arrows as ammunition.
Model FS-1 from Truemark on the market for more than half a century. It is lightweight and has a clip for charges. The hand rest can be removed.

Do it yourself

You can make a slingshot for hunting with your own hands, it’s not very difficult.

Materials needed to make a slingshot:

wood, plastic, metal for the base of the structure;
rubber for slingshot;
a piece of tanned leather.

Tools you will need to make your own slingshot :

jigsaw (if the slingshot is made of wood).
sandpaper;
scissors;
drill.

Stages of work

How to make a slingshot for hunting without spending a lot of money and time is described below. This is the most common and basic model for hunting.

The best wood for a hunting slingshot is walnut, oak, ash or maple. You need to find a forked branch of the required shape or cut a slingshot of the desired shape and size from solid wood. If the choice fell on a branch, then you need to clear the bark from the rock.

The workpiece is sanded using sandpaper. Next, prepare a place for attaching the elastic band. Two slits are made on the handle, according to the size of the elastic band. The distance from the end of the horns should be about 2 cm. An elastic band is wrapped around each horn and tied in a knot. The ends of the elastic band are placed on the horns so that they are a continuation of each horn, and in place of the slots in the handle you need to tie them with a thin elastic band. It is better to sand all the holes and slots perfectly so that the rubber does not wear out too quickly.

The “saddle” of the slingshot is best made of leather measuring 3x5 cm. Small holes are made along the edges through which an elastic band is threaded and a knot is tied. The elastic band is the main part in this device. The elastic band can be replaced by using a slingshot tourniquet. The slingshot for hunting is ready!

You can make a slingshot with your own hands from other materials - for example, make a blank from metal or plastic. You can make a powerful slingshot with your own hands if Special attention pay attention to the quality of the elastic, sparing no expense on it. It is better to buy rubber for a slingshot from a branded manufacturer that has all the necessary physical characteristics. A homemade slingshot can become a worthy alternative factory model. Plus, you can make a slingshot with your own hands to perfectly fit the size of the hunter’s hand.

Video

From our video you will learn how to make a slingshot with your own hands at home.

How to make a slingshot with your own hands?

Finally, especially for crafting lovers: how to make a slingshot with your own hands, where to get a good elastic band and how to securely fasten it.

Homemade slingshots are much inferior in power to professional ones, but they can also serve well - at least as training ones for beginners. For the base, a strong branch is most often used, less often metal or horn. Wood is the easiest to process, so this is what I recommend to you.

As an elastic band for the slingshot, you can use a medical tourniquet and other latex products from the pharmacy. No, we are not talking about condoms - they are too thin, which means they are not strong enough. Any tube will do, but best of all is a Pezzer catheter, No. 22 or 24. Many old-school shooters recommend rubber from a gas mask or bicycle inner tube: if you heard such advice from someone, you can be sure that the person has not made a slingshot with his own hands for a very long time . Modern inner tubes are not even rubber, but some kind of soot... You won’t be able to spoil a new gas mask, and the old one is of little use: rubber has an expiration date, after which it becomes rougher and brittle.

Shooting with a slingshot is not child's play

Shooting with a slingshot can be either a regular hobby or a way to get food, protect yourself from an aggressive dog, or even from a person.

Modern combat slingshots are not inferior in power to air pistols. Who is familiar with the subtleties practical application the latter, knows all the disadvantages of this type of weapon:

heavy and bulky, will not fit into any pocket, and in general it is better to carry it in a good holster - but choosing clothes under which it will not be visible is quite a task;
shooting with a pneumatic gun at a person in winter outerwear will only make him laugh;
activating a gas cylinder takes time: even just a few seconds, but they may not be enough to repel the aggressor;
the high price of the pistol itself, constant expenses for maintenance and consumables.
Slingshots, on the other hand, are usually compact (except for models with a rest on the forearm), light in weight and ready to fire as soon as they are taken out of your pocket. They don’t require any maintenance, they’re inexpensive, and some craftsmen know how to make them. powerful slingshot from junk lying around in the garage. That is, without any costs at all. When shooting at thick clothing, they are just as useless as pneumatics - alas. In addition, pistols have a sight, but slingshots do not, so learning to hit accurately with the latter is somewhat more difficult.

However, there is an opinion that in any business you need to work furiously before becoming a master - this is also true for shooting with a slingshot.

Not many people know, but combat slingshots are even used by American special forces. In the West, this type of weapon is not at all associated with children’s fun: the childhood of the average foreign schoolchild, compared to our brother, is very, very safe. But competitions for adults are held everywhere - skeet shooting from sports slingshots. They are less powerful than combat ones - which is not surprising, since this variety is intended for peaceful purposes.

What about the city's most dangerous predators - stray dogs? Not only combat, but also homemade slingshot will effectively protect you from aggressive dog. It won't kill, of course. And it doesn’t even seriously hurt, but it will discourage them from attacking people for a long time. Stray dogs bite only those who are afraid of them - and when they receive a rebuff, they run away. One or two well-aimed balls can sometimes disperse an entire flock.

There are also slingshots for fishing. The uninitiated may rashly think that they are used to shoot fish - but no, they are fed with the help of this device. It is very difficult to throw a ball of bait with your hands over a distance of ten meters, and also to hit exactly where you need it. And with a slingshot the task is greatly simplified. Fishing ones differ from ordinary ones in one design feature: instead of a leather jacket, they are equipped with a basket - it is larger and usually has a conical shape.

And now about what readers are probably most interested in: is a slingshot good for combat use against a person? We will not consider the heavy-duty slingshots of the American special forces, since it is almost impossible for mere mortals to buy them. As for the usual, available models, you can seriously injure a bipedal enemy with a ball only by hitting him accurately in the eye. The injury is unpleasant, but it is not a fact that it is guaranteed to stop the enemy. But you are absolutely guaranteed to run into problems with the law. From which a simple conclusion follows: the use of a slingshot as self-defense against a person is very limited.

When might this be useful? If you need to scare away small punks or homeless people: you don’t need to shoot, just point the slingshot at them and threaten to shoot. If you don't run away, you can release the ball along your legs in the area of your knee (usually there is a minimum of clothing there). Shooting at more serious opponents will only anger them; it’s better not to take risks.

Where to buy a slingshot and consumables?

It is useful for a future shooter to know where to buy a slingshot and balls for it. And a few more lines about which balls are good for us and which are not.

In every city there are stores of legal weapons, where it is easiest to buy a slingshot: you tell the seller for what purpose you need it, and he will select a model of sufficient power. You can also order via the Internet: the price will be even cheaper, but you need to understand the technical and operational characteristics things you didn't hold in your hands are much more difficult. And online store operators sometimes have an extremely vague idea of the product they sell. Get good advice I personally have never been able to do it over the phone, but in city stores they already know me by sight: sometimes it’s nice to run there even just to discuss some wunderwaffles with the sellers... and occasionally to look for something for yourself from the assortment there.

Slingshot balls - steel and lead shot 6-12 mm - can be bought at any hunting store. If you find glass ones somewhere, too a good option: They are quite dense and heavy. But keep in mind that when they hit a hard target, they will fly into dangerous fragments. You need to practice shooting them with the utmost caution. The balls are not suitable for air pistols, they are too small. Pebbles - even more so. Body irregular shape flies along an unpredictable trajectory.