home · Lighting · DIY slingshot. Slingshot for hunting - photo. Powerful steel slingshot with your own hands How to make the simplest slingshot

DIY slingshot. Slingshot for hunting - photo. Powerful steel slingshot with your own hands How to make the simplest slingshot

The slingshot is an object familiar to many from childhood. The usual model is made of wood; a rope with a coin is attached to the spear. Shooting is carried out with stones.

It was also possible to make an option for shooting with wire staples. However, in addition to this familiar device, there are also other types of slingshots.

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Paper slingshot

The paper version is easy and quick to make. Let's look at a simplified method. You will need paper, tape and a rubber band.

Take two sheets of paper A4 format. The sheets are twisted around the pencil into two tubes. The preparations are made. To prevent the paper from unwinding, glue the edge with tape. Everything is simple and neat. Then both tubes are folded crosswise, in the shape of the letter X. Just below the intersection point, the workpieces are squeezed with fingers and rewound with tape to the very bottom, connecting the two tubes into one whole. All that remains is to tie the ends of the rubber band to the top of the slingshot with the same tape. The shooter is ready.

Shooting is underway paper brackets. So that she doesn't bend, thumb You need to rest your hands on the place where the horns branch. You can make such a slingshot in a few minutes, but the force of the shot leaves much to be desired.

Slingshot from a bottle

A slingshot from a bottle is also made literally in a matter of minutes. To produce it you need:

  • plastic bottle,
  • stationery knife,
  • two rubber bands
  • fingertip or balloon.

The neck of the bottle is cut off with a knife so that it turns out small funnel. A fingertip is put on the neck, which tightly clasps the neck at the base. The fingertip needs to be tucked in, positioning it in the middle. Rubber bands are tightened around the neck, tightly securing the ball or fingertip.

After that he turns back inside out- and the slingshot is ready. You can shoot with plastic or metal balls, small stones, rowan berries or cherry pits.

To do this, the projectile is placed inside and pulled back together with the fingertip, then released and flies out of the funnel plastic bottle. It hits quite hard over short distances.

Wooden slingshot

Most traditional way, proven over the years. The popularity of wooden slingshots was at one time very great in all yards.

A suitable branched branch is selected and cut to suitable size. It is better to immediately test the wood for strength so that the slingshot does not break at the wrong moment.

Circular depressions are made near the ends so that the elastic does not slip later and stays in the right place.

Then choose an elastic band. Previously, they used an inner tube from a bicycle tire or a ball, from which a strip of the required size was cut.

Now there are many more options, right down to PVC stretch tape. A nickel is cut out of a piece of the same rubber or leather on which the throwing projectile will rest.

Cuts are made on this piece through which the rubber band is run. To prevent the nickel from slipping, the elastic band can be cut and tie to its holes. The other two ends are attached to wooden slingshot. Anything suitable in size is used as charges. But you should not take an object that is too large - a ricochet from the branches of the slingshot can harm the shooter.

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 practical exercises, three types of projectiles for hunting slingshots were selected:

  • 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.
  • So-called combat 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.

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:

  1. Handle or base. A tourniquet is attached to the handle, which helps to hold the slingshot in your hands when firing;
  2. Tourniquet - when pulled, it accumulates energy for a shot;
  3. 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 initial 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:

  1. This is a very inexpensive weapon.
  2. High shot power with minimal noise.
  3. The damage radius is up to 10 meters, and there are models with a damage radius of up to 70 meters.
  4. It is difficult to carry a gun or bow unnoticed by people, and a slingshot for hunting, given its small size, few will notice.
  5. 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.
  6. 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:

  1. Short aiming range and small killing range compared to a shotgun.
  2. Due to the low shot force, it is not possible to hunt large animals.
  3. The harness wears out very quickly.
  4. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

After the invention of rubber. Abroad, they use a slingshot to hunt birds and small animals - hares, rabbits and other raccoons.

Those slingshots that are sold in Russia are very weakened and are designed for throwing bait while fishing, in order to bring the slingshot into combat condition, you need to change the rubber band to a more powerful one.

How to make a slingshot with your own hands

Making a homemade slingshot is a very simple task. We made slingshots when we were 6 year old boys.

The simplest slingshot is a homemade wire slingshot.

Here they are in the photo above. Such a slingshot is made from ordinary aluminum wire for electrical wiring, it was taken at a construction site, you don’t need much, and in those days there were countless scraps lying around the construction site.

The wire is bent, the insulation in the upper part is carefully trimmed in a circle, removed, an elastic band pulled from underpants or taken from a rubber motor model is put in, and the insulation is put back.

Slingshot bullets were made from the same aluminum wire using pliers or wire cutters. In the evening it was possible to make a couple of hundred bullets, which were shot in a day.

Homemade slingshot made of wood


The easiest way to make a wooden slingshot is from a Y-shaped fork in a tree. You will need a hacksaw for metal or wood and a knife. The cut part must be cleared of bark and dried. It would be good to dry for about a month, but as children we didn’t bother with this, how will it dry out? outer part the slingshots, after removing the bark, were put into action.

What should we do there? Cut the grooves for attaching the elastic and secure the last one, and also put on a leather jacket for shells. Delov for 10 minutes.

Can be cut homemade slingshot made of multilayer plywood, Any will do a piece 2-2.5 cm thick. You shouldn’t take anything thinner, it may break if the rubber is strong.

Metal slingshot

You can make slingshots from metal, look at the photos of slingshots below - what they are not made from!

The principle of making slingshots is the same - cut out Y figurative form, put on the rubber band and the slingshot is ready to shoot. You can braid it with lace, paracord or soaked leather, soak it so that when it dries, the skin tightens and tightly braids the slingshot.

How to shoot with a slingshot


Usually they shoot pebbles from a slingshot; it is advisable to select rounded pellets. Just keep in mind that different weights of pebbles also result in different behavior of the projectile in flight. However, as a child they fired 200-300 rounds every day and from 15 meters they hit a bottle with any stone.

But for accuracy competitions they used balls from bearings. Whoever won the slingshot could go and collect all the balls from the targets, this was the prize, because it was difficult to get balls from the bearings.

We shot with a slingshot and with nuts, they also fly well and predictably to the target, but the balls are still better.

Today you can buy steel balls for shooting from a slingshot and a homemade crossbow in a hunting store. The balls are the same.

Many people complain that it is difficult to shoot from a slingshot and that it is impossible to hit a bottle with it at 10 meters. Laugh in their faces! Shoot 100 shots every day and in a month you will be able to shoot down from 10 meters Matchbox from 10 meters 9 times out of 10 shots!

Where to get rubber for a homemade slingshot

As children, we used rubber from inner tubes of cars and bicycles - we had to carefully, without burrs, cut the harness to the required thickness. It’s not easy, we cut it with scissors, moistening them in a diluted soap solution (it cuts better, less likely to cause a burr).

Today you can buy a ready-made rubber cord. Only in hunting stores it is weak. It is better to use a cord to tighten glider models.

You can buy a harness for a slingshot.

6-fold stretch, designed to tighten the airframe to 5 kg. If you fold the harness in half and place it on each side, then 4 “lines” will give a tension that is enough to launch 20 kg to a height of 50 meters :)

The calculation is, of course, very ironic, but my converted slingshot with this rubber easily breaks champagne bottles at a distance of 15 meters. Look at what kind of rubber cord was installed on it normally (the black one is on the bottom) and what coil (10 meters) was left for use in other entertainments!

Just as interesting.