17 replies to this topic

[Flatband]

I've been shooting slingshots since I was 8 years old. I'm 57 now and still love them. I first started out using rocks and pebbles with a coat hanger slingshot (my first slingshot). Not bad for very short distances. Then I graduated to marbles when I learned of money. Accuracy was a lot more consistent. I collected my pennies each week from any left over allowance and any other means to get some change and bought bags of marbles-5 cents for the small bag and 10 cents for the larger one-"Cats Eye" was the name. These were my favorite ammo for many years. I also at that time (teenage-early 20's) had a collection of steel balls (along with a growing collection of slingshots) that I would use only for hunting (yes I used to hunt). I also had lead balls that were used for bigger game-rabbits,muskrats,ducks (never did get a duck). I was very stingy with the steel and lead-they were tough to come by. When I went to my first tournament,3/8" steel balls were the standard ammo. I used them with pretty good success. I then tried 7/16" and 12mm (Blue Skeens favorite size). I liked them too. Saunders had a tournament in Las Vegas in 1974 and it was won by Mr. Norm Echdale who used and swore by 1/2" steel balls. I tried them too and used them at last years tournament. I have used 1/2" for around a year now and just am not satisfied with the results. I do better with 3/8". The further distances are better with 1/2" (carries better) but I like the 3/8" all around. I gave the bigger stuff a try but the 3/8" is where I'll stay. I feel I can use a thinner gauge rubber and shorter cut with less draw and more speed, a smaller pouch, and I feel I have more control ( less shaking with a lighter cut of rubber). Then again, I use many different slingshots so why not all kinds of ammo? I'm just slingshot crazy! Really though I was wondering what everyone else prefers to shoot and some reasons why.Thanks! Flatband

[USASlingshot]

thats great. i started shooting about a year ago when devan got me into slingshots. at that time i used a natural fork and shot random rocks we found around our houses. now i shoot 3/8 steel and .45 lead with my terminator. i think ill use steel forever for targets and .45 lead for only hunting

[NaturalFork]

I use marbles because they are cheap and can be grabbed at a local craft store. However steel is a little heavier. I do have some 3/8 laying around. I will shoot with some tomorrow and see how I like it.

[smitty]

I go for cheap ammo and for me around here, it is 3/8" steel and 5/8" marbles. I couldn't say why, but seems like the steel is more accurate, but not by much. I wouldn't shoot marbles in a tournament.

[Tex-Shooter]

!/2 steel for practice and 7/16 lead to hunt with as they weigh about the same so they shoot about the same. The lead works better for hunting. -- Tex

[Sam]

Tex-Shooter, on 05 September 2010 - 05:39 AM, said:

!/2 steel for practice and 7/16 lead to hunt with as they weigh about the same so they shoot about the same. The lead works better for hunting. -- Tex

Excellent idea, I think I will soon be doing the same. Although they will obviously have different parabolic trajectories...

[harpersgrace]

When I was a kid my dad and his friends worked for Caterpillar, John Deer, and International Harvester (yes we did once to manufacture things in this country) so ball bearings were no problem had five pound bags of them when ever I wanted them, now I shoot marbles cheap, available locally and fine at the 20-30 ft. I normally shoot at, I also shoot BB's and even Chickpeas dried of course.... what can I say I'm cheap.

[dgui]

3/8 steel ball and 5/8 marble are the fastest and hardest hitting for me. I have been shooting for 2 or 3 years steady and experimenting with various combinations of ammo, bands, types and sizes of slingshots. Have shot off and on through the years but never serious till the past year or so. I guess I am slingshot crazy too.

[smitty]

Yes dgui you are a slingshot nut ! I think it is something to be proud of too!

[Jaybird]

I use 9/16"steel,from royal steel ball,50lb and shipping $69 a few years ago.If you use a backstop they last forever.I also use the 9/16"steel and .530 lead for hunting.

[NaturalFork]

Jaybird, on 05 September 2010 - 11:17 AM, said:

I use 9/16"steel,from royal steel ball,50lb and shipping $69 a few years ago.If you use a backstop they last forever.I also use the 9/16"steel and .530 lead for hunting.

Can you order from royal steel online? I cannot see how to order.

[NaturalFork]

Ok so I just has a session with 3/8th inch steel. This ammo is MUCH better than the marbles I was shooting!! ... I will be buying more of these asap!

[Sam]

RecurveMaster, on 05 September 2010 - 01:36 PM, said:

Ok so I just has a session with 3/8th inch steel. This ammo is MUCH better than the marbles I was shooting!! ... I will be buying more of these asap!

Yes, 3/8" steel is my favourite ammunition for target shooting.

[King Cat]

Flatband, on 04 September 2010 - 08:25 PM, said:

I've been shooting slingshots since I was 8 years old. I'm 57 now and still love them. I first started out using rocks and pebbles with a coat hanger slingshot (my first slingshot). Not bad for very short distances. Then I graduated to marbles when I learned of money. Accuracy was a lot more consistent. I collected my pennies each week from any left over allowance and any other means to get some change and bought bags of marbles-5 cents for the small bag and 10 cents for the larger one-"Cats Eye" was the name. These were my favorite ammo for many years. I also at that time (teenage-early 20's) had a collection of steel balls (along with a growing collection of slingshots) that I would use only for hunting (yes I used to hunt). I also had lead balls that were used for bigger game-rabbits,muskrats,ducks (never did get a duck). I was very stingy with the steel and lead-they were tough to come by. When I went to my first tournament,3/8" steel balls were the standard ammo. I used them with pretty good success. I then tried 7/16" and 12mm (Blue Skeens favorite size). I liked them too. Saunders had a tournament in Las Vegas in 1974 and it was won by Mr. Norm Echdale who used and swore by 1/2" steel balls. I tried them too and used them at last years tournament. I have used 1/2" for around a year now and just am not satisfied with the results. I do better with 3/8". The further distances are better with 1/2" (carries better) but I like the 3/8" all around. I gave the bigger stuff a try but the 3/8" is where I'll stay. I feel I can use a thinner gauge rubber and shorter cut with less draw and more speed, a smaller pouch, and I feel I have more control ( less shaking with a lighter cut of rubber). Then again, I use many different slingshots so why not all kinds of ammo? I'm just slingshot crazy! Really though I was wondering what everyone else prefers to shoot and some reasons why.Thanks! Flatband

Gary,
It seems that my experience is paralleling yours regarding slingshot ammo. I switched from 3/8 steel to 1/2 steel a little more than a year ago. I made the switch because I could no longer see the trajectory of the 3/8 when shooting long distances. The problem is that my accuracy suffered as a result of the switch. I have now decided to go back to the 3/8 steel. I am considering using a different slingshot with different bands and pouch for the long shots (still using the 1/2 BB).
Jack

[NoSugarRob]

?

Edited by NoSugarRob, 18 August 2011 - 04:37 AM.

[Flatband]

I tell ya Jack, we are on the same page Bud! I gave it the good old college try but 3/8" is my favorite hands down. With the right cut,pouch,length and rubber,she'll shoot flatter with better speed and an easier draw. I'm back to 3/8" ( God will I ever stay in one place or use just one slingshot? NAHHHH! Flatband

[hammer0419]

Always shot small rocks as a kid but definately NOT very accurate. Upgraded to marbles as they were quite inexpensive. I frequently look in all the local dollar stores for a marble deal. Just ordered 500 7/16" steel balls but will save them for my new PS-2 which should be here in a few weeks.

[NaturalFork]

Flatband, on 06 September 2010 - 06:58 PM, said:

I tell ya Jack, we are on the same page Bud! I gave it the good old college try but 3/8" is my favorite hands down. With the right cut,pouch,length and rubber,she'll shoot flatter with better speed and an easier draw. I'm back to 3/8" ( God will I ever stay in one place or use just one slingshot? NAHHHH! Flatband

I wish I could stick to one slingshot.