A slingshot is deceivingly simple. Just a quick glance seems to be enough to grasp its concept,
and this might be part of the fascination we feel when we hold a catapult in the hand
and slowly draw back the bands.
However, a slingshot has a large number of parameters that affect its accuracy, shooting
behaviour, velocity and energy. Shooters have different demands: Some are hunters, others
are long-distance target shooters, some have only access to pebbles as ammo, and so on.
Choosing the right slingshot for your task is the fist step in becoming a successful shooter.
The holy grail for every serious shooter is a high level of accuracy. It is mainly
achieved by a lot of training, but the slingshot can help (or work against) the shooter.
If the draw weight is too high, your arms start to shake and accuracy is lost. A high
draw weight also fatigues you faster, so you'll fire less shots per training time - and
this will, over time, make you a poorer shot.
However, the eqation "less draw weight = higher accuracy" doesn't work either. A low draw
weight is less forgiving with errors made by the release hand. Find a draw weight that works
well for you - and be led by shooting results, not by your Ego!
If you shoot long distances - and 20 meters are already a long distance for a slingshot- you're
much better off with a higher velocity. It keeps the trajectory bow flat, which
fights the problems with wind, velocity variations from shot to shot, and also the angular error,
as your projectile travels a shorter distance.
Chapter 2 explains ways to improve velocity.
A hunter has the need for a powerful slinghshot - and many non-hunter want
one, for the same reason why some people like racing bikes or swinging a splitting maul
or having a 5000 Watt bass tube in the trunk. Other shooters deliberately want a
slingshot with low power, as this reduces the risk of accidents, especially if the
shooter is an infant or uses the slingshot indoors, where every miss can punch a hole
in the furniture. "Power" is not the same as velocity or kinetic energy!
Chapter 3 takes a look at what it really is.
A slingshot's performance is its velocity / power output, compared to its drawing weight. A high performance is very desirable - it gives you a flatter trajectory bow and more energy while keeping the drawing weight low. However, it comes at a cost: Lower band life, heavier (more expensive) ammunition and bulky fork extensions are some possible drawbacks that come with a high-performance slingshot. Thus, every slingshot is a compromise. You must match the slingshot to your shooting needs , by finding the right balance between band life, draw weight, desired power and velocity.
So what variables can you cange in your slingshot setup? Read on in Chapter 2: Slingshot science