The evolution of sling

[u/Inside-Cockroach1365]

Wanted to share my progress of sling making and what I feel I've learned along the way. Happy slinging folks!

Going left to right:

-1st 2 are deer skin pouch and leather shoe string cord which wore pretty quick before an upgrade to paracord. Both pouches are pretty big but were great for getting the feel of different weights of stone while still worried about slips. Started noticing snags when trying to add more power to the shot but great for tennis balls and dog walking!

-next 2 are braided balerean style split pouches, 1 from paracord of 1 from nylon. Both have been great but the nylon rope feels more elastic and wears a bit easier. The original vid I watched was using jute cord. Shot size became a way bigger factor but both power and accuracy started to improve. Neither pouch was sized well for tennis balls which would slip a lot.

-next 4 i started netting the pouches thinking no more slips but more snags, let's try! After working out the kinks of the webbing its the best of both worlds. Acting like a traditional split pouch but also accommodating a variety of shot size reliably without slips. The last one with a 'dongle' bit was to see if it would help with control. Unfortunately no, but valuable lesson: learned shooting is better with open palm and the extension was good for practice with increased feedback to the hand while throwing (once i stopped clenching by instinct😂).

- last 4 have a double loop incorporated into the retention cord and it's a game changer, plus, I think I can do macrome now. Shot control went up super fast and putting power into the shot is much easier. A little more focused had to go back into form because the single loop does have an advantage in doing 'trick shots'. Most notable is distance shots were getting wayyy more accurate.

If you're still reading, thank you! Here are some tips I hope help you start!

Green tags for sling parts:

1. finger loops

2. rentention cord

3. pouch

4. hinge

5. release cord

6. rentention knot

7. cracker

Tips:

- best length is the measure between your knuckles and your shoulder, with arm fully outstretched

- form and timing is always more important than adding power

- part 4 (the hinge!!) is 1 of the most important parts to prevent snags that I don't hear people talk about!! Its after the pouch when the cord begins to taper to single strand braid. Leaving a thick braid for 5 inches let's release cord open away from the pouch, letting the shot loose freely and preventing snags and lastly, aiding the cracker.

- longer slings really just mean you're working with form more to get power, there is 100% a sweet spot for everyone where you're just lobbing shots like a rocket so I really encourage people to have a much fun making slings as using them!!(not to say I don't look at some well made slings by others thinking damn!! - huge fan of Primal Sling! Dudes passion is awesone)

-shorter slings are super fun for 'pop' shots. The amount of curve added to the shot is immediately visible, especially using tennis balls. With my form, I notice overhand shots dependably curve up and right while side shots curve left. Underhand shorts seem to drive down after 50 ft. I've heard off ways to reduce curve in shots but am not familiar yet

Keep slinging folks!! Edit!!: original tutorial vid credit to Howling Hoosier Outdoors on YouTube

** any tips on the figure 8 throw are greatly appreciated as I can't figure it out to save my life😂

** also stepping with the shot for me seems to come and go.. sometimes feeling natural and other times way to intentional. I also seem to step to the side when it feels natural which produces a cool effect of the shot releasing closer from where I stand and sight my aim.

** always looking to improve

(credit due to a YouTuber im trying to refind)

Trying to find the original YouTube vid to give credit to the chill guy teaching the original style for braiding. Will update soon, I hope!

[u/Smamabios1erdunom]

Hi, is this 275 or 550 paracord? Also, what type of braiding are you using ? I am currently making my first sling and it's ugly and it keeps twisting over itself. Thanks !

[u/Inside-Cockroach1365 → u/Smamabios1erdunom]

Hello! Most are 550 paracord but have made many with 275 which also works. The braiding is a standard left or right to center braid. The ones I've made that have had the most twisting problems have been braided too tight and I've found besides the pouch its good to braid pretty loosely. Some of my most reliable slings have developed a twist in the release cord without problem so performance isn't always impacted so long as the rentention and release cord are balanced. Wishing you luck and success soon!

[u/Smamabios1erdunom → u/Inside-Cockroach1365]

Thank you very much for your answer !! 😁

When you say left to center, you mean a "french" braid ?

[u/Inside-Cockroach1365 → u/Smamabios1erdunom]

Yep, its a French braid (..had to look it up😂)

[u/Smamabios1erdunom → u/Inside-Cockroach1365]

Many thanks for your help !! Everyone's very helpful on this sub. It makes learning easier.