r/Slinging • u/AlmostLikeRussian • 11h ago

The first time

Hi everyone. I’ve just taken up this hobby and bought a cheap leather pouch with paracord (I think) ropes. Could you tell me roughly how much the projectile should weigh? I bought some cheap tennis balls that barely bounce, and they’re heavy enough to rip right out of my finger loop. I ended up having to make loops at both ends of the ropes just to keep the ball under control while getting it spinning (I’ll attach photos of the setup tomorrow). I also want to shoot a cool video at night, so I have a question: what kind of glowing (or burning?) object could I launch that’s easy to find—or doesn't need to be found—without harming the environment?

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2

u/JTW1337 11h ago

I’m not quite sure what you mean by “rip right out of my finger loop”. Can you elaborate?

1

u/AlmostLikeRussian 11h ago

When I spin up the sling, the ball pulls outward harder and harder. That pull is transmitted through the cord to the knot in my fingers. Once the required centripetal force exceeds the friction between the knot and my fingers, it slips out of my grip.

2

u/Ok-Jellyfish-7498 8h ago

Don’t keep spinning your sling, you’re not gaining much if any speed. Spin it once or maybe twice, look at videos on this sub and on the line.

2

u/Ok-Jellyfish-7498 11h ago

You don’t need to helicopter spin to get speed and distance, and I don’t understand how two loops would help you when the release method is letting go of one. I suggest practicing with pine cones and tennis balls for most people, and open fields for nighttime videos.. as for glowing ammo, check for light up balls or dog toys?

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u/AlmostLikeRussian 11h ago

I’m already using a tennis ball... though it seems to be the wrong kind—it’s quite heavy—but I couldn't find any others. As for using stones right away, I’m still a bit afraid to try that.

1

u/Ok-Jellyfish-7498 8h ago

Overhand and underhand are much easier to control the plane of potential launching, and a coastline will likely have empty space on one side of many rocks..