Sling and Catapult

Combined with "catapult", the word "slingshot" or "slingshot" could trigger several images for adults and teenagers alike. The first would be the historical duel contained in the Bible, the one between little David and Goliath. A story that is not short of lessons to be learned: a simple slingshot can bring down a giant, no matter how sophisticated his armor.

In the time of our ancestors, the slingshot and catapult also served as weapons. When knives and guns were not yet born, Man had to make do with what existed. It was from their will to survive and to win against all forms of enemies that catapults and slingshots appeared. Made from different materials, these tools of primitive appearance have brought down adversaries, even kingdoms entrenched behind skillfully built stone walls.

Also note the adventures that many of the 80s and 90s generations keep in mind. Sometimes they arm themselves with slingshots to liven up long forest walks, sometimes they use this equipment during gaming sessions in urban areas. Toy displays in stores are gradually enriching themselves with similar items to keep the tradition alive for younger generations. Sellers and buyers now enjoy exchanging well-built and precise slingshots and catapults.

The specialized shop Hattila offers you a multitude of slingshots and catapults for amateurs and professionals. Its short slingshots or long slingshots, like its 3-person catapults and foot slingshots, have been designed to be more precise. These are generally equipped with a counterweight system to easily match all kinds of projectiles. Also, they can easily fit into a hunting bag or any container.

Different types of ammunition

The times when stones and objects from our surroundings served as ammunition are over. Now, slingshot and catapult manufacturers deliver rather avant-garde ammunition. And they come in several varieties of projectiles.

Copper projectiles

Copper projectiles are favored by professional hunters due to the precision offered. A bit more expensive compared to other projectiles, these normally deform on impact.

Steel projectiles

They are also called metal balls, rather dangerous projectiles capable of mortally impacting their targets. With varying diameters, between 0.68 mm and 0.44 mm, these easily adapt to animal-type targets.

Tungsten carbide projectiles

They are renowned for their resistance imitating steel projectiles. But they far surpass them in terms of weight: they are indeed lighter than their peers. Tungsten carbide projectiles are however more expensive to purchase.

Glass projectiles

While these projectiles are made of glass, they are identical to rubber-coated marbles. Compared to steel, this variant bounces better than steel. This limits its use in a habitat.

DIY projectiles

As in the old days, it is possible to resort to collecting projectiles in fields or in your surroundings. Hexagonal nuts, pebbles, wood... can be used as projectiles as long as they do not alter the rear shooting block of the slingshot or catapult.

Interchangeability of parts

Time will eventually deteriorate all or part of your slingshot or catapult. To be able to enjoy the same item in the long term, you will only have to replace the faulty part which could be the rubbers or the back cushion. Note that the elastics are elements that are easily damaged. Its poor condition would sometimes cause accidents in case of inattention. The rubber handle should also be checked periodically. Note however that some models come with spare parts at the time of purchase.

Range and firing speed

Not everyone is gifted with slingshots and catapults. It takes a combination of many practices and techniques to succeed with each shot. Roughly speaking, the effectiveness of a shot will depend on the strength of the shooter as well as their position. Among professionals, the shooting distance can go up to 400 yards, especially with professional equipment. However, it should be noted that the vast majority will only have an effective range for a distance between 4 and 7 meters. 

Regarding the speed of a shot, it is measured in FPS, which stands for feet per second. The speed gain always depends on the strength of the elastic band of the slingshot or catapult. A slingshot generally has a capacity of 300 FPS. Caution, this item can be dangerous in the hands of an irresponsible person, especially the slingshot which is particularly suitable for hunting small game.