Firing an atlatl sized dart from a slingshot full butterfly

2690 Views 27 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Cass, Jul 1, 2021

EllipsisNL

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2021 (Edited by Moderator)

Look, I realize that this is a CRAZY IDEA and sounds COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY STUPID

But, I'm a proponent of the idea that buried beneath even the stupidest ideas are nuggets of gold, maybe there might be something here.

The reason I thought of an atlatl length dart is that, well, the difference in how a slingshot interacts with an arrow and how a bowstring interacts with an arrow. From my observation, an arrow doesn't spring and kick off rubber the way it does off a bowstring, which sort of hinders a slingbow's FPS performance. But that's tangentially related.

So, what do you think? Is firing a long *** arrow, something that looks like an atlatl dart, 100% stupid?

OR

is it 99% stupid, and there might be 1% of some golden nugget in the concept worth exploring?

Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

Island made

· #2 · Mar 3, 2021

I love crazy ideas! Might be hard to shoot that large of dart from a regular sized sling shot...but a larger hammer grip frame with a nice long butterfly draw and I’m sure you could send it pretty well

Reactions: 3

treefork

· #3 · Mar 3, 2021 (Edited by Moderator)

To launch an atlatl dart will require extremely heavy bands . Extremely heavy bands are a challenge when shooting full butterfly . Not saying it can't be done . " Do you even lift bro ? "

Reactions: 5

EllipsisNL

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 3, 2021

treefork said:
To launch an atlatl dart will require extremely heavy bands . Extremely heavy bands are a challenge when shooting full butterfly . Not saying it can't be done . " Do you even lift bro ? "

I'd figured as much! Atlatl darts are around 6 oz, which is like 6 times the weight of your average 500 grain arrow. They're also a bit thicker and aren't hollow the way many arrows today are - so I'm sure you could compensate in a few ways to make a long lightweight arrow with a fitting spine strength for being propelled by a slingshot

Reactions: 5

Reed Lukens

· #5 · Mar 3, 2021

I think that you could do it, but it's going to take a solid steel frame along with a release. The release will give you the needed strength for heavier bands. Instead of pulling 20lbs, you can pull 50lbs easily witha release.

I bought this one for super bands and it makes for an easy pull. You can't go full butterfly, but you can go 3/4.

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Reactions: 4

obersaber

· #6 · Mar 5, 2021 (Edited by Moderator)

Atlatl ISAC distance is 15 and 20 meters. Accuracy and power should not be a problem when using a band.dart combination. My best long range atlatl throws don't get much farther than 70m using a throwing stick. It would be interesting to see what could be done with rubber bands and determination. I'm in!

Reactions: 3

EllipsisNL

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 5, 2021 (Edited by Moderator)

obersaber said:
Atlatl ISAC distance is 15 and 20 meters. Accuracy and power should not be a problem when using a band.dart combination. My best long range atlatl throws don't get much farther than 70m using a throwing stick. It would be interesting to see what could be done with rubber bands and determination. I'm in!

I really wanna do it now lol

Making a traditional atlatl dart is really easy for me considering of the many types of wood I have lying around, but I'm afraid something like that might end up being on the heavy side. Also drag is another issue when considering long darts. Hmm.

Accuracy might be an issue but slingshots have consistently surprised me at how accurately they can fire even the most unconventional ammunition so who knows.

Reactions: 3

obersaber

· #8 · Mar 5, 2021

Just now, I made a dart sling from a 3" wide exercise band.

I have lots of different atlatl darts and chose a carbon arrow shaft take down atlatl dart. 64" oal 2.95 oz.

I got 80 paces with an atlatl thrower and 60 paces with a 3" wide rubber band.

Reactions: 3

EllipsisNL

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 6, 2021

obersaber said:
Just now, I made a dart sling from a 3" wide exercise band.
I have lots of different atlatl darts and chose a carbon arrow shaft take down atlatl dart. 64" oal 2.95 oz.
I got 80 paces with an atlatl thrower and 60 paces with a 3" wide rubber band.

That's a lot better than I expected honestly, especially for a first go. Bravo!

Reactions: 3

obersaber

· #10 · Mar 6, 2021

I am new to butterfly technique but aiming is easy when you have a big long dart pointing the way.

Reactions: 2

obersaber

· #11 · Mar 7, 2021 (Edited by Moderator)

I tried a 5" exercise band and got 77 paces distance immediately followed by 3" band for 56 paces. For me, 30 paces equals 25 yards.

Reactions: 2

obersaber

· #12 · Mar 12, 2021

I choked up on the 3" bands to make a shorter band length and got increased velocity and identical distance similar to the atlatl throwing stick using 3oz. dart. I can get out to 80 paces while launching for distance in the hay pasture.

Reactions: 1

EllipsisNL

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 13, 2021

obersaber said:
I choked up on the 3" bands to make a shorter band length and got increased velocity and identical distance similar to the atlatl throwing stick using 3oz. dart. I can get out to 80 paces while launching for distance in the hay pasture.

Interesting. What's it like for accuracy?

Reactions: 2

obersaber

· #14 · Mar 13, 2021

Accuracy is good enough to hunt and fish.

Reactions: 2

obersaber

· #15 · Mar 14, 2021

At this point I can say that Gaiam flat exercise bands can launch an atlatl dart with greater force and distance than I can with the traditional atlat throwing system. Michigan allows small game hunting with a slingshot but will not allow the atlatl. Can't wait to try out the dart/band system at the next 3D Archery event.

Reactions: 1

obersaber

· #16 · Mar 14, 2021

Watching the arc of dart trajectory helps hone hold over estimation. A less than perfect release will be apparent by the dart flight characteristics. Overall, this is a great system to use when tweaking out the butterfly technique. The only advantage the atlatl has is a silent release. In comparison, the elastic bands make a lot more noise. Overall, well worth putting in the time to explore the dart.band system.

Reactions: 1

EllipsisNL

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 14, 2021

obersaber said:
Watching the arc of dart trajectory helps hone hold over estimation. A less than perfect release will be apparent by the dart flight characteristics. Overall, this is a great system to use when tweaking out the butterfly technique. The only advantage the atlatl has is a silent release. In comparison, the elastic bands make a lot more noise. Overall, well worth putting in the time to explore the dart.band system.

Awesome! I'm starting to make some my own darts from the trees behind my property, they're perfect for this stuff

Reactions: 2

obersaber

· #18 · Mar 14, 2021

Are those trees behind your house something like Sitka Spruce? Anything that grows in your neck of the woods has got to be hearty!

Reactions: 1

EllipsisNL

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 14, 2021

We have a ton of spruce, fir, ash, and maple in these parts

Reactions: 1

obersaber

· #20 · Mar 15, 2021

I cut the plastic fletch off of a 64" carbon dart and got tail high flights until I cocked my band holding fist a little more forward and they now fly just fine if my release is clean and consistent. After 20+ years of launching atlatl darts with a variety of traditional throwers, I can say that rubber band powered darts are every bit as accurate and maybe more.

Reactions: 1

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