[High Desert Flipper]

... to recognize the limitations associated with getting my chrony out, the limitations being mostly my limitations. Especially when it comes to variability.

I have been loving testing new bands and playing with the chronograph along the way. Today's test was fresh band sets, both 25-20. One Simpleshot 0.8 and one Gong Chi green 0.7. Both felt great and shot very well. Both were cut with a 6" active length for my ~29" draw length = ~480% stretch.

The Simple tossed 3/8" steel at 235 to 240, the Gong Chi did the 3/8 about 5 fps slower.

For 7/16" steel, the Simple 0.8 pushed them at ~220 fps avg and the Gong Chi at ~215 fps.

This result, the Simple being just slightly faster, is opposite my last test where the results had the Gong Chi about 2% ahead. The active length was slightly shorter today. Also being a different day the temp may have been different.

Some conclusions I suggest can be drawn from my recent tests

.

1. Both elastics are great, probably within margin of error of each other.

2. Among the sources of variability and error I am likely far and away the greatest source. Cutting bands, tying the pouches on, attaching to the frame, consistent anchor point. For me to tell the difference between elastics I probably need to get them die cut and make an apparatus with a fixed draw and trigger release.

3. Both elastics are great. When I started getting back into slings a few months ago I got my old wrist rockets out and even with fresh tubes I was having trouble getting 3/8" steel over 175 fps. Thought I would love to hit 200. Now am feeling great getting 7/16 up around 220 consistently.

4. Numbers are numbers and numbers don't necessarily mean much. Sometimes it is nice to put some real world context on the numbers. So I took a soup can out, filled it with water to give it some inertia, and got myself a gut feeling for what 7/16" steel going ~220 fps means- a through and through with a satisfying geyser spraying out the top. Someday I'll have to start shooting video.

 

[High Desert Flipper]

Thinking the chrony may be useful for training as well as entertaining. Today's numbers were my best guess at an avg of 8-10 shots of each size ammo with each band. To be rigorous I should have recorded all the numbers and posted a rigorous avg +/- SD. What I can say is that the avg is good and the range of shots was 10 fps or less for each set.

And at a bit over 200 fps this +/- 10 fps says that variability shot to shot was between 4 and 5%.

So in addition to being curious about how fast bands shoot and feeling good about getting big numbers, I am thinking the chrony could be a good tool for improving my consistency. Maybe I'll keep getting it out time to time and putting 20 shots across it trying to see if I can get my shot to shot variability down to 2% or less.

 

[High Desert Flipper]

Today's shooters. The Gong Chi was on my Torque which I continue to love while the Simpleshot 0.8 was on a Slingtech Coyote which I also love- it is about the TTF ergo Torque like thing I was looking for. Loving both of these. Also looking fwd to trying the PP Sideshooter. Yeah, I know I mixed and matched brands. Should have thought about it before I did this.

 

[High Desert Flipper]

And for good measure also got my Simpleshot Scout LT out. Also love this frame. Have previously wished the fork tips were a bit wider but put double bands on it, 20-15 of Simpleshot 0.5, 6.25 inch active (0.25 longer than the other two tonight). It was pleasantly in the same ballpark as the other two, which was really satisfying. Really cool to have this comfy frame that fits my smallish hands so well slinging bigger balls this fast.

 

[SonoftheRepublic]

Nothing like a good ol' soup-can-penetration-test to experience the power of your slingshot.

Nice write-up.

You inspired me to get the chrony out for a little check-up.

 

[High Desert Flipper]

One final piece of useful data, for me at least. While the relative speeds of the bands flip flopped a bit they stayed in the general area. I also got my little luggage scale out and these results stayed similar to last time with the Gong Chi pulling a bit harder as before. Both the Simple 0.8 25-20 and doubled 0.5 20-15's pulled right around 20 lbs at 29 inches with the Gong Chi coming in at ~23.5 lbs. These are rough measures since it was frame on the floor with a foot on top and pulling the scale up while eyeballing it's read next to a yard stick propped on the bench. While rough, think the difference is real. Especially since it was consistent in two separate tests on different band sets.

 

[Henry the Hermit]

Have fun. Be careful. I'm on my 4th chronometer. I destroyed the 1st with a .50 cal lead ball, lost the second, and shot the 3d with my 9mm. I'm aiming higher nowadays. LOL!

Appreciate posting your results. Member testing is one of the things that make this Forum great.

 

[High Desert Flipper]

Haha! Not laughing at you, amused at the story but feeling your pain. I am still on my first chrony but not without some worry and near misses- which is another way of saying I have had good luck with it so far. Both with slingshots and bows. Not actually sure how it has lasted six months with me tossing things over it but hoping my good fortune continues.

And this thought actually crossed my mind when I pondered using a chrony to test my consistency. Not sure how long it would live if I made a weekly practice session out of putting 20-50 shots over it to see if I could get my shot to shot variability down to 2% or less.

 

[Reed Lukens]

And for good measure also got my Simpleshot Scout LT out. Also love this frame. Have previously wished the fork tips were a bit wider but put double bands on it, 20-15 of Simpleshot 0.5, 6.25 inch active (0.25 longer than the other two tonight). It was pleasantly in the same ballpark as the other two, which was really satisfying. Really cool to have this comfy frame that fits my smallish hands so well slinging bigger balls this fast.

Looks like we both love the Scout LT's with double bands. Right now I'm running the double band Saunders Mamba's that came with my Wing on them just to use them up and I love'em. They're just right for the slingshot but to light for the Wing Wrist-Rocket on which I have a set of their double TNT bands that pull a lot harder and shoot a lot faster and is a good fit for the Wing.

Your tests are really inspiring and I'm loving seeing the numbers on paper. Keep up the good work, this is a great thread

 

[robbo]

Have fun. Be careful. I'm on my 4th chronometer. I destroyed the 1st with a .50 cal lead ball, lost the second, and shot the 3d with my 9mm. I'm aiming higher nowadays. LOL!

Appreciate posting your results. Member testing is one of the things that make this Forum great.

bloody hell Henry you would have to have a very understanding wife to be on your 4th chrony,i would have to hide the first one i wrecked in the shed lol mate

 

[High Desert Flipper]

Update.

Both the Simple 0.8 and Gong Chi 0.7 lasted more than 200 shots. At that point I wondered about my ability to measure my draw length accurately- both felt like they had more to give. So I re-tied them to the frames taking 0.25 inches off each. They both tossed 3/8" at ~250-255 and 7/16" steel at 220-225 fps.

So both have good durability and stay snappy through extended use.

Cattyshack's description of the Gong Ghi 0.7 says 260 fps for 3/8" and 230 fps for 7/16". So my hat is off to them for truth in advertising and no over hyping. While I came in just a tidge under I used a heavy pouch, didn't trim the band ends at the pouch very well, and may still have been a hair under the optimal active length. Think their description is accurate.

Simpleshot gets props as well. While I haven't seem velocity tests or claims on their site their branded elastic is simply awesome.

I have been very happy with all of the stores / mfg's I have dealt with so far, these two especially included.

It is a ton of fun catching up after 30+ years of not slinging much. Really loving seeing the new innovations and enjoying testing all the things. I am a bit of a kid in a candy store. Have some precise 3rd gen (0.5 and 0.75) and Cattyshack 0.85 coming that I am looking fwd to testing.

Also have some Simpleshot pure latex on hand that I haven't tested much on the chronograph yet. Seems to have a higher stretch ratio and haven't gotten a good feel for a good taper and active length with this material yet but will see how it does when I do. Any suggestions for this pure latex greatly appreciated.

 

[Henry the Hermit]

Have fun. Be careful. I'm on my 4th chronometer. I destroyed the 1st with a .50 cal lead ball, lost the second, and shot the 3d with my 9mm. I'm aiming higher nowadays. LOL!

Appreciate posting your results. Member testing is one of the things that make this Forum great.

bloody **** Henry you would have to have a very understanding wife to be on your 4th chrony,i would have to hide the first one i wrecked in the shed lol mate

We budget $100.00 per month to each of us that we can spend on anything we want, no questions asked. But yes, she is understanding and a wonderful woman, and I love her without reservation.

 

[robbo]

Have fun. Be careful. I'm on my 4th chronometer. I destroyed the 1st with a .50 cal lead ball, lost the second, and shot the 3d with my 9mm. I'm aiming higher nowadays. LOL!

Appreciate posting your results. Member testing is one of the things that make this Forum great.

bloody **** Henry you would have to have a very understanding wife to be on your 4th chrony,i would have to hide the first one i wrecked in the shed lol mate

We budget $100.00 per month to each of us that we can spend on anything we want, no questions asked. But yes, she is understanding and a wonderful woman, and I love her without reservation.

just joking around Henry exaggerating a bit mate we both got good woman mate.