[BushpotChef]

So band thickness - whats up with that?

I sort of think I get it and then I feel like I don't again. Does band thickness have a direct relationship with heavy ammo? Like I've heard that before I've also heard phrases such as "More rubber always equals more speed" (@KawKan thanks for that nugget) so my question is: lets say we're talking two equal lengths of same brand elastic, same width/tapers, but one is .65 and one is 1mm. Now given the ammo is the same weight, which is faster?

Secondly, will the 1mm throw a heavier slug faster than the thinner elastic - as a general rule - all other variables kept the same?

So far my thick rubber throws the **** out of the bigger ammo and my thin elastic whips out the smaller ammo at high velocities, just trying to see if I have a handle on this or not.

Any info would be helpful thanks guys!

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[MikmaqWarrior]

From my experience the thicker latex is better suited for heavier ammo, and the thinner latex works best for light ammo...but, in the cold winter months, thicker latex retains heat better and performs better as a result..so I will use it for winter hunting.

In the warm months I use .65 and .70 with 3/8 steel...and .80 for 10mm lead...or 1/2" steel...

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[Grandpa Grumpy]

I think you got it. Thicker bands can handle heavier ammo but will retract slower than thinner bands. How much slower depends on the thicknesses, taper, ammo weight and band length. Thicker bands with lighter ammo does not see a lot of gain of retraction speed. Thinner bands will retract faster with light ammo but will retract slower as the ammo weight increases.

 

[Island made]

I think you got a handle on it. I’ve learnt most of what I know about elastic from my brother ibojoe, In my experience less is more. On the last speed test I did all my bands were cut 3/4 to 3/8 with a 13” active. All shooting 7/16 steel. The thickness ranged from .45 to 1mm and all were shooting within 8 FPS of each other. I understand that with heavier ammo the thicker elastic would keep there speed and the thin stuff would drop of fast, but I was putting a lot of foot pounds down range with very little draw weight. And thin elastic is WAY more accurate. So all I really shoot now is thin stuff. It’s faster, lighter draw, and more consistent. Again this it all my opinion and all shooting long draw. Might be totally different for short draw.

 

[urbanshooter]

You have demonstrated supreme humility! No way you're ignorant ;-)!

I'm with Island made on this one. I would rather go lighter than heavier. Generally I try to find the minimum draw weight that gets the job done. Shooting is a lot more enjoyable when I am not fighting with my bandsets.... Also it's less fatiguing to shoot lighter.

Thinner bands will throw heavier projectiles down-range, just a lot slower and it might not fly with the trajectory I like nor impact with the velocity that satisfies. But I also think there can be too much rubber for a projectile. Apart from the handslaps, I think too much rubber sends lighter ammo veering off course and shortens the range. So I believe there is an optimum and the old mantra of matching ammo to the bandset remains true.

 

[wll]

I think you got it. Thicker bands can handle heavier ammo but will retract slower than thinner bands. How much slower depends on the thicknesses, taper, ammo weight and band length. Thicker bands with lighter ammo does not see a lot of gain of retraction speed. Thinner bands will retract faster with light ammo but will retract slower as the ammo weight increases.

Grandpa Grumpy you said it perfectly IMHO. I'm going to write these pearls down and have them tattooed to my left arm. ;- )

wll

 

[robbo]

yes thats right but the same size ammo same shooter precise .50 slingshot rifle long draw 8mm steel. precise .75 very short draw 8mm steel.weight of ammo and rubber and draw length all change the thickness and cut of rubber trying to get it all spot on is bloody difficult.

 

[Tag]

I never gave it a thought‍♂ Thanks for posting

 

[Griffo]

Generally I try to find the minimum draw weight that gets the job done. Shooting is a lot more enjoyable when I am not fighting with my bandsets.... Also it's less fatiguing to shoot lighter.

Hits the nail on the head..

I've been shooting 6 and 7mm steel with 15-10 .54 bandset. Less fatigue, more accuracy, more enjoyment.

 

[SJAaz]

Testing your theory,...Given that the thinner bands aren't over loaded by the weight of the ammo. I'm betting on the skinny stuff to retract faster giving more speed. Now of course as ammo weight goes up, the thicker stuff starts to pull ahead. IMO

 

[jazz]

so my question is: lets say we're talking two equal lengths of same brand elastic, same width/tapers, but one is .65 and one is 1mm. Now given the ammo is the same weight, which is faster?

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The basic formula that calculates Exit Velocity of the ammo is very simple; it takes into account the following:

a) Draw power

b) Ammo weight

c) Pouch weight

d) Rubber weight (weight of rubber/bands/tubes itself)

e) Elongation, which is the difference between your Draw length and Active band length.

(Some other things such as friction between forks and rubber etc. are not taken here into account because they explain nothing in principle).

So, if you have all the above parameters fixed and you only make difference in band thickness which means MORE POWER, then it means that ANY ammo weight will be propelled faster by 1 mm thick band.

However, if you make up for the difference such as that you will have 2 cm wide thicker bands (1 mm) and 3.07 mm wide thinner bands then you should have FAIRLY same results.

(There are reports of "thinner being faster", and I am inclined to agree, but I would still like to see valid experimental data.)

The violations of this do not exist, what exist are special circumstances maybe, such as that same amount of thinner rubber as thicker one will cool off faster for the simple reason that it has more surface area (i believe that this is the essence of MikmaqWarrior's comment above for hunting) - but the core answer to your question stays the same.

If you have downloaded my software, Slingshot Setup Designer (SSD) for which I made links here in the Forum, then you can play with these and many other related questions. However, this software is not free anymore and if you are interested (this applies to other members of this Forum as well) then PM me and I will give you a link to y Google Drive so you can download it for free.)

I hope this makes some sense.

cheers,

jazz