Onoff
In the land of the unfinished project I am King!
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- Thread starter Onoff
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Back in the 70's I had a millbro catty, still got the frame somewhere. Im surprised to see that they are now quite sought after, lord knows why as anyone who ever had one sooner or later smashed their thumb with a stone!
Got a folding black widow around 91 & practiced a lot. I got pretty good to the extent that i knocked over a lot of rabbits & squizzers plus a few pheasants with it. Good consistent ammo is the key & i had a mould that cast 4 rows of four balls in .410 calibre, so you could cast 16 in about 30 seconds.
Target frame on the end of the workshop wall with several layers of old carpet to catch the balls meant you could reuse them.
The best book i have seen on the subject is Richard Middletons The Practical Guide To Man powered Bullets, It is a splendid book with much of interest to anyone who likes cattys, blowpipes or airguns & other things.
With catapults the recovery rate of stretched elastic (latex) is basically pretty constant & though there is some variation none will exceed a recovery rate of approx 200 fps. Flat bands are said to give the highest recovery rate. A light pouch is essential as it counts as projectile weight.
You can also get catapult darts that hook onto a string, Though these look fun there are photos online where some poor sod has speared themself through the hand with a poor release, you can now buy dragon scale hand guards to avoid this. I dont think i will try shooting those!
Got a folding black widow around 91 & practiced a lot. I got pretty good to the extent that i knocked over a lot of rabbits & squizzers plus a few pheasants with it. Good consistent ammo is the key & i had a mould that cast 4 rows of four balls in .410 calibre, so you could cast 16 in about 30 seconds.
Target frame on the end of the workshop wall with several layers of old carpet to catch the balls meant you could reuse them.
The best book i have seen on the subject is Richard Middletons The Practical Guide To Man powered Bullets, It is a splendid book with much of interest to anyone who likes cattys, blowpipes or airguns & other things.
With catapults the recovery rate of stretched elastic (latex) is basically pretty constant & though there is some variation none will exceed a recovery rate of approx 200 fps. Flat bands are said to give the highest recovery rate. A light pouch is essential as it counts as projectile weight.
You can also get catapult darts that hook onto a string, Though these look fun there are photos online where some poor sod has speared themself through the hand with a poor release, you can now buy dragon scale hand guards to avoid this. I dont think i will try shooting those!
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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I have a collection of various thumb smashers. Look on Youtube for Jorg Sprave's channel. He makes some monsters and nearly killed himself when a ricochet hit him in the head.
outofthefire
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Save your money thats expensive its a tenner here
TSS 360 | The Slingshot Shop
theslingshotshop.co.uk
octo0072000
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i had something similar to this in the 60s i used large ball bearings for ammo a mate got the balls from his work they used them by the 1000s
Jack Pyke Hurricane Slingshot Catapult Barnett for Hunting FREE UK DELIVERY | eBay
WARNING – Slingshots are not toys. Jack Pyke Slingshots should be used only by adults or under adult supervision. Incorrect use may cause serious injury.
www.ebay.co.uk
CompoSimmonite
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I've just remembered my father had a cast alloy catapult frame that must have dated back to 1950's. Maybe made from melted down Spitfires 
Quick looks shows they are worth decent money today - around £45+
Quick looks shows they are worth decent money today - around £45+
Migmac
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I’ve still got mine too
Farside
Badly Welded Man
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mtt.tr
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I need one for launcing three throw balls into trees.
Few weeks ago I cant a lead ball 30mm diameter and has some weight to it
The chinese/amazon offerings look like they are intentionally weekened and may snap?!
Are you not using a throw bag? Solid lump of lead will be lethal!
If you learn the cradle method of throwing you can quickly learn to hit 40-60ft targets.
pedrobedro
Man at Matalan
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Bow and blunt arrow and fishing line was our solution but a ladder is my go to solution.
mtt.tr
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proper throwline and throwball, or big shot is hard to beat and safe
Kram
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Oh I have a throw bag and can use it. Generally it misses, bouces off the branch Im aiming at or goes back over my head... I need to be careful near houses as on my neighbours birch removal, it went over and landed on his roof! no damage so all good. 
While I am learning and quite rubbish at throwing rope to advance higher I have been taking a mini throw line and monkey fist ball with a 20mm steel ball - at 30 grams it doesnt really have enough weight. This isnt for launching 30 meters up, rather just 3-5 meters to the next decent anchor point.
Anyway the lead ball has similar weight to the throw bag I'd say both about the same for lethality if it hit your noggin. The lead ball will atleast be wrapped in a rope monkey fist. A 12oz bag can put a decent hole in the mud!
However as I get better, Im using the balls less. Learning the noose knot as a rope weight instead of the more common monkey basket has greatley helped.
While I am learning and quite rubbish at throwing rope to advance higher I have been taking a mini throw line and monkey fist ball with a 20mm steel ball - at 30 grams it doesnt really have enough weight. This isnt for launching 30 meters up, rather just 3-5 meters to the next decent anchor point.
Anyway the lead ball has similar weight to the throw bag I'd say both about the same for lethality if it hit your noggin. The lead ball will atleast be wrapped in a rope monkey fist. A 12oz bag can put a decent hole in the mud!
However as I get better, Im using the balls less. Learning the noose knot as a rope weight instead of the more common monkey basket has greatley helped.
I think that band is a waist strap that allows the user to keep it in position.
Very discrete.
