I’d like to shoot a PFS but only shoot TTF. Help!

OK. Here’s what we’d like you to know about the transition from TTF to PFS.

How does a cracker teach us how to shoot PFS. Check it out to find out!

If I’m shooting through the forks, how would you recommend transitioning to shooting a pickle fork slingshot?
So as we all know and as we say all the time, shooting any TTF slingshot requires a clean release. Probably the number one thing we would recommend to a shooter is to make sure they have a squeaky clean release when shooting through the forks!

The number one thing to avoid is what we called a speed bump effect, when the release causes the projectile to bump up over the lower finger.
However, when shooting a pickle fork slingshot, we encourage you to do this all “wrong.” The speedbump is the safest way to get the projectile to come up over the pickle fork and avoid forkhits.

The slight bending of the pouch allows the projectile to come up over the finger and up over the fork to avoid for kids when shooting a pickle fork slingshot.

And what does a cracker have to do with all this? Well, attaching a cracker to your pickle fork is a fantastic way to show where your projectile is traveling over the fork. A successful shot fired from a pickle fork slingshot will not even show on the cracker that you attached to your slingshot.

Finish this video all the way to the end to see Nathan demonstrate a bull’s-eye at 10 yards with a pickle fork slingshot with a Ritz cracker strap to it.

So when it comes to shooting a pickle fork slingshot, a clean release is out the window. You actually want to employ the speedbump effect to make sure that your projectile flies up over the forks and you avoid fork hits.

We’ll be releasing these weekly all season long, and season two is coming to a close! You can look forward to more questions coming your way. Make sure you subscribe and ring the bell for notifications!

Slingshot Ammo

Are you considering alternate materials for pouches? Poly? Eel?

We have chosen the materials that we use for specific reasons. Here they are.

There are lots of options for materials to use for slingshot pouches. Some are great for everyone and some are only appreciated by a few.

Here are our thoughts.

The reason we have the common materials that we do for slingshot pouches is simply that they work. The tried and true materials are the best choices for several reasons:

1. Microfiber. Microfiber is a great choice because it has a regular stretch and most notably that it is readily available.
2. Leather. Leather can be very durable and economical (particularly cowhide), and is an excellent choice for slingshot pouches.

The drawback to leather is that there will always be variance from one pouch to another and leathers do not all stretch consistently or desirably.
The most desirable leathers to be used for slingshot pouches are Roo leather, Latigo leather, and goat skin leather.

Regarding polyurethane, there are definitely a few drawbacks. Polyurethane can be heavy, and when we shoot a slingshot we have to propel the pouch along with the ammo. The added weight of a heavier pouch can be detrimental! Also, if you are experiencing any hand slap, the heavier pouch is going to be more painful.

So definitely experiment with other pouch materials. Especially if you have the capability of cutting your own pouches, try different materials! When it comes to the materials that we will use, we need to use materials that we can source consistently and economically. So, eel skin isn’t too likely to happen.

When choosing materials, consider how the pouch will stretch and break in and keep the mass as low as possible.

Slingshot Ammo

What about the halfway position between horizontal and vertical frame holds?

Some of you may have noticed that Nathan hold his slingshot at approximately 45°, neither a true vertical or horizontal slingshot hold.

Funny thing is, Nathan doesn’t shoot the way he recommends anyone should shoot. He does not shoot with his dominant eye, and he does not hold his slingshot parallel to the ground. [How does Nathan teach]

Nathan would also tell you that he doesn’t necessarily aim and that he doesn’t necessarily shoot instinctively. Nathan’s style of slingshot shooting actually comes from his experience in archery, particularly shooting the longbow. Most longbow shooters hold the bow with a little bit of a cant and it is from this experience that Nathan continues to shoot his slingshot at approximately a 45° angle.
Also a direct result of longbow shooting, Nathan’s style of shooting is more about watching the flight of the projectile an impact with the target. So Nathan would say there’s not really aiming taking place when he shoots, but holding the slingshot frame at a 45° angle is where he is most comfortable and therefore where he is most efficient.

Instead of aiming, Nathan focuses solely on the flight of the projectile and the point of impact.
There’s lots to be said and you can find plenty of arguing about these different types of shooting. But like we always say whatever works best for you is best for you.

As always, find the style and procedure that is repeatable and consistent for you.
We don’t recommend using this method if you are seeking accuracy quickly and seeking the most direct path to slingshot marksmanship. But it is a challenge and it’s a lot of fun.

So the key to the style of shooting is extreme consistency with equipment and focus on the target and the point of impact. This is not the best way to achieve accuracy or the easiest or the fastest, but it is absolutely achievable. Is it best for you?

If you’re having fun and you’re up for a challenge, go for it. If you want the fastest and most direct route to slingshot accuracy, follow Nathan’s instruction in his class. http://simple-shot.com/found-bundle

Slingshot Ammo

Can I mount flatbands on a tube frame / wire frame / wrist rocket, etc.? Of COURSE! Chuck those lousy tubes and upgrade your wrist rocket!

Don’t give up on that old frame (but those tubes are just awful aren’t they).

Here’s a video we did a long time ago on how it’s done: https://youtu.be/YNIJNq73Zsc

OK, we all know that shooting a wire frame slingshot with those huge chunky tubes is no fun. At least not once you’ve experienced better slingshot latex. So should you check that wire frame? Did you get rid of that wrist rocket that you used forever? No way.

You can absolutely install flat bands on your wire frame slingshot! Turn that clunky shooter into a slingshot that you will love shooting simply by putting quality flat bands on it.

As we all know, those bands that come preinstalled on big box store slingshots have a very heavy draw because the slingshots have to last on the shelf. In order to ensure that the latex in the bands is usable after sitting on the shelf for who knows how long, these slingshot manufacturers simply put way too much latex into the system.
And shooting them is not much fun once you’ve experienced flat bands for your slingshot.

So don’t check your slingshot, check those tubes and replace them with SimpleShot black flatband latex band sets!

Give new life to that old wire frame slingshot or wrist rocket by replacing the bands that came on it with high-quality modern slingshot latex and you’ll love shooting it again

Slingshot Ammo

Sruggling with grip loss on your slingshot pouch?

If you ever lose grip on the pouch of your slingshot, this one’s for you.

There are several factors that could contribute here, but no matter which it is, here are some tips to help!

My thumb and index finger lose grip on the slingshot pouch. Do you have a recommendation for slick fingers or slick pouches?

The quick and easy answer is to just use the rough side of the pouch. You can just flip that band set around and have the rough side of the slingshot pouch facing out.

Most slingshot pouches made out of natural materials such as leather or even most microfiber pouches have one smooth side and one rough side. Usually, the rough side is facing in, but this is not a rule that must be followed.
Also, it is recommended to keep the ears of the band set (that is the little tabs of latex hanging out from the tie in) facing out. This also is not a rule that must be followed but simply a best practice. You can always just flip that band set around and shoot it with the rough side out and ears facing in.

This is by far the simplest way to deal with the problem of not being able to grip the pouch.
Of course, if you tie your own bands (and we recommend that you do), you can just start tying your bands for your slingshot in this fashion, with the rough side of the pouch facing out with the ears of the bands are also facing out.

Also, experiment with different types of pouches. There are thicker microfiber pouches that may be able to give you for the slingshot pouch grip you need.

And remember, you can rough up the outside of your pouch with sandpaper.

The best option is to tie your own band sets for your slingshot so that you can decide exactly which pouch works best for you and then keep using it

Slingshot Ammo

Fiber Optic Sights for the slingshot. Do they help or are they just a gimmick?

We have some issues here, but it’s more with the terms than the product!

The question is how best to hold the slingshot. This question is specifically referring to the frame holding hand when shooting. One of the questions we received on this topic was specifically asking about how to hold an Ocularis slingshot, but our answer will apply to any slingshot.

First, let’s understand sites in regard to slingshots. This is an entirely different thing on a slingshot versus say, a firearm or a bow. Most slingshot shooters who successfully use fiber optic sights on the slingshot would actually not call them sites, but rather an aiming reference point. And we agree with this term, because that’s exactly what they are.

A site in the traditional meaning of the term requires two locked down reference points to aim your project tile along a guaranteed path that is tied to the site. For example on a firearm, the barrel forms the line with two endpoints that are permanently fixed in their relationship to the sight (or even the scope).
Same with archery. The arrow is the “aiming line” and it runs along the path between the draw hand and the tip of the arrow, the arrow resting on the bow frame.

This consistency simply does not exist in slingshot shooting.

There is no fixed line between the draw hand and the point projectile exits the system. Both hands can move independently when shooting a slingshot. This is what makes slingshot shooting so challenging but it also is what allows the slingshot to be so portable. There is no barrel or arrow. The projectile is in flight as soon as it leaves the pouch (no barrel).

And while we’re here, we all understand that a laser could never work to aim a slingshot, right? 🙂

So the answer is that fiber optic sights on a slingshot are definitely not a gimmick.

We understand your question though.

A fiber optic sight will never allow one person to “sight in” a slingshot and then hand it to someone else who can blast the target because the slingshot has been sighted in. This simply is not possible because of the reasons mentioned above.

However, fiber optic sights are excellent reference points for shooting a slingshot. It is up to you to improve your release hand by working on your anchor point and release. That is where the accuracy will come in based on the reference point on your slingshot. Your reference point may be part of your actual slingshot frame or band that you are familiar with or you may have a fiber optic site on your slingshot frame that you use as a reference point.

Fiber optic sights are fantastic and slingshot shooting because they gather light and give your eyes something to focus on. So no, they’re not a gimmick. But we do not need to understand that they are reference points, not really sights at all.

As we always say, what works best for you is best for you! If fiber optic sights help you shoot your slingshot better, go for it. If you are wondering, give it a try. If they don’t work for you, don’t worry about it!

Have fun!

Slingshot Ammo

Tell me about the big picture of how to hold the slingshot.

OK, we know the release is important. How about the frame hand?

The question is how best to hold the slingshot. This question is specifically referring to the frame holding hand when shooting. One of the questions we received on this topic was specifically asking about how to hold an Ocularis slingshot, but our answer will apply to any slingshot.

Other forms of the same question were specifically about follow-through when shooting a slingshot.

The answer regarding follow-through is to make sure that you’re doing it the same way every single time you shoot your slingshot. One thing that is particularly helpful when considering how one holds slingshot frame is to make sure you are engaging the major muscle groups in the back instead of just in the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, etc. Anyone who is engaged in archery knows the importance of the back muscles. But the same is true with slingshot shooting.

When you’re shooting, imagine trying to squeeze your shoulder blades together to hold a baseball or orange sized sphere. You’ll be on track to where you need to be to be consistent in your stance and slingshot frame hold.

So to summarize, a huge part of follow through/stance/frame hand holding is to pay attention to the muscle tension in the major muscles of the back.

Next, (you’ve heard this 1 million times from us, right?) The important thing is that you can consistently reproduce your stance when shooting a slingshot. Whether we’re talking follow through or simply how you hold the slingshot, repetition and consistency is key.

One question many slingshot shooters have is whether the frame hand should be anchored firmly or whether there should be a slick in the slingshot holding hand. Well, our answer will be the same in the long run: whatever works for you is best for you and whatever you do, do it consistently.

But a few pointers. If you’re shooting a pickle style slingshot or a PFS, you are very likely to incorporate a flick in your frame hold/follow through. This is an important part of shooting pickle style or PFS. However, if you are shooting a forked frame – for example a Scout LT – the flick is not necessary and is only productive if it is a style that works specifically for you and is something you can do regularly and consistently when shooting a slingshot.

So, even if you’re using a through the forks slingshot set up, you can still achieve incredible accuracy with a flick. If we had to recommend a style to learn, we would recommend a strong anchor hand, but as always, whatever works for you is best for you.

So in summary, the best stance and frame hold is one where everything is aligned, everything is stable, everything is locked down. That may not be what works best for you but that is the ideal situation. Remember to focus on those large back muscles giving you lots of stability in your stance and shot.

Whatever you do, just do it consistently.

Slingshot Ammo

What do I need to do differently in the cold? How can I get latex to perfom?

Good news. You need to do less than ever. SimpleShot Black latex is made for cold.

It used to be that cold weather was very hard on slingshot performance. Slingshot latex just couldn’t stand up to the cold. Well, cold weather still does hurt slingshot performance a bit, but NOTHING like it used to!

As we’ve mentioned in other videos, understanding latex is one of the most important things you can do for slingshot shooting. But there are a lot of opinions out there about latex that we don’t necessarily agree with. In this video we’re going to tackle the topic of cold-weather shooting and how it affects latex.

Here at SimpleShot, we have put as much time and research into latex as about anything else. We know that latex is the heart and soul of the slingshot, so we have been in a relentless pursuit of the best slingshot latex for as long as SimpleShot has existed. We have been advocates of TheraBand (usually gold), amber medical latex, Precise, GZK, and of course our own SimpleShot Black over the years. All of these different slingshot latex brands have had their time at the top and each has its merits.

The great thing is simply this: slingshot latex has come a long long way.

Slingshot latex is not what it used to be. We have worked with what we consider to be the best slingshot latex manufacturers in the world to formulate and produce SimpleShot Black And our testing concludes that it is lightning, even in cold weather.

So back to the question. How does cold weather affect slingshot shooting and particularly how does cold weather affect slingshot latex?

Looking back just a few years, slingshot latex options were not what they are now, cold-weather was a very significant factor in slingshot shooting. In fact, velocity and therefore accuracy dropped dramatically in cold weather. In order to achieve the velocity desired in cold weather comparable to shooting in a warmer weather, one had to either add more latex to the system or shoot lighter ammo.

So here it is: it’s just not the case anymore.

Any reputable slingshot latex on the scene in the past two years has built in cold weather resistance. That means it shoots consistently at temperatures under 60°. We have found that SimpleShot Black performs very well all the way down into the teens Fahrenheit.

Modern slingshot elastics really do account for cold. You don’t necessarily need to change the type of latex or the amount of latex in your system because of cold.

Of course cold weather WILL have SOME effect on slingshot latex (we aren’t saying there’s none), but nothing like it used to. If you are experiencing a drop in performance in cold weather, you still have the option of increasing the amount of latex in your system or lightening up your ammo a little, But by and large this is nowhere near the concern that it used to be when all we had was gum rubber, medical latex, or TheraBand.

We live in a great day for slingshot shooting. Even in the cold.

Slingshot Ammo

What three things would you say to a beginner slingshot shooter?

Beginners are the best! Here are the top three things Nathan would tell a beginner shooter.

We love this question because we love talking to beginners about as much as anyone! So to actually know this down to three things was pretty tough.

Number one, understand the nature of latex. If you’ve heard Nathan talk about slingshots and how to master them, we guarantee you’ve heard him talk about the nature of latex. Nathan has spent a lot of time learning and understanding latex, working to produce the best latex, and helping people understand slingshot latex.

Latex is the engine of the slingshot. Expansion and retraction is the engine that drives the projectile down range. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of latex is going to go a long ways in furthering your enjoyment of slingshot shooting! So get to know latex! Understand it and learn everything you can and you will go far.

Pro Tip: Understanding latex is one of the major topics of Foundations. https://slingshotmastery–slingshotma…​

Number two, slingshots are very simple tools based on very simple rules of physics.
For example, for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction. You draw the bands out, they come back to their relaxed position, propelling the projectile down range. You’ve got basic rules of alignment: you hold the ammo in one hand in the frame in the other created two points with an imaginary straight line between. The concepts are simple, but mastering them will lead to slingshot mastery.

Third, this is a skill that has to be developed. Slingshot shooting is a skill that can be developed very quickly, especially if points one and two here are adhered to, And that skill will be developed best when you have a mindset of curiosity and fun!

1. Understand slingshot latex.
   Understand the physics of slingshots.
   Have fun!

That’s Nathan’s top three tips for beginners!

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Which slingshot is the best for hunting?

There are a lot of options. We can help you choose!

There is a lot of information out there on this topic . . . Some articles get it right, and some recommend hunting slingshots that we could never recommend. Here’s what we have to say on this one.

This is an important question to get right: what is the best hunting slingshot?

Lots of people want to hunt with a slingshot, so an obvious question is which slingshot is the best for hunting. Well, we would love to discuss that with you. It is extremely important that you make a good choice when choosing a slingshot because you are not just plinking. Hunting with a slingshot requires a responsibility above target shooting.

And frankly, there are a lot of so-called hunting slingshot guides out there that are making recommendations that we strongly disagree with. You may see articles telling you about the number one choice and it is really just an affiliate link to try to get you to buy anything to make them money. Before you believe one of these “guides,” see if it really is a site made by slingshot shooters or enthusiasts or just an affiliate page.

We have actually talked to the writers at some of these sites and some have no interest whatsoever in anything about slingshots, yet they are making recommendations on the best ones as though they have authority on the topic! Some have absolutely no slingshot experience at all.

We believe if you want a straight answer on deciding which slingshot is best for hunting, we can help you because we are true slingshot enthusiasts and we hunt with slingshots.

 There’s one sentence that sums up the answer, but it is a long sentence!

A slingshot qualifies as an excellent hunting slingshot if it is capable of supporting bands that are capable of firing hunting weight slingshot ammo toward the game with a velocity and energy and accuracy (at the range the slingshot hunter is hunting) in order to deliver a clean and humane killing blow.

The rest is up to you. You, as a slingshot Hunter, need to develop the skills necessary to use the slingshot properly. We will not be talking about the skills required here, we will just be discussing what makes a slingshot a great choice.

Let’s break down what it takes to be an effective hunting slingshot.

1. It must be able to support powerful bands. There is no need to over band since over banding a slingshot makes it less accurate. But it is essential to deliver energy to the game  that is capable of cleanly killing. So the slingshot must be able to support hunting weight bands. A slingshot hunting band set is capable of putting at least 12 foot pounds of energy on target.
2. It must be able to shoot accurately. Most slingshots are capable of this! But you need to find a slingshot that works for you to provide the accuracy necessary to hunt with a slingshot. It must be comfortable and usable by the hunter to be accurate.
3.  A hunting slingshot does not need a bunch of gadgets. There is a growing number of gimmick slingshots on the market that are not recommended. (Again, you will find lots of pages talking about these, but we do NOT recommend them, and no one with experience or knowledge would). As mentioned, you just need to support strong bands and shoot accurately. Don’t fall for the gimmicks! Springs and lasers and all these gimmicks are just that. They will not help you shoot better. In fact they are likely to get in your way and cause discouragement.

So in summary, the best choice is the one that you shoot well and it . . .

• Must accommodate strong bands.
• Must be one that you can shoot accurately with a range.
• Does not have to have all the bells and whistles.

You need to deliver significant energy toward the game. We suggest at least 12 foot pounds of energy on the shot (and lead ammo is the best way to achieve this).

You need to be able to deliver the killing blow to the boilermaker area or head of the game you are shooting at the range at which you will be shooting. If you can’t hit a ping pong ball at that range, do not take the shot!

And stay away from the gimmicks. You don’t need triple band tubes, for example. These heavy draw band sets are only going to make you inaccurate. You have to be VERY strong to hold such heavy bands at draw while aiming. Sure, you may get power from a triple tube setup, but you won’t be accurate.

Buy a comfortable, well-made slingshot and make sure that your ammo is matched to your bands for maximum velocity and accuracy at range! And, of course, if you are going to hunt with a slingshot make absolutely sure that you are accurate . . .

 Very accurate. That’s why we recommend the course below. 👇

Learn the skills of slingshot marksmanship!

We strongly recommend the foundations course from Slingshot Mastery for anyone who needs progress in slingshot accuracy. Hunting with slingshots is not easy. Mastering the slingshot is now easier than ever!

Every slingshot sold at SimpleShot is ready for hunting!

Every slingshot has the capacity of doing everything that  it needs to do. So the choice is up to you. It may come in colors and many different styles. Choose one you love and one that suits your needs.

Be smart. Be accurate.

Slingshots made by shooters for shooters.

If you are looking for a great hunting slingshot look no further than Simpleshot. Every slingshot you find at SimpleShot is perfect for hunting! Each slingshot has been crafted carefully to meet all the requirements above.

Every slingshot at SimpleShot comes with band sets suited for hunting. Tune in your band set up, and your slingshot will be perfect for slingshot hunting!

SimpleShot’s Online Store