There’s no definitive “best” or “worst” slingshot—except for frames with poor build quality that are unsafe to use. Many shooters are incredibly accurate with inexpensive frames or even tree fork naturals that cost nothing but time to make. The “best” slingshot boils down to individual preference since everyone’s hand size, grip, and shooting style are unique. What fits your hand the best is often what helps you shoot most consistently.
When it comes to bands and ammo for hunting, things get a bit more specific, but personal preference still plays a huge role. Above all, ensure you’re accurate enough to make clean, ethical shots before attempting hunting.
Bands:
Shot placement is everything when hunting, and slingshot energy decreases over distance. A bandset effective at 15m may not retain enough energy at 25m, even if you’re accurate. Environmental factors, like temperature, also affect performance. A band that performs well on a warm day might lose effectiveness on a cold night.
For hunting bands, I recommend latex in the 0.66–0.8mm range, adjusting for seasonal temperatures (thicker bands for colder weather). My preferred tapers range from 12-20mm to 15-20mm, though I might go as wide as 25-18mm depending on the setup. Band elongation plays a role, too—I use a 570% elongation for bands rated for 600% max. If you’re not getting the power you need and can comfortably extend your draw length, trimming the band can significantly increase velocity. Remember, draw length and taper width impact performance: longer draws can work well with narrower tapers.
Ammo:
Any ammo will work as long as it delivers enough energy to the right spot. However, here’s a breakdown of common types:
- Lead Ammo: Lead is dense and transfers energy effectively, making it highly efficient for hunting. Downsides include toxicity, scarcity, higher cost, and restrictions in some areas. If you go this route, lead round balls for black powder shooting (.32–.44 caliber) are ideal. For reference: .32 caliber is 8.4mm, .36 is 9.5mm, and .44 is 11mm.
- Steel Ammo: Steel is lighter than lead but still effective due to the higher velocities it can achieve. Some hunters use 8mm steel for its speed, but it loses energy quickly at longer distances, making it unsuitable for hunting. Stick with 9.5–12mm steel for better energy transfer. Using a chronograph and a ballistic calculator app can help determine your band/ammo combo’s energy and identify your maximum effective hunting range.
Final Thoughts:
For hunting, I typically start with a 0.66mm or thicker latex, a taper around 20-15mm, and 9.5mm steel ammo. From there, I tweak the setup based on personal needs or conditions. A good rule of thumb is to aim for enough power to dent or pierce a U.S.-style steel soup can, keeping in mind that can strength varies.