Band Tuning. How to measure my bands, tune my bands and shoot fastest.

We talk about this one a lot. Band tuning is utterly essential to excellent performance when shooting a slingshot.
The process is simple, and just requires a little bit of math. The bottom line is that the latex power lies in its elongation. The further you stretch it the more power it has. So, if you don't stretch it very far you're not going to have much power.
Also, the more you stretcher the faster it wears out. So tuning your bands means finding the perfect place for you at your draw length where you have a balance of power and longevity that you want.
For example, if you stretch or bands to only 300% or three times elongation, you will get very little power but your bands will last much longer than if you were shooting at a much higher elongation.
Stretch your bands to 600% or six times elongation, and you will get fantastic speed and power but a shorter band life. The whole range in between is where you can experiment to find the perfect elongation for your shooting style.
The one thing you need to know is your draw length. You must measure the distance from the tip of your fork on your slingshot to your anchor point. This is your draw length.
Your draw length divided by the elongation factor is (at rest) is called your active band length.
For example, if your draw length is 30 inches and do you want to use a 300% elongation, you would want your bands to be 10 inches at rest. This is just an example. Shooting bands this long at only a 30 inch draw will result in very little power. And remember, your active band length does not include the pouch or the latex that is used for tying in or binding your band set to the frame.
A more reasonable example would be: if you have a 30 inch draw and want to shoot at a 5X or 500% elongation, you would want to trim your bands to 6 inches plus whatever bit of latex is needed to bind your band set to the frame. So probably about 6 1/2 inches not counting the pouch.
Knowing how to tune your band set is critical to slingshot performance.
We hope you've enjoyed Ask Nathan Season Three!
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[@TheOverlyHackeled]

Excellent explanation and easy to follow and replicate. Find a draw length divided by four add enough to attach but a boom, but a Bing shoot see if you’re getting the results you want if not tune a little bit more.

[@simpleshot]

We are so glad you found this helpful.

[@ChuckinSteel]

I love these vids

[@simpleshot]

Thank you!

[@akhillz]

good info and well presented. thanks

[@simpleshot]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kishascape]

I got mine set to 400%. I can see why anchors are important, unlike my tube latex wrist rocket where it feels like end of draw with the pouch by my cheek these latex flat bands feel like I can keep going still.

[@robertocapocchi8379]

Simple Shot rubber is great.

[@simpleshot]

Thank you.

[@nutthrower4415]

Well stated

[@simpleshot]

Thank you!

[@mauricefrancis4078]

Hi, I shoot 7 1/2 inch bands cut at 1 inch 3/4 and 3/8 ammo at 30 inch draw and I want to start to shoot butterfly style , how long bands do I need .

[@simpleshot]

That would depend on what that draw length is for you.

[@robertkaufman6602]

What are the signs when bands might fail?

[@simpleshot]

Look for nicks, small tears, or other problems such as holes in the latex. 😉

[@Sav-E.]

If you have two of the same bandsets, tuned to the same elongation factor, but one bandset is set up for a shorter draw length and the other for a longer draw length, the longer bandset/draw length will shoot a projectile faster, right?

[@simpleshot]

Yes, if both are trimmed for the same percentage for two different draw lengths, the longer draw length will get a faster velocity.

[@tomekbarka6565]

How to cut a band? Can I use just knife or scissors? ✂️

[@simpleshot]

A roller gutter is ideal and can be purchased online or in box stores such as Walmart in the craft section.

[@chriscraft1245]

Do you prefer tapered bands or no tapered?

[@simpleshot]

Tapered so it breaks near the pouch and snaps toward the frame and not your face.

[@michaelschaap1645]

Hmmm. I just got my first one today. I’m 55. People in my group told me about this. I watched you 3 times, but. Regrettably. I’m confused. Hmmm. Any suggestions?

[@simpleshot]

What part are you confused on? You can always come to our website and use the live chat feature.

[@islrubsca2330]

How is Nathan supposed to offer you suggestions, when you don't indicate at all what part of the video you are confused about? And what does your age have to do with anything? "

[@simpleshot]

It's OK. :)

[@guerillero_]

So i need to ~cut~ my bands to 6 inches