black widow catapult vs springer

[george atkins ga 1]

lately i have been practising with my catapult as i was getting bored with the loud noise of the bang that my old springer.i went out hunting with it.i sat under a dead oak tree with is a favorite for the rooks and the jackaws and i took my aim at the rook which perched at the very top and i let go of the elastic and wham i hit the vermin straight in the head it floated down stone dead.

 

the next day i went out with the springer to a different spot which is just as popular with the rooks and jackdaws and i found it much more akward to take the shot and after i did nothing came to the tree for the rest of the day.

 

if anyones got any pics what they have baged with a catapult or even with the airifles

[zini 1,939]

Hi Mate,

 

Unless you understand the effects on a parabolic trajectory at steep angles or steep declines you will be very lucky to hit a rook at the top branches of a high tree and hit it in the KZ with a air rifle mate.

 

I think that maybe the shot with the caterpult was a lucky one, but well done anyway mate.

 

i couldnt have done that with my diablo if i tried a 100 times.

 

Maybe you could get a silencer for your springer pal and then it will improve your chances of not scaring the birds so much.

 

Si

[fitchet 788]

hi mate i like using catupults when i can but if i were you stick to air rifles for bag filling but nice shooting anyways and fair play for practicing first what did you use for ammo ?

[matt_hooks 188]

Catapults are great for short range stuff, as long as you've put the time in to make sure you can get a first shot kill, or at least stun that allows a quick follow up and dispatch.

 

A good catapult (like the black widow, diablo etc., magic names when I was a kid!) will give you speed somewhere around that of an air rifle, but with a much higher weight (and hence a much higher energy!). The Black Widow runs out at about 200 fps with standard bands and an 8mm steel ball, giving a decent amount of energy, and as the weight is relatively high the downrange energy delivery is good.

[stealthy1 3,964]

Out of the two I would go for the springer every time, catties are ok for bottle smashing and can bashing, but for whacking things I think the springer would leave the catty in the shade

[Guest arthur b]

good shot that mate i cant hit ntin

[stevieskin 4]

We used to use diablos with a replacement surgical latex tubing, way back in the old days

Would put a ball bearing through both sides of am old galvanised dustbin, lethal things.

Never hunted with one though, the dustbin was about my limit when it came to accuracy :D

[zini 1,939]

Me to Stevie,

 

Im rubbish with mine and would need alot of practice to hit a barn door.

 

Si

[JackReid 35]

Wow great shot mate. I used to have catapults when younger my mum got me on them straight away. I think she was a believer that if you let kids have these 'forbidden' things then its better than you sneeking around lying behind her back with one shooting at peoplles cars!

 

I never shot an animal with them but have shot plenty of mates!! (I know you shouldnt but we all used to have on eeach and do 6 vs 6 up the woods, full camo, bases the lot). Some of my fondest childhood memories were those battles! 2 groups of people that were enemies yet friendly enough to organise these battles! Nothing got the adrenaline going when those stones and BB's start flying. Its a wonder nobody lost an eye. It all ended when a new recruits parents phoned the police, we were about 14 by that point so prob a good idea we stopped!

 

I was good enough to hit something human sized chest or bellow every now and then but hitting a killzone on small game vermin, (even considering a larger killzone due to the power of the catapult) seems very hard to me. I would take the springer without a doubt, and the fact that you had a quiet day with nothing turning up was probably just unlucky. A loud springer is loud but birds come from far and wide and you could fire your gun and a bird be there in 20 seconds and not hear you!

 

Nevertheless awesome take out. May buy a catapult this summer see how accurate I can get plinking!!!

 

Jack

[Phantom 631]

I love my catties

 

I became quite skilled with both the Pro-diablo (full set up including adjustable sight system) and my basic Black Widow without the brace.

 

Only took a little practice before I was tearing cans to pieces and getting great results. Often thought of using it for the bunnies as I know I would be able to make a clean one shot kill.

 

My last Kill with a catty was a little overkill perhaps

 

Before:

After:

 

That'll teach it to run out of the golden liquid

 

Phantom

Edited June 14, 2010 by Phantom

[Ideation 8,216]

I take my cattie out on the estate all the time. I use a hunter cattie, loaded with .44 cal lead shot and can happily smash a sitting squirrel, rat, rabbit or pigeon at a fair range. Aiming for the head - i either miss entirely or its good night vermin. I just take it along with the shotgun for my own amusement and for the odd silent shot. I find it especially good for sniping rats off the feeders without spooking them.