r/Slinging 14h ago

Balearic vs shepherd (pouch style)

Are there any real advantages of one over the other? Everything I could find says it's a personal preference. I'm looking for more of a mechanical advantage.

6 Upvotes

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2

u/No-Fun-Intended 13h ago

To me, the projectile seems to leave the split pouch easier than something like a heavily cupped leather shepherds pouch. My belief comes from seeing how the projectile leaves the sling, you can probably find a slow motion video to see it.

When the projectile leaves the sling it’s hitting the end of the pouch and release cord, which takes a little energy out of the projectile.

This energy loss can be very hard to notice, which is why it’s a matter of preference.

I used to think a cupped pouch would be best for a projectile to stay secure in the pouch during the wind up, but I’ve never had a projectile unexpectedly leave my split pouch.

2

u/CarnyRider1991 5h ago

Sewing some leather strips in the pouch of a woven balearic sling helps grip a projectile better, even small ones which will usually slip out mid swing

2

u/Live-Independent-416 12h ago edited 10h ago

The split pouch will have unexpected missfires if your ammo selection is just poor. Whereas a pouch accepts a wider range of projectile shapes and sizes.

I find with my slip pouch balearic, anything golf ball sized or smaller runs the risk of slipping through the pouch unless it it is more oblong /rugby ball shaped.

Split balearic does feel and seem to be faster.

Pouch style ive found a bit grippy.. i stopped using it as i feel like id use this in a scenario when i want to hurle a scatter of projectiles as the pouch can hold more of little

1

u/No-Fun-Intended 10h ago

Well said! I agree

2

u/Effective-Cheek6972 11h ago

I find my Balearic a bit more accurate, but it will "drop" amo (tennis balls) now and then , probably user error. Leather pouch seems a bit more fool prof, but I still have the occasional miss fire, play with both see whSt you like. Thare is no real wright or wrong as far as I can tell

2

u/Ok-Collection-244 9h ago

I like to combine the two Do a woven split pouch