Knowledge-bases for someone looking at crossbows.

P

Pond James Pond

New member
This is not strictly firearms related per se but, having seen cross-bows referred to in the Hunt sub-forum, as well as bow-hunting themed threads, I hope mods will let this slide!

In my continuing affair with all things triggered and having drawn a blank so far on supplies for the otherwise fascinating world of BP shooting, I thought I might have a go at cross-bow shooting.

I've done some archery and unlike other forms of ballistic arts, archery and crossbow shooting are two that I can do on my own land and so that might be a fun thing to do at the country place.

The problem is I don't have much of a reference point beyond some self serving/sponsored YT vids, so if anyone can list some places online that are either good resources for cross-bows, the same way TFL is for guns, I'd be grateful!
 
PJP-if you were able to find black powder supplies would the country that you are in count a black powder gun against your allowed number of guns?

That is, if you got a black powder gun would you have to give up one of your other guns?
 
PJP-if you were able to find black powder supplies would the country that you are in count a black powder gun against your allowed number of guns?

That is, if you got a black powder gun would you have to give up one of your other guns?
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No, it shouldn't, but the problem is BP is nowhere to be found! I believe there is a shortage inEurope as a whole, so finding some in a country with no BP shooting community is a slim chance.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the BP idea on the head, but until that powder problem can be resolved and some range says they'll supply on site BP for people to try, it's a bit of a moot point.

In the meantime, crossbows would allow me to shoot on my land, do so quietly and cheaply too. My firearms practice, be they smokeless or smokeful are for the range either way.

It'd also be fun to try something new too, as a compliment to my shooting.
 
You do know that there's a bit of a stigma against those who shoot crossbows - you might want to explore this thread and forum. http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2422721

Personally, I think crossbows are neat; some would consider them part of archery; others don't. You might want to decide what kind of shooting you will be doing and whom with before you choose your weapon.
 
I wouldn't buy a used crossbow, unless you had somebody visually inspect the crossbow limbs with a magnifying glass for any cracks or flaking.

Cocked crossbows have been known to have there limbs explode apart.


I have two crossbows: Ten Point and a Koda
 
Thanks for the pionters. I think second hand is probably out. There are several new models that seem interesting.

Skans: thanks for the heads up on how crossbows are perceived by some, but TBH, what some random person's view of crossbows might be has no bearing on my choices.

Given that they are not legal for hunting here anyway, I doubt there is a strong opinion on them in that respect so it should be OK here, even if some people get helical undergarments at the thought of crossbows in other areas!! :D

I will say this for that link: it showed me a sig-line that made me laugh out loud (an my daughter is asleep!)...

You young people will never know the satisfaction of slamming down a receiver on a rotary phone
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:D
 
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"...a bit of a stigma against those who shoot crossbows..." That dates from the Middle Ages. Unless you're Swiss. Willy Tell used one on his kid's apple.
There an Society for Creative Anachronism group(SCA.org) at the top of the Baltic? Lots of archery of all flavours.
Assuming that it means Finland, go here. http://www.drachenwald.sca.org/content/finland
 
Crossbows rock!
I haven't shot mine (older Barnett Wildcat #150 pull non-compound) in years.
It was a Christmas present from my wife the Christmas just before we got married (1980).
I wanted a crossbow ever since I was a kid and first read about William Tell.

In addition to the crossbow, make sure you pick up an arrow fletching jig and a bunch of plastic vanes so you can make your own bolts.
The things are nearly impossible to find in the grass.
 
I bought a crossbow when my state made them ok for deer hunting. I also took the archery course.

The one I got may be entry level however I enjoy it. I also got a styrofoam block to catch the bolts when I practice with it.

The easy part of it is that I shoot it in my basement and it makes no significant noise or is it a danger in any way.

The one I got cost about $200 with some bolts at the time. The styro target was more.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Crossbows&adid=22222222224212652763&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=3534984830&wl1=e&wl2=crossbow%20at%20walmart&wl3=15088398721&veh=sem

k2-_27693c5d-b369-46a6-bc31-000358157338.v1.jpg
 
My Recruit Recurve crossbow came with a rope and pulley compound cocking device that stays on the bow. It also has a scope on it to aim!

I would think that a cocked crossbow is faster to aim and shoot than a longbow?

And also easier to cock as it's done ahead of time.

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I would think that a cocked crossbow is faster to aim and shoot than a longbow?
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I'm pretty fast with my compound bow; and quite accurate too - even out to 60-70 yards. I can't see how you'd be much more accurate with a crossbow, unless for some reason you can't shoot a compound bow.
 
First shot with a crossbow isn't really any faster than a vertical bow. Forget about a quick or quiet 2nd shot though. Another disadvantage of a crossbow is that they are a royal pain to walk around in the woods with. Even uncocked they are awkward to carry. Cocked is even worse. Then there is the matter of what to do with a cocked crossbow when the day is over and you didn't get a shot at a deer. You've got to shoot it into something. That means either bringing a discharge arrow with you in the field or leaving it cocked until you get back to a real target where you can shoot a good arrow into it. I normally just place mine in the back of the truck still cocked until I get home then shoot an old arrow into my normal target.
 
Well, I think one big advantage is that you can draw a crossbow back and hold it there indefinitely. Not so with a 50lb vertical.

Given that consistent draw, hold and release are key repeatable trajectories, if you draw, but then have to hold the vertical at full draw so as not to spook your quarry as you wait for a flank shot, you may find your strength failing after some time.

With a cross-bow it can sit cocked for some time: no need to make noise of movement at the crucial moment, just aim and shoot!!

Then there is the matter of what to do with a cocked crossbow when the day is over and you didn't get a shot at a deer.
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How is decocking a cross-bow any harder than cocking it?
Surely, you just pull the string off the trigger mechanism and lower it down: with decocking cord it should be fairly straight forward, no?

Honest question: never even fired a cross-bow
 
How is decocking a cross-bow any harder than cocking it?
Surely, you just pull the string off the trigger mechanism and lower it down: with decocking cord it should be fairly straight forward, no?
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Nope. It would take 4 hands to do it. You've got a rope cocker handle in each hand. Then, you'd need a 3rd hand to disable the anti-dry-fire mechanism. Lastly, you'd need a 4th hand to pull the trigger.

I've done it with help but came dangerously close to a dry-fire situation (something that will destroy your limbs).
 
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