Thoughts on Crossbows???

Crossbow bolts may seem little but can weigh as much or more than the longer arrows made for compounds. Crossbows have a much higher poundage rating. With that you need a stiffer arrow. Part of that stiffness comes from its shorter length and part of it comes from a thicker wall design. With this thicker wall design you get more weight. Now not all bolts are thicker than all regular arrows, that is just a generalization. In those cases it is the length that provides the added stiffness that is needed for proper arrow/bolt flight. Dont discount crossbows, they are deadly weapons in the right hands, no matter how little the bolt seems.

And anyone who is shooting a crossbow or thinking about it, watch your thumbs. I have seen more than one guy just about tear off a thumb. Keep that front thumb down so the string doesnt catch it upon release.

And as far as broadhead weight. You need to watch you front of center weight so that it doesn't get too high. Putting on a heavier broadhead to gain weight isn't always a good idea. Again it depends on the whole set up. I perfer to tube (they make plastic tubes that fit inside the arrows to add weight) my arrows to gain weight.(this pertains more to compounds than crossbows)
As far as needing arrow weight to increase kenetic energy this is true but there comes a point that too much weight starts to drop the kenetic energy also. With compounds I usually set people up around 6 grains per pound. If they are hunting something bigger than whitetails than I recommend shooting for more along the lines of 7 grains per pound. Just my $.02
 
Just wondering crossbows have always been a more powerful weapon than a bow. They were looked upon many in history as a unfair advantage and in many treaties banned for warfare. So why is it now that bows are considered more powerful. I know that bows have made technological advances but crossbows have made the same type of advances and were more advanced to begin with. As a history junkie I am just wondering when and how bows have leaped above crossbows in power. A good crossbowmen use to be able to kill a man in heavy leather armor at anywhere between 50-100 yds. This with bows made hundred years ago. You should be able to easily kill a deer beyond 30 yds. A friend of our family hunts exclusively with a crossbow in Eastern Maryland. Last year he killed three large bucks(over 200#) without any problems. Is this reasoning from bow hunters that simply look down upon crossbowmen or are there actual statistic to back this up.
 
Quote:
Heres the links where I got my information from if you would like to check them out for yourself, the kinetic energy calculator is cool it also gives gives the amount of energy needed to kill various game deer = 40 ftlbs



Kinetic energy sure does tell a story but, IMO, not the whole story. When it's said that 40 ft lbs is needed to kill a deer, it leaves much out of the equation, such as broadhead type, shape, sharpness, strength and design. Then one must factor in the actual quality of the arrow or bolt flight. An arrow flying clean and straight will outpenetrate an arrow with bit of fishtail in it's flight.

There are plenty of experienced hunters out there repeatedly killing elk and moose with 60# self bows and 600 grain arrows at 140 to 160 fps. Thats only 26 to 34 ft lbs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Quote:
Quote:
Heres the links where I got my information from if you would like to check them out for yourself, the kinetic energy calculator is cool it also gives gives the amount of energy needed to kill various game deer = 40 ftlbs



Kinetic energy sure does tell a story but, IMO, not the whole story. When it's said that 40 ft lbs is needed to kill a deer, it leaves much out of the equation, such as broadhead type, shape, sharpness, strength and design. Then one must factor in the actual quality of the arrow or bolt flight. An arrow flying clean and straight will outpenetrate an arrow with bit of fishtail in it's flight.

There are plenty of experienced hunters out there repeatedly killing elk and moose with 60# self bows and 600 grain arrows at 140 to 160 fps. Thats only 26 to 34 ft lbs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif



Exactly. But it is the times that you make a marginal hit that you need the higher energy.
 
The energy needed to kill various game chart is just a guide line I'm sure it's not fool proof.
I agree I'm not saying theres anything wrong with a good compound bow or a 60 lb recurve I love them been using them 24 years. For many years I shot a 60lb Fred Bear recurve with 150 grains broadheads and finger tabs and kisser button instead of a peep. 6mm asked our thoughs on crossbows as he was not going to be able use his anymore. I my gave him facts and my thoughts and did not down anybodys compounds or recurves. I didn't write down a bunch my opinions haven't never fired a crossbow. Now kinetic energy is kinetic energy and a 100 grain broadhead is a 100 broadhead I don't care if you fired it out of a slingshot as long as it going the same fps. Now I also agree that if you were shooting 200 grain arrow you would not have the energy you need at 30 yards to do the job but thats not the case I was just tring to show that the crossbow has as much or more kinetic energy then compounds and recurves and shoots almost the same weight ammo. If people would post facts it would be more helpful for the people asking questions and help them make an educated decision when they go to make purchase. I happen to like my crossbow and I didn't want 6mm to read all the opinions on how the bolts have no kinetic energy and not enough power to kill a bunny at point blank range and think that was true. Now if you are a fan of the draw and lock system then give him some facts and thoughs on it, I would never down it based on my opinion only if I had a fact I could prove in someway.
 
Last edited:
Well, I guess I'll never know until I try one (crossbow). I think my son is going to get one, a Parker I think. Hey, the Parker has that special place on the forum designed to keep thumbs out of the way. I certainly don't need to loose a thumb on the same arm that has the elbow problem.

I too started bowhunting with a recurve some 33 years ago with a 45# Fred Bear Kodiak Hunter bow (which I still have). I never got any deer with it, but used it for bowfishing.

I killed my first deer with a compound bow that I now consider pretty lame - but it did the job just fine. It was a PSE maxed out in pull weight to 56#. I used a very heavy 145 gr. Sattelite Supra broadhead that actually broke the deer's shoulder bone, penetrated and did the job. Man, that must have been one slow shooting arrow (I never chronographed it). Talking about antiquated equipment as compared to today's standards. The deer ran about 60 yards and piled up as I watched from my tree stand. Regardless of bow weight, arrow speed or heavy broadhead weight, the intended target was dead.

I really don't know about the energy of a crossbow vs. a compound, but I think (without experience) that a crossbow will do just fine for deer hunting at reasonable ranges. I am sure the crossbow has it's limitations just as a compound or recurve does or just as a muzzleloader does.

Also, I like the idea of being able to use a crossbow (at my choosing) without having it regulated to the point that it's silly. A crossbow is still a primitive weapon. It's nice that some of us have options to choose from. I hope that those of you who don't have that option will, in time, gain it. Isn't it good to be able to choose either a rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, recurve, compound or crossbow and possibly hunt with all in the same season!? Freedom of choice is a good thing. Virginia has finally come to it's senses and hopefully will gain some wisdom by allowing crossbows. Seems we in the Old Dominion are slow sometimes, but eventually things have a way of coming about.

Getting off subject just a little to make a point, I remember the time that we could not hunt squirrels or rabbits with a 22 caliber handgun in Virginia, yet it was perfectly legal to blow them to pieces with a 44 magnum. Where was the logic or reasoning? And, until just this year, we weren't allowed to call Bobcats with an electronic call. Crazy law. People were expected to let a Bobcat walk if one appeared while calling coyotes. Poor guy who had wanted a Bobcat for a trophy all of his life, only to have one appear while coyote hunting, and be required by law to let it go. And, it's not been long that we were not allowed to call Fox with an electronic. Now, we can, and we can also now use a crossbow. Maybe Virginia is beginning to come out of the dark ages a little bit.

I wish my elbow problem would just go away, because I really do like hunting with a compound. I think the most rewarding days I've ever had while hunting has been while bow hunting. But, thank goodness, I now have the option to use a crossbow instead of sitting home during archery season. Even if I didn't have this elbow problem, I would still have the option of using yet another primitive weapon and the opportunity to enjoy and experience something new and different.

I really appreciate everyone's response to my question and all the information and input. It's good and healthy to discuss these things and to hear different points of view. I'm sure we all have our opinions and thoughts about this or that, and it's good that we all have each other here on the forums to talk to and get advice and opinions from. Again, thanks to all of you and I wish everyone a very prosperous upcoming hunting season.

Good hunting and shooting to all.
 
Last edited:


Write your reply...
Back
Top