OK Guys, School me on crossbows

[Rottweiler]

After 2 months the doc has finally let my right arm out of the sling. I still have a buncha therapy to go through. I asked him if he thought I'd be able to draw my bow NEXT season knowing this year wasn't going to happen. His reply was "Just sell the bow, You won't be using it anymore. I'll write you an exemption."

Stopped by Bass Pro to look at crossbows on the way home. The "salespeople" weren't much help. Gave me their archery catalog to look over. Not much help there either.

How much is the same between my bow and a crossbow? What am I looking for in a crossbow? How quiet are they compared to my bow?

Right now the only thing I know for sure is I'm going to need one with the winch-looking thing to draw it. Beyond that I'm lost. Advice please

[skeet]

Contrary to what all the "Bow" people say a crossbow is still just that..a bow..not any more accurate..maybe a bit easier to shoot than a recurve and still limits the yardage you can hit at to the amount of practice.. I have a crossbow with the crank..It is a noisey contraption but it do keep you in the woods ahuntin. Surprisingly the darn things have a bit of recoil just to let ya know the little things most don't or won't tell ya. Tore my Father in laws shoulder up as he was on Coumadin(rat poison) He shot a couple of deer with his even if they were not in season..he was pretty old so didn't think they'd lock him up even if they did catch him.. It was a good shootin contraption and limited to approx 40 yds for me..FIL kept it to 25-30. Louder to shoot than a recurve..marginally so to a compound. Get one..it'll keep ya huntin..The big letoff compound shooters surely shouldn't sneer at it.

[bigbrother]

What Skeet says is true, get one and keep on hunting. I think what you'll see is very similar to shopping for a compound. You get what you pay for to a certain point only. Crossbows vary from relatively expensive to HOLY SH*#! Typically, to get the speed with a reasonably quiet shot you have to pay more money. Most of them will shoot a little over 300fps so trajectory is going to be very similar to what your normal bow shot. You can get one that will shoot into the mid to upper 300's but they are considerably more money. They will be heavier than your normal bow and you'll probably find them awkward to carry at first. If you're stand hunting, it won't be a big deal. As far as draw weights, I wouldn't bother with getting a super heavy draw as anything like 150 will still shoot over 300. Shooting of course is all together differnent. If you can get to a pro shop where they will let you shoot a couple, pay attention to the trigger. Just like a rifle, the trigger is what will affect your shot the most. Other than that, get a stand with a rail and your pin will settle where it needs to and not move, just like shooting a rifle.

One big thing to remember is the further the distance the longer flight time of the arrow and more time the deer has to jump the string. As you're already a bow hunter you know all about that but you won't be able to get a crossbow that's anywhere near as quiet as some of the new compounds. So while they are amazingly accurate and quite capable of hitting deer at long distances, you still have to fight the noise and time of flight. Good luck and have fun!

[Rottweiler]

Thanks Guys. I'm still looking over all the models in the catalog and online. It took me over 6 months to narrow down to the bow I use(d). I expect this will take as long as that did.

The only 2 archery shops close to me, that I know of, look down their noses at you when you mention the "c" word. Know of any crossbow friendly archery shops in central Texas?

[Larryjk]

That nasty "c" word is tied in with the snobbery of archery. If you shoot a crossbow, you are looked down on. My son was practicing on the local archery range (a municipal facility) and another fellow showed up. When he saw my son was using a crossbow, he put his "pulley machine" back in his vehicle and departed. My son asked me if he ran the guy off. I said "No. He ran himself off". If you take (as in kill) what would be a Pope and Young record animal, they are not considered when you use a crossbow. (My son did that to a very nice 6 point bull elk and proudly hangs his crossbow in the rack.) He likes the crossbow because his family time is very limited due to a long commute each day and he doesn't have to practice with the crossbow every day to stay proficient.

[gd357]

Just a couple insights.

I've been using crossbows for a LONG time, and here are a few things you should probably consider.

1. Lightweight crossbows are noisier than heavier bows. Felt recoil is much worse as well.

2. This is a matter of opinion, but I'd avoid split limb crossbows (heavier draw weight, more stress on limbs...)

3. The new reverse limb bows (Horton, Scorpyd, etc) are very quiet, but have a special cocking rope. Don't know if you can use a crank.

4. Just as in compounds, don't get too caught up in speed. 300 fps is plenty.

As with everything else, try out as many as possible. Find one that feels right to you.

gd

[skeeter@ccia.com]

First time I tried the hand crank on a second shot it clicked as if I had a hammer on a garbage can. (thought wasted $160) When shooting targets, works fine but the string cocker works fine in the woods. What I did in case you do need a hand crank was hold in on the release button. It turns off the clicker but hang on to the crank as it can unwind on you and the clicker is what stops this. Remember when they snubbed those that used the compound? Is way of land now. By all means use xbow and be happy. I shoot a Horton Hunter XS 200lb (ordered before mold on the press) but have shot the 175lb and don't see much difference there so in my opinion, I would stick with the 175lb. 20" arrow. I tried the mechanical broadheads in mine and had 2 shoot in/out and never had time to open. Hole like a field point. Rage might be a good choice there. I now use Muzzy 4 blade because they fly nicer than the 3 blade in my bow. Noise is a big factor. 20yds or less, in and out before they know it. At 30yds, had string jump and over shot. I will not attempt a shot beyond 30 because of that. Just me maybe. I also once on range using hand crank, shot, went to wind again and crank not work. The clip inside let go and gears came apart. I was just lucky I wasn't at 1/2 draw when it let go. Also a good thing to do prior to cocking it is use a marker pen and on both sides of the rail, mark the string. I do pull mine lots by hand and it is very easy to get the string not center on the rail and will toss arrow to the side. Auto cockers self align string so not a problem but I solved lots of problems by showing this little trick to people and you would be amazed how far off they can lock the string. Just have to move it to center.