Crossbow vs A Compound Bow

Learning the Crossbow

The major difference between the compound bow and crossbow is the difference in the speed with which an archer or hunter can learn to shoot. The crossbow can be mastered in under an hour. The biggest difficulty is making sure the bow is cocked perfectly straight so the shot does not go off kilter. A few minutes spent talking with a bow dealer will provide all the shooter needs to know in terms of purchasing an arrow and a broadhead.

Learning the Compound Bow

Mastering the compound bow can take quite a bit more time than learning to fire the crossbow. Perhaps the hardest facet of this type of bowhunting is getting within 20 yards of the prey. With a crossbow, the shooter can be further away from the animal and still make an effective shot.

Shooting the Crossbow

One of the major complaints about shooting this bow is that the projectile fires off more like a gun and that it maintains a flat straight course instead of bowing or arching like other bows. However the compound bow also has about the same trajectory; more flat than arched.

The Kill

Crossbows behave like all other bows when it comes to taking down the target. The shot can be ruined just like the compound bow if the arrow deflects off of bone or hits some brush on the way to its target. In addition all bows kill by bleeding out the animal. There is no difference in the “how” of any bow.

The Weight of the Crossbow

Unlike the compound bow that has its weight distributed fairly evenly, this bow is heavy at the front of the weapon. As a result you cannot hold it in position at your shoulder ready to shoot for a very long time. After a minute or two your arms will start to tremor from the strain and you will be forced to lower your weapon.

Cold Weather Hunting

When hunting in frigid weather the advantage goes to the crossbow. It is very important to bundle up to prevent frostbite when hunting in the winter. However, so much clothing limits movement and the compound bow requires physical steps to cock, aim and shoot. In addition most compound bows work best while sitting up in tree, subject to the wind and cold. With a crossbow you can cock the weapon and prepare to fire. You can get down out of the tree and away from wind and hunt on the ground. When you see your target all that needs to be done is a quick aim and fire. There is no cocking of this weapon as it as already been done ahead of time.

Handicapped Hunting

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of the crossbow is the ability of those with physical ailments to hunt. The work perfectly for archers or hunters in wheelchairs as the vertical length of the bow is not an issue. In addition the cocking aids that can be purchased and attached to the bow to help get the weapon cocked and ready for firing. This type of bow is also advantageous for people with bad back, arthritis or neck injuries.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com.

The Perfect Crossbow Shot

When shooting at game with your crossbow, you want to be able to make the perfect shot. To do this you need the correct equipment that is effective in bringing down the target silently so as not to frighten the animal away. There are several accessories to look for to help you make the perfect shot.

Choosing the Correct Sighting

For hunters there are 3 main types of sights that can be used. These are the peep sight, scope and red dots.

Peep Sight

The peep sight is the cheapest and easiest of the three choices. This is the sight that is usually included when you purchase a crossbow. When the light is good, this type of sight works just as well as all the others. However you can only use light coming through the small hole in the aperture to set this sight. Needless to say in bad lighting this sight is almost worthless.

Red Dots

Red dots are great to use in all kinds of lighting. They provide an easy-to-see well lit spot for aiming and they weigh less than the heavier scope. In addition rain does not ruin their effectiveness. However, as they run on batteries, there is the chance of the batteries running out of power leaving you sightless. In addition red dots do not gather light.

Scopes

Scopes are the most popular selection of crossbow hunters. They gather light by using magnification so it is easier to see your target in dim lighting. Some scopes also come with crosshairs to make up for crossbow trajectory. Unfortunately their range of vision is limited. This can cause serious problems at close range. Do not use a scope that has more than a power of 4X or all you will see a piece of blurry fur. In addition a scope is heavy and will fog over in the rain.

Proper Projectiles for your crossbow

Now that you have your sight set consider the type of ammunition you are using. You want the edge of the projectile’s blade to enter your target effortlessly and cause maximum amount of damage for a quick kill. Therefore what really matters is how sharp the edge is.

A dull blade will not cause much damage. Instead of slicing blood vessels it will push them away. In addition a dull blade causes too much tissue damage resulting in a decrease in blood flow. This will cause your your blood trail to stop and you might not be able to find your kill.

Of all the blade heads to use the 3 bladed head is the most effective.

Keeping it Quiet

When a crossbow is shot in the woods it does make a sound and the deer does hear it. So the trick becomes not quieting the crossbow but getting the projectile to the deer before the deer can run from the sound. To do this, the arrow must be faster or the deer must be closer. In addition never shoot a deer when it is looking in your direction as light travels faster than sound and will react much faster. You are sure to miss the shot.

The best thing you can do is know the range where string jump becomes a problem and be sure to use the fastest arrow your crossbowcan safely handle.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com

Consistent Crossbow Shooting

One if the biggest problems crossbow hunters have is maintaining the shot again and again. The first shot might be perfect but the second and third shots are a bit off while the fourth shot was right on target. There are a few steps the archer needs to take to help maintain the perfect shot.

Practice, Practice, Practice

To begin, set up a bag target in a safe place during the summer months. Using 100-grain field tips practice shooting your crossbow at the target. If it seems the same arrow is to be shooting inconsistently over and over again then get rid of it. It is nice to know in this case that the fault is probably with the arrow and not with the shooter.

Using the Broadheads

A few weeks before hunting season begins replace your field tips with fixed-blade broadheads. Make sure these are the exact same broadheads you will use during hunting season. Check your sight on your crossbow, as it will probably need to be adjusted now that the broadheads have replaced the field tips. Shoot your crossbow into a broadhead target and keep adjusting the sight until your arrow is making a bull’s-eye. Then shoot all the arrows you plan on using during hunting season. You will probably find a few more arrows that do not fly straight. Try using another broadhead on them just to be positive. If the arrow is still veering off course discard it. When you have approximately eight arrows that hit the bull’s-eye every time your hunting quiver is now full. As a vital last step be sure to sharpen the broadhead blades. They must be razor sharp if they are going to kill effectively and cleanly.

Expandable Broadheads

If you use expandable broadheads keep in mind they tend to act more like field-tips. However, you should still shoot them into a broadhead target with your crossbow. This way you will ensure they are not causing your arrows to fly off course. You will also have to adjust your sight as well with the expandable broadheads as you would with the standard broadheads. Once again, when your sight has been adjusted so all your arrows are hitting the bull’s-eye, shoot them all one more time into the broadhead target to ensure straight and accurate flight.

Adding New Arrows

As hunting season progresses arrows will be lost hopefully as a result of a good kill. When adding new arrows to your quiver, test each as you did the previous group of arrows. Use the same broadhead target and crossbow and, after testing, be sure to re-sharpen the blades you decide to add to your quiver. Don’t assume a new arrow will fly straight and hit the target with precision. Always test all your new arrows with broadheads on a broadhead target. And, do not forget to sharpen the broadheads so they will cut like a scalpel after testing.

Follow these simple steps and you will find your crossbow shooting will be more and more consistent. And when you do make a bad shot you can be sure it was not a fault of the arrow but rather the fault of the crossbow shooter.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com

Tips on Crossbow Hunting

Dressing for the Hunt

Much of the crossbow hunter’s success in the field begins with the correct clothing. For example, if you are hunting whitetail deer you want to dress for the cold. Wear layered clothing. Begin with underwear that will wick moisture away from your body. This should be followed with a fleece layer that will keep you warm. Finally your outer camouflaged layer should be wind-proof and made of thinsulate. Be sure to try out your camo before purchasing, as some brands are too noisy when you move and should not be used for hunting.

Be sure to examine where all the snaps, zippers and buttons are on your outer clothing layer. If there are any metallic or wooden pieces on your chest or shoulder that might click when you hoist your crossbow to take aim this could end your hunting day.

Finally you want to choose both footwear and gloves that are designed to protect against frostbite. Make sure your boots are sturdy and made for hiking. Don’t forget to break your boots in before taking on that long hike or all you may bag is a bunch of blisters.

When choosing gloves be sure they do not make too much noise when rubbed together. Any abnormal sound in the woods will send those deer running away from you. Oh yes…don’t forget a hat. A simple baseball cap should be enough to keep you warm.

The Proper Equipment

It is only natural when you first begin crossbow hunting to want the biggest and best crossbow. However, don’t purchase more than you can handle. Cocking a crossbow can be a very strenuous act. Before purchasing the bow consider what you will be using it for. Most hunting shots are made at less than 25 yards. Any arrow shot at this distance is going to penetrate the target regardless of the size of the game. So instead of struggling painfully trying to get your crossbow cocked, find one that suits your strength and physique as well as your hunting needs.

Prepping Your Skills and Equipment for Hunting Season

As summer rolls in it is a good time to start thinking about hunting season. One of the biggest causes of a missed target is misjudging the distance of the target and the trajectory of the projectile. It is a very helpful to start honing these skills well before you start hunting.

Distance

Grab you laser rangefinder and take a walk in the woods. Pick a tree or rock or some other object and try to guess its distance. Verify your guess with the rangefinder. Repeat this exercise a few times a week. You will get better and better at determining distance.

Trajectory

It is also a good idea to get to know your crossbow trajectory. If you have a scope that marks off trajectory in ten-yard intervals then you are all set. Just guess and shoot. If you do not have this accessory you will have to guess the holdover at different distances. It is a good idea to simply write them on a card and attach the card to your crossbow. For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com.

The History Of The Crossbow - back in time...

History does not exactly tell us where and when the crossbow made its way into our civilization. However there is clear evidence this weapon was used during wartime as early as the end of the 4^th century B.C. The first evidence of its use can be found with the Greeks followed by the Eurpoeans. China was also using this weapon as early as the 5^th century B.C.

The Greeks

In the Greek world the crossbow emerged during the 5^th century as a much larger version of the crossbow. It was called the gastraphetes or “belly-bow” because it was built to placed against the stomach of the archer. The manner of loading this bow resulted in more stored energy than the standard bows that were currently being used.

The gastraphetes ws improved upon. This led to the introduction of the ballista. Its use in war and against the enemies infantry resulted in very powerful bolts and larger ballistae. There was a smaller version of this crossbow called the Scorpio. This was used by snipers.

The Use of the Crossbow in Europe

Crossbows were evident in Europe during the battle of Hastings around 1500 AD. As a matter of fact, they replaced the standard longbow as the primary archer’s weapon because their use could be learned in about a week vs. the longbow which could take years to master. In addition, the crossbow released a faster and deadlier bolt than the standard bow’s arrow. It was also the favored weapon of the peasants.

Asia and the Crossbow

The first indication of crossbows in China comes from documents dated the 4^th century BC. These scripts state followers of Mozi used a crossbow catapult in the 6^th-5^th century BC. In the well known book The Art of War written by Sun Tzu, there is a description of the crossbow and its uses between 500-300 B.C..

Islam and the Crossbow

The Islamic armies adopted the use of this bow after first seeing and experiencing its effect first hand during the crusades. Muslims preferred the footstrap version of this bow during the wars in Spain.

From the Saracens, the Crusaders discovered a composite bow that had layers of different material glued together to increase the strength of the bow. The Eurpoeans adopted this idea for crossbow prods.

America and Africa

Crossbows in Africa were used for hunting and as scout weapons. Africans captured by slavers brought the knowledge of this weapon with them to America. The crossbow became popular in the south and was used extensively for hunting. The Inuit of North America also used lighter versions of the bow for hunting.

The Use of Crossbows in Modern Day

In today’s world the crossbow is used mostly for target shooting. There are still societies however that use it for hunting including Australia, Africa and America. The smaller crossbows are used for harmless blubber extraction in whales. And there are some special forces in the military who use this weapon instead of the noiser firearms.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com.

How a Crossbow Works - Educational Post

The crossbow is a combination of an archery bow and a rifle. The standard archer’s bow it uses a string to launch ammunition. However, like a rifle, it has a trigger that releases the string.

Advantages of a Crossbow

The nice feature of the crossbow when compared to other bows is there is less physical strength needed to draw the bow as compared to a traditional bow. The crossbow user can draw the string, cock it, and leave the string while taking aim. More traditional bows require the archer to hold the bow at full draw while aiming. In addition, to draw a crossbow requires the use of the archer’s buttock and thigh muscles. These muscles are much stronger than the arm and chest muscles required of a standard bow user.

Crossbow Physics

The crossbow of today is made of strong lightweight materials. The bow is simply a spring. If you compress a spring or pull a spring from either end it stores potential energy that is released as kinetic energy when the spring is released and returns to its normal shape.

The same thing happens to a crossbow. When you draw the bow, the limbs or tips move closer to the archer. When the string is let go the bow returns to its standard shape. The movement of the bow back to its original shape is what launches the projectile.

Energy Stored

The amount of energy in a bow depends on its draw weight and draw length. The draw weight is the strength needed to pull the bowstring back. The draw length is the distance between the string at rest and the string fully pulled back. A bow can hold energy equal to the draw weight times the draw length divided by two. In other words, the power of a bow depends on how much strength it takes to pull back the string of the bow and how far back you can pull it. Bow makers express this strength in terms of the bow’s energy measured in joules and the arrow’s speed in feet per second.

Factors that affect the draw weight and draw length

The size of the bow can change a bow’s power. A longbow is more powerful than a short bow. The shape of the bow affects speed of the projectile. For example, recurve bows have bows that curve away from the archer and this shortens the bracing height. As a result extra momentum is forced onto the projectile. The composition of the bow can also affect is power. A bow’s tensile strength and density determine not only the amount of energy it holds but also how quickly and exactly it can return to its original shape. Today’s bows use different materials in different parts of the bow to better serve that particular part or function of the part.

As you can see the crossbow works like a spring. As the spring is compressed, or the bowstring drawn back energy get stored as potential energy. When the trigger of the crossbow is released, like the spring, the crossbow will return to its original resting state dispensing the potential energy it stored as kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is responsible for launching the ammunition at high velocity.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com.

Everything you need to know about Crossbows!

A crossbow is a weapon primarily used by hunters. It consists of a bow placed on a stock. The purpose of the crossbow is to shoot projectiles, called bolts, at a target. There is a mechanism in the stock of the crossbow that holds the bow fully drawn. The bow is realized by pressing a trigger. In the past, the crossbow was used not only for hunting but also as a weapon in open warfare.

Crossbow Structure

The bow of the crossbow is fixed to a stick called the stock or tiller. There is a mechanism that holds the bowstring in the drawn position. The bow is also called the prod or lath and is usually made of a single piece of wood. It is very short compared to a standard bow. As a result the draw length of a crossbow is also very short. Consequently a higher draw weight is necessary to store sufficient energy to launch the projectile effectively.

Types of Crossbows

Crossbows are classified according to the acceleration system, size, energy, degree of automation and projectiles.

Straight Bow

The straight and bent prods are the simplest of the acceleration systems. These were the earliest developed of the crossbows.

Recurve Bow

The recurve crossbow is made with tips that curve away from the person firing the bow. This results in a longer draw length and better acceleration of the projectile. These bows do put more strain on the bow material and are a bit noisier when fired.

Multiple Bow

This bow has a singular manner of pulling the string using several bows. It is similar to a compound bow. Many bows are used in combination with a tackle system. This results in a faster string speed due to the effect of many bows working at once.

Compound Crossbow

With a compound crossbow the extremities are stiffer than a recurve bow resulting in more energy efficiency. However, because the limbs are too stiff to draw using a string directly attached to them, the bow has the string attached to pulleys with cables. Drawing the string causes the pulleys to rotate, which pulls the cables that bend the limbs thus storing energy. This system allows for a let-off thus lowering the full draw weight.

Ammunition

The projectiles that shoot from a crossbow are called bolts. Obviously they are shorter than arrows but can be heavier. Each variation bow has an ideal bolt weight to achieve maximum kinetic energy. The bolts usually have 3 fletches such as are seen on arrows. The bolts can attach to many difference heads depending on the use of the bow. The most common bolt is the four-sided quarrel.

Attachments for the Crossbow

Crossbows contain sights such as red dot sights or telescopic sights. They may also have multiple crosshairs due to gravitational effects over multiple distances.

Crossbows can also have quivers attached to them. Made of plastic, they hold the bolt along the side of the weapon.

Silencers can also be attached to crossbows that are rather noisy when shot. These silencers are attached to parts of the bow that vibrate quickly causing noise.

Crossbow in Modern Times

The crossbow of today is used mostly for target shooting. Hunters still use this weapon throughout the world. The crossbow, used with special projectiles, enables whale researchers to take blubber samples without harm to the whale. In the military the Special Forces use these weapons, some tipped with cyanide, in place of a loud gun.

For more great information on archery and bows, make sure to check out http://www.eaglearchery.com.