Monday, August 13, 2012

A Beginners Hunting Crossbow Guide

By Landon Porter


As with most products in this day and age, there is a huge variety in brands, pricing, and quality of hunting crossbow. Choosing one that's right for you can seem a little like finding a needle in a haystack. If you're buying your first one, it's more like finding a needle in a haystack when you're not sure exactly what a "needle" is.

Luckily, the basic design of any of them is very similar, regardless of price or brand. Their lightweight, compact design and quiet design make them quite popular. They are even easy to learn to use, and require less time spent in practice during the off-season.

Even the cheapest ones you can find will kill a deer, as you only need about 20 foot pounds to do so. Low-end bows generally fire at 280 feet per second or below, while higher-end models can fire bolts (arrows) at speeds in excess of 400 fps. Take the size of the game you're hunting into consideration. The forest did nothing wrong, there's no need to shoot through the deer at it!

Even if you do opt for a low purchase price in the weapon itself, it will be a good idea to spend a little more on bolts with weight forward technology, which helps to boost your firing speed and make for a flatter shot, rather than cheap bolts with a light weight. Manufacturers usually recommend a minimum grain for their products. Anything under this can and will result in either a misfire or damage to the crossbow, so it's recommended that you follow their guidelines.

As a safety precaution, anti dry firing mechanisms should be high priority for you. They prevent you from pulling the trigger with an unloaded bow, which can leave you with a cracked limb. This generally means a snapped string, which can cut your face and arms.

Though they're becoming less common, there are still bows around that require you to hand cock them. Not only is it hard to hand cock, it can leave you with an uneven limb load, skewing your shot. Pull ropes and cranks are more commonly used, especially in mid to high priced models.

Now that you know the basics of what to look for, you can start your search. A good hunting crossbow is an investment that will last you season after season with proper care. Happy hunting!




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