Crossbows

The 185 Pound Tactical Compound Bow by Southland Archery Supply (SAS) is also known as the Torpedo model. This crossbow is reasonably priced between $399.00 and $449.00, so it is a good investment of the new archer as well as the skilled looking for a new bow to invest in or a new unit to add to one’s crossbow collection. The SAS 185 Pound Tactical Compound Crossbow’s design is sleek and clean. The exterior of the bow is jet black, and you get an ultra powerful bow for the price. The speed of this crossbow is 335 blistering feet per second, and the bow’s kinetic energy production is 102 ft-lbs. Great for target practice, competitions, or hunting, the Torpedo is a coveted crossbow among archers today.

An investment in the SAS 185 Pound Tactical Compound Bow means you get the crossbow, four aluminum bolts, a rope cocking device, protective glasses, rail lube, a 4×32 Scope, and a quiver. The draw weight of the bow is 185 pounds. The bow features a Picatinny rail that is positioned at the front of the bow for bipod or foregrip. An anti-dry-firing system protects you from firing the bow without a bolt in place and damaging your equipment or injuring yourself. The bow has a five position adjustable foregrip to ensure comfort and safe use. The stock is an AR-style Extensible Tactical Stock.

Design

The SAS 185 lb Tactical Bow is one that features a light design. The bow weighs about 9.15 pounds, so it is heavier than some crossbows on the market, but not excessively so. The width of the bow is 24.25 inches and the length of the bow is 36.5 inches without the stirrup connected, and 40 inches with the stirrup attached. The power stroke of this crossbow is 14 inches. The bow is sold with an embroidered front sling quiver. Some archers may find the front sling quiver desirable while others may prefer a different style quiver to ensure ease of bolt access. The downside to the bow’s design is that it is only available in black and this may disappoint the hunter that prefers camouflage.

Accuracy

The SAS 185 lb Tactical Crossbow is impressive in terms of its speed and accuracy. The bow is sold with a 4×32 illuminated reticle scope to ensure the greatest visibility of the target. The illumination makes the bow perfect for hunts during pre-dawn and dusk hours. The scope features a red/green illumination feature, and it is fitted with flip covers to ensure clean lenses and the best visibility at all time from protected lenses.

Noise

As a crossbow, this model is somewhat noisy when you fire a shot off. Even in the face of the bow’s superior design, when the bolt releases from the rail on the bow, a sound occurs that could otherwise hinder your hunt. You will need to invest in silencers and dampeners to ensure the bow is as quiet as possible if you plan on using it to hunt live prey. Otherwise, the use of the bow may alert the target to your presence. It’s better to prepare in advance and get some accessories to quiet the bow’s action down. In lieu of silencers and dampeners, the bow is a better option for a shooter more accurate. When noise occurs, an accurate shooter has a greater chance of getting the prey down with one shot.

Safety

The fact that the manufacturer sells the SAS 185 Pound Tactical Compound Crossbow is a testament to their concern for the archer’s safety. The anti-dry-firing feature keeps you protected from potential injury. The foregrip with its adjustable positioning ensures maximum comfort and therefore safety due to a better grip of the device.

Warranty

The SAS 185 Pound Crossbow comes with a full three year warranty with purchase. The warranty will cover damaged products, replacement of parts, and repair of any defective parts. The warranty is hassle free.


Conclusion

The SAS 185 Pound Tactical Crossbow is a great buy in terms of price. You get enough power to hunt small game, and the bow is durable in terms of construction so you can count on the longevity of the model. With adequate care, the bow will last for years to come. If you are looking for a quiet bow, you’ll find that this bow has little vibration, but it will still need the help of a few accessories to make it as quiet as it can be so it is appropriate for the hunt. A unit great fort practice or hunting, The SAS 185 Pound Tactical Crossbow is a good choice for neophyte and skilled archers alike.

The Barnett Jackal is a compound crossbow of superior quality. For starters, the model features a mid-level price range between $255.00 and $399.00, thereby making the unit affordable. Despite its mid-level pricing, the Jackal still hosts some high-end features, which means you get more for your initial investment. When you purchase the Barnett Jackal, you not only get the high-quality bow, you also get bolts, a quick-detach quiver, and a premium red dot sight.

The Barnett Jackal was released a year after the Barnett Brotherhood: It became available on the market in 2011. The ADF MIM trigger has a 3.5-pound pull, and the bow’s design ensures a comfortable grip and hand positioning. The Jackal also hosts a Picatinny Weaver Rail, an AVi Foot Stirrup, and an AVi Bolt Retainer. The foot stirrup is fitted with anti-vibration features. Along with the ability to shoot an arrow at excellent speeds, this bow is light enough to easily transport to your favorite hunting spot: The Jackal weighs 7 pounds. The bow is 26.5 inches wide from Axle to Axle and 32.5 inches long. It has a 12-inch power stroke. To ensure greater shot accuracy and precision, the Barnett Jackal is fitted with a 28mm Single Red Dot Scope.

The best size bolts to use with the Barnett Jackal measure 18 to 20 inches. In order to ensure the longevity of the bow, it is best to keep the bow in a climate controlled area when not in use. The bowstring needs to be waxed after every ten shots with the bow. When you buy the Jackal, it comes with a three arrow capacity quiver and three headhunter arrows.

Design

The Jackal is crafted with a durable stock, one that’s military style and camo covered. The camouflage exterior makes the Jackal excellent for blending into the natural surroundings during a hunt. The bow hosts a synthetic bowstring and durable cable system as well as compact Quad Limb high energy wheels: both of which contribute to the high speed and power this bow can deliver. The draw weight on the bow is 150 pounds, and an arrow shot from the jackal will travel 315 feet per second. The Barnett Jackal is sold with a user’s manual. The amount of energy the bow produces equals 95 ft lbs. The Jackal features a pass-through foregrip and finger reminders, a durable Crosswire® bowstring with patented fibers, and a strong aluminum riser.

Safety

The bow has anti-dry-firing features to protect you against making an accidental shot that might otherwise result in injury or equipment damage. The comfortable grip and design make the bow easy to hold and aim.

Power

The kinetic energy the bow produces is enough for you to hunt and conduct a quick, humane, and ethical kill. The bow is excellent for hunting elk, bear, and small game as well as moose and deer. The bow proves accurate and powerful enough to take out a moose at 40 yards.

Ease of Assembly

When the bow arrives, it comes with all the screws, bolts, and hex keys you need to maintain the bow and make adjustments. A full instruction manual will guide you through the steps you need to use the bow and to ensure its proper care. Overall, the assembly of the bow should not take longer than ten minutes. The installation instructions will guide you on how to connect quiver bracket to the bow’s stock, and how to connect the cams/limbs, cables, and string. The foot stirrup also needs to be attached to the bow set up, and when that’s complete, the red dot scope gets attached.

Noise Level

This compound bow is noisy, so you may want to invest in some dampeners and silencers. This is particularly true if you plan to use the bow to hunt. While the bow does absorb some noise, it may not be enough to keep the prey from being alerted of your presence once you fire a bolt. The bow does feature some anti-vibration technology in the foot stirrup and bolt retainer, but dampeners and silencers may improve the noise control to a greater degree.

Warranty

The Jackal comes with a five-year warranty on the device. The warranty is limited, covering the parts of the bow, but not covering the string, arrows, or cables. The limb assembly, trigger mechanism, and the crossbow stock is covered, provided you do not make any modifications to the bow.

Conclusion

At its best, the Barnett Jackal offers an archer a bow with an innovative, durable, sleek design, ensuring maximum comfort when in use. . The bow is crafted by hunters with the needs of the hunter in mind. If you are new to archery and you want a powerful bow at a very affordable price, look no further than the Barnett Jackal. Unquestionably, this compound crossbow has a price tag that gives you the best value possible. The bow is perfect for hunting legal game or you can use it for target shooting. When you invest in the Jackal package, you get all you need to use the bow immediately.

If you are in the market for a brand new crossbow, the Barnett Brotherhood Crossbow package will provide you with a lightweight bow perfect for delivering that ethical kill when hunting all types of legal game. The unit comes complete with a 4×32 multi-reticule scope, magnesium STR Riser, and a CNC machined 7/8 inch Picatinny Rail. The ultra light composite stock hosts a HD camouflage finished exterior. The package comes with three 20-inch arrows. The crossbow also comes complete with a quiver with a three-arrow capacity.

The Barnett Brotherhood hosts an anti-dry fire trigger which helps to prevent you from an accidental firing of the bow without an arrow. The bow is fitted with anti-vibration isolation technology to help in minimizing the amount of noise the bow produces. The kinetic energy of the bow is 109 ft-lbs, and the draw weight is 160 pounds. The bow has a speed of 350 feet per second, and a 13.5-inch power stroke. With this kind of power, you can expect full penetration of a target at 50 yards, and 75 percent penetration of a target at 100 yards.

Axle to axle the bow measures 19 inches. The Barnett Brotherhood weighs 7 pounds. It is 21 inches wide and 35.75 inches in length. This model has proven quite popular since its release in 2014. The bow is one of Barnett’s premier models featuring adequate power and a light, well-balanced design. What’s great about the Brotherhood crossbow is that it offers the power of a much higher end crossbow, at a far more affordable price.

Barnett has constructed the Brotherhood with a durable bowstring. The Crosswire® bowstring is reliable, strong, and made with patented fibers. A significant amount of power is easily generated through the bow’s frame while ensuring slip remains minimal.

Ease of Assembly

The crossbow comes with the tools and hardware required for complete assembly, and putting everything together proves rather easy. The Barnett Brotherhood is sold with an owner’s guide giving you concise instructions on how to put everything together. The bow’s riser must be attached to the included stock. The two pieces are then connected to the foot stirrup. The scope and quiver will have to be mounted: Once this is done, the bow will be ready for use.

Speed and Kinetic Energy

When you use the Brotherhood crossbow, you will be shooting an arrow traveling at 350 feet per second (fps) and the kinetic energy behind the arrow will be 109 ft-lbs: This means you’ve got so much power the arrow could run through thorough an engine block. You are assured fast and full penetration of prey at 50 yards.

Noise Level

One of the disadvantages associated with the Barnett Brotherhood crossbow package is that this particular crossbow proves a bit noisier than other models. This is, unfortunately, the case even in light of the fact that the bow is fitted with anti-vibration isolation technology. Thus, it is not necessarily the best choice for the neophyte hunter or for a person who needs to work on shot accuracy. While it is a powerful choice for hunting, it’s not a terrific crossbow for repeat firing as the extra noise may alert prey of the hunter’s presence. You’ll need to be ready to install vibration dampeners and string silencers.

Crossbow Accuracy

The Barnett Brotherhood is a remarkably accurate compound bow. The inclusion of a reticle scope increases the accuracy this bow delivers. The only feature the scope lacks is illumination; nevertheless, it is suitable for hunting in the pre-dawn hours. It will supply you with a crisp, clean, clear image of your target with plenty of contrast in a variety of lighting situations.

Safety

The Barnett Brotherhood is a bow with a solid design. The magnesium STR riser ensures a durable bow body, as does the light composite stock. The machined rail is perfectly straight. The bow’s anti-dry fire features increase the safety level of this model. The trigger is ideal for this type of bow, as it can withstand more pressure and remains solid to the user’s touch. The trigger pull is equal to 3.5 pounds. Finally, the bow is crafted with a finger guide: This feature keeps your fingers out of the bow’s firing mechanism.

Product Warranty

Every crossbow that Barnett creates has a five-year limited warranty that comes with the model. The warranty includes coverage of the limb assembly, bow trigger mechanism, and the stock. Arrows, cables, and strings are not covered, but the warranty covers bow parts, the labor for repair, and the cost of transport or shipping to the customer. Dry firing damage, bow modifications, or lack of normal maintenance will void the warranty.

Conclusion

The Brotherhood crossbow is an exceptional model for hunting or target practice. The affordability of the model, along with the power, speed, and durable design make it worthwhile investment. If you plan on buying the Barnett Brotherhood, consider an investment in some dampeners and silencers so you can make the bow as quiet as possible when you use it for hunting. All in all, the Barnett Brotherhood ranks among the best crossbows on the market today.

Crossbow scopes are a must-have accessory for the individual participating in archery, whether one is on an archery range or hunting live game. Scopes are used for the purposes of magnification of the target: It makes for easy visualization of the shot the archer plans to make with a crossbow. Scopes lend to the accuracy of one’s shot and can, therefore, contribute to ethical, quick kills where the animal does not suffer. Sometimes referred to as sights, there are many models to choose from, all with unique designs and features. It is imperative that an archer get a crossbow scope that fits the bow properly and that serves the specific needs of the archer.

Scope Fundamentals

The basic design of a scope is that it features a long black tube. At one end of the black tube is an eyepiece fitted with an ocular lens. Moving beyond the eyepiece toward the opposing end of the sight in question, if the archer has invested in a model with zoom functions, one will find a power ring for adjusting the zoom of the sight. In the middle of the scope body, there is an elevation adjustment and windage adjustment tool. At the end of the scope, you will find an objective bell, where the body of the scope becomes a bit wider and almost bell shaped. The objective bell houses the second lens in the unit: The objective lens. The scope is mounted to the body of the crossbow above the trigger. An archer can choose from three main types of scopes including the red dot sight, reticule scope, and laser scopes.

Red Dot Sight vs Reticule Scope

The red dot sight is so called because the scope produces a red dot the archer can see and which the archer uses to aim at the target. Sometimes the dot is green instead of red. Some red dot sights come equipped with single style distance settings, but there are also more advanced multi-dot scopes allowing the archer to set several distances. Often times the red dot scope allows you to adjust the scope setting so the illuminated dot is either darker or brighter, depending upon preference.

Reticule Scope is a unit that has crosshairs that break up the lens view into four quarters. This type of scope is one of the oldest used and the most common. The crosshairs in the reticule scope might be etched into the lens, wired in, or even illuminated.

Alternative Sights

A laser sight is an alternative type of scope most ideal for when you are aiming at a target in motion. The laser helps the archer predict where the arrow will likely strike the selected target. A laser sight can be attached to the underside of an archer’s crossbow or in some cases the accessory is attached to the upper portion of the scope. If the archer is using the laser sight along with a quality scope, it serves as a good tool for determining midrange targets with incredible accuracy. As an alternative, some bows are fitted with iron sights: These sites are the most basic and are crafted of durable metal materials. With the crossbow, there will be two sights on the equipment. One of the sights is located in the crossbow’s front and it is either a post, bead, ring. Another iron sight is on the back of the bow and it is situated perpendicular to the crossbow’s line of sight. In some cases, iron sights have features allowing for adjustments of the elevation and the windage.

Scope Mounts: Your Options

The scope you choose has to be mounted to the bow’s structure. There are a few options when it comes to selecting a mount for your scope, including dovetail, Picatinny, and weaver rails. Crossbow scope rings are typically manufactured out of steel or aluminum. When selecting the ideal scope for your archery needs, you will need to consider what the scope contributes to accuracy, size, and range.

For the most part, archers look for scopes that increase range so they have an easier time in striking their selected targets. If you are using your scope for hunting purposes and your prey is small game, you will need a scope that features a short to mid-range distance. The scope needs to fit tightly onto the scope mount and it should be lightweight, but durable. If the scope is too heavy, such as a variable scope, it can end up hindering one’s ability to hunt instead of improving the hunt.

Dovetail Rail

The Dovetail Rail looks a lot like the Picatinny Rail in that there is a set of grooves running parallel that end up clamping on a set of tiny ribs raised right in the scope base’s middle section. The Dovetail rail mounts are the oldest mounts in use and are sometimes called Redfield Style or Leupold Style due to a 1931 patent on the mount’s design.

Picatinny Rail

A Picatinny rail will elevate the scope about 1/2 inch above the crossbow body, it is therefore most ideal when you are using a red dot scope. The word Picatinny originates from the original place of origin where the system was designed, at the New Jersey-based Picatinny Arsenal.

Weaver Rail

With the Weaver Rail, this type of mount will clamp to scopes’ beveled outer edge. The Weaver Rail is considered sturdier than alternative mounts like the Picatinny and the Dovetail rails.

Recommended Products

TacFire®1×30 Red Dot Sight for Crossbows

The TacFire® Red Dot Scope features a 30mm tube and measures about four inches long. The unit is light as it weighs eight ounces. The exterior color of the unit is black and the scope is crafted out of durable, aircraft grade anodized aluminum materials. The housing of the scope is shock resistant to ensure the longevity of the unit. The scope has a magnification of 1X, and the lens color on the scope is a rich ruby red. Specifically designed for use with the crossbow, the TacFire® 1X30 scope has dual illuminated green and red and for fast target acquisition, it offers unlimited eye relief. This scope is ideal for recreational crossbow and archery endeavors and hosts an integrated Picatinny/weaver base scope mount. The price is affordable as well. This model is fitted with two flip up lens covers to keep the lenses protected when the scope is not in use.

4×32 Multi Reticle Scope by SA Sports

The 4×32 Reticle Scope by SA Sports features the classic black reticle setup and multiple sight points. The scope is sold with dust covers to keep the lenses protected when the scope is not in use. The unit also comes with an Allen hex key, a cloth for cleaning the scope lenses, and weaver style rings. The most common sighting positions used with this scope might include settings at 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards. The unit requires one lithium ion battery to operate.

Hammers 4X32 Illuminated Scope

The Hammers scope comes with Weaver Rings. The unit has a compact design, it is lightweight and lends a snug fit when attached to the crossbow. The Hammers scope has a 4X magnification, and a multi-line reticule that is illuminated so there are several yardages you can set. The Hammers 4X32 Scope features a quick focus ring located where the end of the eyepiece is, and you can adjust the elevation and windage with your fingertip. The scope is crafted out of aircraft quality aluminum and features a non-reflective anodized finish. This model is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.

Whether you refer to the shaft of your crossbow projectile as an arrow or a bolt, both references are correct. Remember, however, the word bolt applies to projectiles for use with a crossbow and the term cannot describe projectiles that work with a recurve bow. Before examining what features you should seek in the crossbow bolts you buy, it is necessary to examine the different parts of the bolt: Doing so will help you assess the features of existing bolts on the market with a clear understanding of arrow structure.

Bolt Anatomy

The shaft of the bolt is the primary structure of your crossbow’s projectile. All other parts of the bolt connect to the shaft. The bolt’s shaft is often made of carbon or aluminum material or a mix of both. You’ll find the latter materials ideal because they prove safer than other materials: Aluminum and carbon resist undesirable bending, do not splinter, and the material is light enough to help make the bolt aerodynamic.

Spine, Weight & Length

The spine of a crossbow’s bolt is also known as the bolt’s stiffness. Every bolt spine varies in terms of the degree of the shaft’s stiffness. The weight of the bolt(s) you use with your crossbow plays a major role in how you will have to sight in the bow when you are tuning it and the accuracy of your shot. The term grain is used to reference the bolt’s weight. When you buy bolts, the weight of the bolts might be referred to as grains per inch/GPI/total grains. If you do not have the total weight and you know grains per inch, you can multiply the number by the length of the bolt’s shaft. For instance, if you have a shaft length of 22 and the GPI is 15, the total weight is 330 grains. If you prefer working with grams, multiply the total grains by 0.0648.

Bolt Nocks

The bolt will have three plastic fletchings at the end of the shaft where the nock is attached. These same fletchings are vanes and are a necessary part of the bolt because it aids in the flight of the arrow once the projectile is released. Fletchings cause the bolt to spin on its axis and increase the strength and stability of the arrow during flight. The length of the fletching on a bolt differs, and, the longer the bolt is, the longer the length of each fletching is as well. Please note, the fletchings made of feathers are not used for bolts.

The nock is at the end of the bolt’s shaft. It is manufactured out of aluminum or plastic materials. There are two chief nock styles: Flat and half-moon styles. Some nocks are lighted for ease of seeing in the dark. You should base the style nock you choose on your preference. Newer nocks are available, such as the Omni nock, which features a half-moon design, but still allows you to align the arrow from any position you desire. Another type of nock is the capture nock: It has a deeper half-moon embedded region so it encompasses more of the bowstring. Finally, there is even a full containment style nock. Much like the nocks one would find on a traditional bow, the full containment nocks encase the string as it snaps onto it.

Bolt Heads

There are different bolt heads, each of which is ideal in specific situations or for specific uses. The types of points include target points and broadheads, with the latter breaking down into three types of broadheads. Let’s examine the features of each:

Target Points

Target points, sometimes called field points, are used for when you are practicing with a target. The points are not meant for piercing through the flesh of an animal, so there is nothing sharp on the target points. The tips on target points is rounded just enough to penetrate a target with ease. If you want the best bolts for your crossbow, you’ll want to get the bolts that allow you to screw in the target points rather than buying the bolts that have cheap points glued to the top end of the arrow.

When you purchase bolt heads for your bolts, make sure you buy the same heads recommended by the product manufacturer. Target points weigh anywhere from 125 to 150 grains. The weight should match the weights of the points sold with the crossbow initially or slightly heavier. Using target points that are too light can damage to your equipment or result in potential injury.

Broadheads

Broadheads are razor-sharp, pointed heads available as fix blade, removable blade, and expandable/mechanical blade styles. The heads weigh between 125 and 150 grains, and are sold in a pack of three to six heads. These arrow tips are needed for when you are hunting prey. Tips screw into the bolt shaft’s tip. The arrow tips are often crafted with vents to ensure a minimal surface on the broadhead leading to greater aerodynamic properties. The broadheads you decide to use are your choice (provided they are legal in your state). Fixed blade arrowheads have razor-sharp, permanent blades that are non-removable. The fixed blades are strong, feature a simple design, and are crafted out of steel.

The arrowhead is a single screw in piece. In contrast, removable-blade arrows have razor-sharp blades that you can take off the broadhead if you need to replace the blades. A small piece screws onto the top of the blade: removing it allows you to slide in a razor piece for replacement. Once you replace the piece, you can screw the tiny cap back on to the blade. Finally, the broadhead with expandable blades keeps the blades tucked into the arrowhead structure, only to force open when the arrowhead strikes the animal. Some archers prefer the expandable arrowheads because they deliver maximum damage on impact. Others like the expandable variants because it eliminates issues mid-flight velocity reduction. Remember, you’ll pay more money for arrowheads with expandable features.

Additional Bolt Buying Advice

• Remember that your broadheads and target points should weigh the same amount. The weight needs to match the weight of the bolt heads sold with your crossbow initially.
• Follow crossbow manufacturer’s recommendations when buying arrows. Never go lighter with arrow weight than is recommended for the crossbow. Bolts that are too light can result in dry firing action, which can lead to personal injury and equipment damage.
• Buying arrowheads that are heavier than recommended is okay to do, but you will lose out on speed if you compromise.
• Buy your arrow bolt based on manufacturer recommendation for weight.
• Remember that speed is not everything. You may have better shots with greater accuracy if you opt for shooting at moderate speeds.
• Heavier bolts quiet the crossbow action and extend cable and string life on your equipment.
• Remember when you are choosing arrows, you get greater consistency from one arrow to another in terms of spine, weight, and straightness when investing in aluminum shafts.
• For durability, choose carbon shafts, which are also lighter than their aluminum counterparts. Remember, sometimes the carbon bolts are sold with inconsistencies from one arrow to another in terms of the spine stiffness.
• Arrow inserts are crafted out of plastic, carbon, aluminum, or brass. The brass inserts weigh the most and are therefore coupled with the lightest arrow shafts made of carbon.
• Mechanical broadheads may not be legal in every state in the nation. Make sure you check the laws in your state before you attempt to buy and use them for hunting.
• When buying nocks for your arrow, you can use flat nocks or moon nocks. Flat nocks screw into the insert without further steps necessary. Always remember to make sure the half-moon nocks line up with the bowstring correctly to avoid injury.
• Use the nock the manufacturer recommends for your crossbow.

Product Recommendations

20 inch – Barnett Carbon Arrows

Barnett Carbon Arrows are sold with five target points. The pricing is affordable, with a listing price below $45.00. Each arrow weighs 8.1 ounces and the shafts are made of carbon materials, with the thickness of the shaft wall improved for extra durability. Matched with 100 grain points ideal for accurate penetration of the field target. The arrows have half-moon nocks and 24F field points. Barnett Carbon Arrows are compatible with crossbow models like the Jackal, Wildcat C-5, Penetrator, and Ghost 350. The product is sold with a five-year warranty ensuring customer satisfaction.

SuperBrite Pro Elite by TenPoint

TenPoint’s carbon bolts are priced around $50.00 for a package of 6 arrows and come with 6 100 grain target tips. TenPoint’s arrows are made in the USA. The vanes vary in color. The manufacturing company backs its products with 18 years of superior manufacturing in the sporting goods industry. The arrows are sold with Omni nocks and measure 20 to 22 inches in length as well as 22/64ths diameter. Each arrow is fitted with a brass insert weighing 68 grains. The nocks are neon yellow for ease of visibility in all lighting conditions. You can also opt for the lighted Omni-Brite nocks. Each shaft is inspected to ensure the straightness of the arrow is within .003, and all arrows are hand sorted to within two grains per dozen for weight tolerance.

Shooting a crossbow is a very different experience from shooting a recurve or compound bow. The setup of the crossbow in preparation for shooting differs quite a bit from the way an archer would set up for taking a shot with a compound or recurve bow. There are several methods for cocking the device, and archers sometimes use special accessories to make the shots easier and more accurate.

Using a Cocking Device

When it comes time to cock the bow, there are three methods for you to do so: With your hands (manually), a rope-cocking device, or a crank. When using just your hands to pull up on both sides of the string up in order to cock, it can lead to issues with shooting accuracy. When cocking your crossbow by hand, you will put extra tension on one or the other bow limbs. To avoid this issue, you can get a rope-cocking device that is made up of a thick rope and a plastic handle on each end of the rope.

The rope-cocking device goes around the back portion of the crossbow’s rail and the handles are brought together so they can be pulled simultaneously. You can then stand up, place your foot inside the crossbow’s foot stirrup located at the uppermost end of the bow, and pull up on each handle at the same time. The bowstring will begin to slide back into the draw position. The shot is ready when you hear a clicking sound suggesting the bowstring is locked into position.

Once you hear the clicking sound, your crossbow is cocked. What’s more, the contemporary crossbows of today have automatic safety locking mechanisms. The automatic feature requires that you move the bow to fire and move the safety forward each time you cock your bow. Archers often prefer using a cocking tool simply because it eliminates the need to deal with 50 percent of the deadweight one might otherwise have to deal with in the absence of such a convenient tool.

In lieu of cocking the crossbow by hand or with a rope cocking device, you can also make use of the crank cocking tool. Basically, the tool is a winch that you can mount to the crossbow’s stock. The winch helps you cock the bow by winding a small handle on the crank. There are different models of crank cocking devices, some of which are integrated into the crossbow in question while others serve as an add-on device. The use of this tool requires less than ten pounds of force in order to crank the handle, so this makes it easy for you to use the higher powered crossbows if you desire to do so. Additionally, if you are physically disabled, a crank cocking device can make it so you can still enjoy hunting with your crossbow.

Pros and Cons of Crossbow Cocking Options

If you decide to cock the crossbow manually, it means you do not have to bring or carry extra devices with you when you are crossbow hunting or target practicing. The downside to manually cocking the bow, of course, is that you will need to be able to handle the dead weight when you pull back and up on the bow string. What’s more, when you are cocking the bow in this manner, you have to do so by pulling back the string absolutely straight with the middle of the bowstring remaining aligned with the bow’s triggering unit. If you accidently put too much stress on one side of the bow or the other, it can through off the accuracy of your shot and cause the arrow to veer to the left or right.

When considering the pros and cons of rope cocking, it is clear that the elimination of some 75 pounds of dead weight in the drawing back of the bow string definitely serves as a perk. The con associated with this bow cocking technique include the fact that it takes a bit longer to get the bow ready for firing when using the rope cocking method. The same disadvantage can be identified in the use of the hand crank, and the cost of such a cocking device is a bit expensive as well.

Setting up the Bolt (Arrow)

You need to ensure you have the correct arrow spine and length for your crossbow before you load an arrow for firing. At the end of the arrow, there are three vanes (plastic pieces that are reminiscent of the feathers once used on wooden arrows). One vane has a plain color while the other two vanes have an unusual color. You want to line up the one vane that is different from the other two with the rail on your crossbow. The vane should fit right into the rail area of you crossbow. Loading the crossbow in this way will increase your accuracy and ensure the bow delivers a consistent shot.

Once the arrow is in the rail, you have to slide it all the way back so that the arrow nock is touching the bowstring. Visually inspect the arrow once more and ensure it is aligned with the crossbow rail correctly. The bolt should fit inside the rail snuggly.

Monopod/Bipod Usage

Monopod and bipods are accessories you can use to improve the stability and accuracy of your crossbow shots. A Monopod is about three feet high and consists of a metal pole that looks similar to a large dowsing rod. At the end of the rod are two small rods creating a letter “Y” formation. The monopod serves as a solid rest for the crossbow as you are firing. You can hold the straight up against and perpendicular the ground with one hand while you are sitting or crouching. A portion of the bottom of the crossbow, the foreguard, rests in the “Y-shaped portion” of the monopod. While steadying the monopod, with your hand, you can use the other hand to fire the crossbow.

Before taking your shot, you should adjust your sight. The stock of the compound bow presses snugly against the area between the shoulder and collarbone.

The crossbow is likely to have an extremely light trigger. To avoid a dry fire, you will want to make sure you develop your trigger control: This comes with time and practice. Once the crossbow is in position, you can view your target through your sight. When you have your target in your sights, all you have left to do is to pull the crossbow’s trigger.

Cautions

Never treat your crossbow as if it were a toy. You must always take what you are doing seriously when you are holding a weapon. To that end, never point the end of your crossbow at any person or animal, whether it is loaded with an arrow or not.

Before firing your bow, always check for clearance. Make sure that your hands are free from any part of the moving arrow that might strike you as it passes from the bow into the air. Make sure there are no people or animals in your path. Make sure you are not standing too close to a tree or another object in the environment that might come in contact with the crossbow’s limbs.

Do not fire your crossbow when it is not loaded with an arrow. It can break your bow. Additionally, make certain the bolts you do load in the device are of the correct weight. The latter actions will definitely ensure the longevity of your equipment. Make sure that when you are done using the bow, you remove the arrow from the rail on the device as well.

Sources

Dustin Warncke’s “Crossbow Shooting 101 – Basics & Fundamentals.” Video. URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajKBLxizcVU.

AmericanHunter.org, “12 Crossbow Do’s and 3 Don’ts.” Website. URL: http://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2013/2/21/12-crossbow-dos-and-3-donts/.

Hunter’s Friend, “Crossbow Getting Started Guide.” Website. URL: http://www.huntersfriend.com/crossbow_help/crossbow_help_guide.html.

How Stuff Works, “Safe Crossbow Shooting.” Website. URL: http://science.howstuffworks.com/crossbow3.htm.

Additional Resources:

BeckettCrossbows.com, “12 Tips for Expert Crossbow Shooting,” Website. URL: https://beckettcrossbows.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/12-tips-for-expert-crossbow-shooting/.

“Field and Stream. ” A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting with a Crossbow.” Website. URL: http://www.fieldandstream.com/node/1005010622