You’ve decided to buy a crossbow. But, you soon discover that there are many types of crossbows. Let’s look at each type of crossbow, and what they offer.
Crossbows with recurve
Bowhunters are not permitted to use repeating crossbows. They belong to serious archery hobbyists and archery enthusiasts. Modern repeating crossbows may use bolt actions or other mechanisms to fire repeated shots. However, the magazine must be on top of the gun to prevent you from losing your aim. Bowhunting is more about accuracy than rapid-fire. These are still fun weapons that give you an insight into ancient warfare. Hobbyists can find very few models, which is why so many choose to build them. Recurve Crossbows The most traditional type, which you would imagine a medieval archer using, is crossbows. Recurve refers to the fact the bow limbs initially curve away from the bow’s front, then recurve toward the bow, away from the shooter. The recurve allows the limbs to produce more power but is also shorter than other methods. This recurve also holds the bowstring more securely.
Recurve crossbows look very similar to the crossbows that were used by the Chinese in ancient China or their European counterparts in the Middle Ages. However, they are made of different materials. You can buy a traditional wooden crossbow, but most people use aluminum or carbon fiber for the limbs. These can be more stable than wood, and they are lighter.
Recurve crossbows are increasingly popular among bowhunters and archers for many reasons. These recurve crossbows have long, curving limbs that can hold much more power than the more advanced bows we will be discussing later. They are usually larger and have a longer draw length. They are powerful weapons for taking down big game such as bear, elk, and moose. They are also more simple to maintain and have a classic look that is always in fashion.
A recurve crossbow of large size means that it produces more noise and recoil when shooting. The longer limbs can make it more difficult to hike through the woods and may cause rustling in the brush. Recurve crossbows are also less portable because they’re heavier.
Crossbows compound
Because they employ a compound pulley system, compound crossbows are known as such. This allows them to draw more power from their bowstrings while reducing the length of their limbs. These pulleys are known as cams. To understand why they give crossbows so much power, we must understand their physics.
The compound cams have a small pulley inside a large pulley that moves around the same axis. Two cams are located on each limb. The bowstring runs through the larger pulleys on each cam, one per limb. Two cables are then connected to the inner pulleys. Each cable is attached to its axis and threaded through each cam’s inner pulley.
The outer pulleys on the cams are rotated when you draw the bowstring. This rotates the inner pulleys. The inner pulleys, being smaller, move less distance even though they have absorbed the same amount of energy. Energy is force multiplied with distance in physics. Therefore, if the distance is shorter for the same amount of energy, it means that there is more force. This energy is stored in the inner pulley cables.
As you can see, compound bows are complex in terms of physics. Crossbows like these are smaller, making them easier to transport and store. They still have the power to hunt wild animals. The cam system produces less noise than a recurve, which is a plus.
The downsides of the compound cam system are that some archers dislike it for the amount of maintenance involved. There is a greater chance that something will fail if there are more moving parts. Modern compound crossbows are generally very reliable. However, depending on the cam system they may require regular synchronization. Some models might be heavier due to additional equipment.
Reverse Draw Crossbows
Crossbows that reverse draw are relatively new. The limbs of a reverse draw crossbow are, as you can see from their name, oriented in an opposite direction to traditional bows. They connect at the back of the crossbow, then curve forward. They haven’t turned around, but they are perpendicularly attached to the back. The cams are still in front of the crossbow and more forward than a regular compound bow. This is where the bowstring attaches. The bowstring pulls the limbs inward and stores the energy.
Reverse draw crossbows reduce your ATA (or axle-to-axle limb) length significantly. This makes it easier to move around while hunting. The center of gravity is located at the rear of the bow. This makes them easier to control and produces less noise and recoil while shooting.
However, the main benefit of the reverse draw is power. The cams at the front allow the bowstring to push against a bolt for a longer shaft length, which results in greater speed. But here’s the catch. The catch? Reverse draw crossbows can be difficult to locate and the technology is not well understood. This makes maintenance quite difficult.
Crossbows for Rifle
Crossbows for rifles are compound bows that have been stepped up a notch. They are extremely narrow because the limbs are connected more horizontally to their shafts. Some can be as small as six inches in width. This improves their maneuverability. These models are also more powerful than their compound crossbow counterparts, even though it is not always the case.
Crossbow hunters and archers who purchase rifle crossbows for hunting and archery are often serious about their hobby. Manufacturers add many great features. The weapon’s accuracy is enhanced by powerful scopes. Rifle-like stocks make it easy to shoot while also reducing vibration and recoil. That means a quieter shot.
Pistol crossbows
Pistol Crossbows look exactly like they sound: crossbows that you can shoot with one hand. These crossbows are miniature versions of the recurve and don’t have stock to rest on your shoulder. They can also be self-cocked, but that doesn’t make them automatic weapons. Instead of having to draw a regular crossbow with one foot in the cocking stirring cup, there is an easier way to cock it. They’re almost identical, but smaller.
Pistol crossbows aren’t practical, to be honest. They are more for entertainment. They rarely exceed an 80-pound draw weight. It’s not enough to bring down the smallest game and is likely illegal in your particular state. You can still enjoy them at the range. They are a lot of fun. Because they are small, you can carry them around to protect yourself against dangerous game such as bears and moose.
Bullet Crossbows
Bullet crossbows can be thought of as giant slingshots. They shoot small bullets made from clay, wood, or metal instead of bolts. This crossbow was created during the Renaissance and was used for competition shooting as well as training. These crossbows were lighter and safer than standard crossbows. This makes them ideal for beginners and kids who want to have fun with archery.
People have used bullet crossbows in the hunt for small game since ancient times. Pre-industrial times were when metal was scarce and bolt manufacturing was more complicated. It didn’t make any sense to use a full crossbow bolt to hunt small animals. A bullet crossbow is a better choice for small animals, such as squirrels or rabbits.
Nowadays, you would only hunt with a crossbow bullet for the challenge and novelty. They are in the legal gray zone. Are they subject to crossbow regulations or slingshot rules? You may find one, two, or all of them illegal depending on where you live. Each state has its own set of rules. You can hunt with an antique bullet crossbow or make your own.
Crossbows can be repeated
You say, a semi-automatic crossbow? It is indeed possible. It was invented in Ancient China nearly 2,000 years ago.
A magazine is used to make repeating crossbows. It looks very similar to a modern repeating rifle. The magazine contains five to ten bolts, stacked one on top of another and placed on top. The magazine’s inside will become grooved when the bowstring is relaxed. The crossbow has a lever at the back that pulls the magazine and bowstring back. The lever pushes your magazine back to the fullcock position. Once it is there, releases the bowstring from the groove and let it contact the bolt. The next bolt will then fall into place. You can quickly and easily shoot through the magazine by simply moving the lever around.
These crossbows were used by the Chinese military before they had modern firearms. They are similar to machine guns that armies have today. Their fire was erratic due to the forced motion of moving the lever forward and backward. The top-loaded magazine made it difficult to aim down the shaft. They provided cover fire with a rapid stream of cover fire, often thousands, in minutes, instead of precisely placed shots.
Bowhunters are not permitted to use repeating crossbows. They belong to serious archery hobbyists and archery enthusiasts. Modern repeating crossbows may use bolt actions or other mechanisms to fire repeated shots. However, the magazine must be on top of the gun to prevent you from losing your aim. Bowhunting is more about accuracy than rapid-fire. These are still fun weapons that give you an insight into ancient warfare. So few models are available on the market, many hobbyists choose to build one.
