arrow vs bolt

[Mark N]

I'm not well read enough to know the wt/energy stats of either.  Would someone plz post some numbers comparing the two with similar wts, velocities and ranges typical of hunting? Such as 20, 30, 40 yrds?  I know there are advertisements for x-bows being accurate to 50, 60 yrds, but I suspect that is from a stable rest, and not a typical scenario for most hunters.  Traditional or crossbow, or compound. My understanding is that the "effective range" of x-bow equipment is similar to compound shooters' equipment. Is this correct?

[Redeye]

no

marine snipers grouped 1 inch and less with this crossbow

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5nVSfv0Rlg&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Okay, this has nothing to do with what you asked but after I watched that video I need to apologize for supporting people who hunt with crossbows.  A crossbow that fits on an AR-15 receiver does me in.  I can no longer in any way support the use of crossbows in archery season.  :(

[Mark N]

I didn't see anything in that video about marine snipers. Even if they did that well with it, so what? They're among the best shots in the world, on a platform (M16) that they are familiar with, and probably had many, many practice shots, and perhaps from a rest that can lock the x-bow in place, with their specialty bolts. Not your typical crossbow hunter or equipment pairing. And the comment that because that model of x-bow fits on that receiver so he can't support any x-bow is absolutely the most ridiculous statement I've heard since my sister-in-law said that rifles don't have to have more than 4 round capacity so all other clips should be banned.  I think there's a lot of denial going on concerning x-bows' capability. A 300fps bolt of 425 grains is going to have the same effective range as an arrow of the same wt/velocity. Or is my understanding of the physics entirely wrong? Longbows and recurves have quicker follow-up shot capability than compound bows. Should they be banned because they can shoot more arrows per minute? The compound and the x-bow are heavier to carry. Should the recurve be required to be the same weight as as compounds/x-bows? The real issue isn't the equipment. It's the perceived "righteousness" of the bow over the x-bow. The "I don't like them, so they should be banned" mentality. X-bows aren't the same as a longbow, but they're not a firearm, either. Their effective range-by the common hunter-is about the same as a recurve or compound shooter. Can you seriously justify them being considered anything but archery tackle? btw, I don't shoot a crossbow.

[Eugene Slagle]

In a way yes, the X-Bow has a similar range to the compound bow with possibly a little less due to arrow dynamics or in the case of the X-Bow Bolt Dynamics.

Good arrow flight is imparitive to achieve long distance accuracy & with many of the Bolts that are available they all seem to be manufactured to the same general degree of spine tolorance & then there is the X-Bows that range from a 120 all the way to possibly 200 pound draw weights there is possibly going to be some bolt flight issues.

In reality here is my opinion on X-bows in general.

Practice with the weapon at beyond the range that you intend to hunt & inbetween, be as the traditional bowhunter in respect that you practice as often as you can & only take shots that you feel comfortable with, then I would think you worthy to be in the woods with such a weapon, otherwise don't bring it out till you can be as dedicated because we owe it to the game animal that we persue.

[Danny Rowan]

Yes, I can consider them not archery equipment, come on, they have a trigger, scope, and stock, just because they shoot a bolt does not make them archery.

By the way, this is an archery forum, read the rules, even though this is the Hunting legislation forum, this topic has no business here. It is one thing to talk about xbows trying to get in archery seasons and asking others to help fight it, another to ask a question about bolt vs arrow.

[snag]

Danny, thank you! My observations exactly.

[Mark N]

My post was in response to comments in this forum against x=bows to the effect: "they were made for war", and "Now they call their arrows bolts" These comments were recorded shortly after complaints against half-truths, lies, etc concerning proposed legislation.As Dennis Prager says:" First tell the truth, then give your opinion."

[Ragnarok Forge]

Ok,  So after finding the truth, years ago by the way.  I will post a war veterans opinion here.  A cross bow has as much to do with archery as modern muzzloaders and high powered rifles have to do with traditional muzzleloading.  The cross bow is quite simply not archery equipment.  Anything that has a stock, can bear a scope, and has a trigger integral to the stock is not archery equipment.  They knew this in the old days.  Archers and crossbowmen were placed in different units, and were used in different ways.  They are not the same in war, or in the field.  Cross bows have no place in archery seasons.

[T Lail]

call it what it really is....crossgun....it does not shoot an arrow, it shoots a bolt....unfortunately for archers, big money and people who hold office and have NEVER even held a bow , seem to think that they should belong in archery season...I agree with Mr. Walker, but in many states it is too late.....

[Javi]

When was the last time y'all seen someone load gunpowder in a crossBOW...  :D

[T Lail]

a bow is a hand held, hand drawn device.....a gun is  locked,cocked and ready to rock......I still say it is a crossgun...  

[ChuckC]

its a cross bow. . .  not a bow.  stock, trigger, scope, no holding.  it is no bow.

I don't get why folks don't get that.  You know why we object . . .  one reason is it is too easy.  just like a gun,  sight it in, then put it away till the day before season, then shoot it a couple to make sure it is sighted in and go kill something.  Don't even need camo, just point it the direction that you expect that buck to come (you know that by reviewing all the game cam photos) and don't move anything but that trigger finger.   Heck, there is a self cocking version out there. .  don't even have to cock it, much less hold it.  Takes lots of skill (yeah right. . )

Nope  it is no bow.
ChuckC

[ChuckC]

that PSE looks like it has rails (they mounted a front pistol grip)  that means the next thing is a bipod, or better yet, a tripod.  How about a gyroscopic tripod so movement is slow and steady. .   yes, that's it.  And with that statement (in the video) about retaining the (3 pound was stated) trigger pull of the AR lower, how cool is that !

Shoots a moderately heavy and long bolt 402 fps !

yup, its no bow
ChuckC

[Terry Green]

Guys.....you see that little 'Fred Flintstone Whistle' ad the bottom of my post....its at the bottom of every ones posts....
 
Please feel free to click that and let us know when there's an off topic post like this one.


Thanks.