The Crossbow is a modern version of the simple bow and arrow. The earliest crossbows date back to the 5th Century B.C.; invented by the Chinese, and have since become a very important weapon for war.
Crossbows were later used in the west and developed into a more powerful and deadly weapon over the centuries. They were also a popular weapon in medieval times such that they almost replaced the traditional bow and arrow.
The Best Crossbow consists of a bow fixed perpendicularly on the stock. It uses a fast-moving string to launch a projectile. It differs from traditional bows in the way that they use mechanical triggers to shoot bolts or quarrels.
They were originally used as a weapon in wars and hunting. However, nowadays they are widely used for target shooting, hunting and other sports.
They have become the hunters’ preferred choice due to their cost-effectiveness and reusability of bolts during hunting.
Nowadays there are different types of crossbows available and employ different designs, constructions and are meant for different purposes.
In this article we will discuss the different types of crossbows and their uses in detail, helping you to choose the perfect one for your next adventure.
What are the two most common types of crossbows?
Recurve and compound crossbows are the two most common crossbows available in the market. We have mentioned 6 types. let’s get it into it.
Recurve Crossbow:
Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow
A recurve crossbow is the oldest crossbow in the world of archery and one of the two most common types of the crossbow. As the name implies, it has delicate curves at the farther ends of the bow, pointing away from the shooter.
These curves have an important purpose to serve as a lock, preventing the string from flocking out when the bow is fired.
The modern recurve crossbow is made up of Carbon fiber or Magnesium or Aluminum alloy, making it durable and easy to aim. The construction from synthetic materials makes it economical and predictable for consistent performance.
The accuracy and stability of a crossbow depend on its weight, draw weight, as well as how well an archer handles it.
The design is simple but wider and heavier than the compound crossbow. The longer draw length of the recurve crossbow helps in producing greater acceleration for the projectile. Recurve limbs can store more energy than the other types of the crossbow, hence shooting the arrow with greater pressure and noise.
The only drawback is that the curved design causes a strain on the string and it can be damaged easily unless you invest in a very high-quality one. Additionally, recurve crossbows are bigger in size and therefore inconvenient to maneuver in the wilderness.
If you are new to hunting, a recurve crossbow is a good option for you because of its simpler design and low-price tag. It is liked among the hunters as it is also ideal for taking long-range shots.
Compound Crossbow:
Barnett Ghost 415 Revenant CRT Crossbow
A compound crossbow is a combination of the most widely used vertical bow, the compound, and the modern rifle technology. This combination and its shorter limbs make it one of the most accurate and sturdy limb-powered weapons.
It is a little harder to set up the Compound Crossbow for the first time as it features a more complex design than the recurve crossbow; but once set up it is very convenient to use.
The compound crossbow is also made up of durable synthetic material. The construction is a little more complicated than the recurve crossbows as it makes use of cams, pulleys, and cables to bend its limbs.
This helps in applying more tension to the cocked string. The stiff build helps in high energy efficiency. When the hunter draws back the string, the cables move to bend the limbs, conserving energy. This energy helps in shooting faster even with a shorter draw length.
The built of compound crossbows is very compact and narrow and thus easy to carry around while hunting. The shorter limb design minimizes the vibration, making it very accurate and less noisy.
However, due to the increased number of parts, a compound crossbow is heavier and complex than a recurve crossbow. The maintenance of crossbow parts is very important as they can wear off easily.
It is well suited for experienced bowhunters. If you require a quieter and powerful crossbow for hunting adventures and targeting large games then compound crossbows would be a perfect fit for you.
Reverse Draw Limbs Crossbow:
Barnett Vengeance 2 CRT Crossbow
Reverse Draw Limbs is relatively a new entry in the world of Crossbows and has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years. It provides a different shape by reversing the limbs of the conventional crossbow, so the center of gravity is nearer to the user and closer to the trigger.
The reverse draw design has some advantages over its conventional forward draw equivalent when it comes to balancing, silent operation, and overall performance. A reverse draw crossbow may weigh almost as much as a forward draw crossbow.
But, transferring the weight nearer to your body helps the crossbow feel lighter and easiest to fire from an offhand spot.
Reverse draw crossbows are also more efficient and less noisy than conventional ones. The reverse draw comes with low draw weight, so it produces less vibration and noise, resulting in a shot that is very smooth and precise.
On the other hand, the reverse bow systems are more complex with far more stuff that can go wrong while hunting. What’s even more, they’re also very pricey, so if money is a matter, the reverse limb bow might not be a smart option.
Repeating Crossbows:
The repeating crossbow is one of the easiest and convenient to use crossbow type. It uses a single hand movement for spanning the bow, placing the bolt, and shooting. This enables it to shoot three times faster than its competitors.
The repeating crossbow has one of the robust mechanical designs since it’s generally built and construction techniques have remained the same ever since its invention.
The bolts of repeating crossbows are fired and reloaded by simply pushing and pulling the lever back and forth. Once the lever is pushed and the bolt is fired, another bolt would then drop down from the magazine from above, taking its place.
It has a relatively small range, making it suitable for beginners and archers who prefer faster shooting. However, it can take out all the fun associated with hunting as everything is mechanical, performance is fixed and you cannot enhance it and it doesn’t require a special technique to master its use.
Rifle Crossbows:
This is a hybrid of a crossbow with the modern-day rifle and is designed to provide better aim and accuracy.
The Rifle crossbow has an impressive heavy-duty construction based on fiber; incorporating impressive sights and a foot-pull. The rail design helps in reducing the friction to launch the bolts with high velocity and penetrating power.
It is much narrower and compact than other crossbows, designed for long-range hunts, and could accurately shoot from a good distance.
It involves a complex cocking system and requires a huge amount of power to operate. It is an ideal weapon for new learners trying to launch a perfect bulls-eye shot.
Pistol Crossbows:
It is a smaller and a lighter version of the traditional crossbow. The Pistol crossbow has a pistol grip and can also be fired using one hand. These small handheld designed crossbows are used to fire small bolts with a shorter draw and less power and range.
Pistol crossbows are mostly used in target practice rather than bow hunting because they are not as powerful as recurve and compound crossbows. It is an ideal weapon for hunting small animals and for backyard practice.
Conclusion
Crossbow hunting introduces new hunting opportunities that would have otherwise not known to many. It will not only link you with the history of the mediaeval crossbow archers, but it will also enable you to enjoy the thrill and benefits of the crossbow season.
There are many different types of crossbows available in the market to choose from depending on your requirements. A crossbow should ideally be durable, quiet, easy to operate, and accurate.
It is a good practice to explore all the available options and assess their advantages and disadvantages while choosing a crossbow. It is also important to keep the state’s regulations regarding the usage of a particular crossbow, in mind.
The leading crossbow brands offer all types of crossbows from recurve to pistol. Depending on your needs and skills, you can start from the simpler options and can upgrade it to the more advanced options as you progress with time.
Now that you know all the available options in the market, it’s time to evaluate the requirements, establish the price range, and pick the best option for an amazing hunting experience.
Enjoy Hunting!
Reference of pictures is taken by www.hunting-bow.com
Master of Modern Bowhunting, Watson knows archery equipment forward and backward. An accomplished bowhunter in his own right, his successes in the field demonstrates to novices that bowhunting isn’t something to be kept behind closed doors. Making it more accessible to beginners and advanced bowhunters alike; Watson has become an expert in the construction and use of longbows, compound bows, crossbows, archery and bowhunting gear; he now shares his knowledge openly.