Unchained Preppers

General Category => Security & Survival => Topic started by: Skippy00004 on October 27, 2011, 01:49:41 PM

Title: Crossbows
Post by: Skippy00004 on October 27, 2011, 01:49:41 PM: I've been thinking about saving up for one, but I have no idea where to start.

I'm looking in the range of $200-$300. I realize that this is probably in the low end of the spectrum and limits my selection, but heres kind of what I'm looking for:

-should be able to hit and be lethal out to 200 yards
-Should be reliable (given)
-I'd like to be able to mount optics if possible

Any input will be appreciated.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Reaver on October 27, 2011, 01:55:40 PM: I'll stick to firearms.
But, If I where to ever get a bow it would be a Recurve because there really isn't anything to damage. Granted the Crossbows and Compounds are better & stronger. I'll take reliability over all that any day.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Skippy00004 on October 27, 2011, 02:06:00 PM: I already have a recurve, and you're right, there's not much to them and they definitely are reliable. But I'm looking for more power and something that doesn't give a loud bang when you don't want it to.

(On a side note, I'm watching the second season of Walking Dead lol, and Norms crossbow comes in handy when they don't want to spook the walkers. I'm obviously not going to be hunting zombies, but if I need to feed my family in the future, I'd rather be quiet about it so that I don't let everyone within earshot know I have a weapon and ammo.)
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: JohnyMac on October 27, 2011, 02:38:57 PM: Skippy,

I want a cross bow too. What I did when I bought my first compound bow was I visited all of the archery retailers in my area- There was two within one hour of my home. Based on the info I gathered I made my decision and made my purchase.

I am going to do the same for my cross bow purchase.

I do not know if you have access to Pennsylvania Out Door News Mag. but in the Sept 16th edition there was a two page article on just this issue.

Good luck and have fun.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: thatGuy on October 27, 2011, 10:37:27 PM: All of you go palm your own faces except Reaver, you're cool.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Skippy00004 on October 27, 2011, 11:03:20 PM: http://youtu.be/XZxzJGgox_E (http://youtu.be/XZxzJGgox_E)
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: RONSERESURPLUS on October 29, 2011, 03:02:17 PM: Hello all, RON L here

While, I no Longer own a crossbow, I have in the past! I owned a Barnett "Comando" a Brass Frammed Item with a 175 pound Pull! I also have shiot and used a Horton Cross bow a Buddy of mine leant me while he was over sea's! Both Bows were accurate, powerfull weapons! While Both were conventional bows I did try a compound Horton that the same fellow bought later! I felt that thought the bows on the conventional crossbows were impressive, a lot of lost energy was seen. They lose a Lot of energy of the Bolt or Quarrel, as it's a start/stop projection of that same bolt! I also found crossbow Bolts easy to make and thats good, as I lost many, and they were not cheap! When I did try a compound cross bow, at least the model I tried used regular arrows with nocks, this made the transmission of the energy to arrow more efficient and it was easy to see that 200 pounds with a compund showed near that real pull energy, unlike the other conventional bow crossbows. Then It was clear to me that the complex nature of a Compound bow was not an Item that I needed in my life as they are all but impossible to string yourself, some are fragile and add a lot of weight and complexity of that relitivly simple weapon. These factors alone made me re-consider and I no Longer see a cross bow as a viable item for me! Not saying that my experience willbe the same as others but thats what I saw.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Skippy00004 on October 30, 2011, 01:27:03 PM: Great info Ron. Thanks!
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: RONSERESURPLUS on October 30, 2011, 05:24:56 PM: Hello all, Ron L here

Your Very Welcome Skippy, I hope some of what I wrote helps ya to make a better decision on a Crossbow? Good Luck and let us know ahat ya decide and do or get?
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: hjmoosejaw on January 21, 2012, 04:44:33 PM: I think crossbows have their place. They're pretty much silent. You never know when stealth might be needed.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: special-k on June 15, 2014, 04:25:04 AM: ANCIENT TOPIC RESURRECTION ALERT!!!

I'll just leave this here:

LONGEST CROSSBOW SHOT 275 YARDS 9 inch balloon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkFaUWlVsE4#ws)
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Burt Gummer on June 15, 2014, 11:27:52 AM: Did someone catch what kind of crossbow he used?
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: crudos on June 15, 2014, 12:31:32 PM: This thread is useless without Daryl Dixon...
(http://www.armoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/daryl-dixon-new-crossbow1.jpg)
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: special-k on June 15, 2014, 07:58:09 PM: Quote from: Burt Gummer on June 15, 2014, 11:27:52 AM
Did someone catch what kind of crossbow he used?
It was an Excalibur Matrix 380.

If you want a crossbow that will survive the rigors of the apocalypse, recurve is where it's at... and Excalibur is at the front of the pack with its rifle-like trigger (unique among recurve crossbows), and comparably inexpensive replacement limbs.

BTW, Daryl Dixon's daily use of a compound crossbow throughout the apocalypse is laughably unrealistic. Those things require near constant attention using specialized tools that you can't carry on your back.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Burt Gummer on June 15, 2014, 10:34:49 PM: Quote from: special-k on June 15, 2014, 07:58:09 PM
Quote from: Burt Gummer on June 15, 2014, 11:27:52 AM
Did someone catch what kind of crossbow he used?
It was an Excalibur Matrix 380.
just poking fun at the guy for continuously mentioning it...
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: thedigininja on June 15, 2014, 10:47:04 PM: I also plan on investing on a crossbow, preferably a recurve crossbow with a draw weight of no less than 150 lbs. As was mentioned in an earlier reply compound definitely has more power but it is a nightmare to restring and maintain. I currently have a 20lbs recurve bow which is actually far too small for most people and illegal to use for hunting in most places but it is quick, light and compact. If you can get used to using such a light bow then it is also easier to use a homemade bow and you can still use poison tips if you need to hunt when SHTF.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Older Marine on June 24, 2014, 10:00:51 PM: I’ve been considering a crossbow as well. The video really helps sell the idea of one. I would primarily use it for hunting, but if stealth was ever needed a crossbow would shine. I was looking at the “Excalibur Axiom” it’s their entry level recurve crossbow. It has a 175lb draw and comes with everything you need to get started for $500.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: JohnyMac on June 25, 2014, 09:42:52 AM: I too think that a cross bow should be added to ones redoubts armory. With that said, unlike what you see in movies or on the TV critters (Two legged or four legged) do not die immediately upon being hit with a bolt - They bleed out.

My point is a cross bow is a :thumbsUp: for four legged food but :thumbsdown: not so much for two legged critters. So on ones prepping "bucket list" a cross bow should not be a "A" priority. ;)
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: thedigininja on June 25, 2014, 10:10:13 AM: Yeah, a crossbow is not a combat situation option unless you're on top of a big thick wall like it was originally intended to be used.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: Currahee on June 26, 2014, 12:27:54 PM: Quote from: JohnyMac on June 25, 2014, 09:42:52 AM
I too think that a cross bow should be added to ones redoubts armory. With that said, unlike what you see in movies or on the TV critters (Two legged or four legged) do not die immediately upon being hit with a bolt - They bleed out.

My point is a cross bow is a :thumbsUp: for four legged food but :thumbsdown: not so much for two legged critters. So on ones prepping "bucket list" a cross bow should not be a "A" priority. ;)

Good defensive firearms, ammo, training food water etc are "A" priorities

Spare parts and guns and the ability to grow your own food are "B" priorities

NODs and Armor and other stuff that can give you a tactical edge are "C" priorities

I would put a crossbow somewhere around "Y." A good pelletgun and/or snares that can collect the type of game that will be available when TSHTF would be well above it.
Title: Re: Crossbows
Post by: JohnyMac on June 27, 2014, 09:35:17 AM: Not to side track this topic however Currahee is right on.

My brother has a .177 or .22 pellet rifle. He takes out squirrels and rabbits all day long who attack his vegetable garden. He lives in a suburbia SE Pennsylvania "waste land" where is closest neighbor is about 100 feet away from his property line.

He opens up the slider window a couple of inches that overlooks the garden and sets up a bench rest on his kitchen table. In the summer he deposits dead critters in the trash. After the first frost or two he deposits them in his freezer.

There is nothing better than garden fed bunnies and squirrels BUT raised on other peoples gardens ;)