For a beginner, choosing anything can be hard. And when there are thousands of different options to pick from, it can be very confusing. And when it’s a crossbow, then it is even harder.
So, how difficult is choosing the right crossbow for you?
When you are choosing the right crossbow for you, ask yourself, what do you need it for? Look at the different types of crossbows and their features. Also, make sure you know about speed, safety, forward grip, and auto-engaging safety. Plus, ensure you have the right arrows.
That was a quick glimpse about choosing the perfect crossbow. But wait! Below we have also given detailed information about each factor. So let’s jump right into it!
What type of crossbows are out there?
The world of crossbows is full of different models. Also, people make modifications to existing models as well. Then they get a separate name and it becomes a totally different thing.
Getting the right crossbow is really important. For example, the top-rated crossbows for deer hunting will be different from the ones for rabbit hunting.
There are actually five different types of crossbows: recurved, compound, automatic, reverse draw limbs, and pistol crossbow. But among these, the recurve and compound crossbows are two basic crossbow types for beginners.
So let’s begin.
Recurve crossbow
If you want a crossbow, this is the most basic kind you can get. There are no complex mechanical parts or adjustments to make in this type of crossbow.
You simply get a bow and string. There are no cables and hooks to mess with. There are some cons to this type of crossbow. You will get a wider axle. The axle is the widest part of the crossbow.
Also, these crossbows can be a bit on the heavy side. Recurve crossbows are more like a speargun.
Compound crossbow
On the other hand, you can get a compound crossbow. A compound crossbow is a bit more modern than a recurve crossbow. There are many adjustments and strings and hooks you can work with.
Also, the arrows can be shot a bit faster with a compound crossbow. These crossbows can be on the lighter side as well. The axle on these crossbows is a bit narrower than recurve crossbows.
Keep in mind, that there are always cons when there are pros. And the drawback of these crossbows is they can misfire. So you will want to be a bit more careful.
What are the things to look for in a crossbow?
There are many parts to a crossbow. And every part plays a role to increase or decrease its capability. For your help, we have listed a few things which people usually want to know about.
Check these factors when you want to choose the right crossbow for you.
Speed
The most common question when buying a crossbow is how fast the arrows will launch. People try to compare the crossbow with a gun, and there are some crossbows that can earn an insane level of speed such as 400 fps.
But do you need that level of speed? If you are planning to catch a lion with your crossbow, you will need it. But for most of us, a standard crossbow will work just fine.
So look at the rated speed the crossbow will perform at.
Safety
Most of us know about the importance of safety. But for those who are new to this game, you need to understand it better. A safety will hold your gun in a neutral state where the trigger will not be able to move.
Only turn the safety off when you have a clear view of your target. Otherwise, you or someone else could get seriously hurt.
Forward grip
The place right under the rails is known as the forward grip. In a rifle, you have to put your other hand on the rifle for stabilisation. The bullet sits inside the barrel and fires from the front. The shell goes out of the barrel from the sides.
But in a crossbow, the arrow is placed on the top and you cannot wrap your hands around for a firmer grip. You have to hold on to the forward grip to increase the stability.
So it is really important if you want a straight and stable shot at your target.
Auto-engaging safety
If you are just getting started with your first crossbow, this is an important feature. The auto-engaging safety will put your crossbow in safety when you reload. As we said before, the safety feature is really important on arms such as crossbows.
Most beginners forget to put the safety back on. This feature also comes with many rifles and handguns. No one wants something bad to happen. But if anything does, make sure to have first aid with you. You can even make your own ultimate wilderness first aid kit.
What to do when your crossbow arrives
If you are just getting started, it is really important to know what to do when you first get your crossbow.
Below we have listed all the things you need to do with your new crossbow. If you already know what you’re doing, you can skip this part. But we highly suggest reading this if you are just getting started with a crossbow.
1. Assemble the crossbow
The crossbow will not be in one piece when the package arrives. You need to put it together. If you order online, there will be detailed instructions given with the crossbow.
But do remember, there are a lot of parts and all are important. So make sure you bolt on every screw you need to. Also, be careful with all the strings and straps.
2. Arrow selection
We already said there are many different types of crossbows. But there are many options for arrows as well. The differences are between the material used to make the arrow and how they made it.
The most common arrows are carbon and aluminum. But among these two, carbon are a crowd favourite. Make sure you know what size you need for your crossbow.
The type of arrow also depends on what you’re trying to shoot at. If you are hunting an animal, try to use stronger arrows. But for practice, you can use cheaper arrows.
Things you need to learn before using a crossbow
So, now that you have your crossbow, you can hit the great wide open. But wait! You do need to know how to use it, right? You cannot just blindly pull the trigger and hope it will hit something.
If you do so, you can hurt yourself and others very seriously. So let’s be careful from the beginning and keep this a fun activity. We have listed a few things that a person should know before they use a crossbow. Let’s get started.
Aiming
Before you learn how to fire, you need to know how to aim your crossbow. In this modern era, no one uses a bare crossbow. People usually go for some sort of crossbow scope. Because this improves your aiming a thousand times.
There are scopes available that have different levels of magnification. You can get a scope without any magnification as well.
Once you have a scope, keep your head on the butt of the crossbow first. Then stay in the firing stance and look through the scope. Keep your target at the centre of your scope and shoot.
Drawing
Guns need to be reloaded before you can shoot them. So, for crossbows, you need to draw arrows. In modern crossbows, you can draw multiple arrows at a time. But for the simple basic users out there, you need to reload one by one.
Remember that crossbows can be a bit harder to reload than a normal bow. Usually, you need to pull on 150 lbs to draw an arrow inside the crossbow.
Firing
Now firing seems really easy. You might think you just pull on the trigger and it shoots your arrow. But there is more than that.
Before you pull the trigger, you need to be sure that you’re standing correctly. Also, holding a crossbow steadily is really important as well. If you get these two right, make sure the safety is off. Otherwise, nothing will happen when you pull on the trigger.
Final thoughts
Hunting is a fun sport for those who enjoy the great outdoors. But it also comes with responsibilities as the safety of yourself and others are involved.
Choosing the right equipment is of the utmost importance. That’s why we have covered in this article all that you need to know on how to choose the right crossbow for you.
Before you start on your first venture, make sure you have the right equipment and are completely on board with safety rules.
Be careful while using a crossbow. Always check your surroundings before pulling the trigger. Enjoy the hunting season!
Featured image: Joshua Stockton/Flickr
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