Archery VS Crossbows Which One to Choose
Through the introduction of the different firearms, archery bows and their similar cousin, the crossbows have taken a step down from being the highly recommended firearms. However, this will not mean that they are outdated these days. In reality, hunting with these bows is regarded as a great recreational hobby for those who enjoy exciting hobbies.
For most people, a problem forms when it comes to selecting among the two bows. To better understand the workings and differences of these two weapons, a brief background is necessary. Archery bows are one of many primitive firearms, dating back as far since ten thousand years ago. It involves shooting an arrow in a projectile motion with the use of a bow. Surprisingly, this comes in a lot of various types that depends on the components used in producing them. Illustrations of these include solid wood longbow, composite bow and the recurve bow, which is the official bow used in the Olympic Games.
However, a crossbow is a mounted bow with a stock and a trigger that is comparable to a rifle. In place of arrows, bolts or quarrels are shot in the same fashion. Just like the archery type, crossbows are medieval weapons that have evolved over the years. There are also many types of crossbows. The compound crossbow, recurve crossbow and the pistol crossbow are examples of modern types available.
With these in mind, differences between archery and crossbows can be identified and examined. The most obvious one is their weight difference. Archery bows are certainly much lighter than crossbows, which makes it the less awkward weapon choice for beginner archers. The crossbows make up for this by providing the shooter a greater draw force than what an archery bow can give.
The amount of time required to learn how to use these weapons is also very much unalike. Learning the how to shoot an arrow appropriately from an archery bow takes more time in comparison to picking up the techniques in using the crossbow. Other than that, crossbows offer less draw length, and therefore less required energy than those for archery.
Whenever it comes to the rate of fire or the shots that can be made in a specified time, archer bows prove to be the faster weapon of the two. Crossbow, however, is the more accurate weapon since there would be less stress in the arms and hands when preparing for a shot. Crosshairs can also be attached as an accessory for the crossbow.
To conclude, picking one over the other is dependent on the shooter’s expertise and needs. Those who want to get really serious in projectile-based weapons should opt for archer bows, but for those who just would like to have a good hunt, crossbow is an excellent choice. Lastly, these are great for faster shots, while crossbows allow more forceful ones.
You can find Archery Bows here.
New Crossbows for 2012
Considering on taking up game hunting this year? The crossbow could be a good weapon to start with. It’s quiet, relatively cheap, and in the hands of a well-informed beginner, relatively safe. But purchasing such a crossbow isn’t as straightforward as choosing the most appealing color or suitable camouflage scheme. Considerations such as what sort of game will be hunted and the physical features of the hunter will have to be taken into consideration.
The actual crossbow can be graded by how fast it can shoot its projectile (called a bolt), expressed in feet per second (fps). Generally, the greater this figure is, the greater the prey the crossbow can actually take down. However, the greater fps, the more difficult it is to cock back the string that actually ignites the bolt. It is the crossbows draw weight. So the higher the draw weight, the greater and stronger the hunted should be to be able to use the bow comfortably. Usually, a crossbow with 285 fps is enough for a deer, or black bear and would have a draw weight of about 150 lbs…., which is just proper for an averagely built individual.
For 2012, top crossbow companies have some great gear to offer budding and experienced hunting enthusiasts. Scorpyd has the new Ventilator, supposedly a scaled down version of the popular SLP. The model is obtainable in 100, 125 and 150 lbs. draw weights, delivering up to 400 fps. Roughly 36 inches long and weighing about 8 lbs., the base kit of the Ventilator will cost about $1, 300.
Excalibur has two models up for grabs for 2012. The Eclipse XT’s black carbon fiber finish is perfect for hunters who’d rather lurk in the darkness. This model can shoot arrows at 330 fps, has a draw weight of 200 lbs., and weighs just under 6. 5 lbs. The base model goes for about $920 and includes scope, quiver and various mounting hardware.
Furthermore from Excalibur is the $590 Ibex SMF. This can sling a 350 grain arrow at more than 305 fps and has a draw weight of 175 lbs. The compact model which tips the scales at below 6 lbs., is only offered as a kit that includes scopes, brackets, and quiver, amongst others.
U. S. -based PSE crossbows also have a few new stuff for this year, like the 2012 Crossfire. This bang-for-buck crossbow can be had for as low as $450 but can shoot 100 grain bolts at 320 fps. The package comes with a scope, three 20-inch charger bolts, quiver, and a useful cocking strap.
You can find crossfire crossbow here.
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