Blunderbuss Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 (edited) Serious question, does anyone own a crossbow and if so what do you use it for? I confess to having a rather jaundiced view of them, but I have an open mind and am prepared to be educated. I associate them with scrotes shooting at swans/cats and druggies robbing off licences with them. I accept that this might be a skewed view and as I say, I'm prepared to consider evidence to the contrary. You can't legally hunt with them, and most target or field archery clubs don't seem to take them that seriously, if they allow them at all. Especially some of the more expensive compound ones with huge draw weights. Some of these are designed for bow hunting deer and pigs etc where it's legal and are seriously lethal, far more so than any air rifle and yet they require no licence. I suspect though It's the cheaper end of the market which gets misused rather than high end gear your average scumbag couldn't afford. 'plinking' with them must be expensive and inconvenient as bolts get lost or damaged and I would imagine the novelty would wear of quite quickly. So what DO people use them for? What proportion of crossbows sold get used for legitimate uses versus those used for mischief/illegality? Not having a go at anyone if it's their thing, just curious as to how they are used. I'd be genuinely reassured to discover there's a thriving national target league which accounts for 80% of sales, but somehow I doubt it! Edited July 16, 2012 by Blunderbuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SakoQuad Posted July 16, 2012 Report Share Posted July 16, 2012 (edited) I don't shoot XBow but a local Rifle Target Club has a XBow and archery section shooting targets out to 50mtrs on their range and 100 mtrs when they get chance to use a friendly farmer's field, some are fitted with riflescopes. The National Crossbow Federation have info. Seem to be several sorts of XBow disciplines like Target and Sporting XBow sections. Local, national and international competitions. Not obviously any different to rifle target shooters as far as I can see in many respects anyway though a lot more walking up & down the range collecting the bolts!! Does seem crazy I have to have FAC for my 30ft lbs air rifle but could have a XBow capable of accurately shooting a bolt well over 100 mtrs with no registration or FAC equivalent!! Edited July 16, 2012 by SakoQuad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I have a crossbow, bought it many years ago, think its a wildcat. The bow string was lost along with the bolts, its been hanging in the shed for a least 20 years as tool rack. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) I have the very chavvy, misused and scroaty crossbow that you describe. It's a 50lb pistol crossbow that I bought off the web for £9.99 and a pack of 20 bolts for a few quid. I use it for plinking in the back garden as my house is overlooked by plenty of neighbours who failed to fall in love with the look and noise of C02 pistols. It's far more powerful than any airpistol out there, fairly accurate with a red dot on it and is silent so doesn't bother the neighbours. I actually find it really relaxing, drawing and firing like archers of old. Don't think they should be sold to scrotes though! Uploaded with ImageShack.us Edited July 17, 2012 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 Mine is not a pistol type,it has a beech stock and, I think, a 70lb bow. If I can pull it out from behind all the junk in the shed I will take a picture of it. I recall the reason I didnt use it as I couldnt keep up with the cost of bolts. No, not firing into trees or without a backstop but the bolts have a tendancy to hit the ground then slide up along the turf, impossible to find in the tussacky stuff where I used it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VikingRebel Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I have a 80lb pistol crossbow. I use it solely for target shooting in the garden. I plan to actually build my own crossbow in the near future too. As with anything there will always be a minority of idiots who will abuse them. In all fairness though despite their lethality and easy availability, they really arent used in crimes all that often. I cant imagine they are all that attractive to the urban "gangsta", they arent exactly the most inconspicuous weapon in the world. Im sure the majority who own crossbows use them for legitimate purposes and do so in a responsible manner. Admittedly im sure there is a proportion of people who own crossbows purely for home protection (I know a couple of people who do), but to be brutally honest i dont see any issue with people doing that. I would hate to see crossbows banned or licenced, it would just be another nail in the coffin of our liberties. And where would it end? First crossbows, what next, bows? They are equally if not more lethal than crossbows. Slingshots? Air guns? Javelins? This "i dont see any legitmate reason for owning crossbows" attitude from within the shooting community, is exactly the same attitude that allowed semi-autos and handguns to be banned in this country. It will lose us everything eventually, mark my words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I always loved the look of the humble crossbow, my grandad and my dad both made there own at college, when my time came thanks to the medieval weapons act I was not permitted. It's a shame really not as a hunting tool but as an exercise to build your own would of been nice. So I made a 150 lb long bow instead lol as that's exceptable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyboy220 Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) I always loved the look of the humble crossbow, my grandad and my dad both made there own at college, when my time came thanks to the medieval weapons act I was not permitted. It's a shame really not as a hunting tool but as an exercise to build your own would of been nice. So I made a 150 lb long bow instead lol as that's exceptable I thought the last line in your signature was your kill list for this year until I saw the "baby on the way bit" congratulations. Edited July 17, 2012 by Dannyboy220 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted July 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I would hate to see crossbows banned or licenced, it would just be another nail in the coffin of our liberties. And where would it end? First crossbows, what next, bows? They are equally if not more lethal than crossbows. Slingshots? Air guns? Javelins? This "i dont see any legitmate reason for owning crossbows" attitude from within the shooting community, is exactly the same attitude that allowed semi-autos and handguns to be banned in this country. It will lose us everything eventually, mark my words. I wouldn't disagree with that. I'm not suggesting banning them and I'm not sure who you are quoting with your "legitmate reason" quote? There are quite a few hobbies I don't get, but provided they are not hurting anyone, each to their own. I am just interested to see if there are any positive experiences of them amongst the PW massive to counter the many negative ones that exist. It seems there are, which is all to the good . I do have to say though, I think you are on very dodgy legal ground advocating their use for self defence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I made one from an old orange box and managed to get it up to 762 pounds draw weight .I shoot old garden hoes and garden rakes through it and use it for all African dangerous game . known in Africa as bwana with the magic orange box . No I kid you all ,it only has a 700 pound draw weight . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted July 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I made one from an old orange box and managed to get it up to 762 pounds draw weight .I shoot old garden hoes and garden rakes through it and use it for all African dangerous game . known in Africa as bwana with the magic orange box . No I kid you all ,it only has a 700 pound draw weight . Harnser . sounds like a load of bunker, sorry bunkum to me. I could believe 600 pounds at a stretch, but 700? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) i have a book on them called the modern crossbow from 60s most bows are composite and strangely and apparently can be made quite easily in an airing cupboard i think this is referring to a glass fiber construction of some kind my dads was at about 180 ish lbs bit this causes problems as the fabricated trigger systems only go up to about 180 lbs any higher and its a rolling nut which my dad didnt use doh lol so to answer you question, yes there are some good points to the crossbow if only as an engineering exercise and following on from my farther in my perspective. as for hunting with them err not really they are not as easy to shoot as you think lol very much like a sub 12 flb air gun in 36 cal ;)more of a lob than a shoot as you have a rubber blunt on the end of the bolt for small game not a pointed tip. i have seen some blunts for sale recently and the were 136 grain so add the bolt to that and the flights and the knok lmao get a housbrick it would be lighter ;P thanks dannyboy220 carnt wait mate Edited July 17, 2012 by Amazed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I occasonally shoot balloons with mine on one of the fields I shoot on. It's a reproduction of a medieaval one kept at Hatfield House in Hertforshire and was made for me by a man from Kent about 12 years ago. It's impossible to draw the string back by hand and several large, strong guys have tried without success. I uses a goat's foot cocking lever. I forget the exact draw weight, but it's somewhere around 700lbs. I'd be interested if anyone could point me in the right direction of somewhere I might be able to sell it--an archery website/whatever. I'd be anxious about it getting in to the wrong hands as it's extremely powerful and the bolts will carry about 170 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amazed Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 http://www.ncf-crossbow.co.uk/ try them mate may be able to point you in the right direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 Blundrebuss What do people use them for.................. Well I suppose the obvious answer is the same as people who target shoot rifles. Strange as it sounds, some people get pleasure from "shooting" at a paper target be that with a bow, rifle or handgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlerob Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 i have seen videos of people fishing with them they attach some type of reel andline to it shoot a fish and then you have dinner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted July 17, 2012 Report Share Posted July 17, 2012 I hit a hair at 700yrds with one does that count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 18, 2012 Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 I hit a hair at 700yrds with one does that count? You were supposed to hit the apple, Mr Tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted July 18, 2012 Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted July 18, 2012 Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 I remmeber Agincourt........blo**y French.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cottonseed Posted July 18, 2012 Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 http://www.ncf-crossbow.co.uk/ try them mate may be able to point you in the right direction Cheers. Will do, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VikingRebel Posted July 19, 2012 Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) I wouldn't disagree with that. I'm not suggesting banning them and I'm not sure who you are quoting with your "legitmate reason" quote? There are quite a few hobbies I don't get, but provided they are not hurting anyone, each to their own. I am just interested to see if there are any positive experiences of them amongst the PW massive to counter the many negative ones that exist. It seems there are, which is all to the good . Sorry if my previous post was a little badly worded and caused any confusion. I wasnt quoting you or anyone else here, i was merely echoing sentiments that i have heard from members within the shooting community on previous occassions. I do have to say though, I think you are on very dodgy legal ground advocating their use for self defence Im certainly not advocating it, i know the legal standing on keeping weapons in the home for protection is grey to say the least. Im just not particularly against its practice, apathetic if you will. If an individual really wants to take the risk, who am i to try and stop them. Edited July 19, 2012 by VikingRebel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted July 19, 2012 Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 (edited) I remmeber Agincourt........blo**y French.. They were bl**dy, we slaughtered them, and it is believed that the French crossbowmen never even got a chance to fire their weapons. THE ORIGINAL TOUR DE FRANCE: Harfleur 18 Aug-22 Sept 1415 Agincourt 25 October 1415 Caen Aug - Sept 1417 Rouen July1418-Jan1419 Montereau June –July 1420 Melun November 1420 Dreux July –Aug 1421 Meaux Oct 1421 –May 1422 Edited July 19, 2012 by Bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest newarcher1 Posted July 19, 2012 Report Share Posted July 19, 2012 I occasonally shoot balloons with mine on one of the fields I shoot on. It's a reproduction of a medieaval one kept at Hatfield House in Hertforshire and was made for me by a man from Kent about 12 years ago. It's impossible to draw the string back by hand and several large, strong guys have tried without success. I uses a goat's foot cocking lever. I forget the exact draw weight, but it's somewhere around 700lbs. I'd be interested if anyone could point me in the right direction of somewhere I might be able to sell it--an archery website/whatever. I'd be anxious about it getting in to the wrong hands as it's extremely powerful and the bolts will carry about 170 yards. hi the nfas website they have a small adds section Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 We have played around with crossbows but found that on the more powerful ones accuracy was very elusive. so much so that you couldn't really ever be sure of hitting a coke can (say) at 25 yds. Shooting rabbits with them (yes I know don't say it) if you were actually able to hit one the bolt would go straight through and hit or miss that was the last you saw of the bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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