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The Crossbow: a Terrible SHTF Weapon Choice.
All Outdoor.com ^ | 12/10/2013 | N/A

Posted on 12/10/2013 5:12:07 AM PST by Carriage Hill

"Unless you're fighting zombies, skip the crossbow."

While many preppers are busy stockpiling hordes of rifles, shotguns, and handguns plus cases of ammunition for a looming doomsday scenario, others are thinking more broadly about other weapons options. Thanks to the success of AMC’s The Walking Dead, one of the options that has become popular with preppers is the crossbow. On TWD, one of the main characters (Norman Reedus’s Daryl Dixon) uses a crossbow with quite an astonishing amount of lethal success. But is this even remotely realistic? Let’s take a look at this bolt (arrow) shooting implement to see its implications as a true SHTF tool.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; Hobbies; Society
KEYWORDS: banglist; crossbow; shtf
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To: MrB

Aren’t we already fighting them? =)


101 posted on 12/10/2013 12:30:36 PM PST by Patriot Babe
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To: McGruff

I noticed that many times, too. Writer’s flaw in the script.


102 posted on 12/10/2013 12:39:29 PM PST by Carriage Hill (Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading.)
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To: carriage_hill; lostboy61; roofgoat
Years ago, Stallone used one in a “Rambo” movie to shoot VC out of guard towers in a prison camp, during a POW rescue

Stallone's bow was made by Hoyt. It wasn't a "takedown" per se, but it did disassemble. This meant it had to be reassembled in the field, not the easiest thing to do.. The arrows were two piece shafts with several different tips he could use. Note also that Stallone is left handed and used a left handed bow in the movie.

103 posted on 12/10/2013 12:39:36 PM PST by verga (The devil is in the details)
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To: carriage_hill
Regular archery takes longer to learn, but can be much faster and just as quiet.

Reinventing the fastest forgotten archery (10 shots in under 5 seconds)

104 posted on 12/10/2013 12:48:17 PM PST by PapaBear3625 (You don't notice it's a police state until the police come for you.)
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To: sand88
It was Rambo IV (2008) set in Burma.

He used the same Hoyt compound in both III and IV. He did not use a crossbow.

105 posted on 12/10/2013 12:53:01 PM PST by verga (The devil is in the details)
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To: Johnny_cash

I agree. If one uses a gun or rifle for hunting, that will draw attention
with the sound. Short range, silent and deadly not a bad trade off, for
hunting.


106 posted on 12/10/2013 12:56:47 PM PST by tennmountainman (Just Say No To Obamacare)
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To: carriage_hill

I don’t think anyone is talking about giving up their guns. However, when the SHTF, a silent hunting weapon could come in handy in certain hunting situations.


107 posted on 12/10/2013 1:00:27 PM PST by tennmountainman (Just Say No To Obamacare)
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To: PapaBear3625

Amazing...


108 posted on 12/10/2013 1:00:54 PM PST by Carriage Hill (Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading.)
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To: tennmountainman

It has its place, definitely. I the YT vids I see of it, the more I want to try one.


109 posted on 12/10/2013 1:02:21 PM PST by Carriage Hill (Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading.)
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To: McGruff

‘Every time I see them take a knife blade and stick it through a Walker’s skull I think how hard bone is and cringe. A hammer or axe seems much more suited for the task.”

tomahawk all the way babie


110 posted on 12/10/2013 1:07:05 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Abundy

Exactly. Otherwise, gangs will hear your shots. Kill you and take your meat, as well.


111 posted on 12/10/2013 1:07:59 PM PST by tennmountainman (Just Say No To Obamacare)
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To: ConjunctionJunction

Damn... except for that spike, I like it. That’s a little too close to the grip for an accident waiting to happen.


112 posted on 12/10/2013 1:13:19 PM PST by Carriage Hill (Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading.)
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To: carriage_hill

Bookmark.


113 posted on 12/10/2013 1:14:13 PM PST by The Cajun (Sarah Palin, Mark Levin, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Louie Gohmert......Nuff said.)
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To: verga

how the heck did you find all that?

Any idea on the draw weight/letoff %


114 posted on 12/10/2013 1:35:35 PM PST by roofgoat
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To: driftdiver

“tomahawk all the way babie”

I use a hawk all the time. Never on a skull though so I don’t know if a hawk will get slightly stuck in a skull like when I hit wood. If so, then a spear is the way to go.


115 posted on 12/10/2013 1:38:29 PM PST by roofgoat
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To: roofgoat

Spears are good too. Tomahawks have been used for a long long time and are devastating. I haven’t used one personally but have seen tests and then of course there are the history books. Short clubs are also very effective.

Not as good as a gun but useful in the right situation such as close quarters.


116 posted on 12/10/2013 1:58:15 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: roofgoat

Here’s one video - http://www.coldsteel.com/Category/7_1/Tomahawks.aspx


117 posted on 12/10/2013 2:03:18 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: tennmountainman

I do have several Class III suppressed firearms, but a crossbow is definitely quieter.


118 posted on 12/10/2013 2:03:55 PM PST by Carriage Hill (Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading.)
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To: roofgoat
how the heck did you find all that?

It is part of the curse of having a good memory for stupid trivial things. I was buying my first Compound when II came out. The dealer had some in stock and I gave one a try. It rattled a little much for my taste and I settled on a Browning "Ram" Bow that was only made for about 3 years.

Any idea on the draw weight/letoff %

IIRC it had a range of 55#-70# I believe the let off was around 40-45%.

119 posted on 12/10/2013 2:55:18 PM PST by verga (The devil is in the details)
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To: carriage_hill

Yes, I can see that spike accidentally dropping down and going into the thigh. Not good! I liked the rest of Joerg’s modifications, though! :D


120 posted on 12/10/2013 3:06:50 PM PST by ConjunctionJunction
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