I gotta try one of those things, someday.
I don’t know if that URL’s newsletter publication is on FR’s “excerpt only” list or not...
Never fired a crossbow but all knowledge I have of them indicates to me that they are short-ranged and not terribly accurate. I could not trust one with any kind of shot other than those at close distance.
Fighting “zombies”... yeah, but we WILL be fighting “zombies”...
Just thinking - it would be a great vampire weapon, if the bolts were made of wood...
Gotta hit ‘em just right, though.
I have one kicking around. When I used to shoot it, I was good out to 40-50 yards like the author stated. It has its place in a SHTF scenario I suppose but if I was hoofing it, I doubt it would find its way into my load plan. It’s very heavy and too limited in its usefulness and there are much smaller equally lethal alternatives available.
There are times you don’t want to make any noise. The crossbow is nice for (let us say) shooting a buck that’s in your back yard. But the bolts are indeed expensive.
Silence in an ambush, but the first shot had better be dead on. Long reload time for multiple targets.
We must do what this guys as he knows how to spell.
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The Daryl Dixon character only uses one when he needs to be in stealth mode. Otherwise, he’s armed with guns.
I have a Horton RDT (Reverse Draw Technology). It is more accurate inside 40 yards than my deer hunting firearms. The bolts don’t stick in much but my target and that is a special (Hurricane) target for the speed of the bolts. I have ruined several bolts when they have been fired through hay bails, dense foam targets, tree branches and animals (Fletching damage).
Though I have never shot at an animal with anything other than a broadhead, I doubt there is much chance of a bolt sticking unless it hits big bone just right.
The RDT X-bows are VERY well balanced but still relatively heavy. The power and accuracy are impressive. I have found, however, that anything shooting faster than about 385 FPS starts to have mechanical problems and accuracy issues compared to 385 FPS and lower. I believe that between 350 FPS and 385 FPS is the right speed for most X-bows for distance, accuracy and durability. But that is just my opinion. My Horton does 350 and it is a really fine weapon. Each bolt may have it’s own personality, but it can be counted on to fly the same way every single time.
There is my take in case anyone cared.
Never did care for a crossbow myself.
if you don’t want anyone to know you are around but need to kill food they are an excellent choice
http://www.bestcrossbowsource.com/barnett-ghost-410-crossbow-review/
“How Powerful And Accurate Is The Barnett Ghost 410? As far as power goes, this is certainly one of the most powerful crossbows available on the market. The majority of other crossbows don’t exceed 340 FPS of shooting speed. The Ghost 410 has a whopping 410 FPS, which means that it can generate up to 150 ft-lbs. of kinetic energy (when using bolts similar to those included with the package) at point blank range! Using a chronograph, I calculated the speed to be 406 FPS, which is as close as it gets to a manufacturer’s statement.”
There is a lot of enthusiasm in that article, but there are good crossbows out there that can hit hard at 70 yards. One particularly nice thing about this tool is that it’s not on the gun-grabbers list (yet).
The close range stuff will require a semi-auto weapon with lots of ammo. An AR or pump shotgun are probably the best choices with a backup of a high capacity handgun.
The long range activity will probably be guerrilla activity against a superior force. A good bolt action rifle with a scope is in order here. One shot with a quiet retreat seems appropriate for this type of engagement.
I suppose a crossbow might have some quiet hunting applications, but it would be virtually useless in a close range fight.
In a SHTF scenario, it is good to keep in mind unconventional weapons, some which are currently extraordinarily illegal. These include chemical weapons and poisons, and even biological weapons.
If an aggressor harms themselves, even lethally, time is on your side. If you can just evade them long enough, you win, and with minimal risk.
Our next door neighbor has taken 5 deer so far this season with a cross bow. We have a Christmas haunch in the freezer thanks to it. So Far Mr. GG2 is 0 for 3 with the AR. :-)
Psychological impact of the mere sight of it might have some advantages.
Most know gunshots are quick, but a small arrow?
I used to shoot a compound bow, back in the day - lots of fun.
Love my wrist rocket! Good for plinking off small game for roasting over the campfire. ;)
A friend uses his crossbow to shoot a starter-line over the tops of tree’s he’s cutting down.