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Hey Guys,
After reading all of the hype on other forums about what crossbows are, and are not capable of, I thought some might like to see an honest report from a bowhunter that has actually shot one.
Melissa and I recently purchased a crossbow so that she can now hunt with me during bow season. While I will continue to bowhunt I also plan on using the crossbow on some days when she can't make it out.
The point of this thread however is simply to give you an honest idea of what these things really are capable of. (Keep in mind we purchased a very high quality crossbow and the average crossbow would probably not be quite as good...but still the general basis will hold true.)
I will keep this short and simple since anyone that has learned to bowhunt will know full well how much work it takes to get a bow tuned, sighted, and shooting well, as well as how much time it takes to develop a decent shooting form.
The comparison...
I bought the crossbow this week over the internet, assembled it myself, and had never fired it or any other crossbows for that matter, prior to today. After arriving at the range today I spent less than 10 minutes, taking only 7 or 8 shots to sight it in. (It was off by more than a foot on the first shot)
I then strolled out 50 yds from my target.... And realizing that the ballistic reticle in the scope only had target dots for 20-30-40 yds I estimated that the distance to the lower post at the bottom of the reticle looked well proportioned for use as a 50yd "guestimate" holdover. I then aimed for the upper right 1" bullseye ...50 yds away....and let fly!!
In less than 20 minuntes time, and despite using a "guestimate" for a holdover...my very first shot at 50yds...missed the 1" bull by less than 1". :shock:
JC
(And yes, this type of accuracy is very repeatable...)
After reading all of the hype on other forums about what crossbows are, and are not capable of, I thought some might like to see an honest report from a bowhunter that has actually shot one.
Melissa and I recently purchased a crossbow so that she can now hunt with me during bow season. While I will continue to bowhunt I also plan on using the crossbow on some days when she can't make it out.
The point of this thread however is simply to give you an honest idea of what these things really are capable of. (Keep in mind we purchased a very high quality crossbow and the average crossbow would probably not be quite as good...but still the general basis will hold true.)
I will keep this short and simple since anyone that has learned to bowhunt will know full well how much work it takes to get a bow tuned, sighted, and shooting well, as well as how much time it takes to develop a decent shooting form.
The comparison...
I bought the crossbow this week over the internet, assembled it myself, and had never fired it or any other crossbows for that matter, prior to today. After arriving at the range today I spent less than 10 minutes, taking only 7 or 8 shots to sight it in. (It was off by more than a foot on the first shot)
I then strolled out 50 yds from my target.... And realizing that the ballistic reticle in the scope only had target dots for 20-30-40 yds I estimated that the distance to the lower post at the bottom of the reticle looked well proportioned for use as a 50yd "guestimate" holdover. I then aimed for the upper right 1" bullseye ...50 yds away....and let fly!!
In less than 20 minuntes time, and despite using a "guestimate" for a holdover...my very first shot at 50yds...missed the 1" bull by less than 1". :shock:
JC
(And yes, this type of accuracy is very repeatable...)