Crossbow. Is it really necessary?

[Toddie]

So i was browsing a few sites and got to looking at crossbows.

The prices aren't as bad as i though they would be, around 150-220 mark for a re-curve (175ish lb) bow with a few extras.

I go hunting with an air rifle quite regularly, but that's only for small game, mostly wood pigeon and this might be considered overkill. But even for target practice or lamping (rabbits) it could be useful. Also there's the 'if SHTF' it's something rather than nothing in terms of people taking you more seriously.

I don't know, it might be a worthy investment, but I'm not sure. Have any of you guys got crossbows and are they really worth the money?

Todd.

[the-gnole]

A crossbow at present is more of a bit of fun, you cannot legally hunt animals with one in the UK at the moment.

You can however learn the skills, maybe taking it on a field archery range.

In a post SHTF scenario then it all changes, you will be able to hunt quietly with one, quietly so as not to give you away by using a rifle or shotgun.

Compared to a bow it can be carried for long periods in a "ready" state, it is often more compact than a compound bow or Recurve bow.

Also if going to be used as a weapon rather than a tool it is easy to obtain and to carry and can be equally fatal at close range as a rifle can.

[bulldogeagle]

if you get stopped by Plod, with a standard bow you could just say your learning archery as a sport but if found with a crossbow you may have some difficult questions to answer.

[Toddie]

if you get stopped by Plod, with a standard bow you could just say your learning archery as a sport but if found with a crossbow you may have some difficult questions to answer.

With that in mind, i don't plan on casually walking around with it loaded, safety off and pretending to shoot it at people (it had to be said) so the only time it would be taken out would be to go to private land. From the point of view of the police, this shouldn't be a problem, should it?

Owning one is completely legal, i know that, but maybe there's a tiny piece of legislation that I'm missing that could trip me up?

[Carrot Cruncher]

As far as i'm aware they are treated the same as bows

Some Archery clubs allow you to use xbows, there is a field club near me that I hope to join this year and in their "photo Gallery" there are a few shots of xbows being used alongside bows. Worth checking out the ones in your area although it has to be said that most archery clubs dont let you use them

[Cougar]

I included one in my preps and consider it good to have.

[TeeDee]

I included one in my preps and consider it good to have.

Out of interest Cougar , which make and model do you have?

[Cougar]

This is the closest I can find to the one I have. its a basic unbranded model but servicable and more importantly affordable.
http://www.ronniesunshines.com/index.ph ... ssbow.html

[the-gnole]

I bought one of these back in 2006ish



Really interesting to fire over a long distance, not so easy to find the bolts though, fired one into a big Ash tree and it went into the trunk a good 2"+, had to unscrew the shank off the head and leave it behind. dread to think what it would do into flesh

[TeeDee]

Really interesting to fire over a long distance,

Gnole , what distanceare you defining as 'Long'? 60m?? Also what Poundage is it??

Cheers