Crossbow versus compound arrow trajectory

tpcollins · 03-18-2009, 05:14 PM

Hate to have another of my posts so close to the top but I have one more question on crossbows. In reading lots of posts here, it seems alot of people try to keep their shots around the 30 yard range. I've shot competitive archery in the past and currently shoot a High Country Ultra Force (that I love) at close to 270 fps (on a chrono) with Easton ACCs that weigh 398 grains with a 100 gr Thunderhead.My sight has two pins - 25and 40 yards - and wouldn't hesitate to take a shot at 40 yards under ideal conditions. This is the flattest shooting setup I've ever had. I used to get a new bow every couple of years but you can't pry this one away from me.

Sohowdoes crossbow arrow trajectory at 350 fps compare to compound arrow at 270 fps knowing the bolts weigh a bit more than my compound arrows? Thanks.

martinfaw · 03-18-2009, 06:59 PM

The reason a lot of crossbow hunters ( me included) limit their shots to 30 yds is the noise, they are loud and the speed of sound is much faster than the arrow speed. When you get past 30 yds. they can jump the string and its not ethical. When i first went to a crossbow i thought wowover 300 feet per second i can shoot 50 or better yds. and got away with it a few times but it caught up with me and i came to my senses. A compound vertical bow is nowhere near as loud and it always seemed to me that past 30 yds. the deer were not as likely to jump as they would at 15 or 20.

Martin

smokepolehall · 03-19-2009, 05:39 AM

as martinfaw says its about the deer itself and how it will react to the sound it hears. some ppl have certain scopes they can shoot accuraely out to 70 yds. a deer maynot react at all if its that far away. it may take a step for that acorn it just saw and move while your arrow is in the air! cripple ? miss ? bad hit ? clean kill ?

Cossack · 03-19-2009, 06:04 AM

More to your point, My 425 grn arrow shot from the Cyclone at 355 fps drops about 8" at 40 yards from it's 20 yard zero. The longer lighter arrow shot from a vertical bow has a higher ballistic coefficient and therefore, drops less. I feel confident shooting accurately, offhand, beyond 50 yards. But, for reasons already stated, I"m not confident that the live target will be there when the arrow arrives from 50 yards away. So, I limit my shots to 40; preferably at RELAXED deer.

sits in trees · 03-21-2009, 01:07 PM

i'm fairly new to x-bows and they are LOUD!!!i would limit my shots to 30 or less for sure on any whitetail.....as the gentleman who owns excal states, if you are doing anything to your x-bow to reduce noise (heavier arrows, things on your strings)that will also reduce speed your heading in the wrong direction. the additional speed an x-bow provides shortens the drop of a string jumping deer, an arrow high in the spine with a compound will be a double lunger with an x-bow. now thisis the opinion of a novice so if i'm talking out of my arse feel free to correct me.........thanks

BuddyBo · 03-21-2009, 06:46 PM

Sits in trees, I say a high in the spine shot from a vertical compound at say 45 to 50 yards, would be over the back from my Xbow. And just because of the noise and the string jump. A vertical compound does have it's advantages. They're a lot quieter so less string jump. I will never again shoot at a deer over 35 yards with my loud, tin can rattlingcrossbow,and it has to be a relaxed deer then! There is a day coming that Xbows will be so quiet that your heart beat will make the deer jump the string before your bow will.
BBO