crossbow range
 

just to add to my earlier post about being new to crossbows

whats a crossbows effective range?? i know quarrle wt..draw strength..head grains..etc..would be a factor just like in compounds..

just wondering if they do shoot farther..effectively..than compounds like i have been told.

thanks..wolfman

No they dont shoot farther,and they are arrows,and that will
determine the speed,vanes,feathers,broadhead,etc.You will be
shooting max,35/40 yards,and with a good scope you can shoot
some great groups,would advise spreading them around or you will tearing up arrows and that can cost you a few bucks!

My opinion is that there is not really any difference in effective range between a compound bow or a crossbow.
Years ago when I took the International Bow Hunter course. The 1 thing that I'm reminded of every time I pull up bow is, "less than 21 yards 80% of the deer where recovered in less than 100 yards, 26 yards or more 80% of the deer are recovered greater than 100 yards".
You can read about LUCKY shots over 40 yards with either a compound bow or a crossbow but they never ever say how many deer they have wounded, never found and left for the coyotes shooting at those ranges.
Fun to practice at longer 40+ yard ranges, improves your in range shooting accuracy, but I'll never shoot at an animal at those extreme bow distances.


Czy Horse

Actually, starting speed being relatively equal, the arrow from a vertical bow will fly further and have a flatter trajectory due to it's much greater ballistic coefficiency. Crossbow arrows fall to earth sooner because they are heavier and shorter (i.e. lower ballistic coefficient).
Each archer should establish and comply with a personal ethical shooting distance, based on both their proficiency with the bow they are using and the target involved. My outside shoot-to distance on deer is 40 yards, generally speaking its well under 25 yrds.

I'd agree with the shorter range, the better. The couple long range shots (30+ yards) I've attempted with the x-bow ended up with a miss or a wounded deer. Keep in mind, I had practiced regularly out to 40 yards and could place my arrows accurately at that range. But a couple times of attempting those longer shots made me change my mind.

Anymore, I make about 25 yards my maximum range for deer. Past that you get in to a whole lot of problems regarding arrow flight time, deer jumping the string, range estimation errors, etc. Sure, people can get lucky - I took a turkey with my x-bow at 37 yards cleanly, but looking back I see that was probably the exception rather than the rule. IMO, in most circumstances, X-bows should have less of a range than a quality compound because of the noise factor. A well-designed compound is going to be far, far quieter than a x-bow. This makes it less likely for deer to jump the string. Every crossbow that I've ever shot is pretty loud, and deer tend to jump, duck, turn, etc. at the sound- this problem is magnified at longer ranges. That's why I keep it short....

I have been forced to shoot also with a crossbow and shoot a Excaliber. I keep my shots the same as i did with compound bows and most are 20 yds or under. They shoot no farther than compounds in my opinion despite what some say. You could take a 30 yd shot or more but not ethical for me. Try one and see how comfortable you are with it. They are clumbsy as the limbs are horizontal and have to have clearance from obsticles. Would much rather hunt with traditional or compound but you do what you have to do to keep hunting. good luck

shooter
 

It depends to a degree on the person pulling the trigger, but not as far as some think. Depending on many things about 40-60 yards. Buckeyefootball

I'm new to crossbows too. I'll stay this side of 20 yards, let them walk there will be another day. I started hunting with a crossbow about three weeks ago and happy to say I took a 8 point the first time out, 22 yards and guess what? He made a turn before the arrow hit him but lucky for me in the trun the arrow went in behind his ribs and came out behind his front leg, got lung on the way. So its 20 yards for me!

Thats way to far out to shoot at a deer,35/40 max just
to be fair to the animal!

How fast can a deer move ? Well i can tell you 1st hand how fast they can move. I had a great broadside shot on a 160 10 pt this yr. 35 yds max. At the moment i pullet the trigger the Buck slung his head around to lick at his right shoulder. My arrow hit his left main beam & glanced off into the woods somewhere. Were talking nano second here & my arrow was GT II with alum. front insert & slick 100 gr mag 345 gr total & it ain't no slouch at that distance. The Buck Buck jumped then shook his head trotted off up the ridge. I was donw in the dumps & haven't recovered. I haven't hunting in over 2 weeks because of that. So 40-60 yds is the going distance ? I doubt it maybe 35 yds on a good luck day! :cry:

Buckeye, you don't having a flucking clue what you are talking
about ! WTF?? 40 - 60yds?? Here you go again giving people bad advice. Why don't you go back to the village that is looking for you and stay off ANY and all crossbow forums!!

Wheater it's a vertical or horizontal bow makes no difference on the maximum range. What makes a critical difference is the accuracy of the range estimite. Deer seldom pose at 10 yard increments and at ranges beyond 35 the range estimite must be accurate to the yard so that means it must be measured. Also the equipment used must be capable of this kind of accuracy. Any range beyond 50 would require a estimite to be accurate to feet and inches so IMO these incredibly long shots that you read about are just pure luck.

If one shoots a compound you know the effective range of a crossbow. New compounds acually shoot farther than a crossbow cause a bow has a draw of 30 inchs or so and crossbow has a 14 inch power stroke. Deer can jump a string with either so I never shoot over 30 yards tops with either kind of bow. I try to keep under 20 yards where possible

You are one that tries to fuel compound bow hunters against crossbow hunters? Think you need to go back and stay at your P.E.T.A. forum. Forty to sixty yards is rediculas and no true hunter would ever say something like that. I would suppose you are one that hunts coyotes with a pelet gun!

Thirty yards is my limit for both my compounds and crossbow.
I do believe my Scorpyd is up to the task at 40 to hit the vitals but don't like the energy level at that distance.

Buckeyebozo: Nobody here, but you ,is talking about maximum range!!!! This thread is about Effective Range.

You continue to post irrelevant, incorrect information and give wrong advice. Your are a menace to crossbow hunters every where!

Buckeye...

You've shot exactly one deer with your crossbow, and that with a lucky shot - by your own admission - allegedly at 42 yards, so now you seem to think that's not only routine but have stretched it by some 50%. You're flaming the anti crossbow flames with that moronic babble, Hunter2, or whatever you're calling yourself on this forum, and giving aspiring cross bowers the wrong impression. Just stick to telling us about your hunting prowess, like how you got busted ... while texting in a tree stand. :p

Speed of sound =1125 fps. 40-60 may be doable on [b]some[/] animals other than white tail deer. I shot a rabbit at 51 yds w/ a blunt once when preparing to leave a deer stand. I had watched it for 1/2 hour or so, ranged it, and still made a lucky shot.

The effective range can be stretched some on elk, moose or mulies, imho, but not white tail deer. They all deserve respect.

I was speaking of a range that is one that is only in perfect conditions that rarely happen. I have let game go at half that distance because of what I know to be true. A person that shoots abow that shoots 200 FPS vs say 350 fps has very different range and room for error.I have hunted with a bow for about 20 years and the principals of arrow flight are the same. Have a great day. Buckeyefootball:)

You'ld be better served keeping an eye on the bottom of your riser on that revolution than posting questionable info. Look for a teeny tiny crack right in the middle.

Your wasteing your time in his world he does no wrong and
thinks he is an expert on every thing,you just have to hope no
one listens to him,Da Griz had a point.

Hey Guys, This bozo is living proof that you just can't fix stupid!!

My effective maximum range with a compound bow is 25 yards (I would practice out to 30 yards); beyond that I am not confident in my ability to make a kill shot.

While I can shoot accurately with my Phoenix crossbow out to 40 yards, I have learned the hard way that my ethical range is still only 25 yards. I took a shot at a buck this season at 35 yards and ended up hitting him in the hind leg (when he took off the bolt sheared off and left the broadhead buried in his leg). Thankfully, I was able to track him down and finished him off two hours later, but I learned my lesson.

As others have noted, a crossbow is so much louder than a compound bow that string jump is greatly increased: I am convinced this is why I hit the buck in the hind leg (fully 2 feet back from where I aimed).

Bows are for close and personal. If you're looking for more effective means to kill deer, try something other than a string propelled mini spear. To build confidence I practice out to 50 yards, I hunt deer under 35, lazered, yards. :deer:

similar article
 

Look on crossbownation on the ethical range I think its called link in general discussion, it seems to explain this topic really well. Buckeyefootball

Once you get some experience, you won't have to tour the net to understand the subject. 35-40 yds is a real long shot on a white tail deer w/ any archery device.

For every deer taken past those ranges, there' a bunch limping through the woods or feeding the 'yotes.

The saying "There's a bozo on every bus" has some merit. It's rare to actually run into the bus driver.;)

Crossbow nation is the main site for crossbows . I was sharing what the experts on that site said to help all on this site who care to look. I have many many years archery experience but their are those on the nation with more.Have a great day :)

This tread has turned into a sport! Have fun!:cool2::hit:

I think Archery talk may just be a little bigger then your home site you cant even keep your stories straight who ever you are
and yes I am really looking forward to meeting you at the ATA
show now go catch your bus.

The bozo needs a large can of Whoopass opened on him!!! :D

Homes site? Just a dedicated crossbow site that exchanges information, stories etc in a respectfull way. By far in my opinion and Im sure others the best site on the web. ATA show was discussed on the Nation and found out I wont be able to attend after looking into it. Have a great day.

Then why don't you stay on that site? You have no respect or creedence here or on AT Forum!!

X2,Dang I was looking forward to that encounter,owell
some other time.:fighting0007:

You got it,I agree whole heartly.:biggrin:

Smokenpole
 

My arrow leaves my X-bow at 275 miles per hour. At 40 yards I still have a very hard time pulling out the arrow from the target. At 60 yards the arrow is still firmly into the target. I know my target is more dense than a deer. I'm just saying.

at 60 yards there's a good chance the deer won't stand and wait for your arrow to get there.

Czy Horse

Wow i am impressed you can pull the arrow out at 40 & 60 yds. Mine shoots all the way through my block target at 50 yds! Does that make it a 60 yds plus deer killing machine ? Not in my book it doesn't. That means you either need a better target just as i do! :biggrin: I had rather not shoot the deer on my place in the arse or guts or in the head because it moved while i shot at it. I know that from my 35 yd shot this yr. I prefer 35 yds & closer so close in fact i like to see their eye lashes wiggle in the breeze!

How much later does the arrow arrive after the noise arrive at the deer? If a deer sees the flash of the limbs on the shot, how much later does the arrow arrive? These are clues as to why you do not shoot at crazy distances and 50/60 is crazy!

Its the same as with a regular bow, keep your shots inside 40yrds and you should be able to make a clean harvest.