Do you know of a solid, reliable crossbow that would be suited for a woman? I really want to buy one as an alternative to my firearms, but don't know where to start!
Crossbow tech has exploded and driven prices down. Unfortunately the China virus shutdowns driven them back up a little bit. But basically an "entry level" xbow will start around 250-300. But even at that price, your getting a really powerful weapon capable of hunting large game. Most Barnett or Crossman/Centerpoint branded xbows are a safe and reliable choice for beginners. No point in purchasing a recurve style xbow, as a compound one is vastly superior and is not that much more than the expensive than recurves. As for you being a woman, cocking a compound xbow isnt hard at all, my wife shoots ours all the time.
The most honest answer is that it depends. Ravins are my favorite (high price point though) and have about a 12-pound draw weight. I honestly think most modern hunting crossbows could be operated by even a semi-frail teenage girl without too much difficulty. It is probably worth going to a local hunting outfitter near you and asking the folks behind the counter for a rec given that they'll be able to size you up.
How are you liking it? I had an old compound when I was a teenager that was probably made in the 80s that was a pain in the ass, I see these new compounds and dont even know where to start, some dont even look like bows!
Thinking about taking it up as a hobby, I dont plan on using any of my firearm ammunition for some time.
I got into it 10 years ago. The bows of today are nothing like the older ones. But the maintenance on all of it these days make modern compound bows an unrealistic option for SHTF IMO. Traditional would be the way to go for that kind of stuff. Another downside of going modern compound is the cost. Top of the line, new bows are well over $1000, and then you gotta buy several hundred dollar sights and rests, arrows are $40-$100+ for a dozen, broadheads are expensive too. Then you gotta make it all fit to you and how you like to shoot. Releases, stabilizers, silencers, stoppers, all have their pros and cons. Then you gotta make targets to actually stop the arrows. And then after all that, you gotta replace old arrows that will splinter and shatter into your hand when they get weak. You gotta replace your string so it doesn't break on you and break your bow and hurt you in the process. Pins get old and break. And newer and better stuff is always coming, so you're always tempted to get that next new thing that might help you shoot better than you currently are.
It's an expensive hobby to get into. But once you start, you're going to never want to stop. Nothing beats that satisfying THWACK you get from shooting an arrow from a bow you painstakingly set up to shoot only for you. When it's something that seems like it's been made exactly for you, that bow becomes a part of you. And you can't live without it.
That's just the shooting part of it. Don't even get me started on what it's like to decide to go out hunting with one. I love my guns, but it's a whole new world to be discovered once you have a bow in your hand instead. I recommend getting into archery only if you want to get into something that is going to consume every ounce of spare time you have not doing everything else you love, all just for the most satisfying THWACK you've ever heard. There's nothing like it and all you'll want to do is hear it as many times as you can. I can't even remember what it was that got me into archery. Never cared for it much and for hunting I like to use a gun to make sure that I instantly kill what I shoot at. But I got into it and I found a completely different kind of love than JUST my guns. This is a warning and an encouragement
I was also thinking of maybe getting a recurve bow just to test the waters, I really just want it to shoot at targets. I have plenty of room to shoot with no worries, but my local archery range has 3 archery courses that I have walked through and look pretty cool. Sucks that archery wasnt available at my school when I went through, they have it now.
Hunting with a bow also intrigues me more. I have access to several hundred acres but havent hunted in 3 years maybe, mainly due to a local chronic wasting disease outbreak in the whitetail, but it just wasnt fun with a rifle anymore.
Crossbows. A decent one can be had online starting around 250. Wife got me one for Christmas a year ago and I've been hoarding bolts for it ever since.
Yeah I got a new kabar and a stiletto style knife.
I’ve recently go into bow and arrows. Got a nice compound bow 6 months ago
Crossbow supremacist checking in
Do you know of a solid, reliable crossbow that would be suited for a woman? I really want to buy one as an alternative to my firearms, but don't know where to start!
Crossbow tech has exploded and driven prices down. Unfortunately the China virus shutdowns driven them back up a little bit. But basically an "entry level" xbow will start around 250-300. But even at that price, your getting a really powerful weapon capable of hunting large game. Most Barnett or Crossman/Centerpoint branded xbows are a safe and reliable choice for beginners. No point in purchasing a recurve style xbow, as a compound one is vastly superior and is not that much more than the expensive than recurves. As for you being a woman, cocking a compound xbow isnt hard at all, my wife shoots ours all the time.
The most honest answer is that it depends. Ravins are my favorite (high price point though) and have about a 12-pound draw weight. I honestly think most modern hunting crossbows could be operated by even a semi-frail teenage girl without too much difficulty. It is probably worth going to a local hunting outfitter near you and asking the folks behind the counter for a rec given that they'll be able to size you up.
How are you liking it? I had an old compound when I was a teenager that was probably made in the 80s that was a pain in the ass, I see these new compounds and dont even know where to start, some dont even look like bows!
Thinking about taking it up as a hobby, I dont plan on using any of my firearm ammunition for some time.
I got into it 10 years ago. The bows of today are nothing like the older ones. But the maintenance on all of it these days make modern compound bows an unrealistic option for SHTF IMO. Traditional would be the way to go for that kind of stuff. Another downside of going modern compound is the cost. Top of the line, new bows are well over $1000, and then you gotta buy several hundred dollar sights and rests, arrows are $40-$100+ for a dozen, broadheads are expensive too. Then you gotta make it all fit to you and how you like to shoot. Releases, stabilizers, silencers, stoppers, all have their pros and cons. Then you gotta make targets to actually stop the arrows. And then after all that, you gotta replace old arrows that will splinter and shatter into your hand when they get weak. You gotta replace your string so it doesn't break on you and break your bow and hurt you in the process. Pins get old and break. And newer and better stuff is always coming, so you're always tempted to get that next new thing that might help you shoot better than you currently are.
It's an expensive hobby to get into. But once you start, you're going to never want to stop. Nothing beats that satisfying THWACK you get from shooting an arrow from a bow you painstakingly set up to shoot only for you. When it's something that seems like it's been made exactly for you, that bow becomes a part of you. And you can't live without it.
That's just the shooting part of it. Don't even get me started on what it's like to decide to go out hunting with one. I love my guns, but it's a whole new world to be discovered once you have a bow in your hand instead. I recommend getting into archery only if you want to get into something that is going to consume every ounce of spare time you have not doing everything else you love, all just for the most satisfying THWACK you've ever heard. There's nothing like it and all you'll want to do is hear it as many times as you can. I can't even remember what it was that got me into archery. Never cared for it much and for hunting I like to use a gun to make sure that I instantly kill what I shoot at. But I got into it and I found a completely different kind of love than JUST my guns. This is a warning and an encouragement
Awesome, thanks for the comment.
I was also thinking of maybe getting a recurve bow just to test the waters, I really just want it to shoot at targets. I have plenty of room to shoot with no worries, but my local archery range has 3 archery courses that I have walked through and look pretty cool. Sucks that archery wasnt available at my school when I went through, they have it now.
Hunting with a bow also intrigues me more. I have access to several hundred acres but havent hunted in 3 years maybe, mainly due to a local chronic wasting disease outbreak in the whitetail, but it just wasnt fun with a rifle anymore.
Check out the instant Legolas (or Sprave bow), it's awesome new bow technology from Joerg Sprave.
Let me show you its features!
And it’s only 98.99 but the first 10 callers get it for 89.99!! That’s savings unseen before!
I need this.
My wallet: No
That reminds me. I should get a new string for my recurve and practice with it.
Crossbows. A decent one can be had online starting around 250. Wife got me one for Christmas a year ago and I've been hoarding bolts for it ever since.
. . . and they are already suppressed ;)
thoop
Like this one? :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy_bJQaD3Uc
It's good; fast, easy to use and light. Pepper spray is a very good addition.
A can of spray paint, WD40, or wasp spray works good too!