Closing out the Pistol Crossbow hunting bolts

[craftsman]

Could not post to the old thread - too old. Finally got the documentation completed, and posted on "The Instructables" website:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Making-Field-Tip-and-Broadhead-Hunting-Bolts-for-t/

Thanks to all for the support and suggestions. I think using the carbon fiber or aluminum tube shafts with screw-on tips and crossbow nocks will make a big difference over the wooden dowels and glue-on tips I used. As our moderator pointed out, many folks think of the Pistol Crossbow as a "dangerous toy". Trust me, after testing this out at the local archery range - this is no toy. For Field tips target shooting, I suggest a maximum of 10 meters (11 yards), and with the Broadhead points I used, no more than 8 yards. At those ranges - the darn thing is mean accurate, especially with the rear adjustable sites. The main problem it has, is a 6-3/4 in.power stroke.

 

[Mp7]

Awesome. Thx!

I was about to buy that pistol cb.



Any test-info on what range u can reliably hit and kill i.e. a rabbit?

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I remember a fellow using one to kill snakes and such.

 

[desidog]

Years and years ago, we moded one with a cheap push-button closed drum fishing reel underneath; and drilled a hole through the point, just about 1/8" from the back of the tip, and another about 1/4" from the knock/back of bolt on those plastic bolts. Attached the fishing line to the rear hole, and inserted and bent some wire thru the front, bending it back to 45's to create two free-swinging barbs; which worked very well for xbow fishing in the stock pond...til my buddies dad found out and gave us a lengthy lecture on the glories of fly fishing and the evils of harpooning... that was a long time before the bow-fishing craze caught on.

 

[craftsman]

Small game effectiveness range, with the home made broadhead bolts I made, no more than 8 yards (7.3 meters). But using a lighter (aluminum or carbon fiber shaft, screw-on tip and nock) bolt, I think that can be upped to nearly 15 yards (13.8 meters). Would love to se pics here of anyone who made the lighter bolts - along with details on how you did it. Thanks.

When asked why I went with the hardwood dowels initially, the commercially sold 6-3/4 in. molded plastic or aluminum shaft darts that are available as an accessory to these, does not match any known archery size, so no way to just remove the existing tips and replace them. Also, it uses a different threading (metric ?) density, so I could not even find any machine screws that matched.

I do like the idea of drilling out the the plastic darts to attach a line, and adding a wire for a barb so it can be used for fishing. Very innovative. Thanks.