Cool Gift: Crossbow

[overtorque]

I got a really cool gift for Christmas, a Barnett Quad 400 (with a red dot scope included in the box) and a "cranking device" for it.

I'm pretty excited about it. It's a whole new area of marksmanship to explore. I've shot a compound bow a couple of times, but really don't know much about archery. The scope that came with it has three dots, I assume to mimic the three pin sights like the ones you see on compound bows. I don't know if the scope is quality, but I'm sure it'll work just fine for me.

So, what do I need to know? I know nothing about archery. The box says I need to wax the strings every ten shots, is that true? That sounds like a pain in the ass.

The only accessories I have are the quiver/scope/arrows that came with it, and the cranking device. Any other things I should look at picking up or is that everything I need to shoot this thing? I guess maybe I should buy an archery target, something that won't damage the arrows.

Is this a beginner crossbow, or is this something I could go out and kill something with?

Any general advice?

 

[zhyla]

I had a dinky little crossbow as a teenager, it was a lot of fun. I do recall waxing the strings. I think just the friction from the string release mechanism can wear on the string. Wax it if it says to wax it would be my first instinct.

A bale or two of hay works as a target backing.

 

[overtorque]

Yea, I'll do what it says to do. I think it came with a little bottle of lube for the rails, I didn't see any wax.

A cousin of mine mentioned that there might be something a part you can buy to help preserve the strings. Maybe he was talking about a silencer. I'm just really ignorant to this crossbow stuff. Excited to learn though.

How much does it cost to have new strings put on, once they wear out?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

A bale or two of hay works as a target backing.

The xbow in the OP will shoot through hay bales. He should get a foam block target along these lines:

http://www.blocktarget.com/Products/Block-Black-Crossbow-CB-16.php

(I don't own a xbow yet, but when my club approved their use on our range this is one target that was approved.)

 

[12gaugeTim]

Get a foam target like the other guy said. Shoot using field tips of course. Wax only the part of the string that does not come in contact with the barrel (yes it's called a barrel on crossbows too) and lube the barrel to prevent fraying of the center of the string with the extra cord wrapped around it. It might also be wise to keep some wax on the cables as well.
Your friend may have been talking about LimbSaver crossbow silencers, I have them on mine and I rather enjoy them. For this model bow you would get the variety that lock in place through the limbs.
At 400 fps, yes, this bow is ready to kill most anything with a broadhead. You'll be surprised by the inherent accuracy as well.
If you think maintaining a crossbow is a chore, try muzzleloaders...

 

[12gaugeTim]

In addition, while it is not necessary to lube and wax every 10 shots, it would extend the life of your string. Just make sure your barrel keeps a good coat of lube on it. Waxing isn't quite as important as it tends to last longer after it's been applied.
Always keep your fingers clear of the string when you shoot as the string will very easily chop them off. And to prevent you from exercising the warranty which I hope you have I'll let you in on a little tip: the limbs do expand when you shoot, and if they expand into something solid, you'll likely crack a limb and maybe lose a cam.

 

[stickwhistler]

The easiest and cheapest target is a cardboard box stuffed with old clothes.

I shoot a 70 lb bow, and foam targets are OK for a while - the last one lasted 7 years shooting several times per week,
3 dozen arrows (at least) per session, and sometimes a lot more when friends/visitors were shooting as well.

I bought a new Exomax crossbow 2 months ago, and the foam target did nothing to stop the arrows!
I bought a new foam target, and the arrows stuck through, damaging the vanes etc.
So I looked on youtube and found a video where a guy throws old clothes
into a cardboard box, and shoots two arrows into it from 9 metres.
The box stops the arrows, and two fingers are all that is needed to remove them.

Frankly - I didn't believe what I saw!
Many times I have fought to pull deeply embedded arrows out of the foam target using arrow pullers to grip the shafts,
so I thought there was no way a bunched up pile of clothes would stop my arrows! WRONG!

I had a box, and we just bought new bed sheets etc,
and some old work clothes needed recycling.
I stuffed the old bedding and clothes into my box - a Vax cleaner box - and taped the top shut.
20 yards with a 70lb bow - two fingers removal, exactly as the video.
20 yards 225 lb crossbow at 350 fps - two fingers again to remove.
It really is amazing to that this works - easy to remove the arrows,
no damage, no bending of aluminium shafts, no breaking of wood shafts,
and easy to repair the box/get another - for next to no cost.


Try it before replying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeSUVyP9uIM

 

[Smokey Joe]

X-bows...

Overtorque--I volunteer to help a disabled-hunters group, and among other things work with sighting in the guys' crossbows. Hence, I've handled a few different models. It would amaze you how many shooters have never waxed the cables nor greased the rails.

Anyhow, cable wax and rail grease are a lot cheaper than a new set of cables/string, and are available at any archery shop. Regular application is important. I wouldn't say every 10 shots, but perhaps every shooting session.

If you're accustomed to shooting a rifle, a crossbow won't be at all hard to get used to.

If you're able-bodied, you can probably cock the crossbow manually, and forget about using the cocking rope. Just be sure to keep the string centered when you cock. (Hint: I wrap masking tape around my string in alignment with the rails when the bow is discharged--Then when I cock, I just keep the tape in the same alignment with the rails, and voila! string is centered!)

Up to a 175# bow I find easy to manually cock, with one foot in the stirrup and a hand on the string on each side of the rail. A 200# bow is a bit of a challenge. Have never tried a 225 pounder. If you can handle it, manual cocking is quicker and less hassle than using any device. But, a cocking device is great if the pull weight is too much for you, or if you're handicapped. It's just slower.

Stickwhistler's advice on choice of a target is intrigueing. I'll have to try it. A X-bo can really get arrows stuck in some of the foam targets--and, some foam targets can steal your arrowhead and the screw fitting, right out of your arrow shaft! OTOH, there are foam targets which do not steal arrowheads, and are not next to impossible to get arrows out of. Again, ask at an archery shop.

ETA--Another handy, cheap thingy available at the archery shop is an arrow puller--It helps you grip the arrow when pulling it out of a foam target. Or the tree that jumped in the way of your shot at a deer!

12 ga. Tim has good advice on the dangers of a x-bo: KEEP FINGERS OUT!! and don't let the limbs hit anything when shooting. The forces being released are quite fierce. Also, don't dry-fire any x-bo, EVER!! Many x-bo archers keep a junk arrow to shoot into the ground, for when they want to decock the x-bow. Archery shops sell blunt arrows for that purpose, too.

Finally, while I'm not familiar with the Barnett Quad as such, I'm sure it would be fine for hunting deer or similar sized game, or anything smaller. The key, as with any archery--or for that matter firearm--hunting weapon, is to be familiar with your weapon, and practice, practice, practice.

Enjoy your new sport. NIIIICE Christmas gift. Oh, and pls keep us posted on yr progress!

 

[12gaugeTim]

Smokey Joe just told you most everything you'll need to know as a beginner. Also yes, keep us updated, I've always wondered about Barnett QC in comparison to the prices. It's good to see a crossbow thread on THR, don't let it die

 

[T.R.]

Crossbows generate a lot of vibration from the shot. Especially the high performance "speed bows". Plan to check tightness of the bolt which fastens the bow to the stock on a regular basis.

Good shooting to you.

TR