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Crossbows - Everything about Building, Modding, and Using your Crossbow Gear

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    Hand Spanning a Crossbow

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    Post by bryan25shaw Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:59 am

    Hello,

    what is the average weight prod an average male could handspan using a stirrup? I wish to build a crossbow that I can handspan but is heavy enough to hunt rabbits and deer with.

    My second option I guess would be to use a rope cocking aid, how much easier is it to use this, and how much extra weight could it allow me to handle?



    Thanks for your advice in advance.Very Happy
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    Post by stoneagebowyer Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:11 am

    100 lbs. is no problem at all for me. I can just manage to hand span a 200 lb. crossbow, but it is work. A really fat string helps there. Not sure about cocking ropes, but I know that modern crossbow shooters use them.

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    Post by Gnome Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:20 am

    I'm a big fan of cocking ropes.I can span my 200# prod by hand also, but when I first got it together I found out the hard way that the geometry of my trigger mech wasn't quite correct when it dry fired while my fingers were still in the way... twice! I still have my fingers, but I'm a bit gun-shy of doing it that way now. Or string-shy, I guess. The cocking ropes are inexpensive, and easy to use and carry, but if you want to span by hand, a sturdy pair of gloves makes it a more pleasant task.
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    Post by mac Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:13 am

    I use a belt hook with a single claw. Once you get the hang of it, and learn to keep your balance on one foot while pressing the stirrup with the other, it is pretty easy to span bows in the #150 to #175 (68 to 80 kilo) range. I have never drawn anything heavier with this method, but I see no reason to think that #250 ( 114 kilos) or so would not be reasonable.

    If you are going to learn to span a bow this way, it is good to start with something in the #50 to #75 (23 to 34 kilos) range to develop balance and technique.

    (edited to add metric equivalents )

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    Last edited by mac on Fri Apr 27, 2012 3:26 pm; edited 1 time in total
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    Post by Gnome Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:47 am

    Mac, I think your choice of avatar image speaks a lot about your preference for spanning methods!
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    Post by Basilisk120 Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:52 pm

    I agree with Mac. I use a 150# crossbow and I span it using the foot loop. Took a bit to build up too it but it wasn't too difficult.
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    Post by jds6 Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:54 pm

    I also have a #150 crossbow. I too span it by hand. Tried one of the cocking ropes, didn't like it much. A good stirrup and balance seems to work just fine!

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    Post by bryan25shaw Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:27 pm

    Very Happy Thanks for your input so far guys
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    Post by bryan25shaw Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:54 pm

    So will an Alchem 150# prod be enough for rabbits and deer, say within 30 yards.
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    Post by ferdinand Fri Apr 27, 2012 3:06 pm

    Whats the difference between metric pounds and american? Ur numbers are pretty high!
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    Post by mac Fri Apr 27, 2012 3:22 pm

    Ferdi,

    150 pounds is about 68.2 kilos.

    Here is a link to a site that will do conversions. http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/converter.asp

    I will go back and put the metric equivalents in my earlier post.

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    Post by Basilisk120 Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:44 am

    bryan25shaw wrote:So will an Alchem 150# prod be enough for rabbits and deer, say within 30 yards.

    Yeah it will be more than enough for rabbits and should work for deer out to 30 yards.


    The issue past thirty yards becomes the elevation. With my crossbow once I get much past 30 yards the stock starts to cover the target. And past 30 yards I have to be much more precise with my distance guess, as in the bolt drop because pronounced.


    On a side note. I would go with 145 to 160 grain points. I don't think they loose any speed to a lighter point and they hit with more authority. They penetrate the targets at least an extra inch.


    I hope in the next month to get a chronograph to verify my theory that the crossbow is prod limit for speed and that heavier bolts shoot about the same speed as lighter ones.
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    Post by mac Sat Apr 28, 2012 10:18 am

    Basilisk,

    I think that you will find that the heavier bolts will be measurably slower than the light ones. The advantage of a heavier projectile is that it extracts more energy from the bow than a light one. The pay back is in increased kinetic energy in the projectile and less wear and tear on the bow and its string. The heavier bolts will penetrate a target better.


    If you have a way of measuring it, you will also find that the heavier bolt will cause the crossbow to recoil more. I noticed this when I did a test with my ballestrino. When I shoot the usual wooden bolts the recoil is not really perceptible. When I shoot a solid steel bolt it kicks like a mule.


    It's all about compromise, of course. If you set up a series of bolts of different weights, you will find the best one form your purpose and
    your bow.

    Mac
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    Post by Michael Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:12 pm

    Hello guys: Well I use the cocking rope that are on the market. That system is light and can be carried in ones pocket. Also I use it too unarm the weapon also . Again it works and again the total system does not cost much. I use it up to my 225lb draw wt. crossbow. After that I use a goats foot and next in line would be a cranequine. (I could never pronounce that word nor spell it ). That care every body. Mike Jam Jam PS I like them little guys.

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