Learn more about crossbows

What is a crossbow?

The first crossbows appeared in China in the 5th century BC. Over time, their mechanism and design have evolved tremendously. Today, among modern crossbows, there are different models with very innovative technologies. What is the principle of the crossbow? How is it used? What are its characteristics? What is the speed of a crossbow bolt? This is what we will see here.

In principle, it's a bow placed horizontally on a stock (the body of the crossbow) and whose mechanisms (the tiller holds the string and supports the bolt) allow constant tension of the string. No longer having to exert effort to hold the string as on a bow, the shooter can concentrate on their shot, and accuracy is easily improved.

With a crossbow, you always have the same power in the string tension and you can even shoot while lying down...

Another advantage with a crossbow: the bolts are not manufactured according to the shooter's morphology.

Once you pull the trigger, the bolt (the crossbow arrow, also called "bolt") is propelled by the string.

Here are some explanations about the power denominated in "pounds":

  • Power: 150 pounds (this is the force exerted to keep the crossbow cocked but also the one that will propel the bolt, it corresponds to that of a weight of about 68 kg, or 667 newtons; the term "power" and its measurement in "pounds" are traditional in archery, although it is a force and not a power)
  • Initial velocity: 102 m/s (approx. 367 km/h)

The crossbow is still used as a weapon, in recreational shooting societies (Northern France, Belgium, Netherlands...).

There are two disciplines recognized by the French shooting federation:

  • Match crossbow (shooting at 10 meters and 30 meters),
  • Field crossbow (shooting at 10, 18, 35, 50, and 65 meters).

Crossbow hunting is technically possible, but sometimes prohibited (especially in France), because a crossbow is powerful, silent, and compact; thus, being easily used from inside a vehicle, it's an ideal weapon for poaching.

However, it is widely practiced on the North American continent.

Operation of the compound crossbow

Compound Crossbow

A compound crossbow represents the best technological innovation in the world of crossbows. A perfect combination between the traditional crossbow model and the compound bow, it offers a weapon of extreme precision and great power.

Indeed, the presence of the pulley system allows for the reduction of the force needed to cock the string, but also optimizes shooting accuracy. Of different sizes, the pulley system is placed at the end of the limbs. It controls the tension force of the shooting string. When the pulleys rotate during cocking, they generate tension in the cables and thus multiply the power of the shooting bow. This allows the shooter to draw the string with less force, while increasing the speed at which the bolt or crossbow arrow will be projected.

This great power of the bow comes from its curved shape and its high rigidity. Moreover, it is also associated with the elasticity of the limbs of the compound crossbow, which are more flexible with double limbs and stiffer with a single limb, attributing more energy to the bolt's release. The arrangement of the pulleys on either side of the bow also allows for better weight distribution of the equipment. Thus, the compound crossbow offers excellent stability that will allow you to better focus on aiming.

Crossbows and Pistol Crossbows

Our website Hattila.com offers crossbows and all their accessories.

We have selected and tested all the crossbows for sale on our online armory.

All our products have proven themselves, whether they are entry-level or high-end.

We have diversified the categories by offering crossbows for leisure or for sport shooting.

We offer, as mentioned above, all necessary accessories: bolts (also called quarrels or arrows), targets, range, string, scope, tips...

The speed of the bolts

Depending on the models and power of the crossbows, the speed at which the bolts are propelled varies significantly. Generally, mini crossbows from 50 to 80 lbs launch bolts at a speed ranging from 165 km/h to 295 km/h. As for larger caliber crossbows between 150 to 180 lbs, they shoot bolts between 190 km/h and 400 km/h.

Some crossbows are specially designed to be very powerful, for example the Missile 200 which launches bolts at a speed of 444 km/h or the Excalibur Bulldog 440 which projects bolts at 482 km/h.

Powerful and lightweight

First, we must not forget that these are not toys and that sales are prohibited to minors.

We have pistol crossbows at 50 and 80 pounds. Then we move up to crossbows of 120, 150, and 180 pounds.

The materials that make up crossbows are varied: fiber, plastic, wood or metal. This information is always specified in the product description.

How to use a crossbow

Once again: it's dangerous, so go play with the crossbow where you won't injure anyone or any animal (also avoid putting your target in front of a bush for example, if someone were to pass behind at the wrong moment it would be tragic).

Our crossbows are mainly intended for entertainment, you can practice intensively and maybe even develop a taste for it...

The handling is child's play, on a pistol crossbow you have a lever or a stirrup to cock the string, on the larger ones you'll need to put your foot in the stirrup and cock it with your hands.

Then you aim at the ground and insert your bolt, be careful: check beforehand that the safety is engaged!

Then you aim at your target, remove the safety with your thumb and you can shoot.

Here are some links to buy crossbows and accessories:

Sources:

fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbalete_(arme)