Bow vs. crossbow?

[Stonedog]

This topic is not about modern versions of either.  It pertains to longbow/flat bow/trad bow and the medieval style crossbow. 

It is also a comparison of the two as hunting weapons, not a weapon of war.

So, as a purely hunting weapon, which do YOU think is superior?

Have at it....I am getting the popcorn!

[johnston]

I can clear this all up in a hurry.

It all depends on what and how you are hunting. There.

Lane

[Stonedog]

Well and true Lane....but where is the fun in that? 

[johnston]

Okay, I'll play. The American Flatbow would be my over all choice. Can be long or short, medium or stout.
A lot of different woods are suited to it and it is easy to make with few tools required. For an all around
hunting weapon it is my Number One.

Lane

[Tortoise]

In my opinion the crossbow is a much easier thing to use, the bolts are set in place, the string locks in a fixed position, ect. It is also much easier to aim with, so you have a better chance of hitting your next meal. Basically a very simple version of a bow from my point of view. But that doesn't mean it is better or shoots faster, though.

[beetlebailey1977]

I disagree with the crossbow being easier to use.  Bulky, more work to load and fire, and just plain ugly.  My opinion.  Does not mean that they don't work or do the job.

[JW_Halverson]

I disagree with the crossbow being easier to use.  Bulky, more work to load and fire, and just plain ugly.  My opinion.  Does not mean that they don't work or do the job.

...pluss the lightweight bolts are not suited for humane killing. 

[Stonedog]

JW-
I have to respectfully disagree.  My crossbow shoots 3/8" oak bolts, 13" long with a 125gr broadhead. They are 500 gr.....more than heavy enough IMO ...

[JW_Halverson]

Ok, I stand corrected, Stonedoggie.

I guess the thing that makes me shy from the crossbow is the additional parts, pieces, processes, and priorities that go along with them.  Every additional step squares the opportunities for something to go wrong.  Bow and arrow?  Much simpler.

Was shooting a 3D event and the woman in the lane next to me spent her 5 minutes on the line fussing with every conceivable gadget you could mount on a bow including Dish Network and a DVD player!  Finally she drew the bow and fired (Yes, CraigMBeckett, I said fired...these bows have more in common with a gun than a real bow! You gotta give me that much!)  She then asked everyone in her flight if they could tell her where her arrow went.  They all agreed they did not know.  I told her to count her arrows.  When she reached the final tally of three she became quite confused.  Yup, in all that fussing with all the NASA inspired technology she had forgotten the second part of the two part equation. 

Bow + _____ = weapon. 

(example:  Bow + "nothing" = unwieldy and ineffective club)

[mullet]

Well, just look at what it says at the bottom of my post, sums it up for me.

[JackCrafty]

Unless the crossbow has steel limbs, it will not shoot consistently.  The longer the crossbow sits at full draw, the slower the bolt will travel when released.  Close range won't be a problem though.

Crossbows were used for hunting as soon as they were available and replaced the bow in many areas  when they were made with steel limbs.  It was the preferred hunting tool before firearms.  That says a lot right there.  They were very expensive, though, so the bow never lost out completely.

[Badger]

  I think Jack nailed it.

[Pappy]

Yep Patrick nailed it and Eddied nailed it even better.
   Pappy

[Stonedog]

So a modern medieval crossbow with a metal prod made from  spring steel would LOSE power?  I am not confronting...just trying to understand.!

[JackCrafty]

Unless the crossbow has steel limbs, it will not shoot consistently.

This means that the crossbow will not loose power if it has steel limbs, and will shoot consistently.  Limbs made from other natural materials like wood, horn, etc, will loose power and this will cause the arrow or bolt to shoot lower than you expect.