Survival Strategies → Security → Weaponry → Crossbows
A crossbow is great for putting food on the table and for defence.
Excalibur Matrix GRZ2 a lightweight budget recurve crossbow, designed for any game in any hunting condition!
Weight 8 lbs, Overall length 33.25", Speed 305 FPS, draw effort 100 LBS
Source: Excalibur Crossbows https://excaliburcrossbow.com/bows/matrix-grz2/
UK Law
The ownership and use of crossbows in the UK is controlled under the Crossbows Act 1987. It is legal to own a crossbow in England, Scotland and Wales if over the age of 18. It is an offence for anyone under 18 to purchase or possess a crossbow. However, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 effectively bans hunting with crossbows and the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibits carrying crossbows in public without lawful authority or a reasonable excuse.
Types of Crossbows
Recurve Crossbows - the traditional style crossbow used in the European Middle Ages and ancient China, where the bow limbs curve backwards from the front of the bow, then recurve back towards the front. A powerful hunting crossbow with bolt speeds of up to 400 - 500 feet per second (FPS).
Excalibur Assassin Extreme recurve crossbow with scope and crank
Speed 400 FPS, weight 9 LBS, length 32"
Source: Excalibur Crossbows https://excaliburcrossbow.com/bows/assassin-extreme/
Compound Crossbows - which use pulley systems to increase the power of the shot. Considered the best crossbow for hunting because of their accuracy but are more complex and require more maintenance than standard recurve bows.
Barnett Hyper Raptor compound crossbow with scope and crank
Speed 425 FPS, weight 7 LBS, length 32.5", draw weight 214 LBS, kinetic energy 152 LBS
Source: Barnet Crossbows https://barnettcrossbows.com/collections/crossbows/products/hyper-raptor%E2%84%A2-bcx-1
Reverse Draw Crossbows - In this type of crossbow the limbs are reversed and postioned at the rear of the bow close to the shoulder stock. Some hunters prefer bows of this type because they tend to be more compact, have better balance and weight distribution, and are easier to use in dense bush.
Scorpyd Deathstalker Crossbow
Speed 420 FPS, weight 6.2 LBS, length 32.5", draw weight 130 LBS
Source: New Crossbow https://www.newcrossbow.com/reverse-draw-crossbow/
Rifle Crossbows - These are compound crossbows with the limbs turned in more horizontally to the shafy making them extremely narrows (up to 6 inches). As such, they are more maneuvable and often preferred for serious hunting. Their rifle like stocks makes shooting easy whilst reducing recoil and vibration meaning a quieter shot.
Ravin R10x compound rifle crossbow
Weight 6.8 LBS, Speed 420 FPS, Length 33", width 6" (cocked), Kinetic energy 156 FT LBS, draw effort 12 LBS
Source: Tactical Archery https://tacticalarchery.co.uk/products/ravin-r10x-compound-crossbow-package
Pistol Crossbows - Small crossbows that resemble pistols, hand held.
BAT Reverse Draw Compound Self-cocking Pistol Crossbow
Weight 3 LBS, Speed 420 FPS, Length 16"
Source: Ballista https://ballista.co/crossbow-shop/crossbow/pistol-crossbows/bat-reverse/
Bullet Crossbows - These types of crossbows fire steel ball bearings and/or lead projectives rather than standard bolts.
Talon Raptor Crossbow
Fires 8mm steel ball bearings, 30 Cal lead projectiles and standard 17" crossbow bolts
Speeds - 8mm steel balls 410 FPS, 30 Cal Lead projectiles 308 FPS, 17" bolts 200 FPS
Source: Outdoor Hobbies https://www.outdoorhobbies.co.uk/talon-raptor-crossbow-1377-p.asp
Repeating Crossbows - Semi-automatic or self-loading crossbows which carry top loading magazines.
EK Archery Cobra RX Adder Self Loading 130lb Crossbow
Draw weight 130 LBS, Speed 240 FPS, 5 bolt magazine, intigrated cocking lever, comes with shoulder sling and red dot target light
Source: Preppers Shop UK https://preppersshop.co.uk/ek-archery-cobra-rx-adder-self-loading-130lb-crossbow-14531-p.asp
Crossbow Bolts (or Arrows)
Some people refer to the crossbow projectile as a bolt, while others call it an arrow. Both definitions are correct, Most crossbow bolts are between 16" to 22" in length and are made up of four parts, the shaft, the nock, fletching and the bolt head.
The shaft is the main body of the bolt to which all the other elements are attached. It is usually made of aluminium or carbon and
comes with varying degrees of stiffness. The weight of the shaft is expressed in "grains", either total grains or grains per inch.
The nock is attached at the rear of the shaft and holds the bolt against the firing wire.
The fletching are the "wings" at the back of the bolt that stabilise trajectory and flight.
The bolt heads are either field points (also known as target points) with a sharp pointy tip that allows them to penetrate a practice target
or alternately broad-heads which are designed to inflict severe physical damage, so are reserved for hunting.
Types of crossbow hunting broad-heads
Source: Best Crossbow Source https://www.bestcrossbowsource.com/crossbow-bolts-arrows-guide/