Cross Bow

The cross bow has been around for quite some time. The Chinese were thought to have invented them about 2000 years ago. They were used mainly in warfare and hunting.

In the west the cross bow was introduced around 1000AD and was quite popular with the armies in Europe. What made this weapon so accepted for purposes of war was its accuracy and the relative ease with which the weapon could be used. Whereas a long bowman required years of practice to shoot accurately, crossbow archers could gain accuracy within a few months.

The cross bow is a quite powerful weapon and could pierce the armour of their enemy. This combined with their accuracy made them a formidable weapon. They did however have a few drawbacks. They could not be loaded quickly and were quite expensive to manufacture. These bows served the armies of Europe till the advent of firearms, which eventually proved to be more effective and powerful than the cross bow.

Using a cross bow today is like shooting a rifle, but instead of a bullet the projectile is an arrow, or more accurately called a bolt. Cross bows today have rifle like butts and even scope mounts. They are lightweight, small and quite accurate for close range. In fact many rifle shooters enjoy using them because of their similarities to rifle shooting. They are made of the same composite material as modern bows and come in different styles.

Different states and countries have different rules and regulations regarding licensing of the cross bow, so make sure you check them out.

The modern cross bow can either have recurve bow, or compound bow limbs. Compound cross bows have shorter limbs than the the recurve cross bow, making them easier to use in tighter situations. Older cross bows were made with steel limbs but now they are made with either fibreglass or a composite material.

Also available are cross bows with split limbs which reduce the weight and also equalize the stress. The stocks of these cross bows are available in wood and composite plastic material. The moulded stocks allow the manufacturers to offer a wide variety of styles.

The stock is that part of the cross bow which supports the firing elements, arrow rail and bow . It is also the heaviest part of the bow. Some cross bows have a skeleton stock to reduce weight, but generally the heavier the stock the more accurate the bow. They also sport a safety feature like any fire arm and cannot be fired unless the safety is off.

Today's cross bows are quite accurate, whether you are target shooting or bow hunting. The ease with which you can accurately shoot a cross bow sometimes amazes the novice. Cross bows with the aid of telescopic sights can give consistent accurate shots. Today's cross bow is quite efficient at bringing down game like deer at a range of about 30 yards.

If you are thinking about trying your hand at archery a cross bow, which is easy to use and highly accurate, it might be just the right choice for you.