Unloading your crossbow

Bill

Bill

Administrator
Yea I know the dreaded Xbow isn't loved.
But if you use one how do you unload it after hunting?

They sell plastic one use bolts but that's throwing $1 away every time.

Ten point says don't use your crank cocking mechanism as it can damage it.

Shooting a field point into dirt is eventually going to lead to a root strike.

Carrying a target seems impractical to me.

Here's what I did. Fender washer with a hole that matches the field point threads. Along with another to add strength.
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Make sure you have clearance

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Don't shoot 20 yards out your bolt will skip off into oblivion.

Shoot nearly straight down. And I would not recommend using the bolt for anything else after this.

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I simply shoot mine into my x-bow target when I get back to the house. Now I hunt and live on the same property so I have the luxury of having the target available. I do however remove the bolt from the crossbow once shooting light has passed and I keep my field point/bolt combo at the target back at the house.

technically - in IN hunting while having a field point in your quiver is a no-no and having your bolt loaded in your crossbow after legal shooting hours have passed is a no-no as well. I simply leave my crossbow cocked with the safety on, but unloaded. I return home, walk into the garage, load the field point bolt and "thump" = crossbow "decocked"!

They do make small "travel" size targets specifically for this purpose as well that you could/can use say at the truck or your UTV as well.

I like your fender washer idea.
 
I keep a "practice" bolt with field tip in the quiver and fire it into the dirt. You are right on the angle. I lost one last year by shooting to far out vs down.

Sometimes I walk the crossbow back to camp and fire the bolt into a target. Kind of counterproductive trying to sneak out of a stand when you have to fire a bolt before getting down.
 
I honestly carry a target with me, when I get to my truck at end of day, evening I put target out to about 20-30 yards and use that as a way to make sure everything is still on, as I live in rocky area, shooting into the ground will end in a wasted bolt never to be used again!
having a small target doesn't take up much space to me at all, and it assures me my zero is always on
at night headlights work to do this?
I also hunt private land, so, NOT worried about a warden getting excited about me shooting after dark ata target?
 
I guess the consensus is a target. But sometimes I'm running a utv a mile or more home. Just feel odd about a cocked Xbow. Even without an arrow. I know I'm to lazy to bring a target with me.

Tooln,
That looks more forgiving than a blunt washer. Keep me posted on how it holds up.

For now I'm going with my .15 cent washer.
 
just be careful; about using that set up, sudden stops can do a lot of damage to a bolt and it can explode in time
and that can be at the launch and NOT the impact
arrows are not made to take repetitive HARD stops?
I'd rather carry the target, than risk a accident
 
MRBB said:
just be careful; about using that set up, sudden stops can do a lot of damage to a bolt and it can explode in time
and that can be at the launch and NOT the impact
arrows are not made to take repetitive HARD stops?
I'd rather carry the target, than risk a accident
Click to expand...

You're probably right. I come up with lots of stuff in the shop. Not all of them turn out to be the safest thing in the world.
 
Bill said:
Tooln,
That looks more forgiving than a blunt washer. Keep me posted on how it holds up.
Click to expand...
Between the wife and I we have been using one for 2 years now. Still going strong.
 
Bill said:
I guess the consensus is a target. But sometimes I'm running a utv a mile or more home. Just feel odd about a cocked Xbow. Even without an arrow. I know I'm to lazy to bring a target with me.

Tooln,
That looks more forgiving than a blunt washer. Keep me posted on how it holds up.

For now I'm going with my .15 cent washer.
Click to expand...
Bill - they make small "discharge" targets for cross bows that you can easily toss into the back of your UTV/truck - if you want to go that route. They are specifically designed just for that purpose. They are roughly the size of a basketball.
 
i carry a small target. the only thing different I do..

I use a normal bolt, but I have the heaviest grain field tip that is made. I figured the more weight the less stress. don't ask me the grains... I got it from an archery shop. it's well over 200.
 
Thanks j-bird,
I'll look into them but I may go tooln's route. Anything that cost $15 and has lasted two years these days must be a good product.
 
yeah right up till that one time it fails and you end up hurt?
and then the medical bills and loss of?? can destroy any savings REAL fast!
hey someone win 's the lottery all the time, so, things happen
why risk things
there is a LOT of force happening at the release of that string!
 
Same thing as J bird. Once that bolt gets removed the x bow cannot shoot anymore even if you flip the safety off and pull the trigger.


So I remove the bolt. Walk back to the house or truck. Shoot an extra bolt into a bag target at point blank range. And be done with it.
 
j-bird said:
Bill - they make small "discharge" targets for cross bows that you can easily toss into the back of your UTV/truck - if you want to go that route. They are specifically designed just for that purpose. They are roughly the size of a basketball.
Click to expand...
I second that, we have a small target (has a bee on it) that can't be more than 12" x 16".? It's really handy.
 
I use the crossbow unloading bolts (CUB) from Ten Point. I guess that the cost of them is not that big of a deal to me considering the convenience of use and the fact that they biodegrade. I used to carry a crossbow target with me and shoot into the target. I have arthritis in both hands, so then I would have to pull out the arrow and it was difficult. It is only in hunting situations that I have to use the CUB.
 
There is a new item called the arrow diffuser which fits all crossbows and can safely decock your bow. Made in Wisconsin and have very good reviews.
 
Big Snow Man said:
There is a new item called the arrow diffuser which fits all crossbows and can safely decock your bow. Made in Wisconsin and have very good reviews.
Click to expand...

That thing is cool as heck. And quiet!

But I somehow went from a .15 cent washer to a $100 thingy.
 
Bill said:
That thing is cool as heck. And quiet!

But I somehow went from a .15 cent washer to a $100 thingy.
Click to expand...
Bill
It's only money!
 
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