The hunting crossbow is a rather effective weapon, which, if necessary, can serve as a worthy replacement for a rifle. The main advantage of the weapon is the noiseless shooting. Therefore, in the course of its application it is quite difficult to scare the beast.
Design Features
What is a hunting crossbow made of? The photos presented in this material allow you to see that the following components can be distinguished in it:
- The case is the main power unit, which has the load when lowering the bowstring. It serves as the basis for the installation of functional parts.
- Pads are part of the design for installing bowstring tension arcs.
- A stock is a part of a crossbow that is used to place an arrow.
- A bowstring is a functional part that serves to propel the projectiles used.
- The shoulders are an elastic structural element that gives off energy when the bowstring is pulled.
- A stirrup is a part that facilitates the charging of a crossbow.
- The trigger mechanism is a device due to which the lock is opened and the bowstring is released during firing.
- Sight - mounted on a crossbow to facilitate aiming at the target.
Wooden Shoulder Hunting Crossbow
It is a simple construction. As follows from the definition, the shoulders here are made of wood. Such a crossbow can not be called a model of reliability. Products of this category are frankly short-lived and therefore are not in very high demand. Most often, such a hunting crossbow is used as a collection, decorative weapon.
Crossbow with metal arcs
Extremely common option. Hunters pay attention to such crossbows, as they demonstrate high power when shooting. Hunting bows and crossbows with metal arcs are suitable not only for training, but also for use in the field when tracking prey. For manufacturing, both solid arcs and composite structures are used, which are composed of several symmetrical parts.
Recursive Crossbow
The classic version with curved shoulders. Such a hunting crossbow is extremely easy to use and easy to use device. It has small dimensions and improved characteristics. Easy to disassemble and transport.
Recursive crossbows contain reinforced shoulders, the tensile force of which can reach about 50 kg. This, in turn, opens up the possibility of hunting small and large animals.
Block crossbow
The design includes a whole system of eccentrics, thanks to which the loading process of the weapon is facilitated and the boom is accelerated. Compared to recursive models, the block hunting crossbow is more compact. Power indicators are also on top here.
Insignificant dimensions are provided by the installation of short arcs. The application of this solution contributes to the easy overcoming by the owner of the weapon of the areas covered with thickets and shrubs.
The characteristics of a block-type hunting crossbow provide a simple cocking of the bowstring and low recoil, which is achieved due to the rational distribution of the force vector.
Pistol type crossbow
To a separate category include the so-called pistol crossbow. Products of this type are distinguished by the following qualities:
- thanks to the reduced dimensions, they are extremely convenient for transportation weapons;
- possess high power and allow you to hit targets both at medium and long distances;
- They are characterized by lower lethal force in comparison with block systems, however, they shoot arrows at a higher speed;
- in addition to arrows, darts, harpoons, and metal balls can be fired.
Sights
The main feature of crossbow shooting is a significant shift in the sighting line. In other words, after firing a shot, the projectile begins to gravitate rather quickly to the ground. Therefore, it is advisable to install optics with a special crossbow net on such a weapon. To effectively aim the crossbows at the target, it is enough to equip with optical sights with a 4-fold approximation.
Some hunters prefer collimator systems, which also prove to be quite effective. Moreover, this option makes it possible to hunt both in the daytime and in the evening. Collimator sights are extremely convenient to use when aiming at moving targets.
DIY hunting crossbow
Having decided on the necessary parameters and characteristics of the future weapon, it is worth moving on to the development of the corresponding drawing. As a sample, you can use the finished scheme or make the latter yourself. Be that as it may, a self-made hunting crossbow will eventually have to be customized.
During the preparation of the drawing, it is worth focusing not only on personal wishes, but also taking into account the availability of the necessary materials, based on their cost, processing complexity.
How to make a hunting crossbow with your own hands? Usually, a bed is prepared for a start, on which shoulders, a stirrup, a guide, a trigger are subsequently attached. Arches are a difficult element for independent manufacturing. Therefore, in some cases, it is better to purchase them in a finished version.
Do-it- yourself drawings will help to make a hunting crossbow , examples of which are shown in the photos below.
Housing
The base on which the bed and shoulders of the product are fixed is the body. It is advisable to cut it from a metal blank with a thickness of the order of 2.5-3 mm.
In the central part of the body and at the end, the bolt bed is fixed with bolts. The use of such a solution contributes to the rapid assembly of weapons for bringing into combat condition and disassembly during transportation.
A stirrup is welded to the housing at the bottom. The latter provides the ability to hold the crossbow with the foot while pulling the bowstring. As a material for the manufacture of stirrups, it is recommended to use a wire with a diameter of 6 to 8 mm.
Shoulders
The material for the manufacture of the structural element can serve as an automobile spring. In such metal shoulders, semicircular recesses for bolts are made, with which the part will be screwed to the body.
A popular opinion is that the use of metal springs as the basis for the manufacture of shoulders is a rather dangerous decision. And in fact, when using a homemade crossbow in conditions of low ambient temperature, the likelihood of a fracture of the part increases, especially in places of attachment. Such cases are accompanied by the release of small fragments. Therefore, the idea should be applied at your own peril and risk.
Blocks
Ready-made drawings of a hunting crossbow often include block devices. The latter relieve tension and give an advantage in strength. To bring such a crossbow into a combat state is easier than with a simple connection of the ends of the bowstring with the ends of the shoulders. Moreover, during the descent, the starting speed of the arrow increases, which affects the increase in the range of the weapon. The main disadvantage of installing a block system is the complexity of manufacturing and an increase in the total weight of the crossbow.
Bowstring
As a bowstring, you can use a metal cable with a diameter of about 2-3 mm. The thicker bowstring will be more difficult to fix on the weapon, and the thin one will stretch as the product is used.
To fix the bowstring at the ends of the shoulders, just make a regular loop. Under the cable mounts, it is better to place pieces of leather or any other dense material in advance. This solution allows you to avoid grinding the bowstring in contact with metal shoulders.
Lodge
For the manufacture of parts, you can use a wood workpiece that can be easily processed in the form of a board about 30 mm thick. It is worth noting that, despite the high strength indicators, oak is not very suitable for these purposes due to its significant weight. As for spruce and pine, the latter are not sufficiently resistant to mechanical damage and warp upon contact with moisture. Therefore, the type of wood should be selected depending on the goals and conditions for the future use of the crossbow.
How to make a hunting crossbow truly practical? Particular attention in the manufacture should be given to the guide in the form of a groove for the boom, which you must try to make as even, smooth, and polished as possible. The condition of the groove is largely reflected in the accuracy of the shooting. It is desirable that the width of the bed is equal to the diameter of the arrows used. You can saw it with a circular saw.
It is rational to use a spring as a means to hold the arrow, which will press the projectile to the bed and will not allow the latter to slip out of the groove before firing the shot.
Trigger mechanism
The material for the manufacture of the part will be sheet metal. It is desirable that its thickness is at least 6-7 mm. The drawing of the mechanism is presented in the following diagram:
All parts fit directly into the box of a homemade crossbow. Here, a special socket is cut out, through holes are made under the axis of the mechanism, on which the descent elements are subsequently installed. An example of setting the shutter is shown in the figure below.
Sighting optics
As a crossbow sight, you can use factory optics from firearms. A fairly practical solution is the use of front and rear sights. Using the latter, you can make vertical corrections. Horizontal adjustments are conveniently performed using a front sight mounted at the intersection of the shoulders and the bed.
To ensure the convenience of transporting the crossbow, it is worth making the sighting device removable. To do this, you can install the so-called Picatinny rail on the weapon, which provides the ability to mount individual sights of the factory assembly.
Finally
Hand-made manufacturing and operation of a hunting crossbow is a rather radical solution. Often, in the absence of experience of this kind of activity, the quality and reliability of homemade devices leave much to be desired. In reality, even factory-made crossbows of a budget category, the cost of which is about 3,000-4,000 rubles, turn out to be much more effective, convenient and practical compared to the creations of their own hands.
As you can see, it’s quite possible to make a hunting crossbow. However, by purchasing a weapon in a specialized store, the user receives guarantees of his safety, reliability of assembly. When using a homemade crossbow, you can only rely on yourself.