The crossbow, a tool once used solely for warfare, has evolved into a popular hunting and leisure instrument. Despite its advancements in safety, mishandling a crossbow can still lead to dangerous consequences. One overlooked aspect of crossbow safety is how long it can be drawn. How long can you safely leave your crossbow drawn before it becomes a hazard to yourself and others? Let’s explore this often-ignored but critical aspect of crossbow usage.
Crossbows can be drawn or cocked for a long time. However, experts advise you to leave them drawn for at most 24 hours. Also, leaving them cocked for a long time can lead to the strings tearing apart, which is potentially dangerous to people and objects. Furthermore, if you’re using a weaker string, such as hemp or jute, it’s best to only pull the crossbow for a few minutes to avoid snapping.
How Does the Crossbow’s Shooting Mechanism Work?
The shooting system of the crossbow is quite simple; just like other bows, the string, which is the propeller, is pulled back and then released when it’s time to let go of the arrow or bolt. The crossbow’s latch holds the string until the trigger releases it, unlike the other bows, which are entirely dependent on the strength and endurance of the drawer. The shooting mechanism of a crossbow revolves around how the energy is stored, pulled back by the string, and released by pulling the trigger.
Cocking a crossbow
Cocking a crossbow means getting it ready to propel the bolts. It involves pulling back the string and locking it into place using the latch. The process can be done manually or with the help of a cocking device. A drawn crossbow is ready to shoot. Hence, it must be done at the right place and time.
The crossbow’s mechanism keeps the bolt secure during the cocking process; however, frequently leaving the crossbow drawn may overstrain its durability, leading to its failure. The method of drawing back the crossbow and firing its projectile is straightforward, as is uncocking it. Following is a video demonstrating how to uncock the crossbow after drawing it:
Potential risks of leaving a crossbow drawn
A crossbow must be drawn before it can propel its bolt. When a hunter first attempts to shoot a deer and misses, they may be inclined to keep the crossbow drawn while searching for the game. This instance illustrates why a crossbow may be cocked for several hours or minutes during a hunting expedition. However, leaving the crossbow drawn for longer than a day of hunting may cause issues with both the crossbow and the shooter.
Effects on the Crossbow
String stretch: Leaving the crossbow drawn for an extended period can cause the string to stretch. This stretching of the string can reduce the power and accuracy of the crossbow, which could also lead to inconsistent shots.
Limb warping: The crossbow’s limbs hold and release the stored energy from the drawn string. Leaving the crossbow drawn for too long might twist the limbs and reduce the precision and accuracy of the crossbow.
Trigger Mechanism Damage: Another potential effect of leaving a crossbow drawn for an extended period is damage to the trigger mechanism. The constant tension on the trigger can cause it to wear down or even break, rendering the crossbow unusable.
Shorten Crossbow Lifespan: A mid-level draw-weight crossbow of 150 pounds can be drawn for up to 12 hours, but leaving a draw weight above that may damage the bow. Lower draw weight bows shouldn’t be cocked for long, as it may harm the string. If these occur too often, it can lead to costly repairs or even total damage to the crossbow.
Effects on the Shooter
Loss of Accuracy: The prolonged draw on the string and the limb will affect the shooter’s accuracy. A stretched string will reduce the crossbow’s average draw weight, which may confuse the shooter. A twisted limb can also affect the accuracy of the crossbow.
Factors that determine how long you can leave your crossbow drawn
The amount of time you can leave your crossbow drawn depends on various factors, including:
Crossbow model and quality
Crossbows have different specifications and quality levels, affecting how long you can leave them drawn. Generally, high-quality crossbows can withstand more stress and remain cocked for more extended periods than lower-quality models.
Draw weight
The draw weight of your crossbow refers to the force needed to draw the string back fully. Crossbows with higher draw weights are hard to draw, and leaving them drawn for too long might also damage the crossbow’s limb.
Ambient temperature
Extreme temperatures can harm and shorten the lifespan of the materials used to construct your crossbow. As a result, you should avoid leaving your crossbow drawn in hot or cold weather.
String material
The type of string used on your crossbow can impact how long you can leave it drawn. For example, strings made from natural materials like hemp tend to stretch more than synthetic strings.
Best Practices for Drawing and Undrawing the Crossbows
Use a crossbow cocking aid: If you often find it challenging to cock your crossbow due to its high draw weight, you can consider using a cocking device. A cocking device can also ensure the string is drawn evenly, preventing limb warping and other issues.
Refrain from dry-firing your crossbow: Dry-firing a crossbow can also cause damage to the string or other shooting mechanisms of the crossbow. Ensure you have the bolt available before you attempt to draw back the bowstring.
Store your crossbow properly: Properly storing it can prevent damage and prolong its lifespan. Keeping your crossbow in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures is also best. You should also ensure the crossbow is undrawn and unloaded before storing it.
Avoid overdrawing your crossbow: Ensure you stay within the recommended draw length when drawing your crossbow. Stretching your crossbow can lead to limb warping and other issues affecting accuracy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drawing your crossbow for too long might harm its components and impair its accuracy. The duration you can get your crossbow drawn varies depending on several factors which must be considered. However, to keep your crossbow in good condition, it’s better to follow all the required safety measures of cocking and uncocking it. Finally, drawing the crossbow should not be deemed action if it is not required.
