Compound Bow vs Crossbow: Pros and Cons

In both professional and amateur hobby archery worlds, it can be extremely difficult to decide between purchasing a compound bow or a crossbow. Both have their own specific advantages that lend themselves useful for very different styles of archery. A crossbow vs compound comparison is much like comparing apples and oranges – they are so different that there is quite a lot to take into account. In a compound bow vs crossbow comparison, it is important to highlight the wholly different styles and mechanisms of each in order to make an informed decision. In this guide, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of each, and at the end provide a verdict that will help you decide on your own purchase.

Size, Weight, and Drawing the Bow

Of course, the main difference to examine in a crossbow vs compound bow comparison is the body style of each, and the effect that this will have upon the shooting experience. Compound bows are, of course, longer than crossbows, but they are not as unwieldy – they can be more easily carried long distances through the countryside, and for hunting activities they are more suitable in this respect. In terms of weight of the entire bow, the crossbow is usually several times heavier than a compound bow, which makes it even more unsuitable for hunting game or trekking through the woods.

In terms of drawing the bow in a compound bow vs crossbow contest, the best compound bow will win yet again. A crossbow will require an immense amount of strength to draw, taking a lot of muscle power to crank and then lock the bow between shots. The large tensions are very rough on the mechanical parts of the bow, and they will have to be maintained and replaced extremely often. In contrast, the compound bow is light, fast, and quiet – the strings and other mechanical components will not have to be replaced often, and can be easily and quietly drawn.

Fast, quick shots can be made using a compound bow, whereas a crossbow requires a good few minutes to load in the arrow, prepare the bow for firing, carefully line up a shot, and then release.

Accuracy

When conducting a compound bow vs crossbow comparison, accuracy is a key point that must be examined closely – it is the heart of every bow system, and an extremely important aspect of the bow that potential buyers look at and research.

In short, the compound bow is more accurate than the crossbow – string loops are absolutely essential for enhanced accuracy, and the compound bow utilizes these mechanisms to great effect, holding the arrow release at a consistent anchor point to make the shot very precise. In contrast, a crossbow is drawn and locked in to a different degree with each shot, limiting the consistency of the bow and making it harder to hit accurately on a consistent basis. The only advantage that the crossbow has in the accuracy realm is that a shooter using a crossbow can draw the string back and lock in the arrow, and then take as long as he/she wants to line up the shot. Unlike the compound bow, the arrow does not have to be physically held in place by the shooter (which can be very taxing on muscles). The crossbow performs this task for you.

Noise and Draw Weight

The last two categories we will examine are rather short, and definite – the noise generated by each bow and the draw weights of each.

Generally, crossbows have a higher poundage than compound bows, requiring more force to fire. This will always generate more vibration in the bow which then causes noise – a bad thing for a hunter in the woods.

In terms of draw weight, the amount of force it takes to actually draw an arrow for firing, crossbows have a higher requirement. This makes arrows harder and more challenging to fire.

Conclusion

Based on all the available data, we can safely conclude that, in a compound vs crossbow comparison, the compound bow is the better purchase. They are extremely accurate, require less strength to fire in terms of draw weight, and are quiet. They are light, which allows for increased mobility and firing at longer ranges, and can be quickly loaded. More shots can be fired in less time, and do not sacrifice any power for this enhancement. Compound bows are smaller, utilize better mechanics, and need less maintenance to maintain a consistent high quality performance than other bows, such as crossbows. But you should check for recurve vs compound bow comparison too. A compound bow is the simplest way to teach to your kids to shoot with a bow!

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