Crossbow Dos and Don’ts

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For someone who has just gotten into it, a crossbow could pose many questions. When I first started I had didn’t know which one to get, how to shoot it and had no clue how to get better at it.

Thanks to my own experience and the advice of my colleagues, I came up with a short list of 10 dos and don’ts that I’m sure you will find useful.

10 dos and don’ts

1. Do Get the Best You Can Afford – If you are a beginner, you might want to play it safe and buy the most affordable piece and I get it. However, the cheaper models don’t have the abilities and features that higher end crossbows have and can ruin your experience.
2. Do Practice Your Shooting – The more shots you fire the better you’ll get. Alternate between positions, angles, and distances to get the most out of it, you’ll notice the progress yourself.
3. Don’t Ignore Your Finger Placement – Don’t hold a crossbow like a rifle and make sure your fingers are safe before every single shot. The string can lose you a finger in the blink of an eye.
4. Do Use a Good Crossbow Scope Sight – Invest in a good sighting scope and you will increase your accuracy dramatically. Read more about its features and choose the best one for your needs.
5. Do Use Quality Bolt and Arrows – You need fast arrows to shoot accurately, so don’t cheap out on them. High-quality aluminum or carbon arrows will work the best.
6. Don’t Shoot With Weaker or Off-Hand – Good balance is crucial for safe and accurate shooting. Shooting off-hand can be both ineffective and straightforward dangerous.
7. Do Take Care of Your Crossbow – Inspect and maintain your crossbow frequently to make sure everything runs smooth and tight. Also, clean and lubricate after every shooting session.
8. Do Take Rests – Listen to your body and take rests when you feel you need them. Forcing yourself beyond your limits can only lead to injuries.
9. Do Get a Feel For the Trigger – Get to know your trigger and learn how it reacts with practice. With moving targets, timing is just as important as your aim.
10. Don’t Shoot Beyond Your Effective Range – Every shooter has a maximum distance to which he can shoot accurately. Don’t shoot beyond your comfortable distance as you can just waste your arrows and time. Gradually improve your range with practice.