There’s More to Do
In the last blog I finished up at 35 yards and “suggested” to anyone who may be new at this, to hang out at 35 yards for a time. You remember that part right? Did you do it?
For those of us who did, it’s time to discuss our long term goals with the crossbow. What, you forgot which one I ordered? Oh you’re new and haven’t read the other blogs. I would suggest you read the other Bow Bully Blogs along with this one, but for time’s sake, I’m shooting the Killer Instinct SWAT X1.
Goals; do you or I want to hunt or just do some target shooting? We could invite some friends over and take turns and see who shoots the best. Whoever does, gets to keep the Crossbow! I’ll be the judge and I’ll always shoot the best! Okay, you’re right. I think that’s a terrible idea too. I’d like to do both, plink and hunt, what about you?
Fun Target Shooting
For fun target shooting, there’s not a whole lot of prep or necessary practice. You decide what you want to do well then practice that thing until you get it. (Or until you or I figure out our expectations were a little high.) I’ll take mine out and shoot until my heart’s content.
I’ll not forget to lube my string and moving parts (not mine, though I probably could use it sometimes) as well as checking for any weak spots. I know what you’re thinking, there shouldn’t be any this early in the race! I’m just saying, it’s a good habit to get into. What distance do I like to shoot for fun? It depends on how far I want to walk to retrieve my Killer Instinct bolts from the Big Shot 450X target and what kind of accuracy I want to produce.
A Hunting Scenario
For good accuracy the farthest I’ll take it is fifty yards, but if the doc calls and says. “Bow Bully, you need to incorporate more exercise in your daily routine.” I’ll stretch it out to sixty or seventy yards, at least for a few shots.
If you’re asking about a hunting scenario, for the best results, I’d stay within fifty yards for a few reasons.
· Most consistent accuracy
· Less flight time to the game
· Less of a chance for the game to jump the shot
· Faster velocity and more foot pounds of energy on impact
If you don’t think those reasons are sufficient, please share with me your reasoning. I promise, I’ll listen, but I won’t promise I’ll agree. Depending on what you or I are going to hunt will also determine the distance and the broadhead. For larger game, white tail deer, elk, hogs, etc. you may consider the G5 Montec Broadhead for small game, maybe the Allen Company Titan Thrasher.
Take Practice Seriously
The smaller the target, the smaller the kill zone so we ought not stretch it out too far, maybe a max of 30-40 yards. After all smaller animals do tend to move faster as well, which could give them the advantage the farther you are from them to dodge the bullet or in this case bolt.
I plan to hunt wild hogs and maybe white tail deer, that gives me a bigger kill zone. That doesn’t mean you or I should relax and say, “Ah well, I don’t need to practice, the kill zones bigger, I can I have room for error.”
I’m going to practice from ten yards all the way back to fifty. Animals are unpredictable, sometimes they present themselves at close ranges and others a bit further away. We don’t only need to get to know the feel of the trigger, (this one’s great by the way, with a zero creep three pound pull), and the accuracy, we also need to know the optic and shot placement at the different distances.
Know Your Aim Points
The Lumix Speedring optic offers multiple aim points as an archery optic should. The triangle is a great point of aim from fifteen to twenty-five yards, the top of the next dot is good for thirty-five, and at fifty yards my aim point is between the second and third mild dots. It does have turrets for elevation and windage adjustment so you can sort it out the way that’s suitable for you. It is crucial to know where your aim points are at multiple distances, DO NOT SKIP THAT STEP!
If you don’t think you’ll remember the appropriate aimpoints for the different distances, either practice until you do, or the next best thing is write it down. I won’t tell anyone you had to write it down. What are you planning to hunt big or small game? Whatever it is, get to know your equipment and its performance, then hit the woods!
Bow Bully, this so far non-arrow-or-bolt shooter enjoys your articles on all aspects of archery which some day may tempt him to dip his toes into the world of crossbows. In terms of keeping our joints lubricated, so one can enjoy the sport as long as possible, Mrs. FM’s orthopedic doc – and will vouch for his skills as he masterfully fixed her frozen shoulder years ago – recommends 3000 mg Omega 3 fish oil capsules daily for joint lubricity. We’ve been following this advice and so far, both of us being in our seventies, our joints are pretty much creaky-free. In addition, FM takes glucosamine with MSM caps though some docs believe these do nothing to improve joint health. Maybe there is a placebo effect somewhere.
Of course, everyone should always consult with their trusted physician before going solo with self-treatment; FM is no medical expert, no doctor, not even a voodoo doctor.
FM,
I’m pleased to hear you enjoy reading my blogs, and even more pleased you have found a remedy for creepy joints! I will add the fish oil to the shopping list and try that alone before adding the Glucosamine, to see what the fish oil does before adding anything new. Thanks again! The world of crossbows is another realm of shooting of which I love! Glad I could share it with you!
-TBB