Crossbow Ammo??????

[Bladerunner]

I was looking on a website earlier and I came across ball bearings for a crossbow!!!

Has anyone actually used these and if so are they effective and accurate as ammo for crossbows?

They came in 2 sizes, 6mm and 8mm.

If they work it is a much cheaper alternative to bolts.

Be lucky (and armed)

[Moony]

Some crossbows are specially built to fire either bolts or ball bearings. Example: http://www.outdoorhobbies.co.uk/eagle-pro-1383-p.asp

"This is the ultimate ball bearing projecting crossbow which is also accurate and extremely powerful with full size crossbow bolts. Power 32 Grain 8mm Balls 12ft/lbs, 30 Cal Lead 23.3ft/lbs, 361 grain 17" Bolts 18ft/lbs"

Not sure how effective BBs are being shot from a normal xbow however...

[Bladerunner]

My psitol crossbow has a metal clip to hold the bolt in place and stop it falling off too easily.
I will try and see if a ball bearing will stay under there and fire without shotting off at a crazy angle.

If it works I will be well impressed.

Be lucky (and easily impressed)

[TorNicho]

My psitol crossbow has a metal clip to hold the bolt in place and stop it falling off too easily.
I will try and see if a ball bearing will stay under there and fire without shotting off at a crazy angle.

If it works I will be well impressed.

Be lucky (and easily impressed)

I would be very careful with doing this!
The BB is most likely to ride up over the string, however, it may also be projected with some force, and little control over trajectory, causing it to collide with the arm or sight of the crossbow, and ping back at you.

The crossbow you see in the images has a guide rail to keep the BB on a true trajectory.

Be careful.

[mattee]

is used properly these can be very effective and can be bought in extremely large quantities. ideal for a SHTF situation.

[devonarcher]

most crossbows have a minimum bolt weight that the maufacturer reccomends you use otherwise you risk damage to the bow . firing ball bearings from any bow not designed to do it is dangerous

[unsure]

mine is built for bolts so thats all i`ll be using . as for ball bearings . why would you want to pay for them . most garages are littered with them i know our workshop is .

[gandelff99]

I use several different types of bolts for my xbows.
The states use broad head multi bladed heads which give through penetration and a huge bleed out area.however,for uk game in a shtf situation ,the size of game your looking at is at most a goose,though more than likely a duck,rabbit or pigeon type animal.
Modern day crossbows have loads of power to accurately and humanely take down this type of game up to distances of 50 metres,are relatively cheap and require little experience to use.
Thus small game heads, generally rounded made from rubber/ plastic and don't generally have any points on them can be used to provide blunt force trauma via kinetic energy at point of impact.That being being said,the tool/weapon you use needs to be in relation to the game size and distance.
Having seen very few deer in the uk except in the lower end of the country,expecting to bag one or two for the pot is just unrealistic,smaller more local game will be much less labour intensive and easier to hunt.
Using a sub 12 ft/lb air rifle accuracy for an experienced shooter is what? Around an inch grouping at 30/35 yards, so your talking rabbit,pigeon,pheasant.
The next step up is something with more kick,either shotgun,fact .22 rim fire which most of us wouldn't own,so the bow or crossbow is the logical upgrade in terms of power vs accuracy vs range.these three factors are the decisive elements overall. A crossbow with practice
can achieve very accurate groupings of around 2.5 inches at 40/50 yards,thus making it ideal for the kill zone on a larger animal,but its all about Assigning the correct tool for the job.
Personally,if I where to need to hunt small game below the 25-30 Mr range then air rifle, discreetlyquiet and powerful. Enough. To do the job in humanely dispatching small game.
Afterthat range or bigger game I would have to sacrifice the accuracy for power and range and go to the crossbow.
Water borne birds would be taken using a bolt with a barb fixed into the head so any bird couldn't skake it off ,and it attached to a fishing reel underneath with a 10lb silk carp thread leader 10 metres then tied to 10 lb monofilmentfishing line.this would enable me to hide in the thick of the bushes and take birds of chance and successfully retrieve them,as a lost show bolt is just that ...lost.
Goose and similarbirds would be taken in this manner,as it saves the need for wading in,giving away your position to game and others and neglates the need for a boat.
Rabbits/hares can be taken using standard pointed bolt heads as the ground will provide enough of a backstop.
I suppose its all down to the scenario/individualat that time and place and the kit you have to hand.
Though to finish a little more back on track with the original post ,I wouldn't use broad heads at all in the uk in a shtf situation, the game size is too small......just thought on thought,goat/sheep/horse and cows could be taken in theory.
Assuming. There not already. Gone.
Obviously withouthaving to state the obviousthis would. Be in a shtf situation /survial requirement and not used in the present ,

[gandelff99]

Sorry,just to add,if any of you have ever used that 2 pack metal putty they sell in car spares shops,then a marble sizes piece of that added to the front of a standard screw on crossbow bolt head will make a cheap blunt nosed small game bolt.
Just a thought l

[12mp82]

I reckon that there will be a huge range of animals being treated as game should TSHTF in the UK and it isn't going to be small stuff, or Deer, if it gets really bad animals such as sheep and cows are likely to be targeted and a good crossbow is likely to come in very handy and a good supply of assorted bolts will be needed.