Is a crossbow hold sensitive

[williamN]

Like a spring piston airgun?

I have been treating my Xbows like an SP air rifle and can't recall ever shooting from a bag rest, I try to sight in and shoot as close to free hand as I can.

I wish this thought would have hit me while it was still light.

[wabi]

In my experience they are to a slight degree, but not nearly so sensitive as a "springer" air rifle.
The tiny change in POI I've seen in my crossbow when switching from a bench rest to offhand shooting could as easily be attributed to "a less than perfect hold", as to being caused by the recoil. At hunting ranges on a deer sized target it's not going to be an issue (especially with my "offhand" shooting ability).
At 25 yards it might mean hitting an inch high/low, but that's still a dead deer if everything else is right.

[Pydpiper]

I need to shoot a gun off a rest to be sure of POI, but for some reason I shoot a crossbow better off hand than off of a sandbag.
When setting up a bow or testing it, I just put an elbow on the bench to steady myself, but I only do that for fine tuning a scope.
I do a lot of coyote hunting (rifle) off a bi-pod, and I think that has messed with my ability to get a good feel for the gun when I am standing.
Same goes for my bow, I shoot more recurve and compound than crossbow, so when I release an arrow it is more of a gut feeling. I can empty my quiver in to a 4" circle offhand, that goes to about 6" from a bench at 50 yards. One elbow on the table and arrows get broken.
With my crossbow, I find I am 1" high from bench to free hand at 30 yards. It may be the way the bow naturally reacts to the momentum of the string/limbs, or it may be all in my head, regardless, there is a difference.
I think the ideal bench for a crossbow would have some give where the bow makes contact with the rest. (just gave me an idea!)
My thoughts are that it is best to practice the way you would shoot when it counts.
Shoot often!

[Ibex]

My Ibex is a little hold sensitive, but nothing like a springer. When shooting off a bench or shooting sticks I always use my left hand to hold the crossbow, trying like you did to get close to an offhand shot. It must be noted that at 30 yards and under no matter how you hold the crossbow, or rest the crossbow on bags, or on your knee, or whatever you will not get a 3" difference in point of impact. I have a thumbhole stock and my experience is that using a slow controlled trigger pull or a quick shotgun style trigger pull does not change POI at all. My last 2 deer were shot from a sitting position at 30 and 49 yards while tucking my left arm up to my chest. For me this kind of hold is worth practicing.

Fran

[VixChix]

For sighting in we usually just put a camera tripod or shooting stick under the front end - it's sort of a compromise between freehand and fully rested.