To much crossbow for me ?....

Brainiac · Post by **Brainiac** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:47 pm

I shot my Phoenix about 10-15 times today. But, I jump when I fire it..Is there around this or will it grow on me ?

Hi5 · Post by **Hi5** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:58 pm

Wear ear plugs. The recoil is negligible. It's the noise that is startling you. Block out the sound till you become accustomed to firing your bow.

Boo · Post by **Boo** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:03 pm

If your brace height is too it will make a whole whack of noise. If you are using the highest brace height mark and a FFF string and the noise bothers you try an STS or use a Dacron endless loop string and or an STS.

crazyfarmer · Post by **crazyfarmer** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:06 pm

just relax and breathe out when firing. It will grow on you;)

biggest thing is just knowing that if you have your fingers under the rail, its really nothing that can hurt you. It seems like alot of power when its new, but you get use to it fast

its just like shooting a gun, squeeze so the shot is a surprise

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:14 pm

A question like that from a brainiac?

Wow . . .tough question. I believe you can train your way past that. When you shoot, focus on a small item on your target. Put a 1 inch dot on the target. Try to hit that small dot. As you lightly pull the trigger, think about your arrow flying toward that dot. When the trigger releases that arrow, try to follow it with your eye through the scope. Just before you lightly pull(some folks say "squeeze the trigger") the trigger, make sure you are relaxed. The bow should be snug against your shoulder, your grip on the stock should be firm(squeeze that stock a little with your hand), your stance solid . . . let the rest of yourself relax. If you relax your shoulders and your trigger arm . . .you shouldn't jump. I've seen guys trying so hard to keep the bow from moving, that they can't hold still.

You need to develop a system that keeps you from jumping. Once you get comfortable, then you will not jump as long as you stick to your routine.

Do you jump when you fire a gun?

You have a great opportunity here. Figure it out, keep notes, and you can help someone else in the future.

Scott

Brainiac · Post by **Brainiac** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:24 pm

The string is sitting just right before the first line..I've only shot an air gun,sling shot and a longbow...

sumner4991 · Post by **sumner4991** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:34 pm

First thing you need to do is figure out what is making you jump. Is it the noise? Is it the recoil? Is it because you are holding the bow too tight?

If you shoot the air gun without jumping, then it could very well be the noise. Try the ear plugs. I don't think it's the brace height, it's OK where it is.

You have a lot of good suggestions here.

Keep shooting, keep telling yourself to relax and breathe. Focus on the dot, keep looking at the dot as you shoot. RELAX & BREATHE

How is the jumping affecting your accuracy? How many inches are you missing by?

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:56 pm

If you shoot a spring operated air gun, the recoil is very similar to a crossbow. I'd put the string on the line farthest from the riser & limbs. All my Excaliburs shoot with the least noise & recoil at that line. Also check your arrow weight. With my Phoenix an arrow closer to 400 grains shoots much more smoothly than one of the 350 grain minimum weight.
The ear plugs might not be a bad idea for you if you are new to crossbows. At first the noise can be very distracting. Don't worry, after a few thousand shots you will become oblivious to it.

Brainiac · Post by **Brainiac** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:45 am

I'm going have to say, its the noise.. The recoil was light to none ...

Doe Master · Post by **Doe Master** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:05 am

As Boo said you can try a dacron string at the second line .As well try the string silencers or the STS dampening system .As mentioned before you will get to the point where you don`t notice the sound because you are concentrating on where you want to place the arrow .

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:41 am

Glad you realize you have some awesome power in your hands.
Now,use it to your advantage.Spend time with your bow,learn every aspect of it,every bolt.Make sure you remember in your pratice to put an arrow in it or you can join the dry fire club,the list is long but distingushed.I did it yesterday,I am sure the Boo string and the V-Bar absorber saved my bow on more than one occasion.
If you keep your finger out of the way of the string you will be fine.(youll only do that once anyway)
I wore my shooting muffs till I got used to the sound and feel and am fine now.
I am a flincher and shooting the crossbow for pratice at 10 yards concentrating strictly on trigger pull and follow through is great. and I would do this untill the flinching is gone and then sight in
After that have fun.I shoot the Equinox, I shot about 50 times yesterday and I get more comfortable everytime,I almost had a robbin hood,I will try to post pic's.
Your right it is allot of crossbow,thats why I like it.
If I do my job there will be game on the ground.[/i]

Boo · Post by **Boo** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:37 am

saxman wrote:sure you remember in your pratice to put an arrow in it or you can join the dry fire club,the list is long but distingushed.I did it yesterday,I am sure the Boo string and the V-Bar absorber saved my bow on more than one occasion.
If you keep your finger out of the way of the string you will be fine.(youll only do that once anyway)
I wore my shooting muffs till I got used to the sound and feel and am fine now.
.[/i]

LOL! Did you do it again? Why did you slap my face! Hehehehe
Scott, dry-fire club? LOL! I am a founding member!

Cossack · Post by **Cossack** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:16 am

It's called flinching, likely caused by a bad experience with a firearm.
Only way around it is to shoot. I developed one when slapped by a crossbow string...twice. Have to consciously talk myself through good shooting process to prevent it's occurrence: proper sight picture, inhale, let out some breath and squeeeeeze the trigger. Oh, and look to see that the hand isn't on the deck again!!!

Rich · Post by **Rich** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:42 am

Brainiac wrote:The string is sitting just right before the first line..I've only shot an air gun,sling shot and a longbow...

Brainiac,

Which line do you consider the first line, closet to scope or the head assembly. If it is the head assembly, the string may be slaping against the limbs/riser. It should sit just forward of the line at the scope end.

Rich

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:53 am

Boo wrote:
saxman wrote:sure you remember in your pratice to put an arrow in it or you can join the dry fire club,the list is long but distingushed.I did it yesterday,I am sure the Boo string and the V-Bar absorber saved my bow on more than one occasion.
If you keep your finger out of the way of the string you will be fine.(youll only do that once anyway)
I wore my shooting muffs till I got used to the sound and feel and am fine now.
.[/i]
LOL! Did you do it again? Why did you slap my face! Hehehehe
Scott, dry-fire club? LOL! I am a founding member!

YEP,I did it again.
My wife says"How can you forget to put an arrow on it"
Well,if it can be done I can do it.
I am just so glad that I soot the best quality crossbow made and it can take the heat.I also believe that your string's and that V-Bar absorber with the 4 contact points helps allot.