How do you cock your bow?

[Mechanical Advantage]

I was going to add to another thread but wasnt sure if anyone would read it. All these new guys are asking for advice on a new bow and draw lbs are always brought up. I have an old 165 lb exocet and always cock by hand. It is very easy. I find the rope cocker too slow for target shooting but just started using it to cock for hunting to get it perfect. I tried to cock a freinds brand new equinox by hand and chickened out. It was surprisingly heavy and did not want it to slip. If it was mine I am sure I would have tried but I think I would use the rope cocker all the time. How do you cock your bow and what lbs are you shooting?

[gerald strine]

Equinonx owner and I am vertically challenged in height and love my crank a roo for target shooting and use the rope cocker for hunting.

[Tired Rooster]

I definitely use the rope cocker every time......Exocet 200.

[georgiaboy]

I'm shooting the ibex at 175lbs...I use the cocking rope !
I cocked it once by hand just to see if I could do it,did not enjoy it!! Guess I will have to put pride in my back pocket...not as young as I used to be !!!!

[phil]

Yeah..wondering the same..i own an equinox and always think about cocking it with my hands if i forget it or lose the cocker....im wimping out from just trying it...

[j.krug]

I can cock my Vortex by hand but it's not too much fun or practical for that matter.
The rope cocker makes it so easy to cock that it only makes sense to use it.
It was awkward and a bit slow at first but after using it for awhile it is quick and easy now.

[Missin]

Vortex. I have tried many many many times to try and cock it by hand. I get it about 1inch away from the trigger mech but just dont have that oomph to get it there

That string feels like its going to cut my hands in half aswell!

Rope cocker only now, im screwed if i loose it.

[one shot scott]

I have been able to cock all my bows by hand. I started off with an exomax and now have a Y25. Even though I am able to cock by hand it doesnt mean its a pleasant experience!! With the cocking aid the string is always centered and I use it all the time unless I forget it at home

[sneak]

I definitely use the rope cocker every time......Exocet 200.

Same here!

[vixenmaster]

old vixen 150 lbs & i use my rope cocker & love on these morning its in the teens!

[Dash]

When I first bought the equinox (with no rope cocker) I done it by hand. Had no choice. Very hard work. Had to wait week for the cocker to arrive.
Cocking by hand, my aim was unsteady quickly, because of the energy wasted cocking each shot. But after finding this forum, I realized why I wasn't as accurate as others here. I marked the string center, and realized I was cocking with the right side of the string over center (stronger right arm) resulting in shot placement off to one side usually. Even when trying to cock it evenly, I regularly was off center a lot of the time.
The rope cocker is a must for the High poundage bows !!!

[Tenn. Equinox]

Equinonx owner and I am vertically challenged in height and love my crank a roo for target shooting and use the rope cocker for hunting.

This is the way I do it too.

[Raymond]

Rope cocker for my Equinox. Will be buying a crank a roo in the near future.

[Mechanical Advantage]

These are great responses, I dont feel so bad now! Yeah Dash, I can see how the higher pound bows would significantly increase your chance of cocking off center. Especially with all the shaking and grunting.

[Missin]

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