Effective range of a crossbow

[texasdeerhunter]

I am considering buying my dad a crossbow as he is getting older but still enjoys hunting with me, but I am curious about the effective kill range of the new crossbows. They seem to be getting more advanced and faster every year. 75 yards?? 100 yards? What say the green screen?

[TXhunter77]

I would say no farther than a compound

[ted_kennedys_liver]

No further than a compound. Yes you will hear stories shortly of people shooting deer at 40 - 60 yds. I will keep my opinion on that to myself. Treat it just like a compound in terms of ethical shooting range. Crossbows are louder than compounds. Deer will matrix on one just like a compound. Don't let their speed effect your judgement. Big difference between shooting a foam block at 50 than an animal. I expect to get flamed on this one so fire away.

[Raypo]

No further than a compound. Yes you will hear stories shortly off people shooting deer at 40 - 50 yds. I will keep my opinion on that too myself. Treat it just like a compound in terms of ethical shooting range. Crossbows are louder than compounds. Deer will matrix on one just like a compound.

40-50 yards? That's a chip shot.

[BolilloLoco]

Effective kill range is going to vary depending on who you talk to, but I wouldn't shoot at a deer over 40 yards with mine. I am shooting around 400fps. I can hit spots on my targets at 60 and 80 yards all day long.

[308mx]

I would not shoot my past 40 or 50 yards

[Montec man]

Off a bench I'm accurate as heck out to 90 yards. After that not so much. Hunting is a different story. Crossbows are not much faster than compounds and deer will still jump the string. 50 yards is about my limit.

[Bowhuntamistad]

Shaking my head at the guys that limit themselves to such short shots.

[diego111993]

Crossbows are so loud compared to compounds. Yes they're faster, but I would been the distance the same as a compound because of the noise factor.

[TxNurse]

Wouldn't use mine past 40 yards on deer.

[Fishndude]

Good advice here. The big problem with them is how loud they are. A deer can turn themselves inside out past about 40 yards with that speed. Just something to consider.

[47]

Have heard the PSE Tach-15 has downed deer out to 100 yards +. But man is it loud.

http://www.guns.com/2013/02/28/tactical-assault-crossbow-pse-tac15-upper-for-the-ar15-video/

[texasdeerhunter]

So noise aside, they can be pretty accurate out to 60+ huh? Interesting. I had no idea, that's why I'm asking. I just figured that since they were faster, and the bolts are short and lighter, they could shoot farther than a compound.

[texasdeerhunter]

I was hoping they would be usable for distances further than the compound bows

[whakm]

Please remember there's a BIG deference between target accuracy and shooting a live critters.