Your pre-gunpowder weapon of choice

[Cow Poke]

May I suggest a wrist rocket since they can also shoot arrows and tend to be more powerful and accurate.

Did they exist pre-gunpowder? I mean, I had one as a kid, and LOVED it ... was DEADLY accurate. (But I did NOT live pre-gunfire, contrary to what my kids might allege)

[rogue06]

Did they exist pre-gunpowder? I mean, I had one as a kid, and LOVED it ... was DEADLY accurate. (But I did NOT live pre-gunfire, contrary to what my kids might allege)

Good question. Lets go bug mossy for an answer

[Cow Poke]

Good question. Lets go bug mossy for an answer

Well, I was GONNA SUGGEST THAT, but I have a bit of a headache already, and didn't want to risk being pinned.

On the OTHER hand, that might make me forget my headache!

[Littlejoe]

I have been an archer most of my life. I began shooting in archery tournaments when I was 12. (1973), and have bowhunted since I was 20. I have been a student of the sport for many years. I consider my a bit of an amateur expert....

Even though the Crossbow is a very formidible weapon, it's rate of fire is pretty limiting. The truth of the matter is that in terms of kinetic energy, rate of fire, and accuracy, the long bow wins. The crossbow in the hands of a less skilled person, would be quite a bit more accurate than a long bow in the hands of a comparably skilled person. But in terms of expert vs expert, accuracy is a non factor. So, then we have to look at the other factors.

Rate of fire, Long Bow wins hands down. An experience archer with a long bow can fire up to 12 aimed shots a minute...a cross bow would be lucky to fire 2 aimed shots per minute.

Kinetic energy (force applied at the receiving end of he arrow or bolt (a crossbow shoots bolts not arrows). Kinetic energy is a much more complex argument, and it is generally thought that the invention and use of the crossbow lead to improvements in armor, while that may or may not be true, the fact of the matter is that crossbows generally speaking did not deliver that much more force than long bows. There are several reasons for this. It has to do with the simple factor of kinetic energy. (Kinetic energy's formula is pretty simple velocity x mass = kinetic energy) Not sure if anyone is that interested in the science of archery, but I find it interesting!

So, in summation, for those of you who aren't skilled archers, the crossbow would be an advantage, but if you are up against someone like me who has shot bows his whole life, your in trouble!

LJ

[Cow Poke]

I have been an archer most of my life. I began shooting in archery tournaments when I was 12. (1973), and have bowhunted since I was 20. I have been a student of the sport for many years. I consider my a bit of an amateur expert....

Even though the Crossbow is a very formidible weapon, it's rate of fire is pretty limiting. The truth of the matter is that in terms of kinetic energy, rate of fire, and accuracy, the long bow wins. The crossbow in the hands of a less skilled person, would be quite a bit more accurate than a long bow in the hands of a comparably skilled person. But in terms of expert vs expert, accuracy is a non factor. So, then we have to look at the other factors.

Rate of fire, Long Bow wins hands down. An experience archer with a long bow can fire up to 12 aimed shots a minute...a cross bow would be lucky to fire 2 aimed shots per minute.

Kinetic energy (force applied at the receiving end of he arrow or bolt (a crossbow shoots bolts not arrows). Kinetic energy is a much more complex argument, and it is generally thought that the invention and use of the crossbow lead to improvements in armor, while that may or may not be true, the fact of the matter is that crossbows generally speaking did not deliver that much more force than long bows. There are several reasons for this. It has to do with the simple factor of kinetic energy. (Kinetic energy's formula is pretty simple velocity x mass = kinetic energy) Not sure if anyone is that interested in the science of archery, but I find it interesting!

So, in summation, for those of you who aren't skilled archers, the crossbow would be an advantage, but if you are up against someone like me who has shot bows his whole life, your in trouble!

LJ

Actually, pretty interesting, LJ... thanks for that!

[Littlejoe]

Actually, pretty interesting, LJ... thanks for that!

Thanks CP! Actually, I cut off my explanation when I thought folks eyes were starting to glaze over! I'm one of those nuts who, if you get me started, I can bore your ears off! . The science behind weapons, even the ancient ones is fascinating...don't you think?

LJ

BTW, let me show you what I harvested with my bow last year over in Young Co. Texas...

[Cow Poke]

Not bored at all, LJ... I'm a tactical weapons guy, myself. I USED to be in competition handgun shooting til they moved the matches from Saturday to Sunday. AND, when I quit the police department and had to start paying for my own ammo... OUCH....

That's a good looking catch ya got there!

[Littlejoe]

Ok then you understand the basics of what i'm talkin' about...(ya know, I forget you were a Policeman before) Comparing a long bow and a cross bow would be comparable to say...a 44 magnum single shot pistol (do they make such a thing? Maybe a Thompson Centerfire?) vs. a ummm...30-30 Winchester. (trying not to overpower the rifle) Both lethal, deadly, accurate. Range and accuracy to the rifle. Knock down power....pretty much a moot point... The physics are in a way similar. You know how the same cartridge shot from a pistol with a short barrel vs a long barrel, the long barrel converts more energy into the bullet? Well, a long bow does the same thing. It take a cross bow of much greater pull (called draw weight) to achieve the same force as a long bow. On the magnitude of at least a 300% or more. If the two bows are both shooting say a 600 gram arrow (or bolt), The typical long bow with a draw weight of say 100 lbs. (my understanding is that medieval archers routinely pulled bows greater than that) would shoot this arrow at Probably around 200 fps. The crossbow is going to need at least 300+ lb pull to achieve the same speed. Which requires a mechanical cranking mechanism which of course slows your rate of fire.


LJ

[Cow Poke]

I had never thought about the comparison of muzzle length / velocity to archery - but it makes total sense.

MEANWHILE (sorry, I'm old - always triggers another story)

When I was a kid, we had a guy in our church named Willey Holbrook. He was one of 13 brothers!!! Anyway, he was an archer extraordinaire!!!! He would often put on exhibitions for us when we had a church campout, or father son picnic or something.

He would fill up some balloons inside eachother (maybe you've done this trick).. a white balloon inside a red balloon inside a blue balloon.. then shoot the very edge of the "outside" balloon, popping it, and exposing the next color, then popping the next one's very edge, exposing the next color... it was pretty impressive.

Well, he used this as part of his testimony... he would purposely shoot an arrow too short of the target, and then shoot one over the target, then shoot one "dead on"... and he would explain Romans 3:23.... we have all sinned - we have all "missed the mark".... WOW he had a beautiful testimony. Then he would explain how to accept Christ and live for him....

Thanks for reminding me about Willie.. Been a while since I thought about him!

[mossrose]

You guys are all silly.

[Cow Poke]

You guys are all silly.

Your granddaughter is SO beautiful, did I mention that Mrs Cleaver?

[Littlejoe]

Says the woman who swings a mean PIN! ....

[Chaotic Void]

Anything you can coat with Poison and then use to get it in their bloodstream.

[Littlejoe]

Anything you can coat with Poison and then use to get it in their bloodstream.

You have to make sure you use something that is extremely fast acting otherwise....

LJ

[rogue06]

You have to make sure you use something that is extremely fast acting otherwise....

LJ

Put poison on an arrow.

Shoot arrow from a distance at target.

Immediately vacate the vicinity.

Return next day to loot body.