Cocking of recurve versus compound crossbow

KenA · Post by **KenA** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:01 pm

I'm new to the forum and crossbows. I wanted to start archery hunting again but due to a permanent shoulder injury my Dr. suggested crossbows. I was wondering if one type of crossbow is much harder to cock than the other (recurve versus compound)?
Since I can't pull a compound bow back do I have a chance of using the
stringer on the crossbow or do I have to use the cranks?

Ken

TYE · Post by **TYE** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:05 pm

The stringer is quite easy to use and doesn't take much effort if any at all really.

I'd say go with either a Vixen or a Pheonix. If you're hunting deer Vixen is just fine and light easy draw. If you're going for anything bigger than deer. The Pheonix will git'r'done for ya, and isn't much harder to draw. But USE the rope cocking aid.

Digger · Post by **Digger** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:30 pm

There is no let off with a recurve xbow, a rope cocking aid will cut the poundage in 1/2 and you'll be using 2 hands to do the work.
If you still have a problem you can get a hand crank, a cockeroo for the Excalibur or an Acudraw from Ten Point.

GaryL · Post by **GaryL** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:14 pm

Digger's way is the way too go, save ware and tear on the sholder....

Woodsman · Post by **Woodsman** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:34 pm

You may be ok with a stringer with a lower poundage recurve bow with a shorter draw length (like the Vixen or Phoenix). The stringer is quite inexpensive and worth the try. If it doesn't work, Digger's alternatives are the way to go.

Divemaster920 · Post by **Divemaster920** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:40 am

I was wondering if one type of crossbow is much harder to cock than the other (recurve versus compound)?

I can not tell any differance between the two with a rope cocking aid.
With the rope aid it seems to use the back more than the shoulder but you do have to have full motion in your shoulder. With the crank divice it takes more shoulder strength but not much motion range.
Hopes this helps.
CD

DOXNUT · Post by **DOXNUT** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 6:35 am

When it comes to cocking crossbows, more pounds means more PULL....

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:45 am

I have bone spurs in my left shoulder and shooting a vert bow is difficult, and sometimes just plain impossible. The crossbow is no problem to cock with this condition. The Vixen is about the limit for cocking repeatedly by hand, though. For the Exocet I use a rope aid. I find the recurves easier to cock, but that is because of my spinal injuries more than the shoulder problem.
I'd suggest trying to cock a Vixen by hand, and then try a rope aid, and then a crank (if needed).

Woody Williams · Post by **Woody Williams** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:24 am

To answer the question ...

I have an Exomag and a TenPoint QX4.

The Exomag is modified to 210 pounds and the QX4 is 185 pounds.

The QX4 is much easier to cock.

Of course it is 25 pounds lighter too.

Not sure what, if any, difference there would be if they were the same weight. Even with a comppund you must break over the total weight at some point in the draw process..

DOXNUT · Post by **DOXNUT** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:39 pm

The difference I find between my EXOCET 175 and my PARADOX (175), is the draw length. Exocet is 15 or so, while the paradox in 131/2.

KenA · Post by **KenA** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 7:59 pm

Thanks for all the replies they have helped alot.

The difference I find between my EXOCET 175 and my PARADOX (175), is the draw length. Exocet is 15 or so, while the paradox in 131/2.

Doxnut I take it these are both the same poundage -does that mean you don't notice much of a difference between the two for ease of cocking other than length?

Ken

DOXNUT · Post by **DOXNUT** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:53 pm

KenA..............Draw length is the only difference I notice.

TYE · Post by **TYE** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 5:54 pm

Woody Williams wrote:To answer the question ...

I have an Exomag and a TenPoint QX4.

The Exomag is modified to 210 pounds and the QX4 is 185 pounds.

The QX4 is much easier to cock.

Of course it is 25 pounds lighter too.

Not sure what, if any, difference there would be if they were the same weight. Even with a comppund you must break over the total weight at some point in the draw process..

How did you modify the Exomag to 210 lbs?

Digger · Post by **Digger** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 3:35 pm

I believe Woody has a !85 lb emag with a new riser 185 + 25 lb = 210.