Archery and Zombies

[Darkness]

"Slings and Arrows, Bows, Crossbows, Woomeras, etc., may also prove useful, in killing zombies."

"I have always been fond of the silent strike of a well placed arrow. If done right, they can be quite deadly. But how do they hold up against Zombies? Let's talk."

[vortec1]

They can be ZED killers I have the bow and crossbow. I prefer the crossbow cause its that much more accurate!:)

[Darkness]

"Not only more accurate, but there are many more things you can do to a bolt, to make it more deadly, than you can do to an arrow."

[vortec1]

"Not only more accurate, but there are many more things you can do to a bolt, to make it more deadly, than you can do to an arrow."

You, have that right Darkness bolts and arrows are different and you can twick them to do what you want and hit where you want!:)

[Darkness]

"You can also make them do super cool stuff, like explode." :evil: :)

[vortec1]

"You can also make them do super cool stuff, like explode." :evil: :)

Explode, thats worth its weight in gold!

[detpat]

I've seen numerous attempts at explosive arrows and bolts and i have never seen a single one that i would consider safe to carry on my person. If you try that stunt the zeds will be disappointed when they show up at the big noise and only find an appetizing smelling sticky spot.

I personally prefer the bow to the cross bow, I have yet to meet an archer that can outshoot me with a crossbow and certainly not keep up in rate of fire.

[Behemoth]

I've seen numerous attempts at explosive arrows and bolts and i have never seen a single one that i would consider safe to carry on my person. If you try that stunt the zeds will be disappointed when they show up at the big noise and only find an appetizing smelling sticky spot.

I personally prefer the bow to the cross bow, I have yet to meet an archer that can outshoot me with a crossbow and certainly not keep up in rate of fire.

Yeah, you're right, however the inexperienced would find the crossbow much easier to operate.

[Darkness]

Yeah, you're right, however the inexperienced would find the crossbow much easier to operate.

"Yes they would. And crossbows come in pistol grips styles, that use a form of clip action for the bolts."

[detpat]

there was a magazine fed crossbow a thousand years ago in china.

[Darkness]

there was a magazine fed crossbow a thousand years ago in china.

"Way cool! I heard about that was wasn't sure."

"The exploding bolt, if done right, can be useful if you are good at head shots. No head, no brain. No brain = Dead Zombie. Right?" :)

[AN OLD SHOE]

crossbows were fed by magazine and some looked like revolvers but with more than 6 rounds

[detpat]

the Chinese model was the only repeating crossbow. I know a couple people who made a very nice research project out of re creating it. It's a little weak, but undeniably works.

[DarthJoe8]

:think:I've seen numerous attempts at explosive arrows and bolts and i have never seen a single one that i would consider safe to carry on my person. If you try that stunt the zeds will be disappointed when they show up at the big noise and only find an appetizing smelling sticky spot.

:lol:

I personally prefer the bow to the cross bow, I have yet to meet an archer that can outshoot me with a crossbow and certainly not keep up in rate of fire.

What type of bow do you shoot? I shoot longbows and your right on about the rate of fire.:) I'm not sure of how effective shooting an arrow in the head of a zed would be.:think:

[detpat]

I've seen photos of people who have been shot in the head with bows and also seen skulls of people who have been killed with bows in the original period. {battle of Wisby} and they worked just fine.

i have used modern compound bows and used to shoot a Howard Hill tembo II longbow in both target and hunting applications [my bow was 125 lbs pull] and i only sold it when i realized that i wasn't shooting it enough to keep up the particular muscles. When i did rarely shoot, i was shaking after 15 round or so.

The year i bought it Howard was on the cover of archery world magazine with the Elephant he took with a Tembo II bow like mine.

[DarthJoe8]

I've seen photos of people who have been shot in the head with bows and also seen skulls of people who have been killed with bows in the original period. {battle of Wisby} and they worked just fine.

i have used modern compound bows and used to shoot a Howard Hill tembo II longbow in both target and hunting applications [my bow was 125 lbs pull] and i only sold it when i realized that i wasn't shooting it enough to keep up the particular muscles. When i did rarely shoot, i was shaking after 15 round or so.

The year i bought it Howard was on the cover of archery world magazine with the Elephant he took with a Tembo II bow like mine.

Yeah i know they can go into a head i wonder more about deflections. Granted if thats what i have to kill Zeds then it'll have to do.

125lbs:loon:you must be huge.:lol: I've never seen a bow that heavy, my brother has a Black Widow bow that is 95lbs i think. (it's been a while) I can imagine that you'd be shaking after a round of shooting with that bow. I've seen Hill bows but have never shot any. I know that they're top notch. I shoot a green mountian LB and an Adirondack LB at 60lbs.:drinking:to traditional archery:drinking:

[detpat]

My interest was always more martial and i had a definite emphasis on medieval and renaissance. I'm 6'2 and about 275. The family midget, really.

with authentic war bows you need to practice constantly or you lose strength and endurance for traditional archery. You can't really hobby around too much or you end up in the situation i was in before i sold my bow.

I still do slings though.

[UseYourHeadCutOffTheirs]

That's funny this thread is here, I have actually been thinking about bows and zeds the past few days myself.


I am quite partial to the idea of bows and crossbows during zombie times. It's very dare I saw, hott! I would definitely be turned on by a guy with some mad zed bow hunting skills!:drool: (Medieval/renaissance style though, not douche bag deer hunter style.)

Of course it took me forever to get my aiming right when I did archery in high school. I don't think I would be very efficient with one.

But here's a thought. What about ammo? You would almost have to make your own arrows/bolts to have a quantity all the time. I mean you would risk a lot going to a store or shop to find them....At least, as far as I know this isn't Diablo and when you turn a rock over you find a quivel!

[DarthJoe8]

I am quite partial to the idea of bows and crossbows during zombie times. It's very dare I saw, hott! I would definitely be turned on by a guy with some mad zed bow hunting skills!:drool: (Medieval/renaissance style though, not douche bag deer hunter style.)

Of course it took me forever to get my aiming right when I did archery in high school. I don't think I would be very efficient with one.

What's a douche bag deer hunter style?? Are you talking about hunting with a compound bow? Those are the ones with the training wheels.:lol: I think your referring to traditional shooting style. The equipment used is much simpler in design but not easy to shoot proficiently. You'd have to be pretty good to hit a zed in the head with any regularity. I shoot "stick" bows (longbows) and i could never hunt with those cold heavy compounds.:lol:


But here's a thought. What about ammo? You would almost have to make your own arrows/bolts to have a quantity all the time. I mean you would risk a lot going to a store or shop to find them....At least, as far as I know this isn't Diablo and when you turn a rock over you find a quivel!

I make some of my own archery equipment. Arrows mostly. I think finding the materials to make/fix traditional archery equipment would be fairly easy.:scare:

[detpat]

You could also raid the local dick's while all the douchbags are hitting wallyworld for the guns they don't sell anymore.

with traditional archery you need to develop a smooth draw to release and can't piss around at full draw all day.

[DarthJoe8]

with traditional archery you need to develop a smooth draw to release and can't piss around at full draw all day.

Tru dat.:drinking:

Practice, practice, practice.

[UseYourHeadCutOffTheirs]

Shows how much I know in the field!:-(

I suppose it would be something you got used to after awhile.

Darthjoe I think you pinpointed what I meant by douche bag deer hunter style.:clap: There's more room for Robin Hood skill in the zombie apocalypse than there is Jed from Extreme Hunting Outdoorsman. (I made that up, so you know.)


On the making arrows thing. How long would it take to make say 30 or 40 arrows? We have to remember time is not something one usually has when being followed/chased by zombies. Also, what if your string broke? What could you find that would be an easy and quick replacement, without having to go to the sporting goods store?

I guess I will stick to my bludgeons....I'll leave the archery to you merry men....I'm better at beating the sh*t out of things with blunt objects than I am with a gun or bow or anything else.:doh:

[detpat]

if you have the fletching tools and a little experience [and glue] you can do allright.

[DarthJoe8]

if you have the fletching tools and a little experience [and glue] you can do allright.

I've never made a bow before but I make all my own arrows and strings. It's a lot cheaper to buy the equipment and raw materials and do it yourself. Plus, it's fun.:)

[UseYourHeadCutOffTheirs]

What do you generally make the stuff out of?

[DarthJoe8]

Shows how much I know in the field!

I suppose it would be something you got used to after awhile.

Darthjoe I think you pinpointed what I meant by douche bag deer hunter style.:clap: There's more room for Robin Hood skill in the zombie apocalypse than there is Jed from Extreme Hunting Outdoorsman. (I made that up, so you know.)

:lol:



On the making arrows thing. How long would it take to make say 30 or 40 arrows? We have to remember time is not something one usually has when being followed/chased by zombies. Arrows could take some time. In perfect conditions and with equipment your looking at 30-45 minutes. The amount would depend on what type of jigs you have.

Also, what if your string broke? What could you find that would be an easy and quick replacement, without having to go to the sporting goods store?I always carry an extra string in my hunting pack. The cool thing about traditional equipment is that its relatively simple. Only a few things can go wrong with your gear and it's easy to spot. Finding a replacment string on the run.... :think: it would have to be strong enough and long enough.


I guess I will stick to my bludgeons....I'll leave the archery to you merry men....I'm better at beating the sh*t out of things with blunt objects than I am with a gun or bow or anything else.

If the zed is far enough to shoot then its far enough away to evade and move on imo. I'd rather use guns or bludgeons to fight zeds with. Even if the bow isn't used for killing zeds it is a "silent" weapon and you can hunt with it without giving your position away.

Another thing about bows. You may be "strong" enough to pull a string back but you have to have the proper "form" to hit something. It takes a lot of skill and PRACTICE to hit what your aiming at. It might be better to use the bow as a staff and swing....:lol:

[Darkness]

I guess I will stick to my bludgeons....I'll leave the archery to you merry men....I'm better at beating the sh*t out of things with blunt objects than I am with a gun or bow or anything else.:doh:

"Hey, U.YH.C.O.T., there's a new thread in town, go take a look. You'll like it." :)

"And now, back to Archery." :)

[UseYourHeadCutOffTheirs]

I never had problem with proper form like all the other kids. My problem was my focus. For some reason I couldn't rely on my dominate eye to make the shot. I always had to guess a little off to the side in order to hit the target. After awhile my "guessing" got better and I could hit the target almost every time. But I was awful until I found that "sweetspot." Other than that I had great form, just your regular Amazon right here. Minus the being good at it part.

[Augustus Desius]

Though I love the elegance and flexible range of the long bow, I would have to use the crossbow for its accuracy and high penetration capacity.

[detpat]

neither one of those things automatically comes with a crossbow. It depends on the weight of the prod and accuracy........well it's more a function of the archer. crossbows are too slow and bulky.

I have a couple crossbows, but they are exact replicas of medieval fighting bows.

[Augustus Desius]

Oh I agree, skill has virtually everything to do with it. My big beef with a regular bow is I personally have difficulty (seeing that I am unpracticed) predicting and compensating for the arc of a regular bow at longer ranges. If I could master that, I may consider changing my answer, as the RoF of a regular bow is generally better.

My other beef (sorry for disorganization, just typing as it comes to me) with the regular bow, is the stress is puts on the arms. Once a crossbow is locked, It requires no effort on my part to maintain tension, allowing all my focus to be on aiming. With a regular bow, I would have to maintain tension while aiming, which won't be troublesome early, but may be in prolonged combat until my archery muscles become better trained.

Also, in general, modern crossbows are smaller and come with the ability to fold up, so they are easier to transport.

[Dave Of The Dead]

My fiance and her brother are both skilled marksmen/women with a bow and they started teaching me. I'm not a bad shot at 50 ft. either! I just received an early birthday present from my soon to be in-laws and it turned out to be an 80 lb draw crossbow pistol. I effin love it and it kicks both my fiance's and her brother's bows to the curb. I mounted a laser dot scope on it just for kicks :)

[bandits1]

Hmm...I know almost zero about archery.

But all this talk about longbows - wouldn't a compound bow be better? I've read a little bit about the "let off" that the cams provide; wouldn't a compound bow allow for a generally higher draw-weight and more accurate shooting? I would also assume one could fire more shots before the shooter begins to tire.

[Dave Of The Dead]

The compound bow is what I was taught with. You don't have to use as much energy to keep the draw back with a compound bow, though it is harder to pull back in the first place. I haven't practiced enough to tell whether accuracy is better with either.

[JakAttak]

I use compound bows for hunting. I put a scope with drop compensator on it but I would still go with guns. I mean I'm good with a bow but not as accurate or as powerful. but for silent take down nothing beats a compound bows.

[50 cal]

I have a Line XI bow I use for hunting. The furthest I have shot it hunting has been 40 yds. It has never failed to hit the small kill zone of a whitetail deer.
I would feel comfortable using it to dispatch zombies when being very quiet was needed.

[JakAttak]

37 yds. is my record and I use these arrows with spring loaded blades that essentially make the head explode for an instant kill I think they're being made for rifles and and I want that.

[Dave Of The Dead]

I prefer crossbow over a compound bow. My grouping at 40 ft with the compound bow is horrid compared to my crossbow.

[JakAttak]

WIMP!!!! Nah just kiddin' I started out with the crossbow too

[Darkness]

"I'm looking into getting a pistol-gripped crossbow, with clip action. Love those things." :)

[Dave Of The Dead]

"I'm looking into getting a pistol-gripped crossbow, with clip action. Love those things." :)

That is pretty much what I just got, without the clip... that would be damn cool.

[DarthJoe8]

I shoot longbows.:drink:

Compounds are much easier to shoot and to learn how to shoot it. There is a lot that can go wrong with a compound, bump a pin and your screwed, you'll never hit a thing. They have a slower rate of fire and are hard to shoot with low light levels. :think:

Traditional i.e. longbows are lighter. They are much harder to become proficient at, no doubts there, but they are easier to take fast, odd body positioning shots. You can shoot them in pretty much any light condition. (Except pitch black) You can also make a longbow/primitive bow and arrows. (not easy but it can be done) Not much can go wrong with a longbow. Broken string maybe? I always carry a spare.:)

If you have a perch to sit in and take shots in comfort then maybe a compound would be nice but if your on the go, then no doubt a longbow is the better choice.

As far as crossbows, I don't know a heck of a lot about them but with the autoloader/clip type of crossbow..??:drinking:That would be super sweet. Lightweight, accurate and deadly....wow.:drinking:

[bandits1]

I know next-to-nothing about archery. Why do compound bows have a slower rate-of-fire compared to longbows, and why are they harder to shoot in low-light?

[beyerwrestler]

As cool as shooting bows and crossbows is I wouldnt see myself using them against the zeds. Id rather have a gun. Guns are more reliable and you dont need to pull out another arrow per shot. With the rate of my bow skills (its ok i hit the bullseye 2 outta 3 shots) with the time to set, pull back, aim, and fire the bow takes about 9 seconds, where as i i was shooting my ruger .357 revolver id have 6 shots in less than 8 and reloading takes about 13 seconds. I kemy chances with the revolver. I would though carry a bow for hunting purposes only. As for crossbows there powerful but to fire still takes a little longer.

[DarthJoe8]

I know next-to-nothing about archery. Why do compound bows have a slower rate-of-fire compared to longbows, and why are they harder to shoot in low-light?

Compounds use sighting devices. Lonbows do not. Picture using a scope in low light levels vs not using a scope. Kinda like using a peep sight vs a scoped weapon.

The slower rate of fire is do to the way a compound functions.


:drinking:

[DarthJoe8]

As cool as shooting bows and crossbows is I wouldnt see myself using them against the zeds. Id rather have a gun. Guns are more reliable and you dont need to pull out another arrow per shot. With the rate of my bow skills (its ok i hit the bullseye 2 outta 3 shots) with the time to set, pull back, aim, and fire the bow takes about 9 seconds, where as i i was shooting my ruger .357 revolver id have 6 shots in less than 8 and reloading takes about 13 seconds. I kemy chances with the revolver. I would though carry a bow for hunting purposes only. As for crossbows there powerful but to fire still takes a little longer.

I assume you shoot a compound bow? :drinking: Given the choice of a gun or bow...:loon: no doubts there. :) But, if i had a choice of bows, no doubts there either. :drinking: Longbow all the way.

[stark55]

im not bad with a bow i had a compownd but always wanted a long bow. with my bow i could place an arrow accuratly across my back shed every 6 seconds. its not like taking it to the park or anything but some how my plans always have me closer to zeds than most people. i feel confident i could use a bow with good effect.

man i miss my bow now it broke when my brother fired his second arrow. i have an 80 lib. crossbow pistol but it saws through strings and isnt my most trusted weapon, i would rather fight 5 zeds with my knives than 2 with that bow.

[beyerwrestler]

I assume you shoot a compound bow? :drinking: Given the choice of a gun or bow...:loon: no doubts there. :) But, if i had a choice of bows, no doubts there either. :drinking: Longbow all the way.

Ive shot compound and long bows. There both fun to shoot I just wouldnt use one against zeds.

[mattdettorre123]

I will definitely have a compound bow for the PAW. Some of the mechanical heads are nasty, the biggest I have ever shot was 75 pounds my friends had a semi custom bow for hunting/target shooting. Compound bows are nice as they prevent fatigue. or at least help with it

[bandits1]

How effective are arrow tips at penetrating the skull and destroying the brain?

I would think with arrows, more so than bullets, you'd have to be extremely accurate and hit the brain stem(or whatever else part of the brain would physically disable a body) dead-on. I also assume that, unless people here are Olympic-level archers, it's going to require several arrows per zombie(on average) to get the shot right.

That's a lot of arrows.

[beyerwrestler]

How effective are arrow tips at penetrating the skull and destroying the brain?

I would think with arrows, more so than bullets, you'd have to be extremely accurate and hit the brain stem(or whatever else part of the brain would physically disable a body) dead-on. I also assume that, unless people here are Olympic-level archers, it's going to require several arrows per zombie(on average) to get the shot right.

That's a lot of arrows.

This is why I would only use a bow on a zed if I knew it wouldnt be able to get to me. Like if I'm on top of a roof or boulder:drool:

[DarthJoe8]

How effective are arrow tips at penetrating the skull and destroying the brain?

I would think with arrows, more so than bullets, you'd have to be extremely accurate and hit the brain stem(or whatever else part of the brain would physically disable a body) dead-on. I also assume that, unless people here are Olympic-level archers, it's going to require several arrows per zombie(on average) to get the shot right.

That's a lot of arrows.

A bow is not my first choice of weapons to fight Zack, and i've said elsewhere that i'd worry about deflections. The skull is hard and round, not ideal to have an arrow penetrate. :) Can it be done? Sure. When your life depends on it though..............:scare: Where's my gun.

I think it would be great to use it for a stealth hunting weapon but not for shooting skulls. :drinking:

[JakAttak]

I think later during Z times you will Z's with arrows sticking out of their skulls walking around.

[Darkness]

"Anyone here know anything about exploding arrows?" :evil:

[kiltedninja]

Whilst I'm not quite sure of the penetrating power of a bow, I think that it may be a serious asset to know the art of archery. It's been a while, but I've always been a natural at the bow. The very first time I shot one(Around twelve years old) I hit a target in the bull's eye from about twenty yards. Considering I was using a child's bow, it was a pretty decent shot.

Stronger draw strengths would have more penetrating power, that's a given, and I'd like to think that a steel tipped arrow would be strong enough to pierce a skull. I dunno, someone should go coconut hunting with a bow and get back to us on that.

[Lurker13]

the Chinese model was the only repeating crossbow. I know a couple people who made a very nice research project out of re creating it. It's a little weak, but undeniably works.

Does it have more than one bow sort of stacked on top of each other or do you mean its got a sort of clip arangment for the bolts and you recock it for the next shot? Sorry, just trying to picture how it would work.

[Lurker13]

"Anyone here know anything about exploding arrows?" :evil:

Are you talking Dukes of Hazard dynamite arrows or a smaller charge to remove a head on impact. VJ say that a collapsing tube with mercury folminait (spelling?) and maybe some extra powder would work. He also mention that you could change a rifle round by pullin out the bullet part and adding the mercury stuff then seeling it with a plungre. If you put it as your arrowhead it would blow a small hole in waht you shot it at and would destroy a zombie head no problem but youd have to practice to get the setting right.

[50 cal]

I much prefer the compound bow. I have a Line Xi Flatliner that I've used for better than 15 years for deer hunting. I can hit a pie plate at 40 yards with it easily using XX75 2175 aluminum arrows. been thinking of making the cross over to carbon arrows for the extra speed and flatter trajectory.

Bows freaking rock!! I believe a bow would be the best thing for keeping the dead thinned out around the homestead. No noise to attract their bretheren.

[50 cal]

Exploding arrows would be more of a danger to you than anyone or anything else. You would need some serious R&D into a very small contactor fuse or get someone brave enough to light a fused piece of dynamite ala Dukes of Hazzard. I'll pass.

I once taped some M80's to some cedar practice shafts. My cousin lit them and I fired them. Actually pretty fun. But the M80 really put the arrow off balance and it wasn't very accurate.

[Darkness]

"My fave two are the Crossbow, and the Recurve." :)

"Here's a thought. Take Lurker's 'bullet on the end of a bolt' idea, but stuff it with a small amount of plastique (sp), and add some kind of small compression charge, or something, to ignite it on impact? Would that work?" :think:

[50 cal]

C4 types of explosives need heat and pressure to detonate. So, yes in theory your arrow could work. But that's a heck of a lot of work to whack one zombie. Fun as hell though.:)

[phatpete]

arrows could be good, however it seems everyone has overlooked something very important about the bullet, the blast wave. An arrow only destroys the tissue that it touches, where as bullets dammage tissue all around it. The blast wave is less effective on zombies, however i feel it still counts for something. Bows are stealthy but they dont pack the punch of a bullet, even a 22 can bounce around in a zombie skull.

[JimiVengeance]

just too slow for my taste

[Redfields]

Special armed French Forces use Crossbows as a part of their main weaponry. Yes, I do believe crossbows are extremely effective and much better an option compared to normal bows.

Crossbows pack alot more power and accuracy. Explosive bolts dont sound safe to carry around and cause just like every other explosion, alot of noise.

Crossbows are definitely good to use especially due to the noise factor.

I have taken enough archery lessons to aim and fire compound bows and when i took the crossbow, it seemed soo much easier to aim and it could fire much further. In terms of reloading, it is honestly worth the extra few seconds if you do take longer.

-Redfields

[Darkness]

"Plus pistol gripped crossbows come in clip style too." :)

[mickii]

Hey i just want to point this out And im sorry if someone has already said this but Bullets people guns need bullets which Most people cant make these, while a long bow arrow is very simple to make :D:D i personally would prefer a sniper rifle and a machine gun :D

TZKA.webs.com KILL THEM ALL

[Darkness]

Hey i just want to point this out And im sorry if someone has already said this but Bullets people guns need bullets which Most people cant make these, while a long bow arrow is very simple to make :D:D i personally would prefer a sniper rifle and a machine gun :D

TZKA.webs.com KILL THEM ALL

"That's all well and good, but THIS is our Archery Thread. The Gun Discussion is in another Thread." ;-)

[mickii]

I relise this and thanks :D i just wanted to point that out, Also dosnt longbows have a longer range than crossbows??
Where could you actually get a crossbows these days???

[Darkness]

"It depends on the bow itself, actually."

"As for buying crossbows, most Hunting and Outdoor Sports Shops carry a wide variety" :)

[mickii]

Im from australia and we have alot of outdoor shops and things like that and basicily people dont stock weapons, and those who do have a great break in system so how could you get one?

[Darkness]

Im from australia and we have alot of outdoor shops and things like that and basicily people dont stock weapons, and those who do have a great break in system so how could you get one?

"You might be able to get one from a Hunting Shop Online. Are they illegal there? Or just not too common?"

[mickii]

"You might be able to get one from a Hunting Shop Online. Are they illegal there? Or just not too common?"

Not illiegal but weapons are normally followed with alot of police checks, which is not good.
also i was looking at bows theres some really strong long bow which can actually fire 2 arrows both with good range?

[Dave Of The Dead]

Not illiegal but weapons are normally followed with alot of police checks, which is not good.
also i was looking at bows theres some really strong long bow which can actually fire 2 arrows both with good range?

Firing 2 arrows at once? I don't think so. First of all its a waste and second of all, I'm pretty sure that they don't make bows that can just because its too dangerous.

[DarthJoe8]

You can fire two arrows at a time though you probably won't hit anything. Shooting traditional bows takes hours and hours of practice...and shooting trick shots takes a life time of practice and searching for lost arrows...:lol:

I just saw a commercial on the History Channel for a show called "trick shooting", or something like that, (i think its on tonight) it looks cool and it'll cover guns, bows, and knifes..maybe some other stuff...:drinking:

[mickii]

imagine a longbow with a small crossbow on top
The crossbow has a small button near the handhold so that you can be shooting a zombie far away and shoot any that get a little to close

[mickii]

Also to dave of the dead could i possibly be intruduced to your zombiekillingclan :D

[DarthJoe8]

imagine a longbow with a small crossbow on top
The crossbow has a small button near the handhold so that you can be shooting a zombie far away and shoot any that get a little to close

Have you ever seen or shot a longbow? Either I'm misunderstanding what your saying or....:lol:

Anyway, what your describing is impossible, you can't mount a crossbow to a longbow....at least not that I know of...:lol:

:drinking:

[CAVU45]

I've been thinking about using arrows against zeds and have a few comments and questions concerning their effectiveness.

Firstly, what part of the brain is it that activates to reanimate the dead? We've seen from the different movies and books that zeds do use some higher brain functions such as "Bub" from Dawn and "Big Daddy" from Land, but they are the exception and have only limited use of those higher functions. The majority of zeds use mostly lower brain functions, the "fight, feed, and f**k" portion in the limbic system called the hypothalamus. That's a very small area and at the best of times would be extremely hard to hit. Add to that the adrenalin coursing through ones body while running and fighting zeds and it would be exponentially harder.

Now if my information is correct then it would be hard for a bullet to take out a zed, even allowing for the "shock" effect (think of the concussion from an explosion) that could destroy that the area in question. How much harder would it be to destroy it with an arrow? The arrow wouldn't have the concussive effect of a bullet nor would it mushroom tearing things apart. Couldn't an arrow penetrate the hypothalamus leaving it intact and the zed mobile?

A bow is a difficult instrument to use and takes years of practice for one to become proficient with it. It isn't a weapon for a novice.

With all this in mind and if the information is correct, then it begs the question; Is a bow effective weapon against zeds or would one get a false sense of security from the weapon, a false sense that could get one killed?

[DarthJoe8]

With all this in mind and if the information is correct, then it begs the question; Is a bow effective weapon against zeds or would one get a false sense of security from the weapon, a false sense that could get one killed?

I agree, I think it's got its place in the ZPAW like as a silent hunting weapon but greatly ineffective for killing zeds. Another reason why Diary of the Dead was retarded...:roll:

[Bob]

I prefer to believe in any penetrative disruption of the brain and release of the surrounding fluid as being sufficient.

Don't forget about the Zed in the original Dawn of the Dead that was dispatched with a screwdriver through the ear.

[Dave Of The Dead]

I don't see why a good bow or crossbow wouldn't kill a zombie. I've shot an arrow from a composite bow into the side of a horse trailer from 40ft. Of course the penetration was minimal and the arrow was F**ked beyond reuse. I've also shot a bolt from a decent crossbow clean through a small shed. The neighbors were pissed. Of course, aiming es everything and can prove quite difficult with the wind.

[CAVU45]

I prefer to believe in any penetrative disruption of the brain and release of the surrounding fluid as being sufficient.

Don't forget about the Zed in the original Dawn of the Dead that was dispatched with a screwdriver through the ear.

True enough, but that was also near the area of the brain in question so could have been a lucky strike. We also need to try to seperate fantasy from reality. Remember in the movies a guy gets shot and flies back ten feet or more. We know that doesn't really happen. We've also seen in real life, alot of people get weird sharp objects stuck in their heads with no adverse effect. Going with my minimal knowlede of brain physiology and understanding sharp objects it makes me wonder how truely effective an arrow would be. Even if it were the entire brain that could be a target would an arrow be enough to take out a zed? We know that the cavitation of a bullet can make mush of the brain but an arrow doesn't have that kind of power.

[CAVU45]

I don't see why a good bow or crossbow wouldn't kill a zombie. I've shot an arrow from a composite bow into the side of a horse trailer from 40ft. Of course the penetration was minimal and the arrow was F**ked beyond reuse. I've also shot a bolt from a decent crossbow clean through a small shed. The neighbors were pissed. Of course, aiming es everything and can prove quite difficult with the wind.

I think penetration is only half the battle. What happens to that arrow after it gets inside the skull?

[DarthJoe8]

Also hitting a barn/shed wall is a lot different than hitting and penetrating a zombie skull. I've mentioned it before, deflection would and should be a concern...shoot an arrow at a log around the same diameter as a zombie skull and see how many shots get deflected/glance off. Even though wood is softer and easier to penetrate than a zed skull you'll still understand what I'm talking about.

Maybe get a coconut and shoot an arrow at that..:think: that might demonstrate my point better..

:drinking: You make a good point CAVU45. I've seen the x-ray of the guy with an arrow through the skull...he lived...:scare:

[Dave Of The Dead]

Of course most people who get shot with arrows are stupid people who wander out on the range to retrieve their arrows while other people are still shooting. Most arrow heads used for range shooting are bullet-points. Maybe something like this might do a bit more damage:
http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p5094820p275w.jpg

I've taken both anatomy and psychology, both have taught me a great deal about the brain itself. I have no doubt in my mind that a zombie would rely on the small systems contained near or in the brain stem. If you do get a good shot at these systems, penetration would be the key to getting deep enough to strike and disrupt these parts. Yes, I know that arrows can easily deflect off hard, round surfaces, but that is what practice is for, right?
Also, a great pro about bows and crossbows is the ability to tie a line to your bolt or arrow so you may be able to retrieve a missed/deflected shot without getting off of your safe perch or wherever you may be.

[CAVU45]

Also hitting a barn/shed wall is a lot different than hitting and penetrating a zombie skull. I've mentioned it before, deflection would and should be a concern...shoot an arrow at a log around the same diameter as a zombie skull and see how many shots get deflected/glance off. Even though wood is softer and easier to penetrate than a zed skull you'll still understand what I'm talking about.

Maybe get a coconut and shoot an arrow at that..:think: that might demonstrate my point better..

:drinking: You make a good point CAVU45. I've seen the x-ray of the guy with an arrow through the skull...he lived...:scare:


I wasn't even thinking about deflection, but that could be a real problem. Good point!

[CAVU45]

Of course most people who get shot with arrows are stupid people who wander out on the range to retrieve their arrows while other people are still shooting. Most arrow heads used for range shooting are bullet-points. Maybe something like this might do a bit more damage:
http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p5094820p275w.jpg

I've taken both anatomy and psychology, both have taught me a great deal about the brain itself. I have no doubt in my mind that a zombie would rely on the small systems contained near or in the brain stem. If you do get a good shot at these systems, penetration would be the key to getting deep enough to strike and disrupt these parts. Yes, I know that arrows can easily deflect off hard, round surfaces, but that is what practice is for, right?
Also, a great pro about bows and crossbows is the ability to tie a line to your bolt or arrow so you may be able to retrieve a missed/deflected shot without getting off of your safe perch or wherever you may be.


I'm still not sold on the arrow as an anti-zed weapon. It seems that an arrow shot would have to be very, very precise to have a chance of stopping a zed. A bullet on the other hand could simply rely on cavitation to destroy the reanimate areas of the brain.

[joerrrrrr]

I like the idea of a bow and arrow but can't see it working. first off you would have to have to have the practice down before Z-day, you cant just hear "today is Z-day" and think, hey i should go lean to shot arrows. and secondly you would have to get lots of arrows, and find a way to store them efficiently.
However i think that if you are skilled with a bow and have a surplus of arrows, it would be very efficient. I also think it would be nice because you could easily set fire to a zombie, and if they are in a crowd they would set fire to other zombies.

[Bob]

I have decided something in regard to Archery and Zombies.
Wait for it.
Wait for it ..
Wait for it...

Unless you have dynamite on the arrow you should just run instead.

[Redfields]

I have decided something in regard to Archery and Zombies.
Wait for it.
Wait for it ..
Wait for it...

Unless you have dynamite on the arrow you should just run instead.

.... Think deeper...

[50 cal]

Another thing to consider is that you can't just use any arrow with any bow. The spine stiffness has to be compatible with the draw weight. Use too light a spine with too heavy a draw and the release of the arrow will warp it sending who knows where.
I have a Line Xi Flatliner that I use for deer hunting. I can consistantly hit a pie plate out to 40 yds with it.
More arrows aren't too hard to come by with a number of sporting goods stores near me with a huge selection of shafts and tips. The carbide tipped bladed arrows are really good for penetration. The field points will penetrate bone also.

I would use a bow to keep them thinned out in my immediate AO, but most likely not carry one long term.

[3030]

A lot of people forget that crossbows need to be pulled back extremely carefully. I have a Horton crossbow and its a bitch to pull back since u cant twist the string even a tiny bit or you'll be screwed. They make automatic thingy's to put on the back, but they are so expensive and a waste of time. Plus you have to fire the bolt if you dont use it, which could end bad. Honestly, I would be quicker to grab my longbow if TSHTF rather than my crossbow.

[Darkness]

"Well, the first step is done!" :drinking:

"I finally got my new practice bow!!!" :clap:

"It's only a 30# Buckeye Recurve, but it's been quite a while, since I lost my last bow, that I decided to start low. To rebuild up my arm muscles. It shouldn't take too long, though, to work back up to a stronger bow." :)

[detpat]

this is a graphic one.








this is a series of pics of the effect of the average compound bow on a human skull, again this is GRAPHIC

[detpat]

last graphic pic

[bandits1]

this is a graphic one.

this is a series of pics of the effect of the average compound bow on a human skull, again this is GRAPHIC
Hmm...that guy is still alive. Doesn't look like compound bows will be too effective at stopping zombies.

[slayer1222]

Hmm...that guy is still alive. Doesn't look like compound bows will be too effective at stopping zombies.

you are forgetting that zombies have rotten flesh and decaying skulls so they are weeker and that shot looks like it was week because at 10 i could do more of a deadly shot than that.
anyway back on subject if in the right hands anything can be a deadly weapon and bows are great you can get light weight bows with alot of potential and as for cross bows i used to have a self cocking one that i got for £50 was amazingly powerful and accurate and with practise you could shoot alot of arrows in a short time. slingshots are good weapons if you know how to use them i have one right next to me as i type and it is great compact light weight and there is such a abundance of ammo like rocks marbles and the like but you need to be strong to get a good hit capable of cracking a skull and getting the brain but as i have said its hard but not impossible

[Bob]

It would suck to be that dude.
If it was a buddy who shot me he would so need to watch his back...

[J Dub]

"Well, the first step is done!" :drinking:

"I finally got my new practice bow!!!" :clap:

"It's only a 30# Buckeye Recurve, but it's been quite a while, since I lost my last bow, that I decided to start low. To rebuild up my arm muscles. It shouldn't take too long, though, to work back up to a stronger bow." :)

photos photos :drool:

i use to love shooting bow back in the day:)

[zakk]

in my opinion a bow and arrow would be just as effective as a gun in zombie defense and a lot less noise but it would only be excelent in certain situations what do you all think

[DarthJoe8]

in my opinion a bow and arrow would be just as effective as a gun in zombie defense and a lot less noise but it would only be excelent in certain situations what do you all think


Check out this most awesome thread... :drinking: http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15752

I assume that you've shot a bow before...:) what kind?

[zakk]

i own a ben peirson recurve a hoyt and ive shot many other such as genisis and stuff like that

[CAVU45]

in my opinion a bow and arrow would be just as effective as a gun in zombie defense and a lot less noise but it would only be excelent in certain situations what do you all think

What certain situations?

[Lian]

Personally I'd rather have a crossbow than a bow, still quiet but easier to fire from a prone position and for me I'd be more accurate with one straight away than a conventional bow. And while I have little experience in them I do believe that the crossbow also has more force behind it typically as well correct? Given that the object is to penetrate the skull would you be confident in your abilities to do that with a bow? Especially if it becomes an issue where you'd have to hit a target as small as an eye to ensure penetration, that potentially would be a difficult shot even if your not under stress at the time.

In the long run it might be a better weapon, easier to maintain, and if necessary replace but it also requires more time and practice with it to become sufficiently proficient.

[bandits1]

assault rifle > bow x 102840239482304058.

[Faran Brigo]

Given that the object is to penetrate the skull would you be confident in your abilities to do that with a bow? Especially if it becomes an issue where you'd have to hit a target as small as an eye to ensure penetration, that potentially would be a difficult shot even if your not under stress at the time.

http://bowsite.com/bowsite/features/practical_bowhunter/penetration/index.cfm

According to that calculator, an arrow that is as heavy as the bullet of a .50 BMG round (about 40 grams I think) travelling at 280 feet per second is just about 15 ft/lb shy of the power of a .32 ACP, more than enough into a skull (my math could be wrong here).

How fast an arrow travels of course depends on the power you put into it (like any other projectile), and that in turn is a function of the type of bow you are using. I'm guessing if an old english longbow could punch through ye olde armor (not cuirasses or plate mail), it can also drive an arrow into a zombie's skull.

Comparing an AR to a bow is comparing apples and oranges.

[OVERKILL]

I agree, we need photos. Show us that bow and maybe some targets too. You could show some targets now and show more as you recover your skills, they will still probably be better than mine would be, I've not fired my bows in about 2 years.

Now a precautionary tale about explosive arrows. An idiot friend of mine and his brother told me this one. They got the bright idea to make explosive arrows, but didn't want to go the tape something to the side route since it would be a detriment to accuracy. So the unscrewed the point and drilled the insert ( the threaded part that goes inside the end of the shaft) to accept a 209 (shotgun) primer. They then filled the shaft with gunpowder and placed the primer in the insert. They then superglued a BB to the primer ( to act as a firing pin on impact). When fired at the target the primer ignited as they planned and it in turn ignited the powder. Instead of exploding it acted like a giant bottle rocket and came back towards them. Anybody that wants to try this or any other exploding arrow trick, go right ahead, but don't blame me if something bad happens.

[OVERKILL]

Why not combine the two? I think a bow (recurve, longbow, compund or whatever floats your boat), backed up with a good, light pistol would be excellent. First off, in the ZPAW, you always need a backup (and a backup for your backup), the reasons I would choose a pistol is because it's smaller and better suited for tight confines like inside buildings. It can be used one handed and has a faster rate of fire. The bow is held in the "off" hand (let hand for a right handed person), you could hold a nocked arrow with the index finger of your off hand, draw the pistol and fire with your dominant hand (in a situation like there were multiple zombies pretty close and you need to deanimate them quickly).
Bows don't make much noise, if you miss you can walk over and retrieve your arrow (assuming you're not swarmed and have time, you could retrieve them from zombie heads too, but they could spread the contagion and would be just plain icky). With a recurve or longbow the only things to break are the string and the arrow rest ( of course the arrow rest won't break if you don't use on and just shoot off the shelf).

[J Dub]

some good replies here.

jmo.

you can't compare bows/crossbows to firearms. yes bows are effective in able hands, but to put them on par with a firearm for being effective....i say no.

the simplest example that comes to mind (i hate to use it as one) is how we took this land from the natives.:-(

[J Dub]

if you can become honed with any type of string weapon, silence will be your biggest advantage. they have a place, but it would be up to the person holding it to decide what that place is.

but there'd be nothing sicker than seeing a zombie stumble and drop with 2 or 3 feet of dowel sticking out of the noggin :lol:

[Bob]

32 acp huh?
Thats about the minimum caliber I consider viable.
Even then it's only just.

[50 cal]

The new carbide tipped hunting arrows will penetrate bone. I have shot through the front shoulder of a deer with a 2014 Easton arrow at 280 feet per second from a Xi Flat Liner cam bow. The shoulder bone of a white tail deer is very thick. Ideally you want to hit the area behind the shoulder bone but my shot was at a little over 40 yards and I hit a little forward of where I was aiming. The arrow did make it through the shoulder bone no problem.
I doubt a 32 ACP round could have done it.

I will be making the switch to carbon fiber arrows this year and the speed for the same weight arrows will jump to 320 feet per second. Should be no problem to make the same shot.

[CAVU45]

I'm no expert on bows, but I wonder how consistantly an arrow could penetrate bone. I imagine the shooter would have to be damned good to make a headshot with one. I also wonder about the arrows ability to actually destroy the brain. With a bullet we know it makes a little hole going in and a big hole goiing out, taking bunches of matter with it (won't get technical with it). Not so with an arrow. So, without the arrow wiggling around, tearing up brain tissue, could it actually put a zed down?

[bandits1]

I'm no expert on bows, but I wonder how consistantly an arrow could penetrate bone. I imagine the shooter would have to be damned good to make a headshot with one. I also wonder about the arrows ability to actually destroy the brain. With a bullet we know it makes a little hole going in and a big hole goiing out, taking bunches of matter with it (won't get technical with it). Not so with an arrow. So, without the arrow wiggling around, tearing up brain tissue, could it actually put a zed down?
That's my question, too. Since zombies can't be stopped by any amounts of pain, you have to actually do so much damage to the proper areas of the brain that their bodies cease to function. Can an arrow do that consistently and reliably?

[Lian]

As long as the bow can penetrate the skull the zombie should go down. Especially if the arrow maintains some kind of rotation after penetration, the effect would be similar to putting a jello mold in a blender.

[Bob]

To dredge up old material.

In the original Dawn of the dead, a zed is put down by a screwdriver through the ear.

[Birdman44]

I'm not sure how many times an arrow would kill a zombie, but i do know that arrows are pretty hard to take care of.. I shot a deer from 30 yds with an aluminum arrow and the arrow went through the chest and through the knee joint almost completely severing the deers leg, arrows definatly have the penetration needed, problem is that the arrow was completely destroyed by the shot. I'de say theyre too much trouble, too much time to take care of versus how many zombies you kill with it. I'de rather have a .22lr.

[CAVU45]

To dredge up old material.

In the original Dawn of the dead, a zed is put down by a screwdriver through the ear.

True enough. But I think we've all seen the pics of live people who've had strange and unusual sharp objects penetrate their skulls, to include arrows, and the suffered no ill effects.

[The Voice Of Desperation]

I've never fired a gun and for this simple reason I'd rather have a bow/cross bow. Both guns and bows have pros and cons which makes it really hard to have either or so I think I'd carry both, I'd carry I hunting bow for my primary killing tool and some kind of pistol as my secondary weapon.

[CAVU45]

The question is, how proficient are you with a bow? Wouldn't it be better to know how to operate your equipment, gun and bow, before needing them?

[DarthJoe8]

Another point about arrows. Arrows kill by cutting and bleeding out the critter. Since this has no effect on zombies and the fact that it's entrance and exit wound are so small, the chances of hitting the sweet spot are slim. :think:

Bullets create lots of trauma to the area that it hits, even if it misses the sweet spot it can still cause enough damage to the area to kill the zed.

Aside from being a last resort weapon against zeds the only real benefit I see with having a bow on Zday is for hunting...I would rather use the bow to bash a zed in the head than to rely on shooting, hitting and killing the zed with it...:scare:

Simply put, archery is hard and you better be good at it. :drinking:

[kiltedninja]

I'm not sure if my archery skills would be any help in ZPAW, other than getting food, since when you stop to think about it, the ballistic power of a bullet is that the lead deforms on impact, creating a bigger hole, and more damage to the brain than a solid aluminum, carbon fiber, or wooden shaft would do.

So the question now, since we've established that a bow can pierce bone, is will the arrow do enough damage to the brain that a single shot can kill a zombie?

[Darkness]

"If you know what you are doing, it's not that hard to make an arrow spin." :think:

[Faran Brigo]

That's my question, too. Since zombies can't be stopped by any amounts of pain, you have to actually do so much damage to the proper areas of the brain that their bodies cease to function. Can an arrow do that consistently and reliably?

Arrowheads are supposed to make a number on soft tissue and cause the target to bleed to death, since they won't kill with shock like a bullet (too slow). So yes, I think they would, they might even do it more reliably than really small caliber bullets.

Darkness: I think all arrows spin, it's how they fly straight, the fletching (the feathers/pieces of plastic glued to the back) imparts spin into the arrow to stabilize it.

[Darkness]

Darkness: I think all arrows spin, it's how they fly straight, the fletching (the feathers/pieces of plastic glued to the back) imparts spin into the arrow to stabilize it.

"Aren't there ways of making them spin faster than usual?" :think:

[DarthJoe8]

"Aren't there ways of making them spin faster than usual?" :think:

Fletching is mounted onto the shaft with a right or left helical. (depending on whether you're a left or right handed shooter) This is a slight twist in the fletch which causes a rotation upon firing the arrow. This allows for faster stability of the arrow so it shoots straight. :drinking:

[Darkness]

Fletching is mounted onto the shaft with a right or left helical. (depending on whether you're a left or right handed shooter) This is a slight twist in the fletch which causes a rotation upon firing the arrow. This allows for faster stability of the arrow so it shoots straight. :drinking:

"I know that part. I'm talking about altering it so it spins faster."

[50 cal]

"I know that part. I'm talking about altering it so it spins faster."


No, The fletching can only be glued on to a certain spin ratio. Any faster and it will over stabilize the head causing it to wobble and go no telling where.
The cant or angle the fletch is glued on is usually only about 8 degrees or so. Any more than that and it wraps around the shaft too far.

[Darkness]

No, The fletching can only be glued on to a certain spin ratio. Any faster and it will over stabilize the head causing it to wobble and go no telling where.
The cant or angle the fletch is glued on is usually only about 8 degrees or so. Any more than that and it wraps around the shaft too far.

"Thank you." :)

[Lian]

hm...This is a surprisingly informative thread. I might have to make a trip down to the local archery range by the place I get my tattoo's done and see if I can't learn to use one effectively.

[Dave Of The Dead]

I think it really depends on what kind of arrow head you use. A lot of the people you see surviving an arrow to the head are hit at the range by a bullet-point arrow. They aren't sharp or pointed that well so a lot of the energy is focused on a larger area than an arrowhead actually used for hunting larger game. I could see more zombie killing capabilities with something like this:
http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p5113252p275w.jpg

[Xombie11]

looks like it could do some damage. corse, i don't know sqat about archery.. or guns for that matter any one know any good sites that have info on them?

[Bob]

How basic do you want the information on guns to be?

[Xombie11]

begginers guide type thing cos as i said i don't know any thing much about guns but i do want to learn

[LiftWidget]

Oh I would love some good information about guns too. I've been a gun-fan since birth :lol: I once, when I was 10 or something, tried to read a book/guide about all kind of guns. But it was too complicated, as you can imagine. I believe wikipedia has all the information, but it's hard to find if you don't know exactly what to look for.
Oh, and sorry for the Offtopic.
Anyhow, I think if you can use a bow well, go for it. Silent, rather light and powerful. Though it can be nasty to carry one along all the time. Crossbow would be a nice solution, with a scope even. Mmmm...

[50 cal]

hm...This is a surprisingly informative thread. I might have to make a trip down to the local archery range by the place I get my tattoo's done and see if I can't learn to use one effectively.

You'd be surprised how much of a workout archery really is. Your upper body gets one heck of a workeout in just half an hour.
I use a 55 recurve which is a real hoss to hold back, and a 65 lb compound/cam bow for hunting.
The cam bow isn't to bad for holding back as it has a 65% let off.
Go to the archery shop. If you interested, they will explain everything. Archers are great people and will give you all kinds of help. You will probably go into information overload.

Just type in "archery" into google or any of the search engines and read away.

[kiltedninja]

It's insane to think that four hundred years ago, archers could draw bows that were one hundred and thirty pounds.

I want to use a bow that's like that, I can currently draw a seventy five pound bow, at 5'10" and 135lbs, that seems to be fairly powerful.

[DarthJoe8]

^^So you can draw it, can you hit anything with it?? :lol: You don't need that kinda draw weight to penetrate and kill something. I've personally never heard of 130lb draw weight...:think:

Something else to consider, pulling back a heavy draw is great but do it 30, 40, 50 times....that's when fatigue kicks in and your shooting form goes to crap and you'd be lucky to hit anything even by accident. :)

I shoot in tournaments where you get one arrow per target, usually 30 targets, I shoot about 58lbs and I have no problem shooting all day long but I also shoot almost daily. :drinking: Some tournaments are 2-3 days long and between warming up and shooting you get pretty tired by the end of it. You do not want to be shooting a heavy bow...:scare:

Also, I shoot longbows which have no let off like compounds. :drinking:

[Birdman44]

Bottom line bows are a pretty bad idea to me. I hunt with my compound bow I am confortable with hitting head sized targets at 20 yards, but it would take less time and be so much easier using a gun. I suggest to anyone who hasn't shot a bow, not to when zday hits. It would be more of a detriment than a plus for you.The only thing that may be good is a crossbow for those rare instances where you would need to shoot a wire across some place and even then it wouldn't be worth keeping one around for something like that.

[kiltedninja]

Yup, I can hit targets, but only at about twenty yards. I'm fairly strong at my size and age. I know about fatigue from drawing a bow, It's one of my exercises/hobbies.

English bows in the medieval ages could have draw weights up to as much as 130 lbs, accurate to almost 300 yds. if you shot at the right angle. I have my doubts, but at the same time, a normal person in that day would walk twenty miles in a day and think nothing of it.

[Faran Brigo]

Yup, I can hit targets, but only at about twenty yards. I'm fairly strong at my size and age. I know about fatigue from drawing a bow, It's one of my exercises/hobbies.

English bows in the medieval ages could have draw weights up to as much as 130 lbs, accurate to almost 300 yds. if you shot at the right angle. I have my doubts, but at the same time, a normal person in that day would walk twenty miles in a day and think nothing of it.

I think a "normal" person in these days of obesity and basement-dwelling couldn't walk 5 miles in a week without heaving :lol:

DarthJoe: Middle ages archers didn't aim for single targets, they were used mostly to discharge massive volleys of arrows at an area, while rows of pikemen or men-at-arms defended them from enemy cavarly/infantry. Hit power and max distance were far more important than accuracy for the most part.

[DarthJoe8]

I think a "normal" person in these days of obesity and basement-dwelling couldn't walk 5 miles in a week without heaving :lol:

That's pretty funny and sadly true...:lol:

DarthJoe: Middle ages archers didn't aim for single targets, they were used mostly to discharge massive volleys of arrows at an area, while rows of pikemen or men-at-arms defended them from enemy cavarly/infantry. Hit power and max distance were far more important than accuracy for the most part.

This is true but in a zpaw you won't have hundreds of archers shooting volleys at approaching hordes of undead. :scare:

:think: I would imagine it would be one or two archers shooting and retreating. Indian ambush style. :drinking:

[kiltedninja]

I know how true that is, and i makes me sad to think about that, because I can walk five miles in an hour and forty five minutes.

Back to Archery, I know medieval archers didn't aim at one target, but it's still amazing that they could shoot a bow that had a draw weight that high.

Archery is a skill that I'd like to practice more.

[CAVU45]

[/QUOTE]I think a "normal" person in these days of obesity and basement-dwelling couldn't walk 5 miles in a week without heaving [/QUOTE]

Very true. But it is fascinating to see how the human body can adapt to new situations. I would imagine that many of those obese persons would drop considerable weight and get into fairly good shape in short order to survive. Harsh living alone can cause one to shed vast amounts of fat.

Now back to your regular programming.

[Nugget]

well I'm jumpin in
I think a compound bow would be a great main, if you know how to use one. silent, near limitless ammo,

My skill with a bow is not great, used a cheap recurve for most of my shooting, then my friend got a compound for hunting, I've used that enough to get comfortable. Using the compound, which i think is around 50lb pull, i was consistently accurate at about 15 yards. The fatigue of the bow wasn't too bad, but I was feeling after we finished shooting for the day.

Well that puts me under 50ft, where a zed would in most cases would already know my presence, and 50ft is not much distance to cover even if shambling. I feel confident that i could get a good shot off though.



I have a couple questions though. how long does a bow string last, and will wood tipped arrow be able to penetrate the skull?

[Bob]

I think Cav is correct.
That is why several threads over I was saying that you need to have an extra pair of pants several sizes smaller packed away. But then I guess you could always keep an eye out for a fresh zed about your current size.

I can't hit anything with a bow.
Scouts taught my sons how to use one, in fact they got pretty good with one.
I never got past zinging the inside of my forearm every time I shot the thing.

Does one shoot or fire a bow?
I would think shoot, to me fire implies a firearm.
Do you think they are called firearms because they are powered by controlled fire and are as long as an arm?

Ever wonder where the word pistol came from?
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=pistol&searchmode=none
(this is a great site)

[kiltedninja]

Bob, they're called firearms because they employ the use of fire, and they're weapons, or arms if you will, since you get [B]armed[B] for war.

I have a leather arm cover to keep the string from hitting my arm, but I've seen some people who don't use them.

[Birdman44]

Bob, they're called firearms because they employ the use of fire, and they're weapons, or arms if you will, since you get [B]armed[B] for war.

I have a leather arm cover to keep the string from hitting my arm, but I've seen some people who don't use them.

I don't use a leather cover, Dad made me shoot without it so I would learn how to hold my compound. After the first few zings you get you'll fix it. Learn from mistakes.

[JakAttak]

damn been a while. anyway it could be used as an amazing silenced weapon my only gripe is the only thing with bow in it that can be used reliably at all is the cross variety beyond that it's a total crapshoot

[Darkness]

"I use a set of full-arm, bowman's gauntlets, that I made myself. They cover the whole arm, past the elbow, and end in three finger gloves. Since I can use a bow both left-handed, as well as right, I made one for each arm. I love how they work, as well as how they feel and look. They aren't real Archery Gloves, but they serve the purpose." :)

[kiltedninja]

That's pretty cool Darkness. I have a leather arm cover, and a 55lb longbow. That's the extent of my cool toys.

[Darkness]

That's pretty cool Darkness. I have a leather arm cover, and a 55lb longbow. That's the extent of my cool toys.

"I use to have a real cool 70 pound Long Bow, but it got bow-napped. (I miss my baby SOOO MUCH! :cry:) Then I had a room mate, who owned a 50 pound Re-Curve that I fell in love with. (The bow, not the girl. :roll: :lol:) She moved out quite a while ago, and I haven't been able to buy a new bow until just recently. So I bought a 30 pound Re-Curve, to work my arm muscles back up again." :)

[DarthJoe8]

I never got past zinging the inside of my forearm every time I shot the thing.

You hit your arm because you need to work on your "form". :lol: In archery this is one of the most important things for not only achieving accuracy but to be consistent, shot after shot....same idea as shooting a gun...you need to hold it correctly. :) My dad used to bust the bridge of his nose wide open while shooting his shotgun with the scope on. Bad form....:lol:

Does one shoot or fire a bow? I've heard both words being used. :think:

I would think shoot, to me fire implies a firearm. Maybe, but I also shoot my shotgun...

Do you think they are called firearms because they are powered by controlled fire and are as long as an arm? Makes sense but I like to call them "boom sticks"...:lol:

Ever wonder where the word pistol came from?
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=pistol&searchmode=none
(this is a great site)

It is a great site!! :drinking:

[Faran Brigo]

I've heard both, but I think "shooting" is better, since fire isn't involved at all (unlike a firearm).

To you archers out there, does arrowhead shape really make that much of a difference?

[Birdman44]

I wouldn't say so, although I do prefer my longer tipped broadheads :evil:
Pretty much any broadhead will cut as good as the next I'de say.

[CAVU45]

All this bow talk makes me want to take out my old one. I haven't touoched it in years. It's an old 60lb Bear recurve (mid 70's vintage) with fiberglass limbs. I'm half afraid they've delaminated some and may snap.

[DeAdLY SiNZz]

I own a repeating-crossbow, holds bout 20 bolts nice scope on it with a laser sight to add. it weighs bout 50 lbs, nice stock on it. I haven't shot it since i joined the AF.

[bandits1]

I own a repeating-crossbow, holds bout 20 bolts nice scope on it with a laser sight to add. it weighs bout 50 lbs, nice stock on it. I haven't shot it since i joined the AF.
Pics? You're not the first guy to mention owning or wanting a crossbow of this type, but for the life of me I can't seem to Google info on one that was built in this century.

[DarthJoe8]

Pretty much any broadhead will cut as good as the next I'de say.

If this was true then they'd only have one type of broadhead...:lol: I only shoot longbows and I shoot a two bladed Zwickey.




http://www.keystonecountrystore.com/images/products/18410zwickeyeskimobroadhead.jpg

[DeAdLY SiNZz]

Pics? You're not the first guy to mention owning or wanting a crossbow of this type, but for the life of me I can't seem to Google info on one that was built in this century.

I can try to get my parents to send me the pics, may take a while but i''l try

[DarthJoe8]

All this bow talk makes me want to take out my old one. I haven't touoched it in years. It's an old 60lb Bear recurve (mid 70's vintage) with fiberglass limbs. I'm half afraid they've delaminated some and may snap.

I've had a bow "snap" on me, scary stuff there....:scare:

[CAVU45]

I've had a bow "snap" on me, scary stuff there....:scare:

That's gotta hurt. The limbs look in good shape, no warping or crfacks that I can see. But it is over thirty years old....

[hotlead]

I own a repeating-crossbow, holds bout 20 bolts nice scope on it with a laser sight to add. it weighs bout 50 lbs, nice stock on it. I haven't shot it since i joined the AF.

A 50lb crossbow doesn't seem to me to be too handy, even if it's all tacticool.

The M82 doesn't even weigh 50lbs, and it has the advantage of hitting at 2,000 meters.

[Darkness]

A 50lb crossbow doesn't seem to me to be too handy, even if it's all tacticool.

The M82 doesn't even weigh 50lbs, and it has the advantage of hitting at 2,000 meters.

"Apples and Oranges. That's not even an archery class weapon, so it's not a fair comparison." ;-)

[bandits1]

I own a repeating-crossbow, holds bout 20 bolts nice scope on it with a laser sight to add. it weighs bout 50 lbs, nice stock on it. I haven't shot it since i joined the AF.
Just so we're clear...when you say "repeating" you actually mean "capable of firing off 20 bolts or arrows as fast as I can pull the trigger", right?

[Darkness]

"I've seen them before. It has a type of magazine attached I think. I have wanted one for ages, but can never seem to afford them, when I run across them. Bad timing. I have heard them called pistol-gripped repeating crossbows, if that helps any. They ARE one of the many styles of pistol-gripped crossbows."

[bandits1]

"I've seen them before. It has a type of magazine attached I think. I have wanted one for ages, but can never seem to afford them, when I run across them. Bad timing. I have heard them called pistol-gripped repeating crossbows, if that helps any. They ARE one of the many styles of pistol-gripped crossbows."
From what my 60 seconds of research tells me, there may be magazine-fed crossbows, but they still have to cocked manually. Maybe I'm interpreting these posts wrong; whenever it says "repeating", I think of a self-cocking semi-auto crossbow which doesn't seem to exist. Maybe they just mean "magazine-fed" crossbows.

[bandits1]

A 50lb crossbow doesn't seem to me to be too handy, even if it's all tacticool.

The M82 doesn't even weigh 50lbs, and it has the advantage of hitting at 2,000 meters.
I think he means 50 lbs draw weight. I, too, initially read it as the crossbow itself weighs 50 lbs.

[Darkness]

"Yes, the 'pound' part refers to how many pounds of pressure it takes, to draw and fire the bow/crossbow."

[hotlead]

Well that makes a lot more sense than what I was thinking, I don't claim to be much of an archer.

Ever since the percussion cap came out, I put down my bow and never looked back.

[JakAttak]

I've started using mine again. but I still cannot get the hang of long bows oh well. but I think tips would matter a helluva a lot unless you plan on running out of arrows real fast because they are lodged in a Z's skull

[J Dub]

takes many hours of pactice to get handy, but when you get it down it can be pretty darn scary.

i wonder if Darkness has got her groove back yet :)

[Darkness]

"I didn't lose my aim, just the muscle tone in the arm I draw the bow with. I need to strengthen it up again. But I need to afford some arrows first." :lol:

[J Dub]

"I didn't lose my aim, just the muscle tone in the arm I draw the bow with. I need to strengthen it up again. But I need to afford some arrows first." :lol:

i guess ammo is ammo regardless of the weapon, and you can never have enough :lol:
i hope you get shooting again soon, it sounds like you really miss it.

[DeAdLY SiNZz]

I think he means 50 lbs draw weight. I, too, initially read it as the crossbow itself weighs 50 lbs.

yea i meant the draw weight, its not that powerfull as a normal bow but it really doesnt need to be, and yes it is a magazine fed, i wish i had a one of those old woodeen one the chinese used, they need to mkae ones like those, and yes darkness its got the pistol grip. i also shoot a long bow, it has an 80lb draw on it which is lot for a lil guy like me it does the job thats for darn sure.

[kiltedninja]

I need to break out my bow again, because it'd be a handy skill to keep from getting rusty.

[DeAdLY SiNZz]

i like the fact that it wrks out the arm so well man i've seen some crazy draw weights. one of my ex-gf had a bow with a 130 pull weight and she was smaller than me, it scared me.... she was hott to :)

[DarthJoe8]

I'm having a tough time believing that anyone is shooting 130 lb draw weights let alone a female...(no offense to females) :lol:

Really, legal weight for hunting is 35lbs I shoot around 58lbs....again, 130 lbs?? I've only seen one bow over 90 lbs and it was custom made for my brother by Black Widow bows. The bow is a beast...:scare:

Who's making 130lb bows out there?? :think:

[DeAdLY SiNZz]

dnt know i jsut remeber seeing the weight on the darn thing it was her dads orgininally so dont ask me i only saw what i saw. lol

[mattifikation]

One of my good friends recently found out she has a knack for archery. I was happy for her. And I'm happy that if she gets a bow, she'll be more zombie safe than she used to be.

[neoanderson9318]

I've got a couple of crossbows. I enjoy archery a lot.

[ZackWelder]

Hey guys. I was bored today and had 20 extra bucks laying around so I went to the hardware store to see what I could could make. After $17 AUD on supplies, I threw together a wrist-mounted bow that launches short arrow/darts. The build took about somewhere under 2 hours. It actually shoots, too!

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/1006/img0100sx.jpg (http://img12.imageshack.us/i/img0100sx.jpg/)


Check out the video of the thing in use:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PWx7DoHuaE

So my idea was to spend less than $20 and make a propulsion weapon for short-medium range. The thing is pretty killer up close, which is basically what I had in mind. Medium range, unless the shooting technique is perfect, it won't land a hit.

With arrow heads (even target heads!), the effectiveness of the darts would increase dramatically.

Because the darts are too short, light, and not fletched, long-range use is impractical. It's still fun as all heck to shoot at medium ranges though!

There was some trial and error and I'll be replacing the PVC peep-shelf with a shelf more similar to that of a traditional bow.
I'll be straightening out the limbs angle and using a more pliable elastic band for the next version.

[mellisallen]

untill i see vidio results ill remain skeptical

[SWAT Zombie]

That looks pretty cool. You seem to have gotten it to work pretty well. Looks like fun.

I was most impressed with your punching bag of random shit vid. That was funny. A vest for a two headed obese guy. :lol: What a bizarre thing to find in a punching bag. I wonder if my cousin still has his punching bag. Might have to see if I can convince him to open it up.

This might be a good idea for the forum. Maybe we should have a thread for people to post links to videos of their gear and stuff. Seeing people at the range chapping off rounds with their hardware would be totally awesome. Anyone interested? I can't because I don't have any hardware worth showing but if someone else who has wants to start a thread that might be a very cool thing.

[plague]

Zack, that is awesome! I am going to have to try and make one of those sometime soon.

I admire/envy you guys so much. I have always wanted to learn how to use a bow, but haven't had the chance to do so yet.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching this documentary about archery on the history channel, and they were comparing the different type of bows. According to the experts, long bows or compound bows are better for great distances, whereas crossbows have a shorter range. They also discussed killing with arrows, and used a variety of methods(pig's skulls, melons, casts of human skulls) to test the possibility of an arrow penetrating the skull. Let's just say that it worked, especially with the long bows. But it seems to me that a bow would be more useful in a defensive situation than an offensive one(like say for shooting zombies from the roof of the warehouse store you have taken over, rather than trying to fight your way out of a horde on the street).
As a biology turned psychology major, I have learned a lot about the human brain in my time(I have a 3d poster of one on my wall for goodness' sake), so I thought that I would add my two cents concerning killing zombies. If you have good aim, instead of trying to pierce the skull, it would be better to aim for the weak parts of the head. The eyes, the ears, the temples, and the base of the skull would probably be the easiest to penetrate and would do the most damage. Also, the very center of the crown of the head(where the "soft spot" is on a baby's head) is a very weak spot. In about 10-20% of the population, the skull doesn't even close all the way and there is a hole there.
If you do come face to face with a zombie and only have a bow to defend yourself, the best spot to shoot would be the roof of the mouth, which is a very weak point and is right below the brain. Not only would it prevent them from being able to eat you, but it would also most likely kill them.

[Darkness]

"Hey Zack, try checking the Index Thread first, next time." ;-)
http://www.allthingszombie.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15744

[zbuddy]

Archery =/= improvised hand crossbow?

Not trying to be a d-bag, just sayin'.

[ZackWelder]

I made a new topic because archery is a very specific sport, requiring a very definite criteria. The nature of my post was concerning a vid of a DIY project and a "fantasy" themed defense weapon which only in the slightest glimmer relates to archery at all. The product is closer to a slingshot. Lots of people would never check an archery topic, simply because they have no interest, but they very well would like to check out a fun DIY project. Having a topic simply for videos of people operating their gear sounds like a great idea, too. Still, you are the mod, not me, so whatever you say goes.

Nevertheless, I will be posting my homemade weapons from time to time and will post DIY tutorials upon request

[Darkness]

"Being a hand powered projectile, I think they fit here better than any where else." :)

[ZackWelder]

I'm going to try and build a dart-launcher that would be a wrist-mounted barrel, and the user could "pull back" the launching mechanism and it would lock into place. The user could load in a "dart" at a later time, and then release the locking mechanism to fire it... It would be much easier to store and release higher amounts of energy at once.

Also, I know I'll sound stupid, but when I first saw your posts, Darkness, I thought you were constantly quoting people because of the red text and quotation marks.

[ZackWelder]

It sucks because barely anyone checks the Archery topic :/ I sure wish I was allowed to have my own posts.

Well this post is archery related.
I designed a new bow today that is meant to be:

EASY to make
COST less than 25 dollars to make
ACCURATE like a traditional bow
DURABLE and tough unlike a traditional bow
SIMPLE to maintain
ANYONE can make and use it
UGLY

The bow is simple; instead of using bending limbs to propel the arrow, the Elastic Bow relies on Elastic Rope, making the bow tougher and smaller, and lighter. One might even mount blades on the limbs to slash zombies when they get too close.

Please check out the youtube vid! =D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2lml_kvepQ

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3136/img0120zd.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/img0120zd.jpg/)

[kiltedninja]

That's pretty spiff.

[Redneck]

Wouldn't the elastic wear out? Fast?

Also, I know I'll sound stupid, but when I first saw your posts, Darkness, I thought you were constantly quoting people because of the red text and quotation marks.

Thats her mod voice, PHEAR ITZ POWERZ!

[DarthJoe8]

:drinking:

[ZackWelder]

Edited my post because I was an ass hole

[CAVU45]

Wow. For someone who doesn't feel the need to explain or prove himself and who isn't here for a pissing contest, you sure do get upset and argumentative. DarthJoe was simply asking pointed questions about your pointed claims.

[KillKaylaDead]

I honestly can't add much to this convo since I don't know anything about Archery, but! I saw Zackwelder's youtube vids and to be honest, I'd feel most safe with him if there was a zombie outbreak at this point. He turned little nothings into somethings! That is most impressive to me. Kick ass on your projects, dude. And please keep posting the stuff you make. It's awesome! =]

[DarthJoe8]

:drinking:

[DarthJoe8]

I honestly can't add much to this convo since I don't know anything about Archery, but! I saw Zackwelder's youtube vids and to be honest, I'd feel most safe with him if there was a zombie outbreak at this point. He turned little nothings into somethings! That is most impressive to me. Kick ass on your projects, dude. And please keep posting the stuff you make. It's awesome! =]

I agree, he makes some neat stuff but see my above post. :drinking:I'd also feel safe with him around because he'd be trying to slash zack with his bladed bow and get himself eaten and I'd have time to run away...:lol:

Just kidding, Zack seems like a nice guy and I'd hate to see him get eaten and he has a lot of neat ideas and lots of time on his hands...lol Keep the projects coming. :clap:

[ZackWelder]

Hey man, DarthJoe8, I owe you an apology.

I was a major asshole in my past topic.

My grandfather taught me archery since I was a kid. I felt like you were insulting me, and I jumped, since I really respect him. I won't stand for anyone insulting him.

I never claimed my bow was "better" than any other bow. I simple wanted to share a project that COULD be made very quickly and still be effective to a degree.

I would much rather shoot a REAL bow any day, but if I was holed in a hardware store with hordes of zombies outside, I'd like to know that I CAN make an improvised weapon that might help the situation.

Can I make a functional longbow or recurve in 3 hours? No.
Can I make an Elastic Bow in 3 hours? Yeah, in fact, two and a half of those hours were spent just carving out the riser and making it pretty.

Anyway, yeah. Sorry man.

[mattifikation]

Hardware store? Nail gun.

Not that I'm downplaying the ability to improvise, but the ability to simplify is an incredible skill as well.

[ZackWelder]

I've never shot a nail gun even though I want to badly, and have put it into a couple of zombie games I've worked on.

Anyway, just picking up a tool and using it isn't what I'd call fun.

Making stuff. w00t. Yes that sounds like a good time.

[Bob]

You have enemies?
Good.
That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
Winston Churchill:

[Redneck]

So Zack, Wouldn't the elastic wear out?

[ZackWelder]

Yep. the wood on a Bow wears out as well, and once the limbs break, it's all done.

Elastic can be replaced for $5 minimum, and the process is as simple as slipping the elastic through the hole and tying a knot.


Now that we've mentioned a nail gun, here we can see a lovely nail gun accident.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqUc4tgPydM

[DarthJoe8]

Hey man, DarthJoe8, I owe you an apology.

Hey, thanks dude!! :drinking:That's really big of you and I really appreciate it. :drinking:

[ZackWelder]

Yeah, I feel stupid about being an asshole.

What's not big is how I epic failed on my DIY project today.

Failed forearm-dart launcher VIDEO YOUTUBE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUwateHZMLE)

The project failed but I'll be using the parts to try and make a dart gun another day :/, wish I suppose doesn't really fit in archery since the mechanism is a spring/coil thing. :x