Long bow, compound bow, cross bow, recurve bow, which one for Z day?

Long bow, compound bow, cross bow, recurve bow, which one for Z day? Which one, or none at all, please explain.

Post'em if you got'em.

ETA: to add recurve.

Some would prefer the crossbow, some would prefer the traditional (long bows, horse bows)
recurve, or compound bows. They each have their advantages and disavantages.

Advantages: silent, deadly, fast

Disadvantages: Slow to reload and arrows are limited to how much a quiver can handle, also bulky and
makes it harder to maenuver in tight areas.

Key Notes: Although ppl have been making their own arrows for hundreds of years
so supply of arrows may be dependent on skill and ready supply of raw materials (small tree branches, wood, wooden dowels, sticks)
Lots of ppl also make their own bows.
Whichever one choose, they should learn the basics, shooting a bow is different
from shooting a crossbow, I suggest to acquire both.
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Pics of my Hunting bow and 50 and 80 lbs mini crossbows:
Note the minis are basically just for fun/ target and not for serious hunting.
But, If it comes to it, Headshots on zeds will put them down esp in close quarters (10-15 yards).


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my son showing off the mini crossbow arrow holder:

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My old Hunting bow and kids bows:


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Although an easy cocking crossbow owuld be ideal, all I have and have shot is is a compound.
Im fairly quick with it- not woodelf fast, but quick enough for a couple of shamblers at 40 yrds.

I say use what you have! It is quiet and saves some ammo!

No love for the recurve? Shorter length than a long bow, faster to nock and get off an arrow than either the compound or cross bow.

An advantage to any bow would be recovery of arrows to shoot again later. Save the ammo for when things go from bad to worse.

recurve or longbow.

Reason: can make arrows that'll work better once my carbon arrow supply is exhausted. No way you can make arrows or bolts that'll work with a compound or cross bow. Also, they are easier to maintain, easier to make a string for if need be, lighter and less complicated. broadheads? Tinsnips and all the abandoned cars' sheetmetal you can get your hands on.

Atlatl
http://raysatlatls.com/2011/01/atlatl-kit/

RECURVE all the way. No moving mechanical parts to break down, more durable and can also be used as a beatdown stick. Plus you can shoot wood, aluminum and or carbon arrows through it.... they ain't picky. And if you get a takedown recurve enabling you to remove the limbs from the riser.... you can carry it easier in the trunk of your car til Z-Day!!!

+1

I'm going with none of the above.Oregon is a NFA friendly state; the price of a quality bow or crossbow and all the related gear come pretty close to the cost of a suppressor and paperwork for an AR.Suppressors for a 22lr would run even less expensive.Unfortunately not every state is as enlightened,in which case I would go with a crossbow.Easier to learn,and easier (for me at least) to hit with.I'm no good with a bow.
.A bow or crossbow could be useful for Romero/shambler zeds, but with all apologies to the Walking Deads Darryl would be a poor choice for 28 Days Later rager type zombies.

I dont think any of us are considering the bows as primary ,this is ar15.com after all :)
Most of us have handguns, rifles and shotguns.
Bows and crossbows would be great as backup silent weapons imho.
I think the bows would shine more as one of the weapons used in a wachtower, treestand, 2nd floor and up
of a barricaded house, pickin off zeds one by one scenario.

Actually, I agree they have a place,if you're skilled enough, as a special purpose/back up weapon. If you already have bows and experience they would definitely be an asset.I lack the skill so I would use my resources for something else.

that's cool too

I had a compound bow growing up, my dad liked bow hunting, I never got into it. But for a Z-day teotwawki, I think it would probably be ideal to hunt using a bow.

If you think that crossbows are silent, you should shoot one some time. They're not. TWAAANG!!!

Compounds are quieter than crossbows or recurves, are more accurate than a recurve by far and are just as accurate as a crossbow if you're shooting without a rest.

They all have a sound, but def a lot LESS than a firearm would sound.
I find recurves and tradional bows have more" twaang" sound than compound bows.
Also compound bows have more options to reduce the sound (e.g. string silencers, etc)

Longbow, definitely!!!



www.militaryaircraft.org.uk

You can get good string silencers and limb dampers for recurves too. I just think in a long term situation, recurve would be better simply for the reason that you have less moving parts and components that can break down. And again, you can shoot all the different types of arrows through them. If you try to shoot a cedar arrow through a modern compound.... it will shatter to splinters! Maybe I'm just prejudiced to my recurve which is an extension of my arm and brings the rain when I need it to!!

I'm a longbow shooter, so naturally I'd recommend a longbow or a recurve, very little difference in the two really.

For all the reasons listed above, the good reasons anyhow.

And to accuracy, like rifles, it's really up to the operator, a traditional bow is every bit as accurate, in a practical sense.

I have no problems with recurves, in fact my first target bow was a KAP pro recurve ,(it's still hanging in my room)
Also had a Hoy Helix recurve(one of my favs) I regretfully sold few years ago.

I have seen several threads relating to making your own bow. I believe this is a good idea in case something happens to your crossbow or such. My favorite was a mini cross between a bow and a harpoon bow which was compact enough to put into a day pack, accurate shooting full or shorter stock arrows, and a person could create one in a day that would work.

I would take a compound bow over the other regular bows for one reason. I know I can get a head shot within 40 yards with good light. Anything else, and I risk a bloody broad head sticking out while engaging at close quarters range, and I really don't want the extra risk. If I had or trained with something else, my opinion may change, but your best bet is to stick with what you know and what you are comfortable with.

compound all day




(this is a shared target, all those wild shots aren't mine)

Horsebow FTW.

I'm loving all these bow pictures.

Me I'm a bare bow type, I have a long bow and a compound, no sights on either and I have started shooting soccer balls after I have kicked them away from me to simulate jack-rabbits taking flight once I have disturbed them, getting quite good at that .

BTW., if you want to try that you'll need one of the leather cased ball, as the cheapo plastic balls are one shot heroes.

Tony.

I think as stated above this would be good to hunt for a food source deer and whatever else you may be able to hit silent no attracting umwanted guest to your diner. I vote breakdown recurve they can be had at small expense and are easy for me at least to use.

I have a cheap-o crossbow that would definately do the trick, but I'd have a bit more confidence in my Mathews compound.

The one with which you can reliably make rapid headshots on moving targets.

In other words, none.

You've got 4 choices. Headshots? Moving targets? Yeah, confidence in my Mathews!

Hoyt FTW!

Crossbow. It can be shot one-handed (depending on model) and you can make two bolts out of one arrow.

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