Cocking a crossbow

[the blur]

I had to buy the crank.   No way in hell I could string cock a crossbow.    I'm 55yo.   Already had shoulder surgery.   No way I was risking another ripped shoulder.

 

[Karpteach]

I had to do the same. It sucks getting old. 

[bugsNbows]

Some of those bows are very difficult to cock for sure. One of mine is easy, the other is quite a bit harder.

[growalot]

I found out the hard way how not to cock my crossbow...Always use your forearms..not your back!. I had to shorten the cocking rope sagnificantly. I lock my elbows tight to my side and lift with my fore arms..it protects my shoulder..and back.

[GreeneHunter]

After sitting in the treestand for awhile last year with the crossbow cocked how do you un-cock ? Or just take a shot at the bail of hay ?

[Jeremy K]

I saw one of those things that had the crank built into the stock.

Edited October 2, 2017 by Jeremy K

[growalot]

I have my little green target...I take the arrow off walk home and shoot the target...If you are not on your property put one in your trunk and step off the road or parking lot and shoot...

[the blur]

Mine came with a blunt tip de-cocking bolt.      They do go pretty far !!    Mine went 100 yards into the woods, never to be found again       Next time, I'll shoot it into the ground.

[loworange88]

1 hour ago, GreeneHunter said:

After sitting in the treestand for awhile last year with the crossbow cocked how do you un-cock ? Or just take a shot at the bail of hay ?

There are a few ways...you can take off the hunting bolt, and replace with a regular bolt and shoot into a small unloading target at close range(what I do), or you can use a decocking bolt and shoot into the ground.  Those are either a bolt with a big blunt tip(reuseable), or some are biodegradable "plastic"(one and done)...Those are made by TenPoint.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Express-22-Inch-Crossbow-Release/dp/B008237O92/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1506962000&sr=8-4&keywords=crossbow+decocking+bolts

 

https://www.amazon.com/Morrell-Yellow-Jacket-Discharge-Target/dp/B004TSPURC/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1506962034&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=crossbow+decocking+bag

Edited October 2, 2017 by loworange88

[G-Man]

1 hour ago, GreeneHunter said:

After sitting in the treestand for awhile last year with the crossbow cocked how do you un-cock ? Or just take a shot at the bail of hay ?

You need to shoot it.do not try and let it down or dry fire it you and crossbow will be severely hurt. A practice tip and a block or rubber tip or special bolt tip are only options

[bugsNbows]

Some bows can be safely de-cocked without firing into a discharge target (or similar). Both of mine (Camx and Kodabow) are like that. You use the rope and basically (safely) by-pass the anti-dry fire mechanism. 

[f3cbboy]

the field archer has a vid on youtube to de cock using the rope.  very safe in my opinion.

[fasteddie]

I bought a de-cocking bolt that I take with me in the stand .