Homemade light crossbows. Do-it-yourself crossbow: we make a high-quality and powerful option. Making fiberglass shoulders for a crossbow

The crossbow is an ancient throwing weapon that was invented by the Romans. Its characteristics are similar to that of a bow.

Currently, the crossbow is not used in any army in the world; it is sold in weapons stores as an exclusive rarity, the cost of which sometimes exceeds a thousand dollars. Therefore, such products are very often decorations.

However, you can make an imitation of such a weapon with your own hands, which will become excellent equipment for any boy. In addition, a toy crossbow can be made from almost any available materials. Also, do not forget about safety measures, since this product, although not professional, can cause significant injury to a person.

In order to assemble a crossbow with your own hands, you need to make each of its parts separately:

The final stage in making a crossbow is tensioning the bowstring, which should be optimal. If the tension is weak, then the range of the arrow will be minimal, and if it is too high, there is a risk of deforming or breaking the bows of the crossbow.

Mini-crossbows from other scrap materials

If a wooden crossbow is a more professional product and can be used for sporting purposes by both adults and teenagers, then crossbows made from paper, pencils or Lego are intended for children from seven to twelve years old.

Also, do not forget that products made from seemingly safe materials can also cause harm to health if handled incorrectly.

Therefore, games with such homemade items should be supervised by adults.

Paper throwing weapons

To assemble such a toy with your own hands, you need to ensure that you have the following materials and tools:

• fifteen sheets of paper (A4 format);
• three wooden sticks (you can use ice cream);
• thread for the bowstring, nylon is best;
• pencil;
• stationery knife or scissors;
• scotch.

Step-by-step instructions for making a paper crossbow are as follows:

This crossbow can be equipped with a sight, trigger and arrow guides.

From pencils

To make such a crossbow you will need:

• four pencils;
• seven rubber bands for money;
• one ballpoint pen;
• scotch.

To make such a “pencil” weapon, you must perform the following steps:

1. Tie two pencils tightly together with rubber bands - you get two elements of a crossbow.
2. Next, connect these two elements perpendicularly to each other.
3. Place a pen case on top of the pencils. This will be the guide for the arrow.
4. The same elastic bands are used as bowstrings, which are attached to the sides of the arches and connected to each other with tape or thread.

You can use the shaft of a pen as an arrow.

From the Lego constructor

To make a Lego crossbow, the first thing you need to do is purchase a construction set that is sold in almost any children's goods store. After the designer has been purchased, you can begin assembling it, which is carried out according to the included instructions.

It is worth considering that the kit’s equipment varies, and therefore the assembled crossbows may differ from each other in size and principle of operation.

When the crossbow is assembled, it is necessary to proceed to the manufacture of arrows, which should, first of all, be strong and reliable. To do this, you need to observe the following nuances:

• choose the right material. In this case, it is best to use well-dried pine, birch or spruce wood;
• avoid knots on arrow blanks;
• wood fibers should be located along the length of the future product;
• if the workpiece is uneven, you can try to level it; to do this, you need to first “heat” it over the fire;
• be sure to make fletching that gives the arrow stable and accurate flight;
• for plumage it is recommended to use the wing feathers of a goose, wood grouse, turkey or other large birds;
• it is very important that one arrow has feathers from one wing (right or left);
• You can use a metal plate or a nail as a tip, or you can do without it. But to do this, you need to carefully plan the end of the arrow (like sharpening a pencil);
• to store and transport arrows you need to use a quiver, which you can buy in a specialized store or make yourself;
• Arrows must be stored in an upright position in places with moderate humidity, otherwise the products will be deformed.

A hunting crossbow is an excellent weapon for catching food in the forest, as well as a means of survival in extreme conditions. It differs from a conventional bow in more accurate aiming, better striking power and ease of use due to the presence of a trigger mechanism. The advantage of such a weapon compared to others is that it can be made independently, you do not need to obtain a special permit for it, like for a gun, and the simplest crossbow can be made with your own hands in a matter of minutes, if time is pressing. Disadvantages include the time required to reload, as well as the short distance for sighting on the target.

A homemade crossbow allows you to hunt any game, from small to large animals. The hunting crossbow has the following design:

• The base to which the remaining elements with a guide bar will be attached. This bar determines the flight path of the bolt (arrow).
• Shoulders, or bow: determines the strength of the shot.
• The block that attaches the base to the bow.
• Trigger mechanism.
• Bowstring.

The base is carved from durable wood, but not heavy, so that your hands do not get tired of carrying a weapon. The ideal base materials are beech and walnut. In the wild there is no time to cut out a beautiful base, but you need to try to make it as convenient as possible for yourself. The guide bar is a groove where the arrow will be placed. It should not create friction when the bolt (arrow) moves, so after attaching it, you need to use sandpaper or a polishing wheel to polish its surface. You can make it separately using a metal tube cut in half, but when hiking conditions It’s easier to cut a deep groove at the base of the structure. It is better if the stock and the guide are separated from each other.

The arms of a crossbow are an important structural part. A simple do-it-yourself crossbow has a classic bow design: the string is statically attached to the shoulders, transferring the force of the shot from them to the arrow. To make a bow, you need to use flexible wood that will hold its shape without breaking from numerous bends: ash, maple, acacia. The shoulders are hewn out with a knife symmetrically and in such a way that their base has a larger diameter in girth than the edges. At the edges you need to cut out fastenings for the bowstring. To attach the bow to the base, you need to make a block.

Usually the block for attaching the base and bow is made of metal. In field conditions there is no such possibility, so the simplest model of a hunting crossbow can have a wooden block. For this you need a strong tree, ideally oak. The block is attached to the base, then the bow is attached. Everything is connected into a single structure using self-tapping screws, nails, or strong rope.

To fire a shot, you need to make a trigger mechanism. In order to integrate the trigger, you need to make a vertical slot in the base. A retaining bar should be attached over this slot to prevent the bowstring from accidentally slipping off.

Instead of arrows, like a bow, bolts are used here, which have greater lethality. They are made from durable and elastic material. The bolt must have a perfect shape, and the center of gravity should be in the first third of the shaft. All bolts must be the same length and weight, otherwise the results from the shots will always be different. Good bolts are made from fiberglass telescopic rods. The tip is made of a metal sheet, cut with metal scissors. The tip is lubricated with epoxy glue and inserted into the cut at the end of the shaft.

Homemade crossbow for spearfishing

There is an opinion that what is often mistakenly called an “underwater crossbow” is rather a weapon that operates on the principle of a slingshot for underwater fishing. A crossbow is not suitable for underwater hunting, since the resistance of the water will not allow you to make a successful shot. However, you can build a homemade crossbow for underwater hunting in the sense that you can use it to shoot fish from above, in shallow water, and underwater.

A homemade underwater crossbow is, essentially, a rubber shotgun. There are also pneumatic weapons, but assembling them yourself is difficult and requires special skills and abilities.

Underwater weapons consist of the following structural elements:

• Lever
• The basis
• Trigger
• Headband
• Rubber bands and hook

The principle of operation of the device is that the projectile pushes the harpoon and returns it back through rubber bands. The trunk can be cylindrical or irregular in shape. Its task is not only to hold the guide, but also to resist the bending loads created by the rubber bands.

The underwater crossbow guide serves to stabilize the position of the harpoon. It is better to make it from an aluminum pipe divided into two parts. One of them needs to be attached to the head of the gun, the second - at a distance of about 10 cm from it. The harpoon should pass through them without hindrance. The headband can be open or closed. In the first case, ring cords are attached, in the second - paired ones. When using ring rubber bands, the acceleration of the harpoon will be greater than with pairs. Unbalanced power of the strands will either not create enough force to launch the harpoon, or will create excessive stress on the bending of the barrel. The rods must be attached on each side to the coil holder, secured with clamps. The second end of the strands must be passed through a special ring; it will be more convenient to shoot with it.

Depending on the size and power of the weapon, the harpoon has different lengths and thickness. The hooks on it are of the cut or sharpfin type. The dihedral shape of the harpoon blunts less, while the trihedral shape has a higher penetrating ability. The design of the handle on a homemade crossbow is an individual matter; it may not exist. If you plan to hunt large fish, you must have a reel. It is most convenient to install the coil in the front end of the barrel.

A spring crossbow differs from a regular crossbow in that it is fired due to the elasticity of the bow. To make such a model, you can use available materials: a spring mesh from an old bed, a spring processed with a grinder, shock absorbers from bicycle wheels. The spring of this type of crossbow can be located inside the stock; there can be two of them for each shoulder or one for both shoulders. The spring inside the stock is small in size; such a weapon is convenient to carry and use in the forest. The spring can be used not only for tension, but also for compression, and by increasing the number of turns, you can adjust the tension force of the bowstring. A spring projectile can be built if you slightly re-equip your crossbow with a conventional device.

Crossbow is throwing weapon, which is an improved bow design. Its advantage is the ability to aim without unnecessary effort. The technical characteristics of the gun increase the destructive power and shooting accuracy. In our country, the use of this type of throwing weapon is unpopular, since it is difficult to find the necessary design. There is very little inventory, but user interest is quite high. Crossbows are quite expensive. However, the design of the weapon is quite simple, so you can easily make it yourself.

What is a crossbow used for?

First of all, it is worth noting that the use of throwing weapons with a tension force of more than 43 kgf is illegal, whether it is homemade or purchased from official manufacturers. Today, the main use of the crossbow is sport competitions and active recreation.

The device itself was first created two and a half thousand years ago in China. In Europe, the weapon gained popularity only at the beginning of the twelfth century and was used exclusively for military purposes. Later, homemade crossbows were used for hunting. However, only rich people could afford expensive mechanisms and special arrows.

Arrows for this type of weapon are much heavier and are more often called bolts. Their use is necessary since the tension force of the bowstring is much higher and requires the use of heavy projectiles. They, in turn, provide increased power upon impact. Now, the ban on hunting with throwing weapons in Russia and the CIS countries does not allow the use of a crossbow to catch game. Throwing weapons are used exclusively for sporting purposes.

Differences and adaptations

A bow and a crossbow have several obvious differences that must be taken into account when creating a weapon with your own hands. The main differences are:

Tension force. Since the design of the crossbow allows the bowstring to be pulled with greater force, a reliable mechanism is required that does not fail. When purchasing it, you should not skimp, because it guarantees not only safety, but also durability. It is also convenient to use a device for tensioning the bowstring.

Use of bolts. By adding a spring to hold the projectile, the gun can be used at any desired angle. Aim. Installing additional equipment will ensure accuracy and make it easier to shoot from the shoulder, similar to a firearm.

In addition, when creating a throwing weapon with your own hands, you should pay special attention to the method of tensioning the bowstring. There are several of them. The most reliable and popular are:

Leg or hand braces. A very popular type of tension. However, its use is only available for crossbows with low power. Strap and hook. This method allows you to fix the machine tool with your feet, similar to the first example. When bent, the hook clings to the bowstring, and restoring the position is done by tightening and fixing it. An improved type of the second method is a rope using rollers. The mount is also installed on the belt. The use of two curved arms placed on pins is called a goat leg. The pins protrude on both sides of the stock. The owner pulls the opposite side towards himself, thereby exerting tension. Release lever. The essence of the method is to connect the hook and bracket to the front of the stock. Thus, the bowstring is pressed back. Using rack and pinion gates. A very ancient technology that appeared in the fifteenth century in Germany. The tension is carried out by a collar, which allows the method to be used for very powerful crossbows. Very suitable for hunting because it has killing power.

There are also many other ways to tension the bowstring for certain types of weapons. However, they are used much less frequently and have been used in ancient times. Their safety is significantly lower, which does not guarantee the correct use of weapons. To create a crossbow with your own hands, it is recommended to use one of the above methods.

How to create a throwing weapon

When creating a crossbow with your own hands, it is important to understand that the design must be strong and reliable. Making homemade throwing weapons is not difficult, but it requires a very responsible approach to the work.

First you need to decide on the purpose of using the tool. If it is used for hunting, then special emphasis should be placed on the tension mechanism and stock. If you make the design correctly, then the shooting technique will be much easier to cope with.

After determining the required characteristics, you need to make drawings of the future weapon or find ready-made ones on the Internet. They will not only facilitate the creation process, but also organize the workflow. It is best to use carefully designed drawings with dimensions..

Devices and materials

Before making a throwing weapon for hunting with a small pulling force, you need to organize your workplace and prepare the necessary materials. Here are the main items you will need:

two meter-long blocks of coniferous wood; a thin strip 6x1 cm; a polyurethane tube with a diameter of 3 cm; nylon fishing line; wheels with a groove in the middle of the edge; screws and nails 5 centimeters long; glue; wooden dowels (6 pieces); tape and foam; vice and rasp; hammer, chisel, saw and drill; pen or pencil.

Also, during the work process, additional materials may be needed to give the tool an aesthetic appearance. However, you can do this at your own discretion. When using a crossbow for hunting, appearance is not so important. However, it can be polished and decorated as desired.

The working process

First of all, you need to make a gun bed. This is the main part to which the rest of the structure is attached. Take one of the prepared bars and apply it to your shoulder to determine a comfortable length. Make a mark with a pencil and saw off the unnecessary part. With your other hand, mark a comfortable position for the trigger. When creating a weapon with your own hands, it is worth considering that the power depends on the length of the stock. The longer the length, the stronger force tension. For hunting, it is better to use a longer bar. At the location of the trigger, use a chisel and rasp to cut a rectangle measuring 10x2.5 cm. Across the resulting hole, cut a strip in which the bowstring will be located.

Now you need to cut a groove for the arrow along the beam. Since the work is done with your own hands, it is extremely important to approach this stage responsibly. The accuracy of shooting depends on the correct position. Using a drill and hammer, knock out a 5mm deep groove exactly in the center and sand it.

Cut another block to a length of 60 cm and glue it to the main part of the crossbow. Let the glue dry. After complete fixation, if desired, you can polish the parts. You can do it with your own hands or with special polishing devices.

Now that the main part of the structure is ready, we need to make the shoulders. To do this, use two polymer pipes, each 90 cm long. Make cuts at the ends of one side into which the bowstring will be placed. Their width should correspond to the prepared screws. Insert them into the cuts you made and attach the wheels with the groove.

Take a nylon fishing line. Secure it to one of the screws, then wrap it around each wheel, going from one side to the other. After wrapping it around the wheels, secure the line to another screw with tension. The result should be a curved structure with three rows of strings. When tensioned, the pipes should bend; if this does not happen, repeat the procedure again.

After completing the stage, it is necessary to secure the resulting structure to the main part of the crossbow. To do this, cut a hole at the end of the beam into which the arc will be attached. Insert the pipe into the hollow and wrap it securely with tape. Keep in mind that one string (more taut) should be on top, and the other two on the bottom.

Now you can move on to the trigger mechanism. Take the prepared strip and cut out the letter “L” from it. At the base of the bend, cut a groove so that it is centered and has a width equal to one-third of the full base. Now you need to cut out the part so that it coincides with the hole in the stock. On the side of the bend, drill a hole the thickness of the nail. Place the piece in the hole of the stock and drive a nail into it so that it goes through the drilled hole in the piece.

All that remains is to focus. It will be a sawn-off 20-centimeter block, which must be sanded for convenience. It can be attached to the main part using nails or glue. Wrap the stop with foam and secure with tape.

This completes the creation of a crossbow for hunting. All that remains is to make the arrows. They can be easily made from wooden dowels and trims to the required length. On one side a cut is made for the bowstring, on the other the end is sharpened.

The main thing is not to use the weapon in public places and near places of residence and objects where people may be found. By following safety rules, you can have a great time not only hunting, but also engaging in active recreation.

What needs to be said in the very first lines of this article: in Russia, the CIS countries and most countries of the world, hunting with a crossbow is illegal, and the crossbows themselves (if their tension exceeds 40 kg) are equated to edged weapons. There is a fine for wearing and using them. Why, then, am I giving recommendations on how to make an objectively dangerous thing that can cause problems for readers? Because the ability to hunt using a wide variety of weapons, including homemade and even illegal ones, may one day be useful to each of us. Few people think about this while store shelves are filled with food products - but we live in too unstable times to say with complete confidence that this will always be the case.

In one of the previous articles, I wrote about hunting: with the help of this seemingly frivolous weapon, it is easy to hunt small fur-bearing animals, birds and reptiles. You can shoot medium-sized game from a crossbow. Of course, we are not talking about toys from legal gun stores: you may have seen these on sale - elegant, light and low-powered. A weak crossbow is designed for sport shooting– you should understand how big the difference is between it and a real combat device. That is why the latter are prohibited. An arrow fired from a powerful combat crossbow pierces a person right through, even if he is wearing a Kevlar body armor.

But until the BP strikes, you and I are peaceful hunters, and we do not think about using lethal weapons against people. Why am I writing now about homemade crossbow for hunting? Why not buy ready-made or order from an experienced craftsman? Because legally they won’t sell you anything worthwhile. And it’s better not to buy illegal weapons at all if you don’t want to get into trouble with the law. Yes, having something killer in your bins and knowing how to use it is useful, but not a single living soul should know that you have it. It’s better not to introduce even your friends and family to this, not to mention complete strangers like sellers and couriers.

How to make a crossbow at home?

So, how to make a crossbow with your own hands? First of all, decide what kind of power you need from the weapon - its design and materials directly depend on this. For hunting ducks and hares, the simplest device with a wooden bow is suitable. Larger animals already need a metal one. There are also so-called composite arches, which are a combination of several materials (traditionally - wood, antler, veins, but now various types of plastic are more often used). Their specifications excellent, but it is almost impossible for a non-professional to produce such a part with high quality “on the knee”. In order to avoid injury among readers, I will not even give here a description of the assembly of a composite arc.

My opinion: it is advisable to use a metal arc. The power reserve will not be superfluous - besides, wooden parts fail faster, which also poses a risk of injury to the shooter. Because your goal is to do enough powerful crossbow, look through friends or on the secondary market for auto parts for springs from Soviet passenger cars. Humanity has not yet come up with anything better for use as an arc. But if you still didn’t manage to get this rarity, take any elastic metal strip 2-3 cm wide and 3-4 mm thick.

The stock is most often made of wood (spruce, aspen), less often of metal. The more powerful the crossbow is planned, the more durable and massive this part should be. The designs of the stock may differ, but there must be a groove for the arrow on it, as well as a butt and fastenings for the trigger mechanism, arc and other functional elements.

A non-elastic rope made of synthetic fibers, a steel cable or a guitar string is used as a bowstring. You may be surprised, but it is the first of the three options that demonstrates the best tensile strength. Durable, cheap and accessible - what else is needed?.. But here's what: beeswax impregnation will extend the life of a synthetic bowstring, protecting it from moisture and friction.

The crossbow mechanism, rollers and fastenings are the most interesting. It is difficult to make them “on your knees” if you do not have the skills to work with metal. Below I provide drawings of a homemade simple crossbow(1) and powerful combat (2). All parts that you cannot make yourself, order from the workshop, providing drawings of the parts you are interested in.

Drawing of a simple crossbow (1) *click to enlarge*

Drawings of a combat crossbow(2) *click to enlarge*

How to make arrows for a crossbow?

Bolts - arrows for a crossbow, are easy to make with your own hands. For these purposes, wood is most often used, less often plastic and metal. Why is wood better? A wooden bolt has an optimal weight: a light plastic arrow quickly loses speed, and a piece of steel wire is heavy and will not fly far. The shaft must be planed along the grain for better flexibility and then dried well. At the end we leave a cut into which the tip will be inserted.

The tip itself must be cut out of a steel sheet (thickness no less than 0.7 mm) with metal scissors and refined with a sharpening stone - smooth and sharpen the edge. We insert the tips into the cut, lubricating it with epoxy. You can also tie it with thread for strength, and apply a layer of epoxy on top.

There are also many options for making bolt feathers, but the best, in my opinion, is bird feathers. Ideally, goose, but even from the tail of a pigeon, which is much easier for a city dweller to find - they lie underfoot. We split the feather in two, cut each half in half and glue it to the arrow. For strength, we wrap it with threads.

Here's what we ended up with:

It is important that all the bolts are the same in weight and length - this will make it easier to shoot your homemade crossbow. But you definitely need to shoot him: the hunt can wait, first you need to master the new weapon well, get a feel for it. Even if you have experience shooting a crossbow, this one will be a little different, more “yours” - like any thing made with your own hands.

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Hunting crossbow - enough effective weapon, which, if necessary, can serve as a worthy replacement for a rifle. The main advantage of the weapon is its silent shooting. Therefore, when using it, it is quite difficult to scare the animal.

Design features

What does a hunting crossbow consist of? The photos presented in this material allow us to see that the following components can be distinguished in it:

1. The body is the main power unit, which bears the load when lowering the bowstring. Serves as a basis for installing functional parts.
2. Blocks are part of the structure for installing bowstring tension arcs.
3. The stock is the part of the crossbow that is used to place the arrow.
4. The bowstring is a functional part that serves to propel the projectiles used.
5. The shoulders are an elastic structural element that releases energy when the bowstring is pulled.
6. A stirrup is a part that makes loading a crossbow easier.
7. The trigger mechanism is a device due to which the lock opens and the bowstring is released when fired.
8. Sight - mounted on the crossbow to facilitate aiming at the target.

Hunting crossbow with wooden shoulders

It is the simplest design. As follows from the definition, the shoulders here are made of wood. Such a crossbow cannot be called a model of reliability. Products in this category are frankly short-lived and therefore are not in very high demand. Most often this hunting crossbow used as collectible and decorative weapons.

Crossbow with metal arcs

An extremely common option. Hunters pay attention to such crossbows because they demonstrate high power when shooting. Hunting bows and crossbows with metal bows are suitable not only for training, but also for use in the field when tracking down prey. For manufacturing, both solid arcs and composite structures are used, which are assembled from several symmetrical parts.

Recurve crossbow

Classic version with curved shoulders. Such a hunting crossbow is an extremely easy-to-handle and convenient device to use. It has small dimensions and improved characteristics. Easily disassembled and transported.

Recurve crossbows contain reinforced arms, the tension force of which can reach about 50 kg. This, in turn, opens up the possibility of hunting small and large animals.

Compound crossbow

The design includes a whole system of eccentrics, thanks to which the process of loading the weapon is facilitated and the acceleration of the arrow is ensured. Compared to recurve models, a compound hunting crossbow is more compact. The power figures here are also excellent.

Small dimensions are ensured by installing short arcs. The use of this solution makes it easier for the weapon owner to overcome areas covered with thickets and bushes.

The characteristics of a block-type hunting crossbow provide simple cocking of the bowstring and insignificant recoil, which is achieved due to the rational distribution of the force vector.

type

• due to their reduced dimensions, they are extremely convenient for transportation;
• have high power and allow you to hit targets at both medium and long distances;
• have lower destructive power compared to block systems, but throw arrows at a higher speed;
• in addition to arrows, they can fire darts, harpoons, and metal balls.

Sights

The main feature of crossbow shooting is a significant shift in the aiming line. In other words, after firing the shot, the fired projectile begins to gravitate towards the ground quite quickly. Therefore, it is advisable to install optics with a special crossbow reticle on such weapons. To effectively target a target, it is enough to equip crossbows with optical sights with 4x zoom.

Some hunters prefer collimator systems, which also prove to be quite effective. Moreover, this option makes it possible to hunt both during the day and evening time days. Collimator sights are extremely convenient to use when aiming at moving targets.

DIY hunting crossbow

Having decided on the necessary parameters and characteristics of the future weapon, it is worth moving on to developing the appropriate drawing. You can use a ready-made diagram as a sample or create one yourself. Be that as it may, a home-made hunting crossbow will ultimately have to be customized to suit you.

When preparing a drawing, you should focus not only on personal wishes, but also take into account accessibility necessary materials, based on their cost and processing complexity.

How to make a hunting crossbow with your own hands? Usually, to begin with, a stock is prepared, onto which the shoulders, stirrup, guide, and trigger are subsequently attached. Difficult for self-made the elements are arcs. Therefore, in some cases it is better to purchase them ready-made.

They will help you make hunting drawings, examples of which are shown in the photos below.

Frame

The base on which the stock and shoulders of the product are fixed is the body. It is advisable to cut it from a metal blank with a thickness of about 2.5-3 mm.

The crossbow stock is fixed in the central part of the body and at the end using bolts. The use of such a solution facilitates the rapid assembly of weapons to bring them into combat condition and disassembly during transportation.

A stirrup is welded to the body at the bottom. The latter makes it possible to hold the crossbow with your foot when the bowstring is pulled. It is recommended to use wire with a diameter of 6 to 8 mm as the material for making stirrups.

Shoulders

The material for manufacturing the structural element can be a car spring. In such metal arms, semicircular recesses are made for bolts, with the help of which the part will be screwed to the body.

There is a widespread opinion that the use of metal springs as the basis for making shoulders is a rather dangerous decision. And in fact, when using homemade crossbow in conditions of low ambient temperature, the likelihood of part breakage increases, especially at fastening points. Such cases are accompanied by the release of small fragments. Therefore, you should apply the idea at your own peril and risk.

Blocks

Ready-made drawings of a hunting crossbow often include block devices. The latter ease the tension and give an advantage in strength. It is easier to put such a crossbow into combat condition than by simply connecting the ends of the bowstring to the ends of the arms. Moreover, during the descent, the starting speed of the arrow increases, which is reflected in the increase in the range of the weapon. The main disadvantage of installing a block system is the complexity of manufacturing and the increase in the overall weight of the crossbow.

Bowstring

As a bowstring, you can use a metal cable with a diameter of about 2-3 mm. A thicker string will be more difficult to attach to a weapon, and a thin one will begin to stretch as the product is used.

To fix the bowstring at the ends of the arms, it is enough to make a regular loop. It is better to place pieces of leather or any other dense material under the cable fastenings. This solution allows you to avoid chafing of the bowstring when in contact with metal shoulders.

Lodge

To make the part, you can use an easily processed wooden blank in the form of a board about 30 mm thick. It is worth noting that, despite high performance strength, oak is not very suitable for these purposes due to its significant weight. As for spruce and pine, the latter are not sufficiently resistant to mechanical damage and warp when in contact with moisture. Therefore, the type of wood should be selected depending on the goals and conditions of future use of the crossbow.

How to make a hunting crossbow truly practical? Special attention During manufacturing, a guide should be given in the form of a groove for the arrow, which you should try to make as even, smooth and polished as possible. The condition of the groove largely affects the accuracy of shooting. It is advisable that the width of the stock be equal to the diameter of the arrows used. You can cut it using a circular saw.

It is rational to use a spring as a means of holding the arrow, which will press the projectile to the stock and will not allow the latter to slip out of the groove before firing.

Trigger

The material used to manufacture the part will be sheet iron. It is desirable that its thickness be at least 6-7 mm. The mechanism drawing is presented in the following diagram:

All parts are placed directly into the stock. Here a special nest is cut out, through holes are made under the axes of the mechanism, onto which the trigger elements are subsequently installed. An example of setting the trigger is shown in the figure below.

Sighting optics

As a crossbow sight, you can use factory optics from firearms. A fairly practical solution is to use a front and rear sight. Using the latter, you can make vertical corrections. It is convenient to make horizontal adjustments using a front sight mounted at the intersection of the shoulders and the stock.

To ensure ease of transportation of the crossbow, it is worth making the sighting device removable. To do this, you can install a so-called Picatinny rail on the weapon, which makes it possible to mount individual factory-assembled sights.

Finally

Making and operating a hunting crossbow with your own hands is a rather radical solution. Often, in the absence of experience in this type of activity, the quality and reliability of a homemade device leaves much to be desired. In reality, even crossbows of the budget category, factory-made, the cost of which is about 3000-4000 rubles, turn out to be much more effective, convenient and practical compared to the creations of your own hands.

As you can see, making a hunting crossbow is quite possible. However, by purchasing a weapon in a specialized store, the user receives guarantees of its safety and reliability of assembly. When using a homemade crossbow, you can only rely on yourself.