Hello, my name is Daniel and I recently graduated from college with an engineering degree! Im not very knowledgeable on bows and crossbows, so I would like some input from experts. I’ve been wondering what would the theoretical velocity be for a crossbow bolt (let’s say around 300 to 400 grains) be? From my research I’ve found medieval crossbows that had draw weights beyond 1000 lbs, which required a crank and shot bolts that were extremely heavy. Although the bolt never shot very fast (around 200 to 300 fps) they definitely hit with extreme force. What if these types of crossbows were to be recreated with modern materials? My assumption is that a bolt could shoot way faster than the Nitro 505. Thanks!
MD1458
The 1000lbs limbs would break apart and probably kill someone if you shot a 300 or 400 grain arrow out of it. So there would be no speed/ velocity out of it probably unless you count how fast the limbs,travel pass your face.
The 505 I have shoots 515fps,with the stock 400 grain arrow and I'm scared it's going to fly apart when I shoot it and why I know shoot a 600 grain arrow out of it lol
The 505 I have shoots 515fps,with the stock 400 grain arrow and I'm scared it's going to fly apart when I shoot it and why I know shoot a 600 grain arrow out of it lol
The 1000# medieval is at its best shooting those heavy projectiles. The limbs are quite massive, and can’t accelerate quickly, or shoot the lighter projectiles with much efficiency. There will be a much higher level of residual energy (not absorbed by the projectile) to shock and vibrate the entire crossbow, but especially the limb (prod). Not likely to last long enough to be worth the effort and the speeds would be disappointing.
We are very likely close to the maximum speed that crossbows are ever going to shoot. There are several limiting factors that we may not be able to get around
The limbs have a maximum velocity at which they can accelerate from full draw.
The limbs have a maximum velocity at which they can decelerate from.
Both of those factors are now at about the max they can with current design and materials.
Likely, the next step forward will be limbs that instead of stopping when they hit the point where the string stops them will be limbs that continue forward a shorter distance than full draw which will increase the stroke length and thus velocity, but that also brings with it other limitations which mainly will impose limits on the amount of forward travel.
Maybe the hardest limit to overcome will be the liability incurred with such a device. As it stand now, the working crossbows of today have tremendous potential to damage the user just trying to make ordinary use of the crossbow. When they bows are as accurate as they have become, and they have well more than the minimum power necessary to hunting use, it becomes more difficult to defend the need for the additional risk involved in the use of them. You can bet money on a substantial amount of the exorbitant cost of the top speed bows available now is due to liability insurance.
The limbs have a maximum velocity at which they can accelerate from full draw.
The limbs have a maximum velocity at which they can decelerate from.
Both of those factors are now at about the max they can with current design and materials.
Likely, the next step forward will be limbs that instead of stopping when they hit the point where the string stops them will be limbs that continue forward a shorter distance than full draw which will increase the stroke length and thus velocity, but that also brings with it other limitations which mainly will impose limits on the amount of forward travel.
Maybe the hardest limit to overcome will be the liability incurred with such a device. As it stand now, the working crossbows of today have tremendous potential to damage the user just trying to make ordinary use of the crossbow. When they bows are as accurate as they have become, and they have well more than the minimum power necessary to hunting use, it becomes more difficult to defend the need for the additional risk involved in the use of them. You can bet money on a substantial amount of the exorbitant cost of the top speed bows available now is due to liability insurance.
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