About Crossbows

[Skvez]

If you're considering defending your location (either bugging in or defending the location you bug out to) you want some form of range weapon.
Bows and catapults have the advantage of being a lot quieter than a gun.
There is little point in killing the first gremlin with a shot that attracts 20 more.

I'm pondering whether I want to buy a good bow that I can't maintain or build a mediocre one that I should be able to repair indefinitely.

> how many bolts would you keep
Lots.
I managed to damage two arrows over the weekend just target shooting.
If you only want it for defence 20 to 50 might be sufficient (remember you'll need and loose some at practice too).
If you plan to hunt with it too expect to loose one per hunting trip. So if you plan to go hunting twice a week for 10 years you'd need 1000!
That seems like a lot but it's low compared to what our US colleagues store in terms of (0.22) ammo.
Suddenly the slingshot becomes more attractive as ball bearings are a lot less expensive. Stones are free but because they are irregular they tumble and aren't as accurate.