Any Crossbow experts here?

[Mortblanc]

My Jaguar will completely penetrate a bale of straw. You might wish to lok into a more dense foam type target.

As for defense w/crossbow and range?

I would say that if they are inside the house, where you would be justified in firing on them, the C-bow would be verry effective. Keep in mind the assailant may not realize he is hit and you may need to club him with the bow, so buy a substantial weapon.

Crossbows kill through hemorage, not shock.

That being the case you might not have the option of deciding if the assailant is to be wounded or to be killed. He bleeds out or he does not. Once you get the arrow into him it is his option, not yours.