Opinions please, A new air rifle or a new compound bow or a flat bow

[Barneyboy]

I didn't get my copy of the socialist worker today

[NorthernRaider]

Good one

[Steve]

Dev asks the pertinent questions - what do you want it for ?

An air rifle would be my choice for putting food on the table, unless you happen to live somewhere remote with a large deer population ( Sherwood Forest ? ), but if you're looking for a post-apocalypse defensive weapon then the bow wins. People underestimate the humble bow, but I'm pretty damned sure that an arrow sticking out of me would put bad intentions right out of my mind. Ignore anyone who compares muzzle energy of bows and rifles, the arrow punches way above its weight in that comparison.

I currently have a compound bow, a great tool but way too powerful for a junior or lady to use ( I know you consider this important ), in contrast the 32lb Yamaha take-down recurve bow that I used to have was a pusscat and with the right arrows would be a formidable weapon. On a related note, I'm pretty sure my compound bow would smash home-made arrows in short time, not just because of the 60lb draw weight but because of the vicious acceleration as the cams come into play. Those smashed arrows could easily go right through my arm, so DIY arrows are a definite no.

[T-oddity]

I believe in having as many options as possible, so go for what is missing from your arsenal, unless you have a specific purpose for the weapon now, then go for the best one for that job. I have a selection from air rifles (springer and pcp's), crossbow and recurved bows to catapults and even blow pipes, they all have their uses, advantages and disadvantages weather it be for putting food on the table or for defence.

[bigpaul]

how much do you want to spend? you could go for an SMK co2 air rifle.(.uses those co2 capsules-available on ebay..) either the XS78 or 79, their bolt action, I'd personally recommend them as I've got one and I'm very happy with it. costs around £100 although you might be able to shop around and get it cheaper. mine was £50 from Trago Mills.

[Tartar Horde]

I've been an Archer for a long time now, and have made a few Bows and continue to make my own Arrows, I'm also capable of making a variety of Pre historic points to fit both Atlatl darts and Arrows. I consider myself more than capable as an Archer and have taken a large variety of game with the Bow (not saying where) and perhaps my answer may surprise you all when I say the humble air rifle will put more food on your table than any bow ever will. Let me explain; to hit that target with a bow is not easy at all and it takes a lot of practice to get proficient with one. Arrows are not cheap, nor are they easy to make without the knowledge and you will run out of them very quickly if you start shooting at everything that moves. An air rifle is capable of taking a large variety of small birds and animals that will get you a feed far more efficiently than wasting your arrows on them. As experienced as I am, if you put a guy with an air rifle in a wood, and myself with a bow I would put my money on the guy with the air rifle getting more food, simply because it is easier to hit that small target with a Rifle than a Bow. Most of you will be hunting and trapping small game and you don't need a bow for that. Where a bow really scores is its ability to kill large animals silently (notice I did not say quickly) they are the supreme stealth weapon, ask any Gamekeeper!! if you live in an area with a good head of Deer then they are the obvious choice Bow/crossbow for those people who can't get firearms, also consider roaming livestock after an event, there are no animals in the UK including cattle steer that can not be killed by a Bow. They require serious practice, and for what its worth I would say a compound is the absolute worst type of Bow to rely on post SHTF, but if that's what you have and like, then good on yer.

[Lightspeed]

Good candid reply TH.

We have air rifles and as yet untested crossbows here ( frighteningly powerful and unable to work out a safe way to set up targets here)

Best air rifle we have for clandestine but self contained hunting of small game is a cheapo Crosman 2100. Its a variable power PCP, so very very quiet indeed.

We have been considering bows as there are a good number of deer and wild boar in the forest next to our house. Your comments on Bows and in particular compounds are noted.

What bow would you recommend as a long term put away item. that is to say a just in case reserve, for a non-archer?

[NorthernRaider]

"" What bow would you recommend as a long term put away item. that is to say a just in case reserve, for a non-archer?""

This is not my own advice but what I have gleaned from multiple sources from wise lads like TH and the bow hunters on SB and other US forums habited by bow hunters. I suggest a good decent TAKE DOWN RECURVE kit of around 35 / 45 pound draw weight. You can always move up as your skills and personal style develops by simply buying more powerful limbs for the recurve and keeping the old ones as backups. Once you have got comfortable and familiar with recurve bows ( fixed or take down) then if you WANT you can get a compound bow. According to the Bow Hunters Guide you can once competent with a bow take critters up to the size of Roe, Fallow deer with a 35 pound bow, and red deer etc with 45 to 55 pound bows.

A good decent basic TDR bow ( take down recurve bow) can be had from about £70 up over,
It consists of a RISER ( the bit you hold that the arrow rest and sights are attached to.
The two limbs which on many types come to an international standard for fitting the easiest being those that simply are screwed into place with a knurled knob on each limb.
The String.

For basics that is it , other bits make life much easier like brass nocking points attached to the string to assist with arrow alignment
An arrow rest small little cam thing that usually attached to the bow with double sided tape to sit the arrow on. (Or a whisker biscuit)
An adjustable sight.

Stripped down and stored in a case of under 30 inches length

Recurves will digest a very broad range of arrows, Compounds being much faster do not and are generally more finniky over arrow selection.

FYI a reasonably competent hobby archer can nock, draw, aim and fire up to 6 or 7 arrows in the time you can go through the same cycle with a crossbow.