What Is The Correct Way To Cock A Crossbow Manually?

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What Is The Correct Way To Cock A Crossbow Manually?

When it comes to hunting, crossbows are a great alternative to traditional bows and arrows.

They’re easy to use and extremely powerful. Even though they were previously thought of as an inferior weapon, modern crossbows are at a whole other level.

You won’t be able to take down an elk with a crossbow, but you can definitely bag smaller games with this nifty piece of equipment.

So how do you cock a crossbow? It is actually quite simple; all you need is the correct technique and some practice.

I’ll show you everything you need to know about loading your new weapon and getting ready for your next hunt.

How To Cock A Crossbow Manually – Video Tutorial

Source: YouTube

The Basics Of Loading A Crossbow

Before we move on to the loading process, let’s first talk about the proper way to hold a crossbow. You may think that you can use the same grip as you would with a normal bow and arrow, but you’d be mistaken.

The best way to hold and shoot a crossbow is to rest the front of the stock on your chest and rest the rear of the stock on your stomach.

The Basics Of Loading A Crossbow

Make sure to support the weight of the bow with your off-hand and keep the bowstring away from your face at all times. A crossbow has a magazine and a cocking mechanism.

When the crossbow is cocked, you can shoot bolts out of it. You can either use the scope on your crossbow to aim and fire your first shot or you can use the open sights that are on your crossbow.

How To Load A Crossbow

The first step of the process is to properly unpack your crossbow. Start by removing the crossbow from its packaging and setting it on a soft surface such as a bed or couch.

You don’t want to put the crossbow down on a flat, hard surface like a table or the floor, as this can cause damage to both the weapon and the bolts.

How To Load A Crossbow

Once you have the crossbow ready, open the magazine and slide in a bolt. Make sure that the head of the bolt is facing the rear of the crossbow.

Now turn the crossbow over so that the magazine is facing down. There will be a latch on the bottom of the magazine that you need to slide to the right to release the magazine.

Once the magazine is open, slide the bolts all the way down to the bottom of the magazine. Once you have all of your bolts in the magazine, you can close the magazine and put the crossbow back together.

Step By Step Instructions For Cocking A Crossbow

Make sure that you are wearing safety gear when you are loading and cocking your crossbow. Make sure to wear protective eyewear and thick gloves to prevent any injuries. Start by making sure that your crossbow is not cocked.

Step 1: Ensure that the crossbow is unloaded. Carefully inspect the loading slot and make sure there are no arrows or bolts in it.
Step 2: Place your foot on the stirrup of the bow and pull down with both hands until you hear a click. This indicates that the crossbow is cocked, with all of its energy safely stored away inside.
Step 3: Now that you have properly cocked your crossbow, it is time to attach an arrow or bolt to it. Insert the tip of your projectile into the loading slot until you feel a slight resistance.
Step 4: Pull back on the string using your fingers and place it over a notch at the front of your bow.
Step 5: Check the safety of your bow to make sure it is in the correct position. If it is not, adjust it until you are certain that your crossbow is safe and secure.

Tips For Loading Your Crossbow Faster

Having a smooth loading process will help you get ready for your hunt a lot quicker. Here are a few things that you can do to speed up the process:

Practice the loading process until you can do it from memory. You don’t want to be fumbling around with your crossbow when you should be focused on your next target.
Always use the best bolts for your crossbow. Cheap bolts can be difficult to load and can cause damage to your crossbow. Make sure that you are using the correct bolts for your crossbow.
Find a loading method that works best for you. Some people prefer to load their bolts from the front of the crossbow while others prefer to load them from the back. Find what works best for you and stick with it.
When you are done hunting for the day, unload your crossbow and store it in a safe place. You don’t want someone, or something, accidentally getting shot with it.

Conclusion

If you are new to the world of hunting or are thinking about getting a new weapon, crossbows are a great option.

They are simple to use, require a lot less practice than a traditional bow, and are generally much safer to use.

Loading a crossbow may seem like a daunting task for a beginner, but once you get used to the process, it becomes second nature.

Follow these tips to get yourself set up for success, and always remember to keep safety in mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is recommended way to Uncock a crossbow?

Uncocking a crossbow is just as important as cocking it safely. If you do not unload your bow correctly, you risk injury and damaging the weapon. To unload your crossbow correctly, follow these steps:
Step 1: Place the bow on a level surface, with the stirrup facing up. Make sure that there are no arrows or bolts loaded in the slot.
Step 2: Push down firmly on the stirrup until you hear a click indicating that the bow is undocked.
Step 3: Remove any arrows or bolts from the loading slot to ensure that your crossbow is completely unloaded and ready for storage.

Can you unload a crossbow without shooting?

Yes, you can unload a crossbow without shooting. To do so, follow the steps outlined above for how to cock and uncock a crossbow safely. Make sure that there are no arrows or bolts loaded in the slot before attempting to uncock it, then simply push down firmly on the stirrup until you hear a click indicating that the bow is undocked. Finally, remove any arrows or bolts from the loading slot to ensure that your crossbow is completely unloaded and ready for storage. Following this process will allow you to safely unload your crossbow without ever having to fire it.

Should the safety be on when cocking a crossbow?

Yes, it is important to keep the safety on when cocking a crossbow. This will ensure that your weapon is secure and will not accidentally fire while you are loading or unloading it. Make sure that the safety is in the correct position before you begin the cocking process, then check again after you have finished making sure it is still in place. Doing this will help prevent any unnecessary accidents or injuries.

Can you decock a crossbow with a crank?

Yes, you can decock a crossbow with a crank. To do so, simply attach the crank to the bowstring and turn it gently in the opposite direction of how you would cock it. This will slowly release the tension on the string and allow you to safely decock your crossbow without ever having to fire it.

Augene Allen
Augene Allen is a man of many talents and accomplishments. A graduate of Special Forces, Ranger, SCUBA, Jumpmaster, and Helicopter Flight Training Schools, he has dedicated his life to service - first as a Sheriff's Deputy for 30 years, then as a SWAT operator for 24 years. He is also a Firearms and Defensive Tactics Instructor, Technical Collision Investigator with 2,306 DUI arrests under his belt, and owner of CrossFit Pierce County for 6 years. In addition to all this, Eugene is an Ironman triathlete and currently an avid cyclist. Though he's retired from the military now, Eugene still lives in Tacoma, WA with his wife and two cats.