How To Re-String A Crossbow The Best & Easy Way

Crossbows are a type of weapon that is often used in hunting and warfare. This article will teach you how to string a crossbow, whether it be for hunting or combat. 

Before we start, let’s talk about the types of crossbows: compound crossbows and recurve crossbows. Compound bows use pulleys and cables to provide power, while recurves use limbs that store more energy than their compound counterparts. Now back to the instructions on how to string your bow! You’ll need three pieces of equipment: an arrow rest (an amount that attaches at the end of your bow), an armguard (a bit similar to an elbow guard), and a finger tab (an accessory with loops for fingers).

How to String a Recurve Crossbow?

A recurve crossbow is easiest to string by passing the strings through the correct loops of an “S” shaped device called a string stopper. Hold the curls of this device between your forefingers and thumbs. Holding both loops together, pass them over one side of the bow limb and then under the stem that runs at right angles to this limb (the shorter one) and then back over into a loop on this second, short side. There should now be two tight loops around your fingers; hold these tight against the bow limbs with one hand while you pull slack from both ends by pulling outward in opposite directions with each hand at a right angle to each other (i.e., forwards backward). 

Do you Twist the Crossbow String?

No. Crossbow strings are not twisted but looped parallel to the cross tube. One side of the string is clipped onto the back of a notch in the projecting limb and then drawn tight so that it will not slip out of place. The other side is attached to a ring on the front, which, when hit from behind with a mallet or slotted screwdriver blade, can be advanced until tautness is resumed for another tiring cycle.

The reason crossbows don’t need any twisting forces is because they store kinetic energy as elastic potential energy. Since this stored tension causes less friction than an ordinary bowstring does when it flexes, there’s no wasted power lost in play-off friction.

How Often Should a Crossbow Be Strung?

It is only necessary to string a crossbow if it has been fired. A crossbow’s strings should be replaced on occasion, as aging naturally puts tension on them, which will ultimately lead to their failure. If you’d prefer not to purchase new strings for every shot, they can be recoiled by hand with no worry of damaging the mechanism or bowstring itself. Suppose this process becomes too tiring over time. In that case, there are many hydraulic recoil cams available that will automatically reset the crossbow, so check with your local sporting goods store for availability and pricing information. Proper maintenance of this equipment is paramount if even minimal performance is expected.

Can Adjust the Tension on a Crossbow?

If you live in the US and your crossbow is made for hunting with a solid-drawn limb, it can’t be adjusted. You might be able to change the one on a compound crossbow if you’re lucky.

A standard, the medieval-style crossbow has constant torque when fully drawn, which always increases the tension. The bowstring does not change leverage relative to the string at any point during this motion because of how it is attached to the bow’s limbs. But in most modern designs (including both traditional and compound), there’s a different relationship between draw weight and maximum bowstring tension; therefore, increasing or decreasing draw weight changes upwards or downwards pressure on the bowstring, creating more room for adjusting its drawing power.

How Long Should the Crossbow String Be?

The crossbow string should be just tight enough to avoid the arrow bouncing out upon shooting. Too-tight strings will damage the limb and bend the bow, while too-loose strings may cause an archer’s fingers to enter into contact with a loaded string when unstringing the crossbow, posing a significant risk of injury. However, it is important not to set your crossbow at such high poundage to risk bending your limbs due to extreme tension.

Bows can be broken by too much draw weight, but this has more of an effect on some bows than on different manufacturers.

Is it Okay To Leave a Crossbow Cocked Overnight?

 Yes, it is perfectly safe to leave a crossbow cocked overnight. However, if you are going to do so, make sure the safety latch is engaged and pointing sideways or up. 

A crossbow’s safety features make it a trendy choice for children. The pull of the string back from being drawn can be pretty intense and has been known to inadvertently release the trigger – something that doesn’t happen with traditional bows or guns because they require two hands. To ensure this won’t happen, many parents will intentionally cock the bow before their child uses it so they aren’t tempted to pull on it unintentionally during use which would cause an accident.

Can I Restring My Bow?

It’s hard to provide a yes or no answer without knowing what type of bow you’re talking about. Can someone on the other end please help describe the kind of bow?

If you are describing a crossbow, then yes, restringing it is not difficult at all. Just remember to take off the string before doing anything else.

It may still be possible to hit some targets with an improperly strung recurve bow but will always exhibit diminished performance. The draw weight will need to be adjusted because bending and pulling back necessary when loose may cause parts in its mechanism such as limb tips and cams could be damaged by too much stress or wear due to improper tensions applied during shooting; therefore, accuracy would likely suffer.

How Much Does it Cost to Have a Crossbow Restrung?

If it is an old-timey crossbow made of wood, you can do it pretty cheaply with some basic knowledge. If your crossbow is newer or more complex (i.e., if it has “tricks” like cables that work the trigger), then get thee to a good bow shop and get them to do it properly.

That said, know that having something restrung typically means replacing the whole sling anyway because one end will be attached to a groove in the limb, and this groove becomes cut after too many shootings in a hunting situation. Typically there isn’t much cost difference in replacement slings vs. re-assembling a sling, but it’s something worth discussing with your local bow provider.

When you’re finished stringing your crossbow, make sure to test it out before hunting with it. String the rope through the hole at each end of your bow and pull both ends tight until they meet at a knot on top of the middle limb. Make sure no slack is left when you tie off this knot, so there’s no chance for any movement or slippage during use.