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Author Topic: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?  (Read 4685 times)

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Offline GeorgiaDave

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Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« on: September 03, 2009, 01:42:44 AM »
Hello from Georgia,

  I have heard that a crossbow will destroy a rifle scope in short order. I would like to know if this is true, and if so why. If a scope can tolerate the recoil from a 405 gr. 45/70 loaded hot, why is the recoil from a bow more damaging. I am thinking it may be the same reasoning as a pellet gun? What about a red dot scope ? What makes them more tolerable to the crossbow recoil. And also, what difference is there between a "regular" scope and a "crossbow" scope. Would the latter be better for a heavy recoiling rifle, or a 3" mag. slug gun? I am 100 % sure that my Horton crossbow will never kick as hard as the NEF single 45/70 ThunderBoomer. Kinda curious about the whole "recoil dynamics". Thanks.

Dave
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Offline rex6666

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2009, 06:25:59 AM »
I don't know for sure but from what i have read and heard it is the vibration
more than recoil.
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Offline hunt-m-up

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2009, 06:41:21 AM »
I would expect that as you said it may be similiar to an airgun and the type of recoil that kills scopes. My brother has a cheap red dot on his that has held up for about 5 years now, longer than I thought it would. The crossbow scopes I've seen have a range-estimating reticle with multiple lines,not sure of their internal construction.
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Offline lostintexas

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2009, 05:09:44 PM »
Great question!  I've wondered this too and always heard you shouldn't do it that the scope wouldn't hold up but never heard the why. 
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Offline Jal5

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2009, 05:03:37 PM »
I have used a cheap simmons 4x scope on my Horton crossbow with no problems for over 5 yrs now. Took my biggest 10 pt buck with it several years ago. I was very confident with accuracy with that set up.
Joe
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Offline Default

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2009, 08:32:39 AM »
I think someone is blowing smoke up your butt there Dave ,

 Your logic is my logic .. If a nikon can handle my 3700 lbs of energy at the muzzle 444 marlin hot loads why on this green earth would a X-bow damage it unless you place it in front of the bolt heh ...

 Guy i worked with said his hunting buddy has been using the daisywal mart cheapy red dot on his X-bow for years and works great and saw no reason to change it till the little thing gave up the ghost ..


  Think that says it all ;)

     Default
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Offline w8cop

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #6 on: October 24, 2009, 06:06:29 AM »
I contacted BSA,as I have a 3x9 illuminated scope on my excalibur phoenix.They state that it will hold up fine.I have only shot it about 25 times since I mounted it,so time will tell. I did take a nice doe with it. I sighted it in at 25 yards.
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Offline fr3db3ar

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2009, 09:25:59 AM »
I couldn't adjust my scope enough to get it to sight in.  I put a red dot from my paintball gear on it.  Killed a small 8 point @ 18 yards.
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Offline Mohawk

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2009, 05:49:04 PM »
  I have never had a scope or red dot keep its mark with a crossbow. All stock scopes and red dots from Barnett and Horton have been deplorable. I currently use a pin and peep from PSE and have had no problems.
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Offline GeorgiaDave

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2009, 05:33:54 AM »
Hello,

   I finaly got a response from the people at Horton, and they say that the recoil dynamics from a crossbow will indeed destroy a "regular" scope. They however did not have an explanation as to the difference of a "crossbow" scope. This is similiar to the claims that a pellet gun will ruin a scope that would otherwise be fine for a centerfire rifle, yet if you use a "pellet gun" scope, all will be fine. Nevertheless, I have since put a red dot aperature on it and it is as accurate as it has ever been. As a sidenote, Robert Gradous, a world class riflesmith who lives near me says that there is no way a crossbow could destroy a good rifle scope. So, my investigation will continue until SOMEONE  can explain how a crossbow and pellet gun is different from a regular rifle scope.

Dave
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Offline leadbutt

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2009, 07:07:38 AM »
Best ones I have found are the same as those for an air gun, it was explained to me that the foreword/backward bounce recoil is what tears up the scopes. Closest one I have come to working for a long while is a Simmons Shotgun scope
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Offline DennyRoark

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Re: Rifle scope on a crossbow ?
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2009, 03:47:21 AM »
Many years ago I put a cheap 1.5 power Tasco on my Horton Supermag that was on a 12 ga slug gun before.  After a few years on the slugger, it started shifting impact at each shot.  Had it on the Supermag for 5 years and the only time it changed POI was once when I accidentally dry fired it.  I think a good quality, low power wide angle scope should last a long time on one.  Currently have a Barnett red dot for the last 3 years with no problems and I shoot it a LOT!  Just my experiences....
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