Which Weapon Is Better When Hunting, Guns or Bows?
In earlier days, people use to prefer bows over guns. Bows were extensively used for hunting and shooting purposes. The reason behind is that they can shoot bolts and are shock mounted. They can vary in their shooting abilities and also can be different from the other firearms in a way that it requires a totally different level of energy in order to operate them. Before buying any kind of bow it is important to understand and compare the features of various kinds of bows.
Types of bows
• Recurve bow
Recurve bows have a much longer flight groove area than the other types. It has a tip that bends away from the archer. It places more stress on the arrow when it is fired that is why more noise is produced when the arrow is released from the weapon. That is why mostly bow string silencer is used with it. These are made from the fiberglass over the base that is made from wood or foam of carbon.
Due to the longer length of the flight groove, it produces less hand shaking and also provides better acceleration. These are mostly used by the professional shooters, hunters, and archers.
• Compound bows
It is another variant of the bow family. It is preferred over other bows because the limbs are stronger than others. The higher rigidity is a plus point for compound bows. The bow is shot to a much farther distance than other types. It also stores more energy and then shoots the bows with great speed.
• Crossbows
This is the latest type of bows. The traditional bows had some shortcoming and to fulfill those needs crossbows are made. Crossbows can be used to target at longer distances. These are the most solid form and are highly accurate. That is the reason professional prefers crossbows over other types.
• Traditional bows
This kind of bow is used by professionals and is much liked by them. Traditional bows are mostly used in 3D archery and field archery. Hunters and shooter prefer traditional bows when heavier draw weights are required or used.
These are some of the various kinds of bows available. Well, it is said that bows are great for hunting but still, they are not the best weapon used for self-defense as guns and pistols are. Here are some of the features that state that guns are better for self-defense when compares to bows.
What makes guns more powerful than bows?
These are some of the features of bows that make them less powerful when compared to the guns or pistols. This is the reason people have started replacing the bows with the latest firearms.
• Size of bows
The guns and pistols are smaller in size as compared to the bows. Thus it is easy to hide the guns and pistols when attacking the enemy.
• Loading time of bow
Bow takes more time to load as compared to guns. After shooting one arrow the shooter has to take his eyes off from the aim and then load another arrow while guns take lesser time to load. The magazine of the gun can be loaded once with about 10 to 15 bullets and fired at a time or at intervals without taking the eyes off from the aim.
• Piercing power
It may take two to three arrows to pierce through the artery or vein but only one bullet is required to stop the heart of the enemy. Bullets cause the real damage because of its immense high energy via which it pierces through the skin and on the other hand arrows will take more time to reach your target and it will not cause damage to that extent as bullets will.
• Speed
Bullets shot from the guns travel at a greater pace when compared to the quarrels shot from the bow.
• Cost effective
Bows can be really expensive especially when you are looking for the one that is more accurate and solid. On the other hand, you can get a top notch rifle or gun in the same amount or even less
Pros and cons of gun and bow hunting
Pros of bows
• It does not produce sound when it launches the bow from it and the chances of your enemy running away are pretty less.
• If you are a good shooter than chances of missing your aim is pretty less
• You can adjust the force with which the arrow is shot from the bow
Cons of bows
• Bow hunting at times can be a difficult task
• The bow is way more expensive than a gun or rifle
• It can be really tiring when you are having a bad day and you cannot hit even a single prey
• If it’s windy out there are more chances that your arrow won’t hit the aim
Pros of guns or pistols
• Aiming is easy with the help of the scope attached to the pistol
• You can add silencer to the pistol and hit the enemy without any noise
• The bullet fired from the pistol travels at a much farther distance as compared to the bow shot
• Guns and rifles are cheap as compared to bows
• The bullet travels at a greater pace than the bow
Cons of guns and pistols
• Amateurs require training before shooting with a gun or pistol
• Guns and pistols should be kept at a safer place
Conclusion
It is stated above that guns work better than bows because of easy handling, ease of loading, accuracy, greater pace and cost effectiveness. However, still, if we have to select which bow is better than other types the list goes like this:
Out of all the bows available, the best one so far is the compound bow. They are used extensively and shooters and hunters personally prefer this type because of its easy handling and great kinetic energy.
It is also accurate and the arrow is shot to a much greater distance.
After this comes the crossbow which is also great. It is easy to handle and shoot an arrow with it thus making it a suitable bow for beginners.
Now the choice is yours that which weapon do you prefer for hunting and shooting.
This guest article was written by Tomaz Rodica, a founder of the website archerstop.com where are try to give valuable information about archery and hunting which will help people in different situations. I really enjoy spending time outside in the fresh air and I love archery and hunting.