| Recurve Crossbows
Crossbows exist in different variants. One way to classify them is the acceleration system ie;compound or recurve crossbow. A recurve crossbow is a bow that has tips curving away from the archer. The recurve bow's bent limbs have a longer draw length than an equivalent straight-limbed bow, giving more acceleration to the bolt or arrow. A recurve crossbow is really quite simple in design. It consists of a stock, a simple prod (or lath), a metal, wood or fiberglas laminate arm which bends to store energy and released with a trigger device releasing this stored energy to launch the arrow or bolt.  Recurve crossbows have been around for thousands of years - they date as far back as 341 BC. Since that time they've evolved substantially in design, have become lighter in weight, and are more accurate as well. An inherit feature of recurve crossbows is; they are somewhat quiet when fired. Crossbows are rated by their "draw" weight and their draw length or (powerstroke). This indicates the amount of force - in pounds - required to cock, or "arm" the crossbow and the amount of distance power will be applied to the projectile. To be an effective hunting tool, recurve crossbows should have a velocity of 220 fps or higher. Two factors determine the amount of energy a crossbow can hold. Its draw weight is the amount of force required to draw the bow. A crossbow's draw weight increases the farther back you pull the string. Its draw length is the distance between the crossbowstring's position at rest and its position when drawn. The total amount of energy that a crossbow can hold is approximately equal to its draw weight times its draw length, divided by two. In other words, a bow's overall strength depends on how hard it is for you to pull the string and how far back you are able to pull it.
Crossbow manufacturers express this strength in terms of: The crossbow's energy, measured in foot-pounds, The arrow's velocity, measured in feet per second. | 
