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Fan Area => The Hydlaa Plaza => Topic started by: Xordan on July 06, 2006, 05:12:01 pm

Title: Range and power of ranged weapons
Post by: Xordan on July 06, 2006, 05:12:01 pm

Can anybody here link me to, or just give me a comparison of the different ranges and force exerted by different ranged weapons. Be as specific as you like, but I need to know at least; sling, shortbow, bow, longbow, crossbow.

Thanks

Title: Re: Range and power of ranged weapons
Post by: Zan on July 06, 2006, 05:31:29 pm

Well what I know off my head is that generally speaking the range goes from sling, shortbow/crossbow, bow to longbow. The longer the bow, the more force can be developed and the further the arrow can be shot. Of course this also depends on the type of material used for the weapon and the tension it can build up. I'd say the range is around 25 m (10 m optimal for accuracy) for a sling, 75 m  (30 m) for a shortbow or crossbow,  150 m (50 m) for a bow and 250 m (70 m) for a longbow. I'm taking the optimal range for more or less straight projectile trajectories so the accuracy can still be good. The maximum range would be with arc trajectories where the projectile is shot at an upward angle of around 45° and makes an arc before falling down from the sky at the same angle, this is of course very inaccurate and only useful when a detachment of archers are used. As for crossbows, they generally have more power behind them making them excellent for piercing armor but they are less accurate than normal bows and a lot slower to reload.

Hope that helps you a bit ...

Title: Re: Range and power of ranged weapons
Post by: neko kyouran on July 07, 2006, 04:31:42 am

Well, google searching helps...

1) http://homepage.ntlworld.com/joetapley/   --Specifically bows
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archery#See_also   --Wiki entry on Archery, breakdown of different types and such. 

Granted this is the internet we're talking about so who's to say it's acurate, but then again, you are asking a question on the internet.

Title: Re: Range and power of ranged weapons
Post by: Waylander on July 07, 2006, 09:11:42 pm

The crossbow is much more accurate than the shortbow, besides that, Zan has it down pretty well

Title: Re: Range and power of ranged weapons
Post by: Darkblade on July 11, 2006, 12:25:06 am

Well, it depends on the types of bows and ranged weaponry we're talking about. Not to mention sizes.
One of the common bows, the longbow (Primarily used in the medieval era) is reputed for the long distance of the arrow, the accuracy (Mind you, not at the same time as distance), and how fast the shots could be pulled off. Most average bowmen in that era could lease 10-12 shots a minute, which is fairly substancial.

The crossbow, on the other hand, was prized for its accuracy, the fact that virtually no training was required to use it, and the fact that it could be used by anyone. The main drawback was the slow re-fire rate. A battle between a regiment using crossbows and those using longbows would usually err in the side of the longbows, due to them being able to loose many more arrows.

There's not that much recorded on shortbows that I know about, it'd be better to ask someone else.

For the power of a projectile, the crossbow is in the lead, closely followed by the longbows. Which are then followed by shortbows, and then slings.
However, Xordan, there's one thing I don't really understand.. As far as most of us archers are concerned, there are only two main categories of bows (For us SCA fanatics :D ): long and short. You can use 'bows' to describe the whole thing, but I don't know anyone who has a bow that is designated as a 'bow', no prefix. Because as soon as the medieval era came around, everything shorter than a longbow, was a shortbow, far as the English were concerned (And even then, the edges were really fuzzy).

According to a wikipedia site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_longbow), longbows around the medieval era had a draw force of 68 to 90 kgf (680 to 900 N, 150 to 200 lbf). Now, know that the tips they use for combat back then is very different from nowadays.

Regardless, if you want accurate designations on most ranged medieval weapon, find a local SCA group (http://www.sca.org/) (or look-a-likes), and ask them. They're more into medieval things that I am at times. Or, ask your local museum.

Title: Re: Range and power of ranged weapons
Post by: Xordan on July 11, 2006, 02:35:15 pm

Thanks guys.

I used 'bow' for anything exotic :) I think of a shortbow as just a small wooden bow.

Title: Re: Range and power of ranged weapons
Post by: LARAGORN on July 11, 2006, 05:36:31 pm

Here are a few liks that may help :)

Medieval Crossbow (http://198.144.2.125/Crossbows/crossbows.htm) some nice pics there  :thumbup:
The Crossbow in the Medieval Period (http://www.thebeckoning.com/medieval/crossbow/crossbow-history.html)
Type of Weapon   Draw weight   Bolt weight   Speed of bolt   Difference   
Longbow                  68 lbs.            2.5 oz            133.7 fps          Not much!!   
Crossbow                  740 lbs           1.25 oz.            138.7 fps          Not much!!

THE PHYSICS OF
MEDIEVAL ARCHERY (http://www.stortford-archers.org.uk/medieval.htm)

Hope these help  O--)