Although the specific design of the reverse draft crossbow will not necessarily be quieter, the fact that it can take advantage of the longer power stroke to achieve a given arrow speed with a lower draft weight will inherently make it quieter. Reverse draft crossbows are more energy efficient than forward draft crossbows. Since the force stroke of the rearward pull is longer than that of a forward shot, the rope and cables can be mounted with a lower pulling weight, but still accelerate the crossbow arrow to a greater speed than that of a forward draft crossbow with the same traction weight and total length of the crossbow. This means that after the arrow has left the flight lane, there is less energy left to dissipate by the crossbow parts, so there is less vibration after firing.
A lower vibration translates into a quieter shot. The biggest advantage of reverse traction limbs is the increased power stroke. Crossbows typically require a heavier shooting weight to shoot faster. However, a reverse draft crossbow allows you to start pulling the rope from in front of the limbs, the cable and the riser, giving you more space to travel on the rail.
This creates a longer power stroke, which translates to more speed and a flatter arrow path. Another advantage is that the balance point is in the center of the bow, not in the front like a conventional shooting crossbow. This makes it easier to hold and shoot with consistency. Reverse traction arches also have a lower tensile weight, since energy is produced from the distance the rope travels.
This means that the bow is easier to cock and, since the wheels, limbs and string have less load to bear, they are less likely to fail. Some reverse-shot crossbows can also be as narrow as 10 inches wide when cocked. These models are popular as a hunting crossbow during the hunting season. Since the rope and cables of a reverse-draft crossbow are mounted with a lower draft weight, which generates less vibration after firing, the result is an extremely smooth shooting crossbow.
If you've never tried to fire a reverse-shot crossbow before, consider these five advantages when you're looking for a new crossbow. This increases the distance at which the rope accelerates the crossbow arrow (also known as a force strike) and results in a faster arrow speed, compared to an arrow shot from a forward shooting crossbow with the same rail length. A reverse shot crossbow can weigh as much as a forward shot crossbow, however moving the weight closer to your body makes the crossbow feel lighter and makes it the easiest of all types to shoot from a freehand position. Both drawing designs have their pros and cons, and knowing the differences can help you buy the best crossbow for your hunting needs.
