Have you considered making a homemade crossbow? If you want one that will really best hunt, it is probably best to leave it to the professionals, else, that is of course, you are extremely handy, have access to a well equipped machine shop, and a good supplier of the necessary quality materials.
If you hope to build something you can knock down a few targets with in the back yard, or get that opossum to play dead for real, you might be able to put something together. Here are some simple tips.
Fashion it to your liking, with or without a grip. Stain it with a good stain and sealer combination product, and allow it to dry for 48 hours.
Next, design a simple trigger mechanism out of steel stock, almost at a pinch, a 16 lb nail might serve you admirably. Drill out the stock, bottom to top and run the trigger up through the stock. How how to lock the trigger once the string has been drawn.
Drill two holes in the center , of secure the limit to the stock with screws at least 3.25 inches long. extending out of heavy gauge steel wire, form a rail, and attach that from underneath, extending out beyond the limb.
Finally, drill holes at the end of each limb, cut your string to length, and tie it onto the limit as tight as possible.
You can not be a menace to anything, or anyone, like the neighbors, their some pets. You should probably wear eye protection (and full body armor if you have it!).
You have have a target at 10 yards and give it a try! And, if you have have to build a compound crossbow, well, that is just a bit more complicated!
