4 replies to this topic

[Jim C]

Four were entered in men's crossbow.  One, master xbow builder Stan Pennypacker did not show.  The others were defending Champion Terry Butler (who was one third the gold medal team at the Portugal Worlds), Current World Open Champion and last year's NFAA Runner Up 17 year old Brent Hankins, and this forum's VaGuru.

All three shot the 11.30 Line yesterday.  Brent shot clean for most of the day ending up breaking the national record with 58 X.  Terry also shot a 300 but dropped 9 x.s.  Roy was having back issues and shot a 298 with 46 or so xs.  He used a cocking device on Sunday--which, unlike the other spot shoots, is legal in the NFAA indoor


On Sunday, Brent started strong again and was clean through the first half but ended up dropping three more x's to finish with 600-115 X (which is the same as an 1195 FITA).  This is now the two day national record.  Terry and Roy both shot 300's with Roy, I believe having a few more x's than Terry.



The numbers were lower than a couple other years but the scores were certainly stronger

[Urban Legend]

Thanks for the update.  This sounds like something I would be interested in doing.

[Jim C]

Urban Legend said:

Thanks for the update.  This sounds like something I would be interested in doing.

The more the merrier.  The NFAA allows stuff not allowed in say Vegas or the NAA shoots--ie Rope cocking aids and longer bolts (which are an advantage indoors because a 24" bolt stabilizes faster than the stuff the serious outdoor guys use which are normally 12-13".  The Excalibur Target bows with some modifications are fully competitive INDOORS and their ability to shoot the 21/64 inch max diameter (under TNC, WCSA and NFAA rules) is an advantage over the 1714 that people who use outdoor rigs use.

At one time Robin Allen of Canada was building a target bow that could shoot the fatter shafts but would have the same trigger as the top outdoor bows but I have yet to see one.  But the bottom line is--as Roy has proven,  you don't need a 1500 dollar AUSBOW or Spirit or PennyPacker field crossbow to shoot top scores indoor.


Our state shoot (FAO/NAA has allowed Xbows for years-of the 7 I won I used the Excalibur in 5 and in four cases I beat guys using 3000 dollar rigs)

[vaguru]

My congratulations go out to Brent Hankins and Terry Butler for their perfomance at the NAA Nationals.  I personally shook their hand with sincere meaning at the conclusion.  I was really hoping Brent would shoot a perfect 60X on Sunday, and told him so before the start.

Unfortunately, my shoot was less than stellar.  As mentioned by Jim, my back went out Thursday night, too late to see a bone crusher, and although I tried to "get it right" throughout the weekend, it was not to be.

I struggled through Saturday having difficulty cocking the bow.  Finally in the 10th end it was just jerk and try to finish.  That end saw the first 9 of the match with the 4th arrow exiting the white. Although I was well below my average for the year, I was only down 5 X's before that end.  Another left with the 4th arrow of the last end.  Other arrows didn't always find the X ring either.

Sunday, I decided to shoot as I have never left a shoot due to health, equipment or score.  I was going to tough it out regardless.  I was aware that I couldn't finish without use of the rope cocking aid, and as it is NFAA legal, sobeit.  During practice my sight settings went back to normal. I was almost out of left windage on Saturday due to improper cocking.  I was still in major pain, but I managed to pull off a 300-52X.  It was really work.

I did the best I could with the hand that was dealt.

Again, congratulations to Brent on his accomplishment.  I hope to shoot with/against him again in the future.  Healthy next time, I hope.

Jim, it was nice to meet you, and thanks for the acknowledgement.

[Jim C]

IT was pretty obvious to all of us that Roy was hurting big time as he shot.  That he was able to hang in there with two really top archers is a credit to his determination and drive.  As I noted, this was a small field but the quality was there.  Whether anyone could have beaten Brent this weekend is hard to say but his score was basically the same as what Holland won NAA with two weeks ago so its a interesting question with no sure answer. Brent was hoping to get the 60X at NFAA-he went three times that in practice without a miss but then again, I wish I could shoot OR rounds with My recurve at Nationals like I do on my own range.

I remember talking to Robin Allen years ago about trying to build a match field bow that could shoot the 21/64 arrows-we figure that would be the ticket to cleaning the NFAA since I believe Brent's 5 "misses" featured at least 3 that a 21/64 would have caught.

Brent doesn't make alot of shoots due to study and financial reasons but he hopes to defend his title in New Zealand.  In Hamilton this summer he might shoot compound rather than Xbow though.