Will a 8mm steel ball fired from a 150lbs crossbow kill small game and if so, from how many yards?
Despite what Billy Goat says there are Crossbows that fire both Ball bearing and bolts. As for any chance of hitting your target living or paper with and degree of accuracy I doubt your chances. Especially small game. Stick to using quarrels/bolts!
An 8mm steel ball fired from a 150# crossbow is probably going to damage your crossbow. Crossbows shoot arrows (or bolts), NOT ball bearings and, furthermore, a 150# crossbow needs an arrow (or bolt) of about 450 grains in order to be efficient and operate without damaging itself. A 450 grain arrow will kill small game very well and out to a range of about 30 yards. Don't wind up like the guy below... EDIT: Racing Pace Stick - I stand corrected. There are, indeed, tacticool crossbows that shoot ball bearings and they all seem to come straight from Shandong Province, China. Note that these are not implements suited to hunting. Also note that if you shoot an 8mm steel ball out of a 150# draw compound crossbow that IS suitable for hunting, you are probably going to break it.
People usually compare regular fiber stringed crossbows with the string in steel ball crossbows. steel ball crossbows shoot with steel cables that can take the light weight of the ball . On top of that they are ALLWAYS have cams that reduce the tension when releasing the ball. I own a 160 lbs crossbow that shoots both bolts and 8mm balls and I love it, it can take a raccoon , a rabbit , even a turkey and it is very easy to reload since it keeps several balls in the magazine. About how accurate it is , as most shooting weapons it is a matter of practice. I have a pistol 6 mm balls and is really fun, I don't think you can kill much with that one but it is fun to shoot at around the house. I would give it a try , you might be pleasantly surprised.
