Crossbow vs longbow

[Corwin_of_Amber]

Assuming a character with at least 10 str and proficiency with either weapon, are there any special options for crossbows that would make taking the rapid reload feat preferable over simply using a longbow?

[Vhaidara]

Hypothetically, you could instead take Focused Shot, which lets you make a single shot as a standard and add your Int mod to damage.

But if you're looking for a reason to take rapid reload, no, there really isn't. Longbow saves you a feat, and has longer range.

[5ColouredWalker]

If he's a ranger, he can take Crossbow Mastery without meeting it's prerequisites, and can reload any crossbow as a free action, allowing him to carry around a light ballista and use it as if he was using a bow... Except doing 3d8 instead of 1d8.

Other than that... Crit range maybe?

[Rolero]

You can play a gunslinger with the bolt ace archetype. Among other things, you eventually add Dex to damage, increase the crit multiplier and can do the deed tricks.

You can have all the relevant needs for a good ranged character by 5th level.

[khadgar567]

before forgetting buy steel forges auto loader magazine then use the feat for some thing else

[Segev]

If you're using LIGHT crossbows, you can one-hand them, allowing you to use both rapid shot and two-weapon fighting (at a monstrous penalty to hit). Rapid Reload still takes a free hand, though, so you'd need to be able to quick draw them, instead, and have a bunch.

[Kudaku]

You can play a gunslinger with the bolt ace archetype. Among other things, you eventually add Dex to damage, increase the crit multiplier and can do the deed tricks.

You can have all the relevant needs for a good ranged character by 5th level.

This. Barring the Bolt Ace archetype, I think the longbow is the superior weapon in just about any realistic comparison.

[Rolero]

If you're using LIGHT crossbows, you can one-hand them, allowing you to use both rapid shot and two-weapon fighting (at a monstrous penalty to hit). Rapid Reload still takes a free hand, though, so you'd need to be able to quick draw them, instead, and have a bunch.

This is a terrible idea, you get a -4 total on all your attacks. If you want to go that way, its better to use a hand crossbow and a race with prehensile tail to take care of the reloads. Or, if you are allowed, play a Kasatha (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/more-races/advanced-races-11-20-rp/kasatha-20-rp) (seriously, play it if you can, it is too good for this)

[Segev]

This is a terrible idea, you get a -4 total on all your attacks.

-6, actually. Light crossbows are not, ironically, light weapons, so you suffer the penalty for a one-handed weapon in your off hand.

I didn't say it was a good idea, merely that it was something you could do with a crossbow that you could not with a longbow.

Other than range, it's generally better to do this with a javelin and dagger combination (daggers thrown with your off hand). As a bonus, you add your str mod to your damage this way.