>>ive been snapfiring at a critter in my level range for over an hour and still havent even come close to locking
and i am LX primary so this is like banging my head against the wall. Please please please fix lx and hx learning to go just a tad faster?

I agree with you but,

Some tips, don't snap shot, do at least some aim. You always want max damage hits. Find the aim time that works best.

If your snap casting max damage hits your underhunting so need to move up.

Poach ups damage, so poach if you can. Use reduced load LX. Gorteous is saying the stonebow with crafted ammo works decent now, but i haven't tried since a few years ago.

I always did, load (reduced load LX), aim, hide, stalk, poach. Repeat. The hide and stalk gave a good enough aim time. I could lock in about 20 minutes.

Reduce inbetween shot time as much as possible. Don't pick up anything (except ammo). Don't appraise, don't use hunt etc.

Codiax.
Forged Weapons:
http://www.elanthipedia.com/wiki/User:Codiax#Codiax-Forged-Weapons

Ilaya Taipa

right now im using blunt tipped oak bolts from rossman's and a 8/9 lx (the one with cambrinth in it)
my stealth isnt good enough for critters at my weapon level so poaching ect is out of the question.
quads and pulzones are rare nowadays arent they?

Stonebows really do require crafted ammo to be effective. All the storebought/foraged ammo seems to have serious hit penalties.

my biggest suggestion is to drop crossbow as your primary weapon. HX is my character's primary, and I am not enjoying it at all. Certainly slowing down my circling.