If you load a pillager's crossbow through /data modify command on a repeat command block, it will still load its own crossbow before shooting, even though it doesn't change anything NBT wise.

(The crossbow will always look loaded both visually and if you look at /data get (charged + 1 arrow charged), but nonetheless it will still feel the need to reload it (still 1 arrow charged) before shooting)

Even if the crossbow is loaded, they think it isn't so they only reload when a player gets within the regular 8 blocks, regardless of whether they've already targeted at the player or not. But normally, if they load their crossbow because a player gets within 8 blocks, they would still shoot from longer distances (even 20+ blocks?). Which is supposedly a bug i guess.