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Crossbow guys

Coincidence? I'll let you crossbow shooters judge...

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Killer Instinct 405 . I generally like it as it was very reasonably and it's very fast . Scope is an illuminated one but my dang battery died and if you don't have the lighted lines very difficult to see they are so thin . Shoots very well but heaver than a compound . To be honest if I could pull mine back I'd still be hunting with my Mathews . Shoulder problems .
 
I had to give up compound bow due to both shoulders shot! My son uses a TenPoint and that bow is really nice to shoot. Very accurate especially with his scope. I have no problems using it. It is made in the U.S. of A. I guess whatever you are comfortable with and budget is your guide. Have fun.
Now that being said I either hunt muzzleloader season and love to shoot them, or my 06 or 308, depending on area and tags available. We be meat hunters.
 
I like to maintain my own stuff. I don't take guns to a gunsmith and I don't trust my bows to a bow shop for maintenance. Therefore, the Excalibur was the right choice for me. It's been dead on since I bought it ten years ago. I let the string down in the off season and replace the string as needed. It's deadly to 40 yds.
 
CHRIS WILSON said:
I purchased an Excalibur Mag 340 last year and have really enjoyed it. It's not quite as compact as some of the newer compound models on the market, but it's still pretty handy and not any more of a burden in a tree stand than a rifle or muzzleloader. The ease in maintenance and up keep were the main reasons I went the recurve route.
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I second that. I bought my first crossbow this last year due to bad hand injury. Shoots great. Not too pricy. My son took a deer with it this past season and loved it.
 
After shoulder surgery I went to a Hickory Creek Mini vertical xbow. It's basically a tiny compound with a bullpup type stock on it. It's fully tuneable like a compound is and your can replace strings yourself. it also uses regular carbon arrows and not bolts which I like. I know a guy who owns an archery shop here and every time I'm there he has dozens of standard xbows that need new strings or other work done. I got this so I can do all my own work on it. I've arrowed 20+ deer with it now. It's deadly.
 
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So I made the switch due to shoulder and wrist issues. Have two crossbows my.forsr one was a Tenpoint Stealth NXT, it shoots a 455 grain arrow about 385 FPS. I also have a Tenpoint Vengent 440, it shoots the same arrow at 410 FPS, the Vengent also decocks which is advantageous because you don't need a discharge bag or arrow. I would look at these in no particular order.

Tenpoint Titan De-chocolate chip cookie
Tenpoint Fury 410 De-chocolate chip cookie
Killer Instinct Swat X1
Killer Instinct Fatal X
 
I bought a Wicked Ridge M-370 this winter to hunt with next deer season. I did some research. This xbow seemed to have the best combination of lightweight and performance. Reviews were good. I haven't even shot it yet...just too busy. But, I like the look and feel of it so far.
 
Shed Hunter said:
What kind of crossbow do you use and what do you like about it-not like about it? I'm considering trading my compound in. For no reason other than I live in the middle of a big city and don't have time to practice
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This is why I started using a Crossbow. My current crossbow is a Ravin R10. I had always wanted one and finally got it. I like that it is a bit longer (I'm 6'2") and it is a tack driver. It shoots 400 FPS I think. It also allows for de-cocking which means you don't have to shoot a filed point arrow into the ground or carry something to shoot it into in the field.

My first two crossbows were Barnett bows. Barnett sells more crossbows than any other company last I checked. The reason is they make bows that are the cheapest on the market all the way up to right around $1,000+. Obviously the higher end ones are better quality and the lower end ones are not as good. I had a lower end one first (wildcat C5) and killed a bunch of deer with it. The limbs warped (my fault) and they gave me a new set for free. I got a more mid range bow the second time around (drop tine) and killed a bunch of deer with it too. Never had an issue out of them, though as many as they make and sell you may hear that they have issues, because of the law of averages.
 
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Bone Collector said:
It also allows for de-cocking which means you don't have to shoot a filed point arrow into the ground or carry something to shoot it into in the field.
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Has been little mention of this previously, but the ability to "de-chocolate chip cookie" is an important feature.

"De-cocking" has never been an issue with recurve crossbows because they are relatively easy to de-chocolate chip cookie without having to shoot the arrow (or bolt if you prefer). Since most compound crossbows required that you shoot them to de-chocolate chip cookie, this was a major inconvenience, as in your done hunting for the day, but you cannot (or should not) transport a cocked (and/or loaded) crossbow in your vehicle.

Many of the newer, especially the more expensive, compound crossbows now have a de-cocking feature. But many still don't. No way I would buy one that I had to shoot to unload.
 
I have an older Barnett crossbow that will robin hood arrows. I mostly hurt turkeys with my crossbow from a blind (yes I know, but I'm old and disabled). I just haven't felt compelled to get a new one with this one shooting so well. I'm with whomever said about spending a ton of money to hunt three or four days per year.

With that being said, my brother in law has a much newer model and I have to say WOW! So much lighter, so much faster. Still trying to rationalize a new one is hard for me. It isn't like I don't have the money, it is just principal.

One of my best (rich) friends has a Ravin. That thing is insane!
 
You know, it is hard to find a sporting goods store with an archery range anymore. However, if you do find one, that would be the best way to judge what you feel comfortable with. Other than that, for your own sake, do a crap load of research, research, research. It sucks to spend a bunch of money to find out that you don't like the bow!!
 
I used a PSE Fang one season when I was having shoulder issues. I bought it because of the lower cost. Shot one doe with it. The only con for me is noise. Most xbows are very loud.
 
DMD said:
I personally have never had an issue with de-cocking. I carry a small xbow target with me in my vehicle. When I'm done hunting, I shoot a field tip bolt into it. Not a problem.
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That was a very good comment friend.
You know, I think we all really make our own problems.
Consider solutions instead.
 

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