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How do you buy a crossbow?

Spurhunter said:
I quit bowhunting years ago, so when I got drawn for PI, I decided to buy a crossbow. I'm looking for one under $400. Every single model I look at has a bunch of reviews mentioning broken limbs after 20 shots, poor machining, broken strings, etc. Can you buy a quality crossbow under $400? Any brands to absolutely avoid? I've been looking mostly at Barnett, PSE, and Killer Instinct so far.
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under $400. NO!
 
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I used a Barnett quad 400 for 8 years killed many deer never had a problem with it.

Upgraded to a Barnett whitetail hunter str this year and seems like a fine bow. If I remember right if you register the bow on Barnetts website it gives it a multiple year warranty.

I didn't pay over $400 for either.
 
lots of options in that price range. Sure stuff could break and it could get scary, but limbs on a compound could break too.

I bought a Barnett Wildcat C5 in 2010. Killed bunches of deer with it. I was storing it in a closet with no ventilation or heat and it was over my garage. Didn't realize what I was doing and the limb warped. Barnett replaced it for free. I think it was right at 3 or 4 years old.

I then upgraded to a drop tine (think that is it) a couple of years ago, which was listed at $499 but I got it for $299 at Academy. Killed a few deer with that one now.
 
Spurhunter said:
Almost every name brand $300 crossbow I looked at had 85% five star reviews. It's the 3-5% of 1 star that bother me.
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Read the 1 and 2 star reviews. I research most all products before I buy. A lot of those 1 and 2 star reviews have nothing to do with the product's quality. Most of them are venting about something breaking during shipping, scope wasn't clear "to them", etc....They will just give a 1 star because they are so frustrated over something small. Best of luck!
 
I have a centerpoint snyper. Did a ton of research and it was rated up with bows costing $800++.
Accurate. Reasonably light. Powerful. Fast. good balance. One downside is that the trigger is not spectacular. I give it a B-. Has some creep, then a bit of a mushy hard wall before release. But its a crossbow not a bench rifle. Would I buy one again? YES. This was a replacement for my older barnett x bow that weighed a ton and sounded like a 2x4 hitting a garbage can.
 
I agree with hammer. I tried a Centerpoint Sniper and felt the same way. Hated the trigger but other than that, it was a good deal for the money
 
redblood said:
I bought a new one last yr with auto cocker from bass pro right after heart surgery. It has the autococker. Deadly accurate. I shot it about 2 dozen times and picked my compound backup and started hunting. I paid 380.00. I will sell it to you for 200.00z sitting in the box it came in
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That's a nice offer.
 
redblood said:
I bought a new one last yr with auto cocker from bass pro right after heart surgery. It has the autococker. Deadly accurate. I shot it about 2 dozen times and picked my compound backup and started hunting. I paid 380.00. I will sell it to you for 200.00z sitting in the box it came in
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Can you PM me the info on it? I'm sure we could find a ride.
 
Spurhunter said:
I quit bowhunting years ago, so when I got drawn for PI, I decided to buy a crossbow. I'm looking for one under $400. Every single model I look at has a bunch of reviews mentioning broken limbs after 20 shots, poor machining, broken strings, etc. Can you buy a quality crossbow under $400? Any brands to absolutely avoid? I've been looking mostly at Barnett, PSE, and Killer Instinct so far.
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do yourself a giant favor and find a used Excalibur recurve Xbow.
 
You'll see horror stories no matter which one you look at, quality is a thing that seems somewhat elusive these days. Back here Barnett and TenPoint have always been the big movers. However, the past few years most have been moving to Killer Instinct. I did as well this year, bought a Ripper 425 package, fully equipped for under $400. So far I love it, fast accurate, easy to handle. Not in love with KI bolts but they stood behind them and sent me replacements plus. So you know, they weren't breaking, the damned inserts on two bolts weren't glued in well and when they went through the target the insert and my practice head went somewhere I couldn't find. Also, if you're an old guy like me with bad shoulders, I'd suggest you buy a cocker, they can also be used as a decocker so you don't have to fire a bolt. I bought mine from Center Point for $60. Good luck.
 
I'm an old fart and never bow hunted because of shoulder issues. I wanted something tough but fairly easy to set up, maintain and shoot. I chose the Excalibur Xbow and have not regretted it any!! Good luck with what ever you choose and enjoy being in the woods!!
 

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