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Just bought my first crossbow

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avobill

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
148
Location
WOODBURY, TN
Good Morning All,

I just bought a used Barnett Wildcat Xtreme Camo C5. I got a pretty good deal on it and am happy. It came as the weapon with a scope. Being new at this I need a little help on getting arrows for it. The previous owner said it shoots 20 inch shafts. I made a stop in Walmart, which never thrills me but that is another subject, and they do not sell cross bows or cross bow accessories. I live in Woodbury, and there are no sporting goods stores in the area that I know of. I do know that shafts and broadheads are personal choices and would like to get some opinions on the best brick and mortar stores and favorite online retailers that I can check out. The seller also told me that I should grease the shaft rail before firing the bow. I am not sure what grease or oil he meant. I am sure that my cross bow lingo is a bit weak and hope that I can catch up here and get this thing working at its peak.

Thanks in advance for any help that you may be able to send my way.
 
20 inch bolts are common. As far as stores go, I'd pick your closest archery shop. They should have a variety of bolts to chose from and some more knowledge to help you out. I'm pretty new to crossbows myself, but luckily I have friends that have them and was able to shoot a pretty decent amount of different bolts for free. If you've shot compounds you know that arrow selection is key. Crossbows are similar IMO. My xbow likes Gold Tips with 2" blazer vanes. It didn't want to plane out very well with anything else I shot. The grease for your rail is a lubricant and usually we be labeled as "Rail Lube" or similar. I lube the rail every three shots or so. You will also need bowstring wax for your cables. If a local archery shop is out of the question any of this stuff can be found online at the big box stores. I would definitely suggest buying a rope cocker if it didn't come with one. Have fun with the new toy! They really are fun to shoot
 
Thank you for an excellent reply. After reading this I think that I need to find a shop and take it in. I am hoping to find one with an area for me to fire different combinations and have someone teach me the basics.

Thanks again.
 
Wow, you lubricate the rail every 3 shots? I've been doing it once or twice a season... Maybe I'm trashing my crossbow, but it seems to work fine.. Any other thoughts on how often to lubricate and wax?
 
godores":k6dvzlfo said:
Wow, you lubricate the rail every 3 shots? I've been doing it once or twice a season... Maybe I'm trashing my crossbow, but it seems to work fine.. Any other thoughts on how often to lubricate and wax?
Click to expand...

I think Barnett is the only one that requires to lube rail every 3 shots. Correct me if I'm wrong :smash:
 
I buy all of my accessories online, usually ebay, which is where I purchased my Barnette Jackal xbow. To find the correct accessories, look on ebay for your xbow to see what accessories, bolt size, etc, it would come with. Mine uses 22" bolts. When I purchased my xbow, also new from ebay, the instructions said to wax the rail every 15-20 shots. Not where the arrow travels, but where the crossed strings travel underneath. I personally shoot the 125 grn rage extreme broadheads, they make big holes and leave good blood trails. I also buy these from ebay. It takes a bit of searching, but it normally doesn't take to long to find a good deal on these items. Rage broadheads are normally 39.95 + tax for a 3 pack. I normally find 2 packs for $65 on ebay. I normally buy my bolts by the dozen from ebay, as they are cheaper that way. Hope this helps, it's just what my frugal ways have led me to.
 
The wildcat c5 came with 20" headhunter bolts. In a pinch 22" bolts will work. You can use aluminum or carbon bolts and should be fine, but there is always a chance your xbow will like one certain one. Also when you get new bolts make sure they have moon nocks not flat. Would also suggest keeping a spare bolt ( this can be shorter ) for unloading. Lubing the rail, track the strings rides on, is very important to string life. 3-5 shots then lube is about normal, just don't over lube as it can get into the string catch and start gumming up. If you use a tube of rail lube just apply like running a bead of calk, squirt some out then rub up/down the rail with your finger or if a tube (like chapstick) just put it on the same way. Another thing to keep an eye on is the center serving. If it starts showing a good bit of wear have it reserved, this is cheap and quick. Oh one more thing, remember to keep that thumb down. Enjoy it they are fun.
 

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