Rookie Xbow Questions:

[T. J. Mercer]

Appreciate your help fellas,

Long-time bowhunter.
Will always prefer compound over x, but either hunting a field (range) or bad shoulder might cause me to occasionally use the xbow.
Also, I like introducing folks to archery/hunting, and it's a good/easier segway to get them in the treestand bowhunting.

I picked up a Wicked Ridge Rampage XS. (rated up to 390fps)
It's loud.
Some shots feel insanely accurate.
Some shots seem off.

1) If I'm using a sled or rest and not firmly seating the butt/stock (in my shoulder), will the "looseness" of the release affect accuracy?
2) What's the best-used practices for dampening the noise these things generate?
3) If anyone has this particular model, how far out do you feel it can consistently shoot accurately?
4) Do you have any other suggestions or pitfalls you can share?

Thanks!

 

[Cannonball1]

You can buy some Bowjax dampeners and it will help. It's still not going to be anywhere as quiet as a vertical bow.

I would try shooting it with firm pressure on your shoulder and see if that helps your accuracy. If not, it's likely the arrows. The included factory arrows aren't that great. You can purchase some custom arrows and that will help accuracy greatly. I use AJ's Custom Arrows for most of mine.

Keep your strings, cables and rail lubricated. I use Trident pure silicone grease everywhere but the serving on the string. A little goes a long way so use sparingly. I like Scorpion Vemon bow wax for the string center serving.
Good luck to you this year!

 

[T. J. Mercer]

You can buy some Bowjax dampeners and it will help. It's still not going to be anywhere as quiet as a vertical bow.

I would try shooting it with firm pressure on your shoulder and see if that helps your accuracy. If not, it's likely the arrows. The included factory arrows aren't that great. You can purchase some custom arrows and that will help accuracy greatly. I use AJ's Custom Arrows for most of mine.

Keep your strings, cables and rail lubricated. I use Trident pure silicone grease everywhere but the serving on the string. A little goes a long way so use sparingly. I like Scorpion Vemon bow wax for the string center serving.
Good luck to you this year!

Thanks!
I switched from using a sled to just having a rest and firmly seating it in my shoulder, and my consistent results were immediate.
I'm now dialed into about a 1.5" group at 40yds, and I know that's nothing to complain about, but I guess all the YouTube videos out there make me believe I can shoot tighter at further distances . . .

Bowjax dampeners, I will check them out!
I have Monkey Tails and other similar brand items for our compounds and can always tell an immediate difference when I add them.
I'm used to string stops and am a little surprised to see this xbow has none.
This xbow has nothing in the way of dampening . . .
They're pretty standard on compounds, but I'm not as familiar enough with xbows to know how prevalent they are on various models.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[square]

Does it have the accudraw?

 

[Lt.Dan]

As for how far out to be successful. Even though I could shoot under 3" groups at 60 yards, I never shot over 40 yards at a deer. Even with the speed of a crossbow, sound is way faster and the deer are "jumping the string" by time that arrow gets there at 40 yards. As all bow hunters know, a couple inches out and it's possibly a lost deer.

 

[quackaholic]

Ltd. DAN is spot on. Plus penetration is a huge factor. I can hit a 3in circle at 100 with my crossbow. I have found that does not equate to a killing shot the hard way. I tried it on a doe at 80 and hit her just where I wanted, but lost her due to loss of blood. If I had gotten thru another few inches she'd be dinner. Even at 30 yards you may find the bolt chooses a crazy path once it hits the deer and that can lead to hard tracking. I killed a buck a couple of years ago at Oak Ridge that wasn't even a large body deer. Shot was 33yards. Bolt hit right behind the shoulder, hit the offside shoulder, turned inside towards the gut and came out just behind the ribs. Not from energy but from the animal running, it also broke off in hind leg. Still was a terrible blood trail. The deer was an ehd survivor and only field dressed 95 lbs at 3.5 years old. Note, you can see the exit in the lower right of the pic where he is laying and the lack of blood where I found him.

 

[.243 Deer]

I agree with the above posters. Don't take any far shots with crossbows. Also make sure that you visually check the limbs of the crossbow before use. Unfortunately, crossbows are prone to limb breaking due to the high amount of energy they produce. I've had it happen once before with a Tenpoint.
Other than that, have fun

 

[TNGunsmoke]

Don't go too light on bolts. The ones that come with most bows are right on the cusp of being too light, in order to wring all the speed they can out of the crossbow. Scrap those and get a good quality bolt that is a bit heavier.

 

[T. J. Mercer]

Appreciate everyone's input.
Somehow I didn't see that there had been additional responses to my original post.

No, it does not have Accudraw, I use the cords to chocolate chip cookie it.
Consider using heavier bolts, got it!

I have a practice ladder stand in my back yard, and I'm now tight at 40 yards.
Just took some time, some advice, and I feel good with it.

Thanks again!