Looking into getting 1st crossbow

[VolHunter22]

Anything I should be looking for specifically? This is my first one so I'm not quite sure what exactly I should be looking for that will tell me if the bow is quality. Any tips are appreciated.

 

[deerhunter10]

my dad and paw paw shoots the ten point so that's really the only one ive been around and they are un real. but manly what I would look for is price. I scope with notches on it so you can have different ranges. from what ive seen really just about all of them are about the same with just some minor things changed. I know with the ten point one thing that is different. is that the pullie system that helps you pull back the bow is attached to the bow which is really nice.

 

[morgancountry]

The first thing you need to decide is weather to go with a compound or a recurve. Advantage of a compound is that they are usually more compact. The advantage of a recurve is simplicity, less parts to break, you can uncock it without firing a bolt, and you can change the string yourself without using a bow press. I have an excalibur and you can't beat em. They are a little high $$ and wide though. My dad has a Horton legend and it has been a good bow too.

 

[morgancountry]

And check out the crossbow forum, a lot of info over there too.

 

[VolHunter22]

Thanks! I didn't realize there actually was a crossbow forum or I would've put this there.

 

[bowriter]

I shoot a TenPoint but I can tell you Horton makes a fine bow at reasonable prices. Any bow you like and caN afford is the bow to buy. 150-185 pounds is all you need. get a quality sight and I prefer to shoot expandable heads. I shoot NAP heads. Sight it in and a little practice will have you ready to hunt.

But...know this. They are a close range tool. You are not going to kill deer at 80-yards. My maximum is 40, just like my compound. They are loud but don't worry about it. I have never had a deer jump the string. They are heavy, cumbersome and a pain in the butt.

Advantage, easy to learn to shoot, require little or no practice. Will make you a better hunter because you have to get close to kill.

Good luck.

 

[volsgo1]

Excalibur Matrix recurve and light and compact. Expensive tho

 

[Mama Doe]

I shoot a Wicked Ridge Invader. I'm impressed by it. Dead on out of the box. Quick too and a well made crossbow.

 

[Kingston]

I have $350 in my Horton 150HD.
Does what I need it to do.

 

[miller1buc]

I think Excalibur is the best bang for your buck. As mentioned above, uncocked, they are a little wide (except for the new Matrix model). Once its cocked, it isnt that bad. No cables/cams to deal with. You can change the string in less than 5 minutes in the middle of the woods. Patterns are very consistent as well.

 

[feldmutze]

Horton just folded recently. You might want to check the Crossbow website.

 

[BAMA BOW MERKER]

My dad likes his Barnett but it's a lot cheaper than some of the others. I took a doe with it 2 years ago and it definitely impressed me. Whether or not it will last a long time I'm not sure but it was twice ad easy as shooting a compound

 

[cecil30-30]

After my latest dealing's with excalibur i'd have to recommend you steer clear of excalibur bows.I spent $989 on a excalibur matrix.And for the life of me I couldn't get the thing to group any better than 2 inches at 20 yds.I fought with it and struggled and finally gave up.Called excalibur 3 different times trying to get a return authorization under their warranty and long story short they just gave me a run around.I am now the proud owner of a Tenpoint Turbo xlt II,first 2 shots with it,I busted a arrow..LOL Tenpoint maikes some fine crossbows with a great warranty. Besides excalibur bows sounds like takeing a alluminum baseball bat and hitting a power pole as hard as you can when they go off..

 

[miller1buc]

Besides excalibur bows sounds like takeing a alluminum baseball bat and hitting a power pole as hard as you can when they go off..

Is there a crossbow that doesnt? That would be news to me.

 

[cecil30-30]

Besides excalibur bows sounds like takeing a alluminum baseball bat and hitting a power pole as hard as you can when they go off..

Is there a crossbow that doesnt? That would be news to me.

im just saying the excals are way more loud than a compound crossbow. then the matrix takes it and triples the noise. i know my new tenpoint turbo xlt ii is very quite for a crossbow.