Quality crossbow

[eca7891]

Bit of an odd topic for this site but...

I have started to seriously look at crossbows your use during the archery season. I would like to buy a quality one in order to not have to upgrade later. Most shots would be under 50 yards. I am looking for a buy once , cry once type of option.

If anyone has any first hand experience they would like to share if would be appreciated, even if it’s a “Don’t do what I did”.
Thanks!

 

[Rthur]

Have a couple of buds that use TenPoint.
They are older models but both have been great for them.

R

 

[eca7891]

That is one of the brands that I am looking at.

Another consideration is traditional compound crossbow vs reverse draw.

I like the idea of the balance the reverse draw option brings to the table. I am not sure f there are other considerations between the two.

 

[Rthur]

That is one of the brands that I am looking at.

Another consideration is traditional compound crossbow vs reverse draw.

I like the idea of the balance the reverse draw option brings to the table. I am not sure f there are other considerations between the two.

These are not the reverse draw models.
Haven't fired those models.
If they are like the ones mentioned they'll be excellent.

R

 

[footsteps]

Here is my experience as a kid in Brooklyn iwoul shoot my compound boe on the driveway my target was a very large MAT style like a summer camp. My dad shot Olympic style recurve he was friends with all the top USA shooters...Mind you this was in the mis 70's. Earl, Ann Hoyt were very close with dad...I was even gifted the first youth compound bow made by Hoyt.....to test prior to production....In Sept 2011 during a gallbladder attack the hospital foun a tumor in my Tricuspid vale...the Dr. Who removed it told me it was possible that it was due to my time on duty after 9/11 my unit was located 5 blocks away from Ground zero... well after surgery I was determined to hint that fall..... well I can't pull bow back after having my sterncracked in two....My option was crossbow.... YUCK. Well I purchased a Parker enforcer, still have it still shoots groups at 60 yards. Paul 650.00 back then but today most would call it cheap...i love shooting that crossbow its accurate, at 59years old the deer deserve a clean kill. Last year a nice 8 point dropped at 35 yards from my tree stand, in our small hay field....Goodluck with you're season, enjoy shooting a crossbow its the next step in getting old.

 

[eca7891]

, enjoy shooting a crossbow its the next step in getting old

Damn you!

I was trying to leave that part of the equation out!

Thanks for your input.

 

[Longshot231]

I have a couple of Excalibur crossbows. You cannot go wrong with them. I bought them about 20 and 25 years ago. Even though they are older models, they are built tough and last a long time. They are also super accurate.

https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/

Be sure to watch some of their instructional videos. https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/support/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzUw10ts9PSgX7dhtR4BwA

You can buy Excalibur crossbows at a lot of places but talk with Danny Miller first. He is old fashioned and takes the credit card over the phone. No website. Even if you get an Excalibur from someone else, Danny sells some fantastic strings.

He also provides warranty support. I broke a limb tip a long time ago. That was my fault. I accidentally dry fired it. That will mess up any crossbow.

Anyway, Danny replaced the limb for free. I like doing business with him.

Horizontal Archery
37432 5th Ave,
Sardis, OH 43946
Phone: (740) 483-2312

 

[TampaBud]

I started Xbow hunting about 3yrs ago, more for earlier access to deer wandering around a little more comfortably at the beginning of the season. I wasn't sure if I was going to stick with it so I bought 2 Barnett crossbows (father and myself). Two main reasons: Local biz for a Floridian & low price point. It seems that there are about 3 buckets of costs: $400/range $750 range +$1,000 range.

I will say, my father and I both have taken deer out to 45-50yds, and still amazed at the speed of a bolt. With all that being said, I tend to think the broadhead type and the bolt placement may be equally or more important as the bow. Just an opinion of a rookie xbow hunter.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

How about an AIRbow?

Basically a PCP (precharged pneumatic) air rifle that is modified to fire arrows. Arrows are loaded over the launch tube and is propelled from the front, so there is no "archer's paradox". Most hunting airbows launch full size arrows up to 400-600 FPS. I got to handle a couple of these recently and here is what I think:

PROS:

1. No limbs to string and snag on things in the woods.

2. Cocking is as easy as using the charging handle on an AR-15.

3. Handles EXACTLY like a regular rifle.

4. All of your standard optics, weapon mounted electronics, and accessories that uses Weaver and pic rails can be used on airbows. Because of this, airbows have a variety of modern combat and tactical potential.

5. Charges easily from a SCUBA tank. 8 shots of consistent velocity on a full reservoir. You can also use a hand pump or an approved motorized compressor. Refer to instructions on what devices are compatible.

6. BLISTERING fast arrow velocity. Up to 600 FPS with some models. And laser like accuracy up to 170 yards.

7. Cost. Most hunting airbows like the Umarex AIRSaber run for about $300 or less, a fraction of the cost of a regular compound crossbow that delivers lower velocity and accuracy.


CONS:

1. Bulky. These make even the most tricked out AR-15s look like a takedown survival .22.

2. BLISTERING fast arrow velocity. You can't use standard crossbow targets with these. The arrows will zip right through them as if they were not even there. Better have GOOD backstop.

3. You can only use SPECIAL AIRBOW ARROWS with these units due to the extreme air pressures being used to launch the arrows. Regular arrows can explode on the launch tube. Only arrows with specially lined and weighted front portions can be safely used on these devices.

Umarex AirSaber: 470-500 FPS velocity. MSRP $300+/-

 

[jolofree]

Take a look at the Raven R-26 & R-29. They are nice, but like the Ten Point kinda $$

 

[eca7891]

Take a look at the Raven R-26 & R-29. They are nice, but like the Ten Point kinda $$

This is one of the other brands I have looked at along with the tenpoint.

 

[Tater Salad]

I purchased the Mission Sub-1 XR. I liked the ability to de-cock without firing a bolt. You can buy separately a crank that is silent. Not sure if any of the other manufacturers have the silent crank yet, but Mission was the only one at the time. Bolts are a little pricey, but the bolts seem of high quality. Mission is made by Mathews and have a solid warranty. I've taken deer and coyote out to 45 yards with ease. On the range I have shot out to 100 Yards and with field points it performs well at that distance. I also added an HHA Speed Dial to shoot out beyond 100 Yards when I get the time to do so.

 

[Longshot231]

I purchased the Mission Sub-1 XR. I liked the ability to de-cock without firing a bolt. You can buy separately a crank that is silent. Not sure if any of the other manufacturers have the silent crank yet, but Mission was the only one at the time. Bolts are a little pricey, but the bolts seem of high quality. Mission is made by Mathews and have a solid warranty. I've taken deer and coyote out to 45 yards with ease. On the range I have shot out to 100 Yards and with field points it performs well at that distance. I also added an HHA Speed Dial to shoot out beyond 100 Yards when I get the time to do so.

With an Excalibur, you can de-cock it without any problem.

 

[Tater Salad]

With an Excalibur, you can de-cock it without any problem.

decocking mission sub 1 crossbow - Search Videos

www.bing.com

 

[Jigstick]

I have two Excalibur crossbows. The Matrix 405 and a smaller compact version. Love them. Accurate. Fast. And field serviceable if needed. No need for a bow press to change out the string

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

I am going to move back to a state that allows crossbow hunting during archery and also am interested. I will still bow hunt but I can kill so many deer a year I want some variety.

Whats the go to Xbow today if you were buying new?

 

[wvfarrier]

My wife has an excalibur Assassin 420. Its a freaking beast.

 

[diggler1833]

I bought an Excalibur Suppressor 400 TD last year. I am extremely pleased with it, but there are faster, quieter bows around. The big selling point for me was the ease of maintenance as well as the takedown feature.

I've probably taken a dozen shots with mine at 40 yards with my hunting setup (lighter 362gr total at 385 FPS). Aiming point is a 2" dot, and I've yet to miss it. I'm not familiar with crossbow accuracy across the lines, but I'm happy with that accuracy.

It did pretty well the only time I got to try it for real last season.

 

[Spicerack]

TenPoint RS410 here. Compact reverse draw. Takes up very little room, quite narrow even with limbs relaxed. Trigger is ok for xbows i test fired. Getting 435fps. Drop reticle illuminated scope it came with is adequate for bow work. Drop marks are accurate. Near silent cock and decock can stop at any point safely... is real nice for not spooking deers when ingress/egress stand.

 

[NoIdeaWhatIAmDoing]

It depends on how hard you want to cry. I bought a Ravin R26 and after a year I put the Burris Oracle X on it. Its a lot of crying but this this is stupid powerful. I shot a buck quarting to and it went through the front leg, heart, opposite rib and buried so far in the ground only the lighted nock was sticking up....at 48 yards. Oh, and the Oracle X is stupid accurate...

 

[UNRL Ghandi]

+1 on the Raven R26. The hand crank is awesome, although loud for the woods. I crank mine back before I head out so no big deal. The R26 is nice and compact too. I have not used it on a deer yet since I prefer my Bowtech Revolt compound and just got the crossbow after watching my brother shoot his TenPoint crossbow at 40 yards and stack bolts almost on top of each other. It was also so I was prepared if i ever injured myself during bow season and couldn't draw my compound back.

I don't think you'll go wrong with a Raven or TenPoint from what I've seen.

 

[Dunraven]

A buddy of miine who works at Matthews, claims they are making a crossbow that will shoot 1 inch groups at 100.

 

[7.62willdo]

The TAC-15 Crossbow

What do you get when you cross an AR-15 with a crossbow? You get the TAC-15. Get an inside look at this hunting weapon.

www.military.com

enough said……..

 

[Woodlanddude]

I am a fan of the Excalibur TD series. I have been shooting a 340 pro for a couple months and a 2" circle at 50 yards from sitting or standing is no issue. I don't bench rest crossbows, but after wrecking several bolts I don't shoot the same dot twice in a flight. The fact that it needs no trip to a bow shop for annual cable or string replacements is a big draw for me. There is not a critter in NA that a 400 grain bolt will not take at 300 fps. The BDC is good to at least 50 yards on my scope (it has circles to 100, untried yet). Flatter trajectory is possible, but at a substantial maintenance cost, and higher safety risk with the number of broken limb reports out there that seem to be due to the light arrow quest. (The same thing happened to limbs and cams with compounds in the 90's with small darts and overdraws) YMMV.

 

[Thereaper1313]

I have a couple of Excalibur crossbows. You cannot go wrong with them. I bought them about 20 and 25 years ago. Even though they are older models, they are built tough and last a long time. They are also super accurate.

https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/

Be sure to watch some of their instructional videos. https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/support/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzUw10ts9PSgX7dhtR4BwA

You can buy Excalibur crossbows at a lot of places but talk with Danny Miller first. He is old fashioned and takes the credit card over the phone. No website. Even if you get an Excalibur from someone else, Danny sells some fantastic strings.

He also provides warranty support. I broke a limb tip a long time ago. That was my fault. I accidentally dry fired it. That will mess up any crossbow.

Anyway, Danny replaced the limb for free. I like doing business with him.

Horizontal Archery
37432 5th Ave,
Sardis, OH 43946
Phone: (740) 483-2312

This awesome crossbows. Killed a lot with mine, always through and through....even when hitting the shoulder

 

[bigbuckslayer3]

Tenpoint for me after my shoulder surgery, now back to my compound.

 

[craigos]

plus whatever on ravin R26.

 

[johnn00]

The self-cocking cobra crossbow is one of the most durable crossbows I need for deer hunting. What I like most is the safe self-cocking mechanism allows me repeatedly fire. No matter how often I use the bow, it always springs back to its original shape.

 

[n2ishun]

Da fuk with all the newbs lately.
Are the glowies really that worried about us ?

 

[Mudburner]

I have a Barnett 150lb recurve crossbow, with a synthetic stock. It is extremely light weight. It has a crossbow scope with reticle cross hatches calibrated for 15/25/35/45/55 yards and with carbon fiber bolts & 125 grain heads will stack hits one on top of another at those distances. It is a very real possibility to "Robin Hood" by hitting one bolt with another. Of course, this ruins a good bolt but these things can be stupid accurate.

This crossbow is rather loud. It makes a good "THUNK!" when shot. I have no way to measure velocity. I also use selfbows that I make, and in my opinion & experience, shooting a wooden/bamboo arrow from a wood bow is just about the quietest thing out there. All you hear is just a small "snick" sound upon release. A loud bow can be heard by deer, and if it is coiled up or tense, a deer can easily "jump the string" by suddenly crouching down, then bounding away. Often, your arrow will fly over the top of them as they crouch down.

Modern crossbows are a VERY good way to archery hunt. They allow people who for whatever reason, cant pull a compound or recurve. It also allows for very stealthy aiming movement because the person doesnt have to draw the bow back. A turkey will bust you almost every time if they see you move...

 

[wvfarrier]

My wife uses an Excalibur Assassin 420 and it is fearsome. She is using a 20" arrow with a 200 grain Grizzlystik Silverflame broadhead. She gets complete pass throughs on everything but its as loud as a 38spl. Its very heavy but easy to work on as well. She had a Ravin R10 before that and liked it because it was super light and she still hunts. The downside is its a pain in the butt to work on even with a press. It also was not as fast even with a lighter arrow.

 

[Slash0311]

I use a Carbon Express with Sevr mechanical broadheads. Its a little older but shots about 360 feet per sec (hunting setup) and is accurate.

 

[cas6969]

The self-cocking cobra crossbow is one of the most durable crossbows I need for deer hunting. What I like most is the safe self-cocking mechanism allows me repeatedly fire. No matter how often I use the bow, it always springs back to its original shape.

AI.. SPAM... both?

Whatever it is, the OP was 3 years ago.

 

[Longshot231]

This crossbow is rather loud. It makes a good "THUNK!" when shot. I have no way to measure velocity. I also use selfbows that I make, and in my opinion & experience, shooting a wooden/bamboo arrow from a wood bow is just about the quietest thing out there. All you hear is just a small "snick" sound upon release. A loud bow can be heard by deer, and if it is coiled up or tense, a deer can easily "jump the string" by suddenly crouching down, then bounding away. Often, your arrow will fly over the top of them as they crouch down.

My Excalibur is also noisey. I also hear a lot of critics talk about a deer "jumping the string" when they hear what sounds like a hammer smacking a piece of plywood.

The velocity on my crossbow arrow is 300 FPS. It's accurate enough that I feel confident at taking a shot at a relaxed deer at 50 yards. My furthest shot at a deer that I took was at 35 yards.

For the purposes of this analysis, let's use 50 yards. I don't know what the downrange velocity of the arrow will be at 50 yards but let's use a conservative estimate and say the arrow is going 200 FPS when it hits the deer at that distance. So the average speed between zero and 50 yards is about 250 FPS.

So from the time the arrow is released until it hits the deer it is going to be (50 X 3) / 250 = .6 seconds.

The speed of sound at sea level for a standard day is 1120 FPS. The speed of sound is dependent on temperature. So with a 45 degree day, the speed of sound is about 1100 FPS. With a 50 yard shot, the deer will hear the crossbow (50 X 3) / 1100 = 0.14 seconds later.

After the dear hears the crossbow, the arrow will go through it .6 - .14 = .46 seconds later.

I will concede that if the deer is looking at you when you take the shot there is a possibility of it moving to get away. However, if it has it's head down and eating acorns or looking away, it's not going to "jump the string."

Also think about how a deer's legs are made. The legs are almost like ours and with knees. Try jumping from a flat-footed position WITHOUT bending your knees. It's impossible. In order to jump from a standing position, you have to bend the knees first then extend them rapidly to jump.

A deer has to do the same thing. Even to start a run from a standing position, the deer has to start with bending its knees in an effort to begin forward movement.

So with all that said, a deer isn't going to "jump the string" if it hears the smack of a loud crossbow. So I raise the BS flag anytime I hear someone, who doesn't like crossbows, talk about stuff he knows nothing about.

I'll have to verify my theory with all the deer that have been killed with a crossbow.

Sorry for the rant but I wanted to put this "jumping the string" theory to rest and provide you information if that subject ever comes up in your hunting circles.

 

[cas6969]

Wow.

 

[eca7891]

Ducking tre string would be accurate. ( The deer bends it’s knees and lowers it’s center of gravity in order to launch into its escape)

I have seen it once out of 30+ years of hunting.

It’s not something I worry about.

Btw: Tge bolt speed of the crossbow I ended up with is 450 fps.

 

[cas6969]

Go on youtube, you can see it thousands of times. lol

 

[eca7891]

I’m talking from actual personal experience. Not boobtube.