Ok so next season will be the first season on a lease and in an area where I can only take does during bow season. Therefore I need a crossbow or bow. (Favor the crossbow) I have seen them from a few hundred to 2 grand. I don't wanna break the bank but I d I nt want a hunk of junk. So the good bad and ugly what does everyone use and what not!!!

Dfwpi has a complete set up in the classifieds

10 point or Excalibur depending on the style you want. Once you get it sighted in there is. No need to practice

Yes I do

My personal preference is TenPoint, this was because of the accessories it came with, ie the Accudraw crank drawing system for cocking.

Since I have had the Tenpoint I have contacted them several times with questions, customer service and satisfaction is job one it seems.

If this is your first one I would suggest you go to a pro shop and shoot as many as you can to see which suits your needs.

Have fun.

Terry

Thanks Terry and that is the plan to go and shoot at a pro shop I just want some input here since I know that pro shops will push you in a direction they want you to go and maybe not one you wanna go.

Any recommendations of a pro shop in San Antonio area?

I have an Excalibur and love it. It is the Equinox Lite Stuff. The newer models are faster, quieter and narrower in width. They are not a compound style x-bow which means you can change or remove the string at anytime if you want to. If you happen to misfire it is not going to hurt the x-bow. You can [censored]/uncock it with the draw-aid rope cocking device also.

I also have an Excalibur for sale if you are interested.

I am in same boat and looking at the Barnett brotherhood. It looks like good performance for the money

I would like to try crossbow, so what's the dollar figure for a decent one?

Like anything the x-bow is not that bad but the accessories add very quickly. You can get a package bow from couple of hundred dollars up to $2000. IIRC I paid around $800 for package from Cabelas and then added extras to get the price over $1000....I bought extra string, cocking rope, unstringing rope aid, extra bolts, broadheads, target, wax/lube, soft carrying case etc.

The Matrix 380 that DFWPI is selling is a good, tough reliable crossbow. Be careful of plastic stocks. I have a Horton I had bought off of a friend and the plastic stock cracked. I was trying to sell it a and a potential buyer pointed it out. I have since modified it and it is a tack driver but I will still need to build a wood stock for it someday. Buy used, buyer beware. Buy new and buy cheap, buyer beware.

I shoot compound, recurve! Wife got me the brotherhood W/400 grain arrows with 125 broadheads
This sucker hits hard!!!!!! Sighted it in from 20 to 50 no problem! Took my first doe with it yesterday eve. Clean pass thru, blood trail was unbelievable! The package comes with everything you need for 400ish
It's 7 lbs and very compact! I love this thing! Can't wait to put it thru a Hog! Doesn't come with string cocking device only downfall! I use gloves and the foot stirrup 160lb pull! That's my 2 cents!

Great crossbows. I replaced the plastic with a laminated on my 380 and walnut on my 405.

380 - Spare (for when I have guests)



405 - Duty



The 405 is the first crossbow i have ever owned that will consistently break both shoulders on a whitetail and have a pass-thru. In order to do that you need to use a G5 or similar tough fixed blade plus a bolt like the Goldtip Laser Pro IVs. Anything lighter and their is a good chance the bolts will shatter if you are trying to break shoulders

I have been using a tenpoint with 125 gr broadheads. I have had great luck with it. Deadly accurate. Pass through shots on everything, including a 250 lb boar at 20 yards three weeks ago.

$800 for all that is a steal, somebody needs to buy that. I also have an Excalibur Matrix 380 and can't recommend it any more highly. Lifetime warranty in the event you need it, but you likely won't as they are one of the 1-2 best.

I would buy DFWPIs setup so that I have two but I think I'm going to get a Micro and see what I think about it.

Well, its been hard to try and sell it for some reason, and may wind up hanging onto it. I did buy me a new compound the other day, so maybe I will hunt some with the both of them.

Thanks guys

. I think just wrong time of year. Start that up in July and I bet you get it gone in a hurry. Hell, I may buy it from you then, keep me in mind.

I have the Parker Gale Force (350 fps)and the Carbon Express Interceptor Supercoil (360 fps)which have adjustable stocks. I also have the Parker Tornado F4 which shoots 340 fps and is compact like my Interceptor. I have shot many Ten Points and a few Barnettes (use to have the Jackal).

Haven't found a bad one yet. My opinion is the Parker is best for the money. Many are not far off.

I recommend a real bow.

so its traditional or recurve hunting only for you huh? no compounds or rifles...right? they make it too easy.

I personally like a compound over a crossbow. Much easier to reload for second shot. As far as hunting, it is all about getting the animal within 30 yards for an arrow or bolt. If I can get the buck within 30 yards, it doesn't matter bow or crossbow.

I may have to get a crossbow!!! My shoulder is all messed up!!!

That's acceptable.