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Advice on Crossbows
#6481965
10/05/16 04:13 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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Let me start by saying I use to bow hunt (back when I deer hunted) but have since transitioned to 99% bird hunting. However; we've got a couple of nice deer on our property that need to be taken out and I don't really want to buy another traditional bow. I've become left eye dominant (right handed) so everything I shoot is left handed. With that being said, I'm entertaining the idea of getting a crossbow to use for this occasion. Any advice y'all can provide me would be appreciated. I don't know anything about which brands are good, I don't want to spend a ton of money, just need something semi-reliable. What say ye?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482050
10/05/16 05:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 420
cheetah577
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 420 |
I purchased a barley-used Barnett Ghost 360 crossbow I located on this website. It is awesome. The crossbow came with soft case, bolts, broad heads and was sighted in perfectly. A used bow worked great for me!
God bless John Wayne!
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482055
10/05/16 05:14 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307
BowsnRods
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I just purchased an Excalibur 380 love it, very simple and easy to operate.
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: BowsnRods]
#6482059
10/05/16 05:17 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,645
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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I just purchased an Excalibur 380 love it, very simple and easy to operate. I love mine. The Excaliburs are more expensive but I think they're worth it.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482094
10/05/16 05:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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any brands to stay away from? What makes one cross bow better than the other than quality of materials? Has anyone shot the Cabelas branded crossbows - sounds like these may be rebranded barnetts?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482110
10/05/16 05:40 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,634
jrgocards
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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For the purposes you describes I wouldn't worry too much about brands - just keep you fingers below the strings when you shoot!! You'll find that a CB is really fast and accurate, but very loud. I don't take shots over 25yds due to the loudness of the CB.
JR
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482201
10/05/16 06:29 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
I have an Excalibur Equinox Litestuff that I like. Bit bulkier and heavier than the newer Excalibur xbows but it shoots well. I chose a recurve style xbow for several reasons. One is I can take the string off and on myself to change the string or relax the limbs in the offseason. You can dry fire it by mistake and not hurt the limbs. They are very accurate.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482337
10/05/16 07:35 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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ok - sounds like I've got some flexibility. Thanks for the input. Gonna go check some out tonight. Other than keeping your hands out of the way anything else specific to crossbows I need to know about?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482339
10/05/16 07:38 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307
BowsnRods
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I would recommend one that shoots 350fps or faster, they are a little noisier than a compound so you need extra speed!
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482412
10/05/16 08:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
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Get a good scope with it. Some have a built in mechanical cocking device or you can buy the manual rope type aid.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482428
10/05/16 08:53 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,573
dlrz71
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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I just bought a Wicked Ridge Invader G3. Great reviews and they are made by Ten Point.
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482502
10/05/16 09:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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Most crossbows you buy nowdays will get the job done, but the lower end ones use a lot of plastic and I prefer metal parts in the latch and safety. As mentioned keep your fingers away from the rail area when shooting, and also keep your range at resonable bow range of a compound bow. Lot of false conception regarding a string gun that you can shoot long range.
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482535
10/05/16 09:55 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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I figured as much - I'm looking at a 25 yard shot max
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482547
10/05/16 10:01 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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Posts: 6,170 |
I figured as much - I'm looking at a 25 yard shot max
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6482555
10/05/16 10:09 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170
Jimbo
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,170 |
Crossbows are loud, and if there is no wind and dead calm even 25 yards is a far enough range the deer can easily duck the arrow even from the fastest crossbow. Usually the faster the crossbow the noisier they are. I've got an old slow Horton that is over 20 years old and it's fairly quiet, and I've taken a lot of deer with that bow. So speed isn't everything. A slight breeze and leaf russle can muffle the sound a little, and the closer the better
Thursday at 12:45 PM #33 Once i learned that i didn't "NEED" to kill something, and that if i did kill something all the fun stopped and work began, i was a much better hunter.
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483603
10/06/16 03:12 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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Ok - so spent some time talking to the guy at Cabela's last night and he recommended the Parker Enforcer. It's not the fastest bow (315 fps I believe) but he said it's reliable, accurate and comes with a lifetime warranty. He said he hasn't seen many come back for repairs. Said he's seen a ton of Barnett's come back broken so he couldn't recommend them. I bought some luminoks, a target and some rage expandable broadheads. Took it off the shelf, cut the tags off of it and shot it twice at 15 years free hand and hit bullseye so I guess the stock scope it comes with has already been bore sighted. Gonna practice a couple times with the practice broadhead that comes with the rage package, make some adjustments and hopefully go seal the deal so I can get back to bird hunting! Thanks for the info guys
Oh - and you are correct, they are loud. Last question, and probably a dumb one. With a typical compound bow you don't sit there the entire time with it drawn. I'm guessing it's ok but is it fine to leave it cocked throughout the duration of the hunt. I guess it wouldn't make sense to try and [censored] it while you're staring at a deer.....
Second dumb question - I'm guessing the best way to decock the bow is to shoot it. However; what if you don't want to shoot it with the broadhead you have on for hunting?
Last edited by HoldPoint; 10/06/16 03:18 PM.
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483627
10/06/16 03:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
They make a decocking bolt and some take a field point bolt along to shoot into the ground. With my Excalibur I use the cocking aid rope and to decock the bow after every hunt. Just reverse the steps that you would do at the beginning.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483656
10/06/16 03:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 110
Tony270
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 110 |
PSE-Fang Crossbow. Got one for my 16 year old daughter and she loves it. Very well priced to!
3G Ranch Montell,TX NRA Life Member SCI Life Member
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483666
10/06/16 03:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,451
Dalroo
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I bought a Ten Point from Cabela's lat year and same experience - bullseyes at 15, 20, 30 and 40 out of box. I use the decocking bolts and kind of a pain, but probably the safest and easiest way for me. I thought about leaving cocked coming out of field, and then shooting field point bolt when back at base, but not crazy about walking back, or throwing in back of Mule while cocked - either have to leave a bolt in, or risk a dry fire - both are bad solutions. The decocking bolts are pretty cheap, and biodegradable, so that is what I choose to do - some may find an easier solution to share.
I typically [censored] mine as soon as I get into stand and leave it that way 'til I'm ready to head in. Not sure if leaving cocked for long time would cause any mechanical issue, but I don't feel comfortable leaving it that way between hunts, so as said above, i fire after every hunt to be on safe side.
So far, I haven't shot anything with it, other than target, but maybe soon!!!!
Dalroo Deep in the Heart of Texas How about that Brandon!
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483676
10/06/16 03:58 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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so let's say I have a bolt with a broadhead on and don't shoot anything - is it safe to pull the bolt out while cocked before using the rope to decock it?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483690
10/06/16 04:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,506
kmon11
junior
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junior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32,506 |
so let's say I have a bolt with a broadhead on and don't shoot anything - is it safe to pull the bolt out while cocked before using the rope to decock it? Excalibur is the only brand crossbow that recommends not just shooting the crossbow to take it back to a rest position. On compound crossbows just shoot them either into a target or into the ground preferably with a bolt made for the purpose.
lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true Mainstream news might be fun to watch
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483716
10/06/16 04:27 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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so take bolt with broadhead out - put trash bolt in and fire it to decock?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483765
10/06/16 04:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
so take bolt with broadhead out - put trash bolt in and fire it to decock? Yes or just use a practice bolt. Some take a small crossbow (block cube type) target along to fire into after a hunt. Just another practice shot if you look at it that way.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483769
10/06/16 04:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Just remember to be sure the safety is on so it will not misfire if you are changing bolts out. I have hunting shows where guys walk around with a cocked crossbow that does not have a bolt in it. They load it right before they plant to get into the stand or if stalking, to take the shot.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Advice on Crossbows
[Re: HoldPoint]
#6483962
10/06/16 07:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,176
HoldPoint
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gotcha - thanks for the info. Hopefully I can report back with a pic of a nice buck
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