I am in the market for a my first crossbow. I have been looking online and have found that most of the crossbows from the major manufactures range from 300-400 fps. I would rather not pay the 1000 price tag that comes along with the 400 fps models. I am looking at the barnett predator that claims 375 fps for arround 600.00, and the carbon express cx1 covert that claims 330fps and has very good reviews for around 500.00. can anyone help me, also what is the effective hunting range for a crossbow, i was thinking 50yards. The last thing i want to do is wound an animal.

Thanks

A crossbow can take an animal at the same distances that a compound bow can and vise versa as long as you know the yardage and can hold on target, and the deer stands still long enough for the arrow to get there.
A fast bow or crossbow are pretty much equal and it's the skill of the archer estimating or using a range finder that makes the difference so speed isn't all that important if you know your bow and your personal capabilities.
A faster bow usually means more noise and that noise gets to the animal before the arrow or bolt does so the closer the target the better chance you have.
That said, the effective range is about the same as that of a compound bow. Personally I wouldn't take a shot at a deer over 40 yards unless the conditions were ideal, and then that would have to be at a completely relaxed animal.

Since the animal is still going to "duck", I would concentrate on 30yrds and in.

Look on the Ten Point Crossbow web site. Video's under the warranty section on use and care of a crossbow, and one even shows a compound vs crossbow.

I ended up going with the Titan Extreme, shoots 333 fps, and will do everything I want for a little over 500.00

thanks guys, does anyone have any experience with the crossbows i listed?

Im thinking about an Excalibur if I got one

Have a Parker Tornado, at 330fps an alert deer can still "jump the string" at 40 yards.

I had an excalibur exo mag, I never hunted with it but did a little target shooting. The biggest problem i found with it was the size. that thing was huge

The small size and light weight is part of why I have the Tornado. Smaller than a lot of X-bows and lighter yet still accurate. One thing I have not changed I would like to is the scope, Lighted retical would be nice at times

I have a Barnett Buck Commander that I bought at Academy for $600/with scope, shoots 365 ft per second. I love that thing, very fast & accurate with 125 grain Muzzy Phantoms. I shoot my crossbow the same distances that I shoot my compound, I stick with that rule because I'm comfortable with it. Some people are proficient at 30, 40, 50 plus yards and practice at those ranges regularly-I don't. Me, I'm comfortable under 30 yrds & won't take a shot over that. The effective range of a crossbow mainly depends on the shooters ability, just like a rifle. Within that 30 yrd range it's VERY effective for me. I have a buddy that just bought his wife a new Predator crossbow & he said he/she loves it. These bows are fast, but they don't have to be that fast to be effective. My vote goes to Barnett, fine shootin' bow & a lot less $$ than an Excalibur.

I think i am going to go with the barnett.

Love my Barnett Penetrator from Dick's and Hellcat. They're fast and reasonably priced, plus accurate.

f.p.s. isn't important-
accuracy is

punching a hole in the pumphouse
is what you're after

I shoot compound bows while my neighbor shoots a Barnett Penetrator crossbow. I'd say a crossbow has a farther range. Maybe 50 yards max. If you practice.

Quiet is much more important than fast for Texas whitetails. Stay away from light bolts and try to make it shut up. This has always been the problem with crossbows on small deer. They will duck under one in a hurry. If you were hunting in Canada, where the deer are giant and slow, I would say speed.

I was actually talking to my Captain last night at my fire house and he said he shoots his crossbow up to 80 yards. Now that is only target shooting and he isnt shooting at animals. I was actually suprised at the amount of distance he got. I know that is a little off subject.

I bought a Barnett Quad 400 last December after I had back surgery and the docs wouldnt let me shot a gun. Got it on sale at Academy for $350 and I put a TruGlow red dot sight on it for another $60-70, I love it!!! The only complaint I had on it was the original 4x scope it came with wouldnt adjust enough to hit the target at 20yds. So I scraped it got something that was of better quality

I have shot deer with a crossbow and it really suprised me at the difference in trajectory and accuracy that shooting a deer at 30yds vs 40yds and while I really dont have any motivation to hunt with a crossbow again I will not be trying 40yd shots again.

Like has been said before they can hear them and the time it takes for the bolt to get there, can give the deer enough time to move and result in having to track one down and finish the job old school.

I would stick to 30yds with a heavy bolt and fixed 4blade broad head.

I feel confident taking deer out to 80 yards because I still have like 340fps at that distance and at that distance they are unlikely to be jumping and more likely staring at me

I had 4 leases in 3 counties last year in Texas and limited out with my Barnett Crossbow. It is the loudest thing you ever heard, but at 25 yards, the bolt hits them before they know what is coming! I hit one of them high (hit the blind first) and she ran off 40 yards, but the others were either DRT or went less than 20 feet. This is including a 125" cull 8 point.

Pitt what model Barnett?

Excalibur the way to go

All things being the same, I'd much rather have the extra speed. Speed and inertia kills!

I got the Jackal last year right before season at Academy. It is usually $299 and got it for $249 with scope.

No matter how fast a bow is they wont be faster than the speed of sound.

Wrong the razor blades kill.

Speed in an arrow is about as importand as speed in a bullet. Shoot a deer at 50 yards with a 270 at 3K fps or a 45 colt at 1800 they will both die.