I have an archery hunt coming up in about 3 weeks. I want to dive into bow hunting, but do not feel at all confident in being skilled enough with a bow in three weeks practice time. I've practiced with a bow before but its been 10+ years. So I was looking at a cheap crossbow just to get me through the couple of archery hunts I have this season. Everyone recommends the Centerpoint Sniper 370. Academy has one for $238 right now. But, Cabelas has the newer version (Centerpoint Sniper Elite Whisper) for $300. There is also the PSE Fang LT for $300 which I assume is a better brand than Centerpoint. Any reason I should choose one over the other? I really don't plan on using a crossbow after this deer season and plan on getting a bow soon to begin practicing.

I have a PSE Fang 350 and like it. I have only had it this season so I do not know about long term, but right now it shoots well. The scope it came with is crap and would not adjust left and right. I put a better scope on it and now it shoots accurately consistently.

Any of the ones listed will work. I have shot them all at one point or another. All those come with a 5 year warranty s well.

Scopes leave a lot to be desire but as long as they adjust and stay put how much scope do you need for 50 yards and in?

It sounds like they're all about the same. So I guess I'll go with the sniper 370 since it's about $60 cheaper.

I would especially since you are talking about short term use of the crossbow.

Accuracy wise with teh Sniper 370, it will slow you down a bit but heavier bolts like the Carbon express Pile Drivers and 125gr heads will almost always be more accurate than the light weight bolts with 100gr heads they come with.

Thanks. Especially for the info on the bolts.

I have sold a lot of those bows and shot a lot of thm. My parker that is 10 years or so old still puts bolts into 3 inch dots at 70 yards. with heavier bolts and 100 gr heads while with the lighter bolts and 100 gr heaads it is more like 5 inch groups at 70. That is the furtherest I have shot my rhinehart target with it

The only difference in the 2 centerpoints is that the "elite" has a few more sound dampening goodies on it. I have the Sniper 370 as my 1st XBow. And I can say it does the job. Heavier bolts are beneficial but not truly "needed" if this is just a one year toy. I use the stock bolts with 100 gr heads and dropped a doe at 25 yrds. This is my long term investment so, I do plan to be upgrading my bolts next season.

My situation sounds similar to the OP's. I am a past bowhunter & I bought a PSE Fang last year just to make a few hunts with my buddy. I shot a hog with it & I found it fast & efficient. I have no complaints except it is pretty loud - sounds similar to a .22 rifle. I'm still a believer in keeping shots close, 30yds & under. FWIW

Deer I want them insie 30 yards but will and have shot hogs at 70 or a little over

I have a cenerpoint 370 and a Barnett jackal both are killing machines center point is faster but both are pass through at 35 yds wat more do you need and group at 2 inches at 30 yds

I have pse fang that is about 3 years old. I have killed 5 hogs and 6 deer with it. Not one problem. I did put a good scope on it though. The one that came with it would not hold zero. Good luck.