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Suggestions for crossbow on a budget #8270439 05/19/21 07:12 PM
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Mad Max Offline OP
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I'm thinking of buying a crossbow for the next archery season, and I was hoping to hear about people's experiences and suggestions on a good crossbow to get on a budget.

All of the hunting magazines and websites seem to put the Barnett Whitetail Hunter II near to top of the list for quality crossbows at under $500. Does anybody here hunt with one, and what have been your experiences? Are there any problems that I should look out for, or, alternatively, better brands/models that I could get for roughly the same price?

I remember years ago a friend of mine swore by PSE Fangs as the best low-cost crossbow on the market, only for there to be a recall shortly after!

Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8270602 05/19/21 09:40 PM
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kmon11 Online Shocked
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Center Point, Barnetts are better then they were for quite a while but you get more bow for the $ with Center Point IMO. Center Point actually owns Ravin Crossbows now.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8270912 05/20/21 03:18 AM
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Midway USA has some crossbows on clearance every year this time of year. I am sure they have some right now. If your a gambling man, I think they will take more percent off every week or two until sold out. The one I use I got from them a few years ago for 75% off. When it got to that point I could not resist getting a $500 give or take crossbow for around $125 bucks. Might be worth a look.

Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: kmon11] #8271125 05/20/21 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by kmon1
Center Point, Barnetts are better then they were for quite a while but you get more bow for the $ with Center Point IMO. Center Point actually owns Ravin Crossbows now.



What Centerpoint model(s) have you had experience with? One of the less expensive ones seems to be the Elite 385 - any thoughts on pros/cons of that model, and how it compares to the similarly priced Barnett Whitetail Hunter?

Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8271241 05/20/21 02:55 PM
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Elite 385 or Sniper 390 are a lot of bow for the $. Scopes are hit and miss though. You can find much better scopes and upgrade and still be under the $500 with a good scope on it. Accuracy will be best obtained with heavier bolts like Pile Drivers and 125gr heads, yes that slows it down a little but I will take the better accuracy. The 390 is 299.99 at Cabela's regular price.

Sold a pile of Sniper 370 crossbows and most of the problems with the bow itself was user related. Center Point has been good at least when I was working in Archery for customer support and warranty work. During season I have had them just sent parts for repair next day to the store. Not sure i they do that now since I have not worked on them in a little over a year.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8271301 05/20/21 03:51 PM
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pertnear Online Content
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I'm definitely no expert or super aficionado that collects xbows. I started xbow hunting a couple of seasons ago just to extend my hunting with more time in the field. There are a couple of things that I learned. Almost all modern xbows, even in the lower price range, can be extremely accurate when tuned & using the ideal matched bolts (arrows). Translation: save money on the xbow but put money in the arrows. When I was a regular bowhunter I hated mechanical broadheads, but they are a perfect choice for xbows because they need little or no tuning. Another piece of advice, despite all the long-range hype, a xbow should still be considered a short range weapon. A least when starting out, I suggest keeping your shots 30 yds & under - after all "up close & personal" is the essence of bowhunting!

Just FWIW from a newbie xbow guy.....


"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - George Orwell
Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8271323 05/20/21 04:11 PM
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Pertnear gave some good advice, On deer I have killed deer at 40 yards but now restrict the shots to 30 yards or less. On hogs as far as I know I can make the shot. With a 330fps xbow setup that is tuned well and plenty accurate to 70 yards I have killed hogs at a little over 70 yards but they do not seem to react to the bow noise as quickly as deer.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8271582 05/20/21 07:51 PM
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I've dealt with Wyvern's several times with good results. TenPoint makes WickedRidge-check out these models and see what you think. I didn't check, but Wyvern's might still not be charging TX sales tax, too.

https://www.wyverncreations.com/wicked-ridge-crossbows-c-100/


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Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8272225 05/21/21 12:59 PM
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I've got a 4 year old CenterPoint 370. In three season it has put down 5 deer. It has had a few issues but they have ALL been user related. And when needed, CP customer service has been awesome

Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8272352 05/21/21 02:28 PM
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Thanks to all for the information and suggestions. I now have several options to mull over between now and archery season - I hadn't given CenterPoint much thought until now.

Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8272359 05/21/21 02:35 PM
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Wicked Ridge makes a good crossbow for under $500. They are made by Ten Point and have an excellent service reputation. I would suggest that check the clarity of the scope that’s provided with lower cost crossbows before you decide to buy.


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Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8272795 05/21/21 09:11 PM
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Wicked ridge is a good bow for sure and hard to go wrong with. Centerpoint the scope is not as good. You can get a good scope from Hawke for crossbows they are the company making the better crossbow scopes and make some that cost more than the Cernter Point does new but can get a good scope from them. The scopes you find on th Excalibur/Tempoint/Ravin... are from Hawke for the most part and some of those run 200 to $400 just for the scope.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8273091 05/22/21 03:01 AM
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I got my Wicked ridge from Wyverns. Im a very happy customer. From start to finish and good deal.

Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8336333 07/30/21 02:57 PM
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I just bought a PSE Fang HD package for 400 plus tax. Shooting range by me sells PSE products and great service. I didn`t look at other brands.

Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: TPACK] #8341946 08/05/21 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by TPACK
I just bought a PSE Fang HD package for 400 plus tax. Shooting range by me sells PSE products and great service. I didn`t look at other brands.

I have the same setup and have been very happy with it. I have killed a couple of deer and a half dozen or so pigs. I bought because it was inexpensive and I was feeling lazy about getting into bow shape 3 or 4 years ago.


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Re: Suggestions for crossbow on a budget [Re: Mad Max] #8360811 08/23/21 05:33 PM
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Check out Excalibur for simple and rugged and can do the job.


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