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school me on crossbows/accessories #7396295
11/04/21 05:31 AM
11/04/21 05:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,460
central Haudenosaunee, the De...
W
white marlin Offline OP
trapper
white marlin  Offline OP
trapper
W

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,460
central Haudenosaunee, the De...
thinking about one for next year...

eastern whitetails, primarily. black bear if one shows up. rarely, elk.

I believe in buying reliable QUALITY, first. simple is betterer.

which crossbow, which broadheads, etc. ?

I don't know ANYTHING about them.

Thanks!

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396299
11/04/21 05:48 AM
11/04/21 05:48 AM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,057
midland, michigan
M
midlander Offline
trapper
midlander  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,057
midland, michigan
Lots of opinions out there on this, Ill just say TenPoint is the cadillac with a great track record for customer service if you ever need it. Excaliber makes good units also, but very wide when trying to maneuver in trees and ground blinds. Im not even going to touch the broadhead question...Lol
Good luck on whatever you decide

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396326
11/04/21 06:42 AM
11/04/21 06:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
L
Lugnut Online content
trapper
Lugnut  Online Content
trapper
L

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
If your looking for good quality and simplicity then Excalibur should be your first choice. They are one of the few (maybe only) makes that you can change out your own string on due to the simplicity of the recurved limbs. I've had my Exocet 200 about ten years and it is completely reliable and durable.

The one drawback might be, as midlander mentioned, the limbs are wider than those on compound crossbows.


Eh...wot?

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396335
11/04/21 07:01 AM
11/04/21 07:01 AM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,743
Wisconsin
M
Mad Scientist Offline
trapper
Mad Scientist  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,743
Wisconsin
My buddies high dollar 10 point crossbow came apart twice now- stay away.Ravin is a good choice but for some reason our local shop is steering buyers away.The Excalibur that is basically a double shooter looks like something I may need to own.

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396339
11/04/21 07:05 AM
11/04/21 07:05 AM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,779
Northern lower Michigan
Feedinggrounds Offline
trapper
Feedinggrounds  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,779
Northern lower Michigan
I and my grandsons have taken many deer with our Barnett Raptors, zero problems. We use Grim Reaper or NAP spitfire broad heads. I am sure opinions will vary.


you're only allowed so many sunrises... I aim to see every one of them!
Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: Mad Scientist] #7396343
11/04/21 07:08 AM
11/04/21 07:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,343
Hudson valley , NY
S
slowpoke Offline
trapper
slowpoke  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,343
Hudson valley , NY
My TenPoint is incredibly accurate.. never had a problem ..
Sure puts venison in the freezer ..

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396369
11/04/21 07:53 AM
11/04/21 07:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
Y
Yes sir Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Yes sir  Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Y

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
I had a cheap Barnett. It shot well. It broke because an error on my part. Wasn't out much money since I bought it used. Have a Stryker. It is junk. Bought a new Wicked Ridge (made by Ten point) this year at the suggestion of the local archery shop. Made in USA, they said few problems and great customers service.

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396372
11/04/21 08:04 AM
11/04/21 08:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
trapper
SNIPERBBB  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,548
Rodney,Ohio
I've been liking my TenPoint accudraw. The only issue I have with it is if you need to do a quick follow up shot, its hard to do quickly. Then again, my old horton 200# draw wasnt much easier.

As for broadheads, personally I dont see the need to run mechanicals on a crossbrow. Plus I got tired of fighting with the collars and O-rings.

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396375
11/04/21 08:09 AM
11/04/21 08:09 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
Sprung & Rusty Offline
trapper
Sprung & Rusty  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 5,214
Crivitz WI
Any set up for deer will work for black bear. Not being brand specific, cut on contact heads are better all around heads than anything else.


No Jab.
Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396377
11/04/21 08:11 AM
11/04/21 08:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
Y
Yes sir Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Yes sir  Offline
"Callie's little brother"
Y

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 10,063
Marion Kansas
I will say that the faster speeds of a crossbow does make Brodhead selection a bit more critical. Been tempted to switch to mechanicals but just can't bring myself to it. Slick Trick 100 grain standard 1" is what I shot out of mine

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396382
11/04/21 08:14 AM
11/04/21 08:14 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,057
Ky
J
jbyrd63 Offline
trapper
jbyrd63  Offline
trapper
J

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,057
Ky
Get the new double barrel crossbow!! Don’t remember who makes it

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396505
11/04/21 10:45 AM
11/04/21 10:45 AM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,252
mi. u.p
grapestomper Offline
trapper
grapestomper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,252
mi. u.p
Excalibur all the way.
Simple and fast enough.

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: jbyrd63] #7396581
11/04/21 12:47 PM
11/04/21 12:47 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,743
Wisconsin
M
Mad Scientist Offline
trapper
Mad Scientist  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,743
Wisconsin
Originally Posted by jbyrd63
Get the new double barrel crossbow!! Don’t remember who makes it


Excalibur

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396648
11/04/21 02:20 PM
11/04/21 02:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,261
Iowa
~ADC~ Offline
The Count
~ADC~  Offline
The Count

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16,261
Iowa

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396649
11/04/21 02:24 PM
11/04/21 02:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 673
higginsville, mo
H
headache73 Offline
trapper
headache73  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 673
higginsville, mo
I've got a Mission. No cocking aid necessary, fast and accurate but it was expensive. Worth every penny, though

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396715
11/04/21 03:50 PM
11/04/21 03:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,593
KY
A
AnthonyT Offline
trapper
AnthonyT  Offline
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A

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,593
KY
I was an archery tech for a bit and have shot a ton of crossbows and worked on about every brand out there. Ten Point (and Wicked Ridge) are great crossbows and the company has excellent customer service. Ravin also was good to work with. If you are looking for a solid no frills, deer hunting crossbow the Wicked Ridge line would be where I would start. Barnett has some lower dollar bows, but they are harder to dial in, have more super cheap plastic parts, and tend to wear out strings and cables quicker than other crossbows I have worked with.

I think the most expensive crossbow in the Wicked Ridge lineup is the NXT-400 which is a super narrow $1,000 bow all the way down to the bare bones Blackhawk 360 at $400. There are several models that fall between the two.

My next crossbow (upgrading from a 20+ year old Horton) will most likely be a Wicked Ridge M-370 which is a narrow draw crossbow which is easier to shoot from inside a box blind.

Even though there are a few crossbows on the market (Ravins, Missions, and some Ten Points) that will hold a great group at 100 yards, the flight time of the bolt is still forever long and the actual useful range of a crossbow for hunting is realistically 50 yards and less.

I prefer fixed blade broadheads out of a crossbow.

Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396804
11/04/21 06:18 PM
11/04/21 06:18 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
PA
woodchuck Offline
trapper
woodchuck  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
PA
Mission SubLite 1 here. When drawing it will cam over so you are pulling alot less weight. They are expensive, mine was about $1,200.00 but for me is something I can do without a crank (old and weak here plus short so cocking most of them I couldn't do lol). One thing not to pay attention to is the 100 yard range alot are advertising. Look at the drop at 100 yards, is upwards of 100" believe the shop owner said, reason why guys come in thinking it's like a gun so just aim and shoot and you get the animal at any distance. Whatever broadhead you shoot (I prefer fixed blades) make sure to sight in with them. Most broadheads claim they'll fly same spot as a field point (or say flies like a field point so guys assume they' hit same spot). I usually find the ones I've shot are 2" left and 4" high difference. I'm trying the QAD Exodus 100 gr. this year and it is the first one I've tried over the years that flew almost the same spot. Something else is guys figure need more speed. Usually find more breakage with higher speed crossbows at the shop (I'm a 330 fps. guy). American made for me. Getting tons of crossbows in now that are Chinese made and "just as good" most guys say. Cheap is what I tend to find when repairing them (I know there are exceptions but this is my opinion). Alot of broken limbs, cams, etc. with these and parts take forever with them it seems. Agree with the TenPoint (and Wicked Ridge...made by same company) is one of the better ones made and I'd definetly go this route if I hadn't got my Mission. Plant is about 2 hours away and have gone down a few times to have crossbows fixed...this is for the shop and not something normal. Beware of some of the models if going the ebay, etc. route. Have guys bringing in Parker crossbows for repair but problem is they went out of business about 6+ years ago I believe and parts aren't available unless can find them again like ebay, etc. Similarly Horton too went out of business. TenPoint purchased the "name" so they could come out with a Horton line and it's design but they are NOT the original Horton company so warrenty doesn't transfer over.
I believe you'll find any crossbow suitable for whitetail will also be suitable for bear and elk.
Just keep researching and when get one practice. Make sure to use the proper bolt (nocks are different for some companys and if wrong ones are used can blow up the crossbow) and lube the rail often.

Last edited by woodchuck; 11/04/21 06:26 PM.
Re: school me on crossbows/accessories [Re: white marlin] #7396889
11/04/21 07:56 PM
11/04/21 07:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 363
PA
C
cmj Offline
trapper
cmj  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 363
PA
My son has a wicked ridge 360. He is 9 years old and can hold it up and shoot. Its very light, not as wide as some others. Only thing I dont like is the orange cables! Black magic marker on them cover it up. Its made in the USA too. It came with expandable broadheads, I hate them. Put them in the quiver and they open up. I let my dad shoot it and he went out and bought one too. If you are anywhere near bowhunters superstore in wellsville pa they have a bunch of different bows and a range to shoot them at.
Remember most crossbows only shoot the brand of bolts that came with the bow.
U need to wax the cables and there is a lube for the rail where the string rides.
My friend has an excaliber recurve. When the string gets stretched out it flies off while you shoot. So u have to replace them before that.

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