Crossbow purchasing advice

[Chris_UngulateWhisperer]

Hey all,

This past year I suffered a shoulder injury that has thrown my compound adventures out the window for the time being. Having never hunted with a crossbow and knowing limited information about them in general, I am hoping that you could offer some advice on what crossbows you recommend and why.

For some context, elk and deer would be the target species and I typically do not like to hunt from a stand if that sways any suggestions nor shooting pass 50 yds with my current compound or my future crossbow I would assume.

Through my research it looks like the best option would be a bow with a cocking device that will limit the amount of # to draw it...

My local shop mainly carries excalibur and tenpoint crossbows but am open to any suggestions/recommendations!

[IslandWanderer]

I've used a couple of the Excalibur's. Tack drivers after about an hour of practice.

[valleywalker]

I have an Excalibur Mag340 I’m looking to sell due to a chronic lower back injury - deadly accurate but it’s a bit stiff to cock without a crank, my back hates me whenever I fire more than a few shots so I’m selling it and keeping my lower poundage xbow for target shooting and the limited xbow hunting I do.

If you’re looking for something used for a good price, message me.

That being said the Excalibur bows seem great. There’s definitely guys with more experience than me who will chime in, but the simplicity of a re-curve is fantastic and low maintenance, not to mention they’re tack drivers and extremely durable.

[Harvest the Land]

Good comments so far. My only experience is with my micro suppressor and its an absolute tack driver. Easy to strap on my pack or to hold in hand while still hunting. Lifetime warranty and I think they're still made in Onterrible even after Bowtech bought them. They can take a ton of abuse and I really like the simplicity of the recurve. The Tact Zone scope isn't the greatest but gets the job done. No problem drawing the string back without a cocking device. Mine really likes to shoot the zombie slayers. Highly recommend. I think they make some models that might have a collapsible or take down feature for an even smaller profile and that's the one I'd look to get if I was going to buy a new one. Good luck

[digger dogger]

I have an Excalibur exo max. It’ll hit a dime at 50yds.
Simple, easy to cock with the cocking string.
It is a bit bulky if you’re moving through thick brush.
That’d be my only complaint about it.

[Quince2]

Excalibur.

one of the few xbows that can you repair a broken string in the field. Consistent groups. Through and through on a mule deer at 40 yards, arrow travelled another 25 and buried 1/2 into the dirt. Super impressed.

[IronNoggin]

That being said the Excalibur bows seem great. There’s definitely guys with more experience than me who will chime in, but the simplicity of a re-curve is fantastic and low maintenance, not to mention they’re tack drivers and extremely durable.

Excalibur.

one of the few xbows that can you repair a broken string in the field. Consistent groups. Through and through on a mule deer at 40 yards, arrow travelled another 25 and buried 1/2 into the dirt. Super impressed.

I have owned three Excalibur models over time.
All were tack drivers.
All were very easy to work on.
The rope cocking device works very well.

I now have a Matrix 380.
It is the last one I will ever buy.
The Matrix series is much more narrow than the older Excal's, and the new Micro's even more so.

My current bow is tricked right out.
TriggerTech Custom Trigger single action at 1.75 lbs.
Aftermarket Hawke Scope.
Custom Boo Strings.
Only shoots custom Zombie Slayer arrows with Luminoks.
Will hit a beer can at 100 yards every single time.
Deadly on deer within hunting ranges - pretty much guarentee a pass-through each time.







I personally avoid wheel bows as they are a nightmare to tune / restring.

Cheers & Good Luck with your choices!
Nog

[Pioneerman]

I have owned three Excalibur models over time.
All were tack drivers.
All were very easy to work on.
The rope cocking device works very well.

I now have a Matrix 380.
It is the last one I will ever buy.
The Matrix series is much more narrow than the older Excal's, and the new Micro's even more so.

My current bow is tricked right out.
TriggerTech Custom Trigger single action at 1.75 lbs.
Aftermarket Hawke Scope.
Custom Boo Strings.
Only shoots custom Zombie Slayer arrows with Luminoks.
Will hit a beer can at 100 yards every single time.
Deadly on deer within hunting ranges - pretty much guarentee a pass-through each time.







I personally avoid wheel bows as they are a nightmare to tune / restring.

Cheers & Good Luck with your choices!
Nog

Are you seriously shooting at a target inside your vehicle lol

[RackStar]

Nog, what is a realistic range one could shoot a deer at with a cross bow? What would be your max for elk/moose size game?

[IronNoggin]

Are you seriously shooting at a target inside your vehicle lol

Yep. All the time.
That bow is so accurate I well know it will not stray.
That, and the target weighs nearly 100 pounds so I really don't like moving it too much.

Nog, what is a realistic range one could shoot a deer at with a cross bow? What would be your max for elk/moose size game?

50 yards is optimum.
Some will not shoot that far.
Given the speed of my bow, I will take that shot on a deer that is not alerted.

Same for elk & moose.
These modern bows are very powerful, and would result in a complete pass-through at that range most often.

Cheers,
Nog