Crossbows

[Hunter121]

Hey guys,

I have a Center-Point sniper elite 370 crossbow, it's 22" wide and shoots 20" bolts.
I'm considering upgrading to a better crossbow that's a lot narrower and has a much better trigger. I find that the Center Point is too heavy, too wide at 22", and the trigger pull is terrible. I didn't expect much from a $300 crossbow.
My budget is around $800, I was looking into purchasing Barnett Hyper XP405 or Wickedridge M-370. These crossbows are 9.5" wide. I don't need a crossbow that shoots bolts at subsonic speeds :) as I heard if the bolts fly over 400FPS then that usually affect the accuracy.
Any thoughts on on your favourite make and model of a particular crossbow with pros and cons including customer service, performance, and reliability in the field would be greatly appreciated.

[bcsteve]

You'll get lots of recommendations for Excalibur here. I know I did when I asked a few years ago and its what I bought. Check the Excalibur Micro series

[tyreguy]

I have a Excalibur matrix 380 and like it.
Crossbows do feel kind if heavy or at least front heavy.
Micros are nice but doesn’t sound like your price range.

There was a 380 for sale a couple weeks back on here - in your price range and what you’re looking for. If I was looking that would be perfect.

[IronNoggin]

You'll get lots of recommendations for Excalibur here. I know I did when I asked a few years ago and its what I bought. Check the Excalibur Micro series

Have had three varying Excalibur Models.
Each were good.
The Matrix 380 I still have is excellent in my view.

Check them out!

Cheers,
Nog

[Bugle M In]

Yup, you will get a lot of Excalibur comments including mine.
I think it just comes down to one’s knowledge and keeping the crossbow in perfect condition.
Sime just require that you fine tune them constantly.
If you do that, know what you are doing, I don’t think it matters.
There certainly are some pluses from compounds.

[Hunter121]

Thanks for the input guys !
I understand that the recurve crossbows are a lot simpler and easier to maintain than the compound crossbows. I wanted to get another compound crossbow mostly because it is a lot narrower than the recurve. I'm just not sure if that is a good enough reason to get a compound instead of the recurve Excalibur. What are your thoughts on that ?

[tyreguy]

I am a fan of the simple design of a recurve vs compound. Restring in 2min.
yes the compound is a narrower option and if that is what you want in your crossbow then discussion is really a mute point.
pretty tough to go narrow on a budget without giving up quality.

[Hunter gatherer]

in your price range the Excalibur will be a way better tool. The compounds in that price range will not be as well built.

[Liptugger]

As said above, the Excalibur micro is a nice compact unit. I just picked up one and it is a lot smaller with a big jump in power. Check gunpost, there are plenty for sale.

[IronNoggin]

Thanks for the input guys !
I wanted to get another compound crossbow mostly because it is a lot narrower than the recurve. I'm just not sure if that is a good enough reason to get a compound instead of the recurve Excalibur. What are your thoughts on that ?

The latest recurves have really closed the distance between the two.
As other have noted, at your price point the quality in a compound will not match the quality of a modern recurve.

What that translates to is a LOT more tuning and maintenance required.
Which in turn demands both a bow press and considerable experience.
Or a lot of down time in a shop.
Either would royally suck during the hunting season IMO.

Cheers,
Nog

[exv]

My hunting partner has a top of the line compound xbow, it was close to 4000$. It absolutely dominates the Excalibur in performance, by a large margin.

He borrowed my Excalibur micro for late season WT because his bow had issues.

I shoot a Hoyt ... nicked a string with a broad head during elk season and had the Excalibur as backup. The reliability of the Excalibur bows has saved us from alot of missed time in the woods. For the price reliability and performance an Excalibur is a no-brainer to me. Just my opinion.

-edit- Just remembered my first archery season when I ran an Excalibur. Packed into a drainage and had my bow strapped to my pack with a set a hiking poles. Hiking poles had grip tape on them and wore almost entirely threw the string. Restrung the bow at camp and continued our hunt .. invaluable.

[oldkoot]

If you live in the E K and are interested.
I have a Micro 355 in perfect condition with lots of excalibur accessories I would part with.

[Moosevinder]

I too just entered bow hunting two years ago, mainly to hunt elk in the EK.
I bought a used Excalibur Matrix 380, which was wonderful, and I was lucky to shoot a young mule deer at 40 yards inn 2021. after practicing lots that summer, when arrived at camp I noted that the string had frayed at the server. NO problem, had extra string (BOO string) and mounted it with ease in a few minutes; shot at target to stretch string and confirm scope aiming, and hunting. Could never do this with a compound bow; moreover, cannot find anyone to fix your compound bow during bow season cause they likely will be hunting too...
I upgraded to an Excalibur Assassin TD 420, mainly due to the built in crank; accurate, easy to change strings, and got another mule deer in 2022. Sold my 'old' crossbow to my hunting partner...
Don't get hung up on speed. 300fps used to be considered fast, and it is more than enough to kill any big game that you want.
The bows that can shoot up to 100 yards are expensive, but you really cannot ethically shoot at anything beyond 40-50 yards, with yours and mine experience...that is to say, more speed does not gain you ability to shoot farther.
Try bow hunting. Being that close to big game is exilarating, and usually they are not spooked since bow hunters get to hunt before anyone else in BC (and there are much less bow hunters)
Robin