Crossbow Shooters

[Bob_VT]

Well my right shoulder/upper arm has had the radish.... After visiting with my Dr I got the paperwork signed for a crossbow permit.

Anyone hunting / hunted with one? Any specifics to avoid? I know I will do substantial research before I buy.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

I had a neck/back injury and hunted with the crossbow for 2 years until I recovered from the injury.
I shot a Barnett 300 with a scope, very accurate and fast. Managed to take one doe at 35y with a front chest shot, the bolt came out the rear leg. Deer staggered, took 4 steps and dropped.

Not much I can say to stay away from, old technology that is reliable and safe with modern day click safeties and such.

If interested I have no use for mine any longer and willing to part with it for a very low price.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

Figure out how you are going to **** the thing before you by it. Sometimes cocking devices are cheaper when you buy them with the bow.

My uncle was giving me a hard time a few weeks ago when he said "if you can **** that thing you don't need a handicapped permit!" He knows I use a winch to do it.

Also, it is better if the arrow still is left in the body after the shot. As the amimal moves, the arrowhead still continues cutting and helps the animal bleed to death faster if it is still in the carcass. If you can, choose a shot that leaaves the arrow stuck in a far bone.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

Maj You have a pm

I have always had my best luck when I blast through and leave the deer to bleed out from 2 holes. I also tend to go for arteries and lungs.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

When I hacked off some fingers years ago with a table saw I got a crossbow. I can tell you from much experiance,You get what you pay for.I went the cheap route and was very unhappy with the results. It took a while but I finally plunked down the money for a quality crossbow. I bought a ten point stealth X-2. What a great bow, no comparison to the cheap run of the mill ones. One thing that never worked well with a crossbow for me was the expandable broadheads. I had a bad experiance with them. Now I use the fixed blade razor type. Zwickey is the brand that works for me. I have downed a lot of deer with this setup. When it comes to harvesting an animal why take chances and go cheap, lost game aint worth it. I agree with external combustion about cocking a crossbow, it takes some strength. Try it out in the store to see if you need the cocking devise.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

The crossbow market looks as confusing as boat shopping. I just want something I will feel comfortable with...... I would never attempt a "hail mary" shot with a bow. I have dropped quite a few with a compound in the past and I guess my long shot on a deer was 40 yrds.

Flathead- okay.... what's cheap? Brand or price

 

[burroak]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

To be honest to yourself, your hunting experience, and the deer, you will pay $275 and up for good used equipment, depending on the accessories that come with it. One purchase should be the only one you make. Horton or Barnett bows will give you excellent performance and durability.

I hesitate to pontificate about what one should buy. I resent those who do, i.e., why don't people buy a proper__________(fill in the blank)motor, trolling motor, tow vehicle, etc. But, IMHO, buy the best that your wallet or momma will permit. The Barnett 300 is probably the best bang for the buck, no pun intended. They are on ebay all the time, with and without accessories and various degrees of usage. Some things listed as accessories are not that at all. Cockers of some kind are a necessity. Figure the price of one in the deal. Buying locally will give you an opportunity to inspect, shoot and evaluate the Xbow. A multiple reticle scope is highly desirous, if the price is right. I guess the best thing to do is make a wish list of what you would really like and make that dovetail with your budget.

If getting a rig for the least money is your goal, remember cash is king and be patient. The price of these things is dictated by how much they are loved by the seller or the buyer. Best not to fall in live with an inanimate object.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

Flathead- okay.... what's cheap? Brand or price

Bob. All I can say is I owned a few brands, No doubt about it you can hit your target with a less expensive bow. But If your in it for the long run look at the high end bows. You wont be sorry. The differences are obvious.

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

Well my right shoulder/upper arm has had the radish.... After visiting with my Dr I got the paperwork signed for a crossbow permit.

Anyone hunting / hunted with one? Any specifics to avoid? I know I will do substantial research before I buy.

Do some research on Horton and 10x. You will find that they have the best reputation in the industry. I personally do not hunt w/ an x-bow but neither of the above mentioned will dissapoint.
Also.. an earlier point made "you want the arrow to stay in the animal whenever possible" This is completely FALSE!! If you have a single entry hole in the animal (depending on where hit) the body can fill up with blood leaving virtually no blood trail. If you hunt from a stand as most archers do , your arrow is angling down through the animal leaving a hole low in the chest. A pass thrue shot in the lungs angling out the bottom of the chest leaves a far superior bloodtrail. Two holes are always better than one.

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

Well my right shoulder/upper arm has had the radish.... After visiting with my Dr I got the paperwork signed for a crossbow permit.

Anyone hunting / hunted with one? Any specifics to avoid? I know I will do substantial research before I buy.

Do some research on Horton and 10 point. You will find that they have the best reputation in the industry. I personally do not hunt w/ an x-bow but neither of the above mentioned will dissapoint.
Also.. an earlier point made "you want the arrow to stay in the animal whenever possible" This is completely FALSE!! If you have a single entry hole in the animal (depending on where hit) the body can fill up with blood leaving virtually no blood trail. If you hunt from a stand as most archers do , your arrow is angling down through the animal leaving a hole low in the chest. A pass thrue shot in the lungs angling out the bottom of the chest leaves a far superior bloodtrail

 

[norm1057]

Re: Crossbow Shooters

You most definately always want complete pass through. I am not familiar with the points on corssbow bolts. I have shot both deer and elk with my compound bow. A point similar to what Muzzy carries with a solid tip and easily replaceable 3-point blades is the way to go (some will say two or four). There are numerous brands, styles, and personal preferences. My preference is to stay away from a point that opens on impact. They tend to have poor to no penetration. Good luck to you.