Crossbow Newbie

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bsparker

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Dec 5, 2018
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349
Location
Northern VA
I've been hunting with rifle for 20 years, still hunting and using natural ground blinds. I'm interested in starting to hunt with crossbow, will likely look into using a tree stand. Looking for recommendations on a good starter compound crossbow package under $500 (not including additional bolts and other accessories). Game is whitetail deer in Virginia.

So far, with limited research, I've narrowed down to either:
1) Wicked Ridge Invader X4
2) Barnett Whitetail Hunter II

Help me start off on the right foot. Recommendations? Tips? Resources? all are appreciated.
 
I have owned a Tenpoint Stealth for many years. The bow and Tenpoint arrows are scary accurate. The Barnett may be every bit as good but I have no experience with Barnett. I'm a big fan of Tenpoint stuff.
 
I bought a Bear Kronicle last year from Walmart. I like it. Claims 370 fps. I've not yet gotten around to shooting it over my chronograph, but I figure over 300, anyhow. I do like the optic that came with it, also. It's a 4 wire optic. Top wire is 20 yards, bottom is 50, and it's well regulated.
 
Wicked ridge or 10point
From what I have seen barnetts wear very quick, all the bow shops around have guys bringing them in every year.

If I had the money ravin bow would be nice.
 
What about Parker Crossbows? I know the company folded, so no warranty. But have the chance to get a new Parker Hurricane XXTreme for $450. Worth the risk? Shot a Parker Enforcer this morning that a buddy has had for 3 years, functions nice. Accurate also.
 
I have owned a Tenpoint Stealth for many years. The bow and Tenpoint arrows are scary accurate. The Barnett may be every bit as good but I have no experience with Barnett. I'm a big fan of Tenpoint stuff.

Your suggestion is a good one. I have the Barnett. My son has a Tenpoint. As you said," they ARE scary accurate." Mine is not as fast as his but it has gotten the job done. You know what that means. :D
 
Sportsman's Guide sells SA Sports crossbows which pack a lot of quality features into an affordable crossbow. Three years ago, my hunting buddy in upstate NY bought two - one for himself and another for his son. They're holding up quite well and shoot amazing groups. I suggest hunting with aluminum bolts as available on eBay. They will not break upon impact with a bone. My favorite broadhead is the three blade fixed style named Thunderhead; Walmart carries this brand.

My crossbow is an older Ten Point that I bought second hand for a very fair price in 2008. A Craigslist find. Since then, I've downed 16 whitetails with this crossbow. My shots are typically closer than 35 yards or so. None got away.

Hoping this is helpful.
TR
 
Sportsman's Guide sells SA Sports crossbows which pack a lot of quality features into an affordable crossbow. Three years ago, my hunting buddy in upstate NY bought two - one for himself and another for his son. They're holding up quite well and shoot amazing groups. I suggest hunting with aluminum bolts as available on eBay. They will not break upon impact with a bone. My favorite broadhead is the three blade fixed style named Thunderhead; Walmart carries this brand.

My crossbow is an older Ten Point that I bought second hand for a very fair price in 2008. A Craigslist find. Since then, I've downed 16 whitetails with this crossbow. My shots are typically closer than 35 yards or so. None got away.

Hoping this is helpful.
TR
I remember seeing those sa xbows never got a chance to try one. I'd like to try a Excalibur but with are 200lb weight limit you can't get a fast one, so compounds are better for ny.
 
My advice is to go to a place where you can shoot the bows. Years ago Gander Mtn. had a bow that was on sale. I wanted to buy it, but the counter guy recommended a more expensive Wicked Ridge. He took me back and let me shoot both. I walked out with the Wicked Ridge. It was much more accurate.

That being said, my first bow was a $175 Horton. It's killed deer effectively too.
 
Ten point/ wicked ridge. Barnett has too many issues.

Let me clarify this for some.

I own a Barnett Wildcat C6 and while its a good bow it has issues. Barnett is known for bad strings among other issues. I have to find a certain weight bolt/arrow to use with mine because anything below something like 450gr will blow the bow up. They are louder than others I have used and most, unless your spending $700 don't offer any string dampening systems. Ten Point has a lot more after market parts, string dampeners, better scopes and arrows for the money. My Barnett had maybe 30 shots the servings started coming apart and the cables were also twisted and needed work, cables went bad because Barnett didn't put the cable slide on the bow. Barnett makes nice stuff if you spend $400-500 and the cheaper like my Wildcat will work if you only hunt a few times out of the year. I purchased the Wildcat because it was on clearance and I needed a backup to my compound. Good bow and is accurate but loud, needs strings/cables after one season and special bolts and the scope is absolute crap. I also don't like Barnett quivers because you need to be He-man to get them off the bow.

My buddy purchased an SA sports Beowulf bow and the limbs cracked twice on him. He got 2 seasons out of it but still having limbs crack isn't cool. He also upgraded the scope because its scope is junk. Quiver connector broke after one season and needed replaced. After 2 sets of limbs cracking he purchased a $500 Ten Point which came with .001 straightness arrows, nice quiver, and a nice illuminated crosshair scope and also string dampeners. I have had deer at last light come within 30yards and couldn't tell what I was shooting at with these package scopes.

As far as buying a Parker bow I would stay away. I know guys who purchased Horton's because they were cheap and when it came time for parts they were screwed. Parker made good stuff but not having parts available turns me away.

I also second @Laphroaig that you should find a place to shoot them. I don't like the feel of the wicked ridge stocks but the tenpoints fit like a glove. Only Barnett that fit me was the Wildcat C6.
 
Let me clarify this for some.

I own a Barnett Wildcat C6 and while its a good bow it has issues. Barnett is known for bad strings among other issues. I have to find a certain weight bolt/arrow to use with mine because anything below something like 450gr will blow the bow up. They are louder than others I have used and most, unless your spending $700 don't offer any string dampening systems. Ten Point has a lot more after market parts, string dampeners, better scopes and arrows for the money. My Barnett had maybe 30 shots the servings started coming apart and the cables were also twisted and needed work, cables went bad because Barnett didn't put the cable slide on the bow. Barnett makes nice stuff if you spend $400-500 and the cheaper like my Wildcat will work if you only hunt a few times out of the year. I purchased the Wildcat because it was on clearance and I needed a backup to my compound. Good bow and is accurate but loud, needs strings/cables after one season and special bolts and the scope is absolute crap. I also don't like Barnett quivers because you need to be He-man to get them off the bow.

My buddy purchased an SA sports Beowulf bow and the limbs cracked twice on him. He got 2 seasons out of it but still having limbs crack isn't cool. He also upgraded the scope because its scope is junk. Quiver connector broke after one season and needed replaced. After 2 sets of limbs cracking he purchased a $500 Ten Point which came with .001 straightness arrows, nice quiver, and a nice illuminated crosshair scope and also string dampeners. I have had deer at last light come within 30yards and couldn't tell what I was shooting at with these package scopes.

As far as buying a Parker bow I would stay away. I know guys who purchased Horton's because they were cheap and when it came time for parts they were screwed. Parker made good stuff but not having parts available turns me away.

I also second @Laphroaig that you should find a place to shoot them. I don't like the feel of the wicked ridge stocks but the tenpoints fit like a glove. Only Barnett that fit me was the Wildcat C6.


I found a good deal on the Wicked Ridge ($400 new) that I'm leaning toward. I'm gonna try to get my hands on one to see the fit and feel. Doesn't come with string dampeners, but they are sold for $40. I've read that a number of people don't add them since the bow is quiet enough. We'll see, but it's an optional add-on. Not sure I'll spring for the illuminated scope at the start, but it is tempting.
 
This will be my first year hunting with a crossbow, much to learn that I didn't know. Spent more than I wanted but am happy with the results. If I hunt with it for the next 15 years that will spread out the cost per year and won't feel so bad. These things are insanely fast.
 
This will be my first year hunting with a crossbow, much to learn that I didn't know. Spent more than I wanted but am happy with the results. If I hunt with it for the next 15 years that will spread out the cost per year and won't feel so bad. These things are insanely fast.

A lot to learn indeed. What crossbow did you land on? (If you don't mind me asking) I'm excited to learn how much I don't know.
 
I found a good deal on the Wicked Ridge ($400 new) that I'm leaning toward. I'm gonna try to get my hands on one to see the fit and feel. Doesn't come with string dampeners, but they are sold for $40. I've read that a number of people don't add them since the bow is quiet enough. We'll see, but it's an optional add-on. Not sure I'll spring for the illuminated scope at the start, but it is tempting.
Its not necessary but is a nice feature. The Barnett package scopes are so foggy and have a ton of lines for yardage. I upgraded immediately to a better scope. Wicked ridges have IMO one lever better scope than others.
 
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