Cross bow sticker shock

Holy smokes. That’s more than my first 3 cars combined. Heck that’s almost as much as I spent on beer in college.
The sad thing is that they did some kind of market study that says that there’s a buyers base to support it.

That’s why I started making slings. I had the same experience when bow shopping. They were the same price as actual guns, so I wound up here.

Man, that is crazy! I hunt with a pointy stick some (pretty much have to where I am now). However, not my thing. Don't hold value well either.

The faster they go the higher the price. Two years ago I decided to start using a cross bow & lucked out by finding a BearX Saga 405 for $279.95. I have seen them selling for $599 at other stores.

LoL…. I just received a Midway advertisement in the mail the other day and they had a crossbow on special for around $1,100-$1300. I thought that was outrageous. Shows how up to date I am on that weapon category.

It's a great wsy to hunt archery season!!(wink, wink)

I have a PSA fang 350 I bought at Academy about 5 years ago (less than $400). I have killed 3 deer with it, 30 yards or closer. Where I hunt, 50 yards is a long shot with a rifle (Florida). It is the only one I have ever shot except for a friend's, and I can't remember what he has. I'm just sticking with what I got/what I know.

I think I would use a rifle or pistol if it took a $1000+ crossbow to be able to have something capable of hunting with.

I tried a crossbow once. Decided that I could shoot my compound just as well and traded it for Marlin 39A. Best trade that I have ever made. The crossbow that I had was like carrying a sawhorse through the woods. I may have to get one when I can't pull my 70lb compound, but until then I will stick to my Mission Venture. BTW, I'm 71 now so it may be sooner than I think.

Paying $4k for a crossbow is like fly fishing. Rod: $1000, reel:$400, line: $75, waders: $300, River Runs Though It Hat: $75, all to catch a fish that eats corn.

Captcurt said:

Paying $4k for a crossbow is like fly fishing. Rod: $1000, reel:$400, line: $75, waders: $300, River Runs Though It Hat: $75, all to catch a fish that eats corn.

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as a former avid fly fisherman and current “when I can make time” fly fisherman, we feel the same way about people who chase bass in boats while speeding past the tributaries we often wade. I suppose if there’s something to pluck from nature, there’s money to be made selling people the stuff we can convince them they “need” to pluck more of it.

H&Hhunter said:

Shoot! The prices you quoted for fly fishing gear is for rock bottom cheap stuff. I’ve got some buddies who fly fish with rods and reels that the sales tax is more than that!

As far as a $4700 cross bow goes. No thanks. But if someone wants to hunt with that, then I’m all for it.

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I know that the prices that I quoted were lowball. I live 10 minutes from the famous White River in Northern Arkansas. When I was a kid I could fish all day and not see two fisherman and none were fly fishing. Now they are shoulder to shoulder with lines whipping every which direction.

courtgreene said:

as a former avid fly fisherman and current “when I can make time” fly fisherman, we feel the same way about people who chase bass in boats while speeding past the tributaries we often wade. I suppose if there’s something to pluck from nature, there’s money to be made selling people the stuff we can convince them they “need” to pluck more of it.

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Bassboats are another thing that is priced out of sight. I fished out of one that cost 79K and ran 84 MPH. I haven't caught a fish yet running that fast.

I have an Excalibur Bulldog 340 I bought used for $400 with scope and 6 decent bolts.

It shoots 3” groups at 50yds from a sitting position.

Dirt simple design. I can replace a string myself. Romney trigger is available.

I sure don’t need more than that.

Crossbow technology is still rapidly evolving with measurable improvements coming out each year. Proven innovations get quickly adopted by other archery firms so today's top of the line model features show up in less expensive brands within one or two years at most. Hard to believe but just 10 years ago I got a top of the line Tenpoint which only runs about 315 fps. Now we have new xbows pushing 500 fps. There are plenty of compact lighter-weight models available right now for under $400 which accurately shoot close to 400 fps.

Have an Uncle in law that hand builds bamboo fly fishing rods.
He says that his rods come with a lifetime guarantee. If you break one of his rods he is going to kill you.


I'm more of an ugly stick kind of guy.

How much does one need to shoot a deer?
Are we hunting in the back yard every weekend or spending big money on some hunt out of state?

Dont care how folks spend their money.
Some performance and aesthetic stuff costs.

If it has the looks, features and performance you want, buy it.
Even if it may not be a need, if its a want, get it.
Life is short, be happy.

Yeah, Ive been checking Xbows......for my kid w health issues.
Mission or low end Ravin.
Aint happy about prices, is what it is.

earlthegoat2 said:

I have an Excalibur Bulldog 340 I bought used for $400 with scope and 6 decent bolts.

It shoots 3” groups at 50yds from a sitting position.

Dirt simple design. I can replace a string myself. Romney trigger is available.

I sure don’t need more than that.

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Buddy has one, and he can afford anything he wants.
Says it does a good job. And hes kind of a gearhead

Hookeye said:

Buddy has one, and he can afford anything he wants.
Says it does a good job. And hes kind of a gearhead

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I’ve been impressed with them since I worked at a shop that sold them not long after they hit the market. The basic design has only changed incrementally since then.

I’m kind of surprised they are not more popular.

Proly due to width.
The new wheeled stuff is getting pretty narrow.

Hookeye said:

Proly due to width.
The new wheeled stuff is getting pretty narrow.

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Could be the reason.
They did come out with narrower limbs and managed to increase speed at the same time.