Are Phoenix recurve X-bows really better....

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Are Excaliber recurve X-bows really better....

than all the many many (MANY) compound crossbows found for sale? Are they really quieter or otherwise better for hunting?

Due to a re-occurring shoulder injury, I'm thinking of going the doctor's-note-crossbow route to archery season in the future at some point.

Also, what about the "Recon" crossbow that has the compound bow positioned 'backward' on the weapon - any good?

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Excuse me - I mean EXCALIBUR crossbows - Phoenix being one of their models...

 

[scmerrill71]

Due to a re-occurring shoulder injury, I'm thinking of going the doctor's-note-crossbow route to archery season in the future at some point.

Make sure ya get a string cocker with it to help. i use a recurve crossbow and it can be a pain to pull it back without one.as far as being quieter, i dont know anybody who has one and couldnt really find any info on the web to say it is.

 

[Nicodemus38]

the best crossbows come from PSE/TENPOINT. the rest dont even bother with. the recurve ones ive found and tried out, well lets just say you can remove the word "hunter" from the phrase "hunter/gatherer"

 

[kanook]

What I found out about crossbows is that they are all very different. I got tired of trying different models and went home. Went back and handled them again to see if the one I liked still fit the best. It didn't. So I handled them again on the next trip to the store and decided on the one that fit the best to me not the one that I had wanted the most.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have minimal experience shooting crossbows but a lot of experience in sales and service of them.

In my opinion you should go with Excalibur and do not consider anything else.

Of all crossbow sales not involving an Excalibur, 95% will come back to the shop within 2 weeks because of a worn string, or battered bolts, or some other service related problem. Excaliburs are almost non existent with returning customers. They dont shoot Mach 10 so they are easier on the bow and the bolts and the shooter. The recurve design makes them hard to cock but simple in terms of operation.

If it was up to me I would get rid of all of them because they are a money pit for a business and a headache for a customer.

I dont have much experience with Ten Point but they have a good reputation.

Under no circumstances should you get a Stryker (BowTech). They are too hard on everything involved. Plan on making a trip back to the archery shop after every shooting session. They go though strings and bolts quick. Dont get anything that is TOO fast. There is such a thing in crossbow. Stick with the milder ones and you will get the longevity you need out of it.

Stay away from Barnett and Horton as well. Dont be too tempted to get a scope but if you do get the one Ten Point offers or the one Excalibur offers.

 

[kanook]

The only problem I have with my Horton is the weight. But I could own the 1 in the 100

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

the recurve ones ive found and tried out, well lets just say you can remove the word "hunter" from the phrase "hunter/gatherer"

Can you please elaborate, Nicodemus?

Thank you very much, earlthgoat - good information.

 

[Hunterdad]

I like the parker line of crossbows. I've shot a couple and really were a joy to handle and very accurate.