cross bows what is what

[scottbird]

M y brother in law is going bow hunting with his cross bow, and with my shoulder injury I can't pull a bow back and hold it, not even with 90% let off, just can't bring my shoulder back that far.

I have been looking at crossbows, every company out there claims to have the best. I do not have the money to buy a big brand name, and realy don't make much sense of the stuff I am reading online. I am not trying to sound dumb, but what is a good crossbow for the money, and why?

is the feet per second a big factor, how much draw weight?

and with this bum shoulder am I even going to be able to cock it?

I have never even fired one before so I am brand new to them, looking for any info you can give?

 

[Bezoar]

TENPOINT crossbows. they are the best you can get.

they have a beautiful cocking system that a 12 year old can reload with no issue.
avoid expandable broadheads. they just SUCK.

i avoid everything else. sure tenpoint is not cheap, but id rather pay the money now up front, and get a good weapon then be suckered into buying 3 or 4o fo the crap ones and paying more in the end.

 

[illinoisburt]

Tenpoint makes great crossbows. Their "economy" line is wicked ridge. They are also very good and about half the cost.

I have a tenpooint turbo xlt which was the top of the line model in 2012. It is easy to cock with the crank system, shoots arrows very fast, and is extremely accurate.

It does suffer the same ailments as pretty much all of the compound crossbows. It is heavy, ackward, and loud. Recommend you go to a decent archery shop and try shooting a few before dropping any cash to see what you like first.

 

[Skyshot]

OK, I'll muddy the waters some more. I like Excalibur crossbows the best because they are much lighter than a compound bow like Tenpoint. I can replace any part of an Excalibur while in the field, try that with a compound when it explodes. The Excalibur is a simple design, and has proven itself very reliable and capable. You can spend more and you can spend less, but you can't get any better IMO. I think most crossbow manufacturers have a ratchet crank that can be attached. Mine has served me well for 15 years and accounted for a bunch of deer kills. The only part I've have had to replace is an occasional string.

 

[scottbird]

I have a while to decide, I am not going to get one untill next year, got to save some money up. I have looked at the ten point and the excalibur, both look good, but I realy do not know anything about them.

the only problem is it will take me a couple of years to save that much, I am disabled and that is two months pay for me. I am not at all puting them down, you do get what you pay for, but is there anything you can reccomend not as expensive.

also I would hate to spend that much money and either do not like it, or just can't use it. I would like to start small and work my way up and practice to make sure this is for me, but as you said earlier I do not want junk either.

what is average shot in yds you can do? what should I be looking for, I see some with composite limbs, some fiberglass, what are the do's and don'ts about them.

if I j

 

[retrieverman]

I own two Excaliburs and love them. I have killed 30 deer and a turkey with my old Exomax and 3 deer and a turkey with my new Matrix 380. I prefer a recurve so that I can do routine maintenance and upkeep myself.

 

[T.R.]

I hunt with an older Ten Point but if I were shopping for a new crossbow, I'd look long and hard at Wicked Ridge. Same company and same customer service. This company provides great turn around time for repairs or upgrades.

In my opinion, a modern crossbow should shoot a bolt at approx. 300 fps or faster. But faster than 350 fps is not required for hunting situations. In fact the super-fast crossbows have more stress upon structural components with resulting shorter life spans.

Good shooting to you.

TR

 

[Sunray]

Draw weight etc. is usually mandated by your State Fish and Game or whatever it's called in Va.
An archery shop(not a shop that sells cross bows) should let you try whatever cross bow you're looking at buying. Budgets are a concern for everybody. Buying used is not like buying a use car. And a year from now your shoulder should be better. There are mechanical devices for spanning a cross bow.

 

[brainwake]

My 13 year old daughter who isn't athletic is able to pull back my crossbow with a rope cocker.

You need to go to a pro shop and see if they will let you try and pull one.

You shouldn't need a lot of shoulder for it. Basically you can just stand up and use your back.

Also going to a pro shop will let you hold them and you can see the differences in them.

Don't get caught up on stats.

personally...I like Parker. they are just so light and compact that it was worth the extra $$

also..60 yards is getting close to max range for crossbows. I am sure people have taken longer shots, but you getting out there pretty far at 60

 

[mac66]

Been looking at crossbows as well. The variations and choices are overwhelming. It seems everyone likes the one they have because that's the one they chose.

To get back to the OPs questions,

What difference does draw weight and arrow speed make?

I shoot a 65# compound bow which seems to work pretty well. How much more difference does a 100-150# crossbow pull make?

Not wanting to spend $1K on a cross bow, what is the best >$500 choice?