Crossbow for hunting advice needed

[Mr. Tettnanger]

I am looking to purchase a crossbow for hunting in Pennsylvania. I have a serious cas of "tendonitis" in my left elbow and find it very hard to pull and hold on my compuond. I have been saving for a new compound but, I think a crossbow may be my only choice. I have looked at and held options from both Horton and Tenpoint. The Hortons seem lighter and a little better fit at much less $$$. A friend has suggested looking at Parker crossbows, but they only have one model and it was not in stock where I loooked. Also, a few have suggested that I use the expandable broadheads which I have always been opposed to. Any help, suggestions, opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mr.Tettnanger

 

[Greybeard]

I had and was pleased with a Horton compound - until burglar got it a month or so back.

FWIW, in Tejas anyway, crossbows are pretty restricted until firearms season opens. Ya might check your state regs. on 'em. With a letter from doctor, your elbow prob. here would likely qualify as "permanent upper limb handicap". (I got a bad case of "tennis elbow" a year or three ago from excessive use of heavy skillsaw, but it finally got OK.)

Not a big fan of expanding blades. One thing a fixed broadhead will do better is that if hitting opposite bone and failing to penetrate, it will still makes some mean cuts with every step that critter takes. Can't say expandables can do that as well ...

 

[Mr. Tettnanger]

Greybeard-thanks for the reply. Pennsylvania opened up the gate on crossbow use last season. you no longer have to have the Dr. excuse. they are legal to hunt with for everybody.

 

[mete]

That's interesting , here in NY you have to be blind, deaf and a quadripalygic to hunt with a crossbow !!

 

[Cindog]

Mr. T,

I don't know how they would work with a crossbow, but I assume that if you have enough kinetic energy then they would perform the same as they do with a compound bow. And if that is the case, then I see no reason why not to use a mechanical broadhead. I have heard all of the arguments for and against them but I personally have had great success with mechanicals and will continue to use them on whitetail deer. I am partial to Rocket Aerohead's Steelhead and NAP's Shockwave -- all of my kills have been complete pass throughs that caused devastating entrance wounds with excellent blood trails.

 

[John Deere]

Mr. T, I have used a Horton super mag with Muzzy 3 blade broadheads for several years. Took a 12 pt buck and 2 does before I ran out of tags this year. You can bet that next season that same rig is going to be in the woods again!
Regards, Bill

 

[Smokey Joe]

Simpler is better

Another vote here for Muzzy 3-blades. They work great, penetrate xlnt, nice blood trail, everything that has been said in favor of the mechanical arrowheads. Re jointed arrowheads, a highschool friend had a term for that sort of stuff. He'd call them "one more thing not to work." This is, I think, the right attitude toward the Murphy factor, and the doctrine of KISS.

 

[Mr. Tettnanger]

Thanks for the replies. Like I said, I have never been a fan of the expandable broadheads, so it is good to hear that they are not favored for crossbows.

 

[Atticus]

I've been using the same Horton CB for 13 years or so, and I bought it used. Great crossbows! I've used Razorback 125 grain broadheads with great success (link below).

http://shop.eaglearchery.com/browse.cfm/4,2330.html

 

[MP-44]

I can highly recommend the Excalibur crossbows. I have had a Horton and now have an Excalibur. The Excalibur is much more accurate. I have a cheap BSA red dot site on mine and can still manage 2" groups at 40yds. The trigger is also very good, more like a good rifle trigger. I definitely can't say that about the Horton. The strings on the Excalibur can be replaced in minutes with a Horton you have to have a special press or have a dealer replace them for you.