Crossbows.... brands, cocking devices, draw weights

[Snaps]

Hey folks, I haven't hunted archery season since I managed to tear up my shoulder a couple yrs back. Well since I hate cold I've decided to get back into it and get a crossbow stamp.

I know nothing about them but what I found on Cabelas and when I head to the gander mountain store tomorrow on the next day. What are some good brands? I've seen some crank style cocking devices on I think a barnett (SP?) bow. What kinds of draw weights am should I be looking for and finially what kind of range do they have.

Wow that got long, sorry for all of that. Any input would be helpful

Thanks

 

[Sir Galahad]

Depends what you want to spend and what type of bow. A non-compound crossbow, the only game in town is Excalibur, and as well they should be. They are THE BEST non-compound crossbow, period, end of story, roll credits. The Exocet is fast, the Exomag even faster at 330fps. Moose are taken with these. In compound crossbows, the Buckmaster MaxPoint is an absolute blaster. This thing is frickin' fast at 335fps. It's also made for Buckmaster (a division of Bear Archery) by Excalibur, so you get the Excalibur quality in a compound crossbow. It alsois a bargain at $409.99 in Cabela's Archery catalog. That's less than the non-compound Exomag which goes for $499.99. Of course, the Exomag can be found for less elsewhere. But the Buckmaster MaxPoint is what I would suggest. It has NO let-off like other compound crossbows, so it transfers all the energy at release. TenPoints are superb crossbows, but they also carry a superb price at the least expensive one going for $579.99 and the most expensive for $989.99. The Buckmaster MaxPoint is your best bet and probably the most rugged. You can get a crank cocking aid for it, too. Forget Horton, Barnett and PSE--those are complete POS. Horton hasn't had a decent crossbow out since they quit making the non-compound steel prod Safari Magnum.

 

[DFBonnett]

Sir G...
Excellent info!
What are the advantages/disadvantages of compound vs. non-compound?
I'm looking to get into crossbows due to an injury that prevents me from holding at full draw for more than a couple of seconds.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Advantages of non-compound crossbow:
1.) Less moving parts to break or fail.
2.) No pulleys to get wet and freeze.
3.) No bearings to wear and fail.
4.) Lighter.
5.) Easier to maneuver.
6.) Different weight limbs can be ordered in some cases.
7.) String is easy to replace.


Disadvantages:
1.) Has to be unstrung after use. This is damn hard without a stringing/unstringing device.
2.) Most have less power. This is not so with Excalibur Exomag though.
3.) Harder to cock.

Advantages of compound crossbow:
1.) Can be kept strung all the time.
2.) More powerful in most cases.
3.) Easier to cock in some cases.
4.) Not having to be strung leads to more practice.
5.) Is ready to use instantly for any situation that presents itself.
6.) String is hardier. Often a cable.


Disadvantages:
1.) Heavier.
2.) Parts are difficult to replace.
3.) Not as wet-weather friendly.
4.) Some are cumbersome to manuever.


In the case of the non-compound, stringing and cocking devices can be had to make those chores easier. Let me tell you, though, stringing a non-compound bow without a device is practically impossible. You can hurt yourself very bad. The Buckmaster MaxPoint and just about any of the TenPoints will be tough customers and all that you want. In the non-compounds, Excalibur is IT. Exocet or Exomag has and will drop moose. Check out the Excalibur Crossbows website and forum for details. The Buckmaster MaxPoint is made by Excalibur and I think it is simply the best compound crossbow on the market and costs a lot less than a TenPoint. The Buckmaster is a BuckBlaster and it will drop any big game animal with the right shot placement and sharp broadheads. The Buckmaster is the .300 Winmag of crossbows.

 

[scotjute]

Cabellas is advertising a Horton steel prod crossbow. 260 fps (I think).

 

[Sir Galahad]

Still better off getting the Buckmaster MaxPoint. The things Horton and Barnett make these days are not the best. The old Safari Magnum Horton made was pretty decent, even though it could have used better nocks. But the Excalibur Exocet and Exomag and Buckmaster are light years ahead of anything Barnett or Horton sells even at their top-of-the-line products.