Cross Bows

[BIG DADDY]

I would like to know how many people out there have used a cross bow to kill deer. I know a guy with one arm that hunted with one. He shot 2 deer and never found them. THis could be because he was a bad shot. I would like to know your outcome for hunting with a cross bow. If you harvested or just wounded the animal.

[Willie]

I'm 7 for 7..

4 mature bucks and 3 mature does..

7 yards to 42 yards with six being less than 15 yards.

The 42 yard shot (I shot for 40 ) was an an unalert broadside buck.

All deer went down in less than 75 yards.

[SixPack07]

Thanks for the stats Willie!!!

[Duster]

OK I'll be the bad guy here. I have taken two deer with crossbow Both were at shots of 25 yards. Both ran approx 30 yards and went down for the count. Both hits were double lung, Both were complete pass thru's, both went down within sight. I have taken well over 50 with conventional bow and arrow ( from recurve to compound ) and both these acted like hit by a arrow, the wound looked exactly like any other that a broadhead had ran thru.

The thing about crossbows is learning the capibilitys of the weapon. I feel it is not nor will ever be the equal to a good compound. It is like any weapon it has to be learned and practiced with to become efficient. Over the next few months I am sure several questions will be ask on issues reguarding the weapon that will need to be addressed. Let's hope each question don't turn into the attempt to divide the hunter ranks and start the arguments. I have learned a few do's and don't in the years I have owned one and will be glad to try and help when I can.

[jerry]

Duster and Willie, would you guys mind sharing what type of broadheads you 2 use? Thanks.

[Gobblergetter2.1]

About how far will a crossbow with 150lbs of pull with a scope shoot? Thanks

[Duster]

I use 125 gr thunderheads. I have thought about the 100 gr but haven't tried them yet. Just like a compound you will have to tune your broadhead alignment to make all the bolt fly the same.

A crossbow will shoot a far piece, a accurate crossbow shot is up to you.You will learn thru practice your capability, please keep your shots within that range. I have limited my shots to 25 yards on game. The bolt drops dramaticly at longer yardage. I would say at least a 10 inch drop between 20 and 35. My crossbow is a Barnett RC 300, 150 lb. I set it up with a bit longer bolt than needed, Mine measure 20 1/2 inches and are made from 2219 alum shafts. A straight three fletch vane works for me.

[jerry]

Thank you Duster!!!! You must be a mind reader because my next questions were,alum. or carbon, feathers or plastic,what length bolts. Thanks again!!! Much appreciated.

[Duster]

A couple items you will need for your crossbow. #1.... What is called rail wax, I found regular bowstring wax works well. Keep the rail waxed heavy to prevent string damage. I don't know of anyone that cocks a crossbow by hand, 150 lb is quite a bit to pull back. I use a simple rope type, it has two loop handles for your hands and two roller hooks that go onto the string. The main thing is getting the rollers even on the string to prevent uneven pull which will cause the string not being released even on contact with the noc. This type is fairly cheap around $15 to $20. I prefer the moon noc's which give the string a cavity to hit and seems to help with accuracy.

I am sure carbon bolts would work fine if your so inclined. I fletch my bolts then with a cutoff saw remove about a quarter inch from the noc end of the bolt to insert the moon noc's. Not sure what kind of noc would work on carbons but they would be either flat faced or moon faced. Differant manufacturer's ( Barnett/ Horton) call for differant types of noc's. If you fletch your own make sure you set the cock feather in a downward position before putting any glue on the noc's.

[gwhilikerz]

I just checked out some facts at the Excalibur(forgot how it's spelled) xbow site. It has a lot of good info and I was surprised to find that a xbow is really not that much different in performance from a compound. In fact the bolt/arrow drop is even a little more than a good compound and it drops off fast at longer ranges, much faster than a compound.

[Duster]

When I first got my Barnett I heard from several guys the same old story it would shoot like a rifle. I invited one that was very sure of that statement to my house to shoot and see for himself. He walked away with a new attitude. He first shot from 20 yards, almost missed the entire target because he was a little recoil shy from a big caliber rifle he had been shooting and was expecting from a shoulder held weapon the same thing I guess. I set him up with a lawn chair for a rest and after 20 or so shots he could at least keep them in the target. We then backed to 30 yards and the first shot useing the 20 yard pin hit the dirt 6 foot in front of the target. He then knew the rumors he had heard about shoting like a rifle were not true.

[12 pointer]

guys, i've got one tht i built as a project back in highschool. i would neer hunt with it as it is only 100 lbs. my point is, like duster stated, this is not even as consistant as a compound. you really have nothing to worry about. not trying to turn this thread into a debate, just my findings from experience. duster, if you cut a "deal" on that crossbow like you did those to bows you just recently sold fordguy, man, i'll be in business!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

[Multidigits]

Willie shoots the Excaliber Exomag. He a deer killing machine.....good ones too! Hope he posts some pictures of his deer.

Here's a x-bow I don't think I'd want to mess with? http://www.hunt101.com/img/261207.bmp


:D

[Duster]

Thats a Polish crossbow if I ever seen one. I would be carefull of that one also Multi.

[Willie]

The Excalibur website is great place to ask questions about crossbows. Of course they are partial to Excaliburs crossbows as I am. There are a lot of people there that shoot other makes of crossbows too. This is the only forum I am aware of where you can ask questions about crossbows and not get a bunch of hooey about whether they should be allowed or not.

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1

I shoot and hunt with a 200# Excalibur Exomag. It is a recurve-limbed crossbow. I chose the recurve limbs, as I want to be a shooter and a hunter and not a "bow mechanic".

I recall from my compound and recurve vertical hunting days when I hunted a lot out west. With a recurve all I did was take a couple of extra strings. With the compound I always took a back up compound bow. Not too many bow presses 8,000 feet up a mountain. I can change the string on my Exomag as easily as I could on my recurve vertical bow.

Also the real benefit for a compound vertical bow is to hold back less weight for a longer time. Since the crossbow is holding the weight back for me I saw no real good reason to buy a compound crossbow.

I have shot and hunted with Wasp SST Hammers in 100 grain. They are fixed blades and are on the front end of Laser II carbons. I use 3 four-inch vanes. That set up weighs in at 355 grains and gets me 325 fps. Plenty of speed and KE to take any animal in the world.

Most definitely get a rope cocking aid. It will make the cocking much easier and will help tremendously in accuracy. The string must be pulled back evenly on each side of the rail to get good accuracy. Think of mis-nocking your arrow too high or too low on a vertical bowstring. That would be what would happen if the crossbow were cocked unevenly. Most crossbowers mark the string on the sides next to the rail to show if it is cocked unevenly. The rope cocking aid is self-aligning.

I don’t wax my rail at all but I do wax my string serving about every 50 shots or so. That will keep the rail “lubricated”.

I will be glad to help anyone on here with anything I know about crossbows. This will be a learning curve for a lot of people. Especially the ones who have never hunted with any kind of archery gear before. It is in our best interest as hunters to help these folks in every way we can.

[Double-Lung]

You will also want to consider the fact that they are L-O-U-D when they go off. Very easy for a deer to jump the string at distances over 25-30 yords.

[Willie]

You will also want to consider the fact that they are L-O-U-D when they go off. Very easy for a deer to jump the string at distances over 25-30 yords.


IMHO - They are louder than most compounds. But I've found that the degree of loudest doesn't really contribute more to a deer jumping a string.

I dont think we can ever completely quiet any of our archery equipment to where a deer cant hear it.

I guess the silenced THUMP of a recurve would be the closest, but it is still an un-natural human noise to them.

I've also found that deer will not react as much to an un-natural noise that is outside of their danger zone. In close un-natural noises will startle them a lot quicker that say 40 yards away.

I would much rather shoot at a 40 yard unalert deer than a 20 to 25 yard wired deer..

[Xtreme]

Parker makes the quietest one I've ever heard. But then it was as loud as some of the old hard cam bows like the XI Flatliner, Baby G's etc.

[jerry]

Willie and Duster, thanks for posting your info and offering help.I`m not totally new to archery.Many years ago I hunted with a bow.Have had 2 recurves and 2 compounds. No way ,shape or form was I an expert though.Thanks to my screwed up right arm, had to give up bows. I `ve been checking out Excaliburs website for a month now. I think I`m going to go with the Phoenix.Any thoughts on this model?

[Duster]

Jerry I have not kept up with the newer model crossbows so sorry I can't be of any help on that subject. I do however believe in the old saying you get what you pay for. Buy the best you can afford and learn to shoot it to the best of your ability.

At the time I bought the Barnett I have it was one of the best out there. If a accident at work had not tore my shoulder out I probably wouldn't have the one I have now. A 300 lb heavy chain can do a lot of damage when dropped 90 ft and you can't turn loose fast enough.

[Willie]

Willie and Duster, thanks for posting your info and offering help.I`m not totally new to archery.Many years ago I hunted with a bow.Have had 2 recurves and 2 compounds. No way ,shape or form was I an expert though.Thanks to my screwed up right arm, had to give up bows. I `ve been checking out Excaliburs website for a month now. I think I`m going to go with the Phoenix.Any thoughts on this model?

The Phoenix is a great bow. Excellent choice..It will do a number on any whitetail in KY..

Look at Archer's Nook in Canada for the best prices going.

I don't have the website URL handy but a quick search on google will get it for you.

[jerry]

Sorry to hear about your arm Duster.Sounds like you are lucky it didn`t pull it clean off. Willie, I checked Archers Nook out and they have the Phoenix for 378.00. Excalibur has the Phoenix MSRP @ 475.00 . Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!!! I know you all didn`t ask but here`s a little info on your "student". I`ve been deer hunting well over 30 yrs. I was taught at an early age strong hunting ethics.I don`t shoot every deer I see,never have.I`m very selective if I even decide to harvest a deer. I do not need to take a deer every year to have a successful season.Some of my best hunts was spent just watching nature take it`s course and not firing a shot.I could take several deer every year if I wanted but not my style. So a crossbow for me is just another way to extend my days in the woods.I have no desire to fling bolts at every deer I see. I still can`t belive people are trying to dictate what I can and cannot hunt with on my property. Sorry to ramble so much...jerry.

[Willie]

Jerry,

The Archer's Nook sells the accessories packages too.

Get the Varizone scope package.

It will have ALL you need to properly set up the bow.

The Excalibur people also include a very informative video that will walk you right through the setup.

Here it is on-line...

http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/video.html

[jerry]

Thanks again Willie.I have checked your link out.Very good info.

[Multidigits]

Any of you guys decide to hit up on a crossbow and you are a club member, PM on what you want and I'll get you a price on a new unit or pkg. Brands are about anything you want. Savings are good from what I've seen advertised:
Examples of savings on Excalibur, which seems to have some interest.

E2230 - EXOcet 200 $400
2240 Phoenix $350
2225H $450
2295B $290

similar savings on other units and pkgs.

I wish I could give them away, but my wife won't let me!

[Willie]

Any of you guys decide to hit up on a crossbow and you are a club member, PM on what you want and I'll get you a price on a new unit or pkg. Brands are about anything you want. Savings are good from what I've seen advertised:
Examples of savings on Excalibur, which seems to have some interest.

E2230 - EXOcet 200 $400
2240 Phoenix $350
2225H $450
2295B $290

similar savings on other units and pkgs.

I wish I could give them away, but my wife won't let me!

WOWEEE!!

Those are great prices...The 2225H is the ExoMax and it is a 350 fps crossbow..

The 2295B is the Vixen..Great starter bow - no camo (deerhide brown) though or dissapator bars that help muffle the noise..

[Willie]

Exomax - Realtree Hardwoods (Kolorfusion) (Worlds Fastest Crossbow) - 225 lb - 16.5" power stroke - 350 fps - with Dissipator Bars Sound & Recoil Suppression System

Archer's Nook price - $502 - Multidigits' price $450

Exocet 200 - Realtree Hardwoods (Kolorfusion) - 200 lb - 15.5" power stroke -330 fps - with Dissipator Bars Sound & Recoil Suppression System

Archer's Nook price - $435 - Multidigits' price - $400

Phoenix - Realtree Hardwoods (Kolorfusion) - 175 lb - 14" power stroke - 305 fps - with Dissipator Bars Sound & Recoil Suppression System

Archer's Nook price - $378 - Multidigits' price - $350

Vixen - Deerhide Brown - 150 lb - 14" power stroke - 285 fps

Archer's Nook price - $317 - Multidigits' price - $290

Up until multidigits posted his prices the Archer's Nook was the cheapest going ANYWHERE.

BARGAINS...

[dwhas3]

hey woody when did you go to a 200lb exomag? i thought you had the 185lb model?
'dw"

[Willie]

hey woody when did you go to a 200lb exomag? i thought you had the 185lb model?
'dw"

I upgraded in early January..

[dwhas3]

woody, i thought you said at one time you might get the exomax? any reason you got the 200lb exomag over the exocet 200? i'm getting ready to get another excalibur and am torn between the exocet 200 and the 200lb exomag, i'm concerned that the new angled riser puts undo stress on the limbs.
thanks, "dw"

[Willie]

dwhas3,

I sent you a PM...