crossbow for the first time

[Goatman]

Looking at buying my first crossbow any suggestions?

 

[doc ace]

I am as well. I normally shoot a Hoyt SuperTec. Curious about selling and buying a crossbow.

 

[Goatman]

There is 2 wma areas I would love to hunt, but they are bow only.

 

[Jmann]

I had to start shooting a crossbow after a shoulder injury . Bought a Barnett predator and like it . If /when a purchase again it wil be a Ten Point , probably the best out there . Whatever CB ya get its going to be loud ! Also make sure you don't shoot the same bullseye more than once (bolts get expensive) . I destroyed about a half dz the 1st time sighting it in . The speed and the kinetic energy of the bolt added to the shooter being able to hit a dime at 40yrds make up for how loud the damn thing is .

 

[Goatman]

I'm having surgery issues myself and thats one of the reasons scared to shoot a hard recoiling gun.

 

[hunter5567]

I guess it depends on your budget. I wanted one to be able to hunt archery but am primarily a gun hunter.
I bought a Barnett Recruit and love it. It shoots a little over 300fps and very light weight. What I like the most is that its only 16" wide. Most crossbows are 24-28" wide and very bulky for packing through the woods. I had a Barnett Jackal before this and its a great crossbow as well just bulky at 28" wide. The Recruit sells for around $250-300 and comes with a rope cocker, red dot scope and 3 bolts, field tips, and quiver. I shoot Slick Trick Mags which are a conventional broadhead but shoot great out to 45 yards from initial sight in at 20 yards. I tried some mechanicals but couldn't get consistent results as far as where they impacted on target. Check out crossbownation.com/forums for lots of information. The Recruit is a compact bow with extenders on the stock for longer length of pull. You can spend lots more money faster crossbows as well like the Predator mentioned above or the Buck Commander Extreme on up to the 410fps crossbows. Tenpoint makes some great crossbows but they are getting outrageous in pricing. Parker makes some great crossbows as well as Excaliber and others.

PS Don't buy any Horton crossbows. Horton is out of business and there is no warranty on them and parts are problematic. Tenpoint bought the Horton name and may bring out new models under the name but they will not do any warranty work on older models.

 

[brfd557]

If I was to purchase another one it would be a Ten Point!

 

[sandman7925]

Picked up an excalibur vortex this morning. My first crossbow and I am hooked. This thing is bad ass and with the recurve limbs I can cock it by hand and not have to worry about it being drawn uneven. It's really accurate. I think I will use the string cocker for practice but leave it behind for hunting as I can cock it easily enough by hand.
Did I say this thing is accurate?

 

[madwabbit]

crossbow is major fun

 

[oleheat]

When I bought mine about 5 years ago, I- admittedly- didn't spend a lot of time making a decision. I chose a Barnett Revolution- thinking it would just be something I'd only use a few times a year, anyway. $300 investment- no big deal.


As it turned out, my "cheap" Barnett outperformed a friend's Parker (a higher-end brand) as well as a relative's Ten Point in the accuracy department- including shots out to 70 yards, from a bench rest. I've taken several nice deer with it (works well on coyotes, too), and don't see any reason to "upgrade".


That's been my experience, anyway. Others might disagree with my choice- but I'm keeping my Barnett. It just works.

 

[Goatman]

The barnett comes very recommended

 

[Bradb4178]

I was in the same boat as you a year ago. I wanted a crossbow but did not know what to get. I ended up buying a Barnett and absolutely love it. Barnett makes great bows and you really cant go wrong with any of their models.