Crossbows

[muddydog]

I normally shoot a recurve bow but plan on some public land hunts next year. I've also shot compounds for many years but don't want to go back to them. I'm seriously thinking about buying a crossbow. Looking at the Barnett recruit recurve. I know its not an excaliber, but really don't want to spend a bunch on one. Anyone on here shoot the Barnett or have any advice for a crossbow rookie ? Also curious how long the string should last. Seems like everything I've read the strings wear much faster than on a bow?

[super_dave]

Well I've shot a Barnett around the house and it's crazy awesome. Super fast and accurate. As for the string wear, it's constantly rubbing on the slide so it should by design wear out faster, but if you keep it lubed with that wax stuff is should last a good while. Several hundred to a thousand shots I suppose.

[Harry]

I'm using a Barnett Raptor fx love it bought it new at academy for 432

[muddydog]

I'm interested in shooting only trophy class animals which is why I'm looking at them. I know they are still only a 40 yd weapon, just seems like they will have several advantages over a bow in hunting situations. I love to shoot bows but I can't shoot as well as I once could and practice time is very limited.

[MR.WHITETAIL]

Have shot Barnett before but not my cup a tea. Excalibur is my cup a tea. Love the recurve crossbow design. Lot less to go wrong with cable and wheels. Plus you can change out the string yourself in the field. I own the Matrix 380 and the 405. The 380 comes with the Tact zone scope is dead on to 60 yards. I upgraded the 405 scope to a Hawk and it's dead on to 100 yards

[sharkhunter]

Following

[Matt_C]

I have a mission MXB400, and it's a great crossbow. It's very well built and very very accurate. I put a Nikon Bolt scope on it and can't shoot same dot at 70 yards without damaging arrows. Outstanding bow.

[coop2564]

Join some of the xbow forums and buy a used Excalibur, they have lifetime warranty's. U will be much happier down the road. With season winding down and new models coming out there will be plenty to buy used.

http://excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=4

[muddydog]

Yes..I would prefer a excaliber but can't put up the money for one just yet. I will eventually go that route but will have to settle for a Barnett recurve crossbow for now. I will just pass it to my sons when I upgrade a little down the road.

[popup_menace]

I'm interested in shooting only trophy class animals which is why I'm looking at them. I know they are still only a 40 yd weapon, just seems like they will have several advantages over a bow in hunting situations. I love to shoot bows but I can't shoot as well as I once could and practice time is very limited.

With the noise a crossbow creates versus a well tuned and dampened compound shooting a heavy arrow, I would venture to say they are more of a 30 yard weapon, if not shorter. That's not to say they don't offer the advantage of less practice time needed. Crossbows are pretty loud, so being close is still key.

[xman59]

I normally shoot a recurve bow but plan on some public land hunts next year. I've also shot compounds for many years but don't want to go back to them. I'm seriously thinking about buying a crossbow. Looking at the Barnett recruit recurve. I know its not an excaliber, but really don't want to spend a bunch on one. Anyone on here shoot the Barnett or have any advice for a crossbow rookie ? Also curious how long the string should last. Seems like everything I've read the strings wear much faster than on a bow?

do not buy a Barnett, most of them are junk and often break in the first week, some on the very first shot,,,, I repair way to many of them, and I do not sell them,,, spend a few bucks more and get something with some quality

[Speedgoat]

Stay away from Barnett Crossbows. They are crap. I bought a Parker Enforcer package and it is on the freaking money. It is by far the most accurate crossbow I have ever shot. It shoots 315fps and I can hit a quarter at 40 yards 9/10 shots.

[JudoLeyba]

X2 on the Parker Crossbow recommendation! I bought the Blackhawk and really love it. Pretty compact, fast and lightweight. Pretty solid out to 40 yards. It's also made in the USA. Customer support is also top notch.

[Huntin]

X3 on the Parker. I have the Tomahawk for the last 4 years and killed many deer and pigs. It did have a cracked limb early season and Parker had me up and running in one day. Took it to Santa Fe archery and they swapped out in 15 minutes and I was off and back hunting the next day.

[muddydog]

I see you can get the excaliber grizzly for a little over 500 new...will check this one out. I want to keep a recurve limb and never heard a bad thing about excaliber. I understand that most times you get what you pay for but not always.