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Crossbow advice
tclear
Member Posts: 132 ✭✭✭
I am considering picking up a crossbow for late season here in PA. I have a great deal of difficulty trimming the thickness of clothing down and being comfortable sitting, so it makes shooting the bow in Jan. very tough. We are permitted crossbows second archery and they are considering putting them in for all of archery season.
Any opinions on what the best make/model would be. The only limitations we have are a 200 pound max draw. Other than that it is wide open.
Thanks,
Tom
Any opinions on what the best make/model would be. The only limitations we have are a 200 pound max draw. Other than that it is wide open.
Thanks,
Tom
Comments
I would second the opinion of sticking to a re-curve style with less moving parts.
This link has 2 different ones
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResults?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&searchOption=products&hvarSearchString=stryker&storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&hvarAID=yahoo&cm_mmc=Yahoo+New+Sponsored+Search-_-Brands_Archery+-+BowTech-_-advanced+keyword-_-bowtech stryker crossbow|-|Y145571072512&cm_guid=3-_-145571072512-_-33400790012
I did check out the stryker and though they look very nice, they are more than I wish to spend. I know that there is the 200 limit in PA, so I will have to stick to something at or under that. If I do throw a scope on it, I still can't see being really effective at much past 30-35 yards with the bolts as I am sure they loose energy pretty rapidly.
way too many structural failures. People with old Barnette's (before the company was sold the fist time would probably tell you that they swear by them, but, their quality tanked). Parker also used to be a good mid-range bow, but, this past year they switched to a plastic bolt retainer and they have been snapping off in the cold. Horton has had the fewest problems for a mid-range bow, although, the problems they've had could cause harm (safety's that will not engage automatically as they are supposed to). The other hastle with Horton is the elevation knob on the side. If you cock with a cocking rope (and I strongly advise it)the rope will often rub the elevation knob without your realizing it and throw off you aim. The only wheel bow that rivals the Excalibur in accuracy and reliability in the Ten Point series. If you want a good bow at a moderate price I would suggest the TL7. hope this has helped.
quote:Originally posted by tclear
I am considering picking up a crossbow for late season here in PA. I have a great deal of difficulty trimming the thickness of clothing down and being comfortable sitting, so it makes shooting the bow in Jan. very tough. We are permitted crossbows second archery and they are considering putting them in for all of archery season.
Any opinions on what the best make/model would be. The only limitations we have are a 200 pound max draw. Other than that it is wide open.
Thanks,
Tom
quote:Originally posted by tclear
THanks for the post. I am looking to keep the whole set up under the 700 dollar range, so there are plenty of options out there that fit that bill. Brother in law has an older excalibur and loves it. I have a buddy who has a horton and downed two with it between 20 and 30 yards. After shooting the two, I was having a tough time placing the extra 2-3 hundred dollars into the excalibur. Fleabay seems to have the best prices I can find on either of them. One shop has a new Horton Legacy with scope, quiver, three bolts, three practice tips, and cocking rope for 400 bucks. I am looking more at 450-500 just for the bow in the excalibur. Add the rest of the package and it is easily 2-300 more. Could you tell me what the upgrades from the Vortex to the Legacy may be and if they are worth it in your mind?
Top-of-the-line would be Excalibur. Simplicity at it's finest. Also, the most accurate crossbow in the world. The 200lb bow would be either the Vortex or Exocet 200. As well as the max. draw weight, there is a min to consider of 125lbs. I definately stay as far away from Barnett as I could
way too many structural failures. People with old Barnette's (before the company was sold the fist time would probably tell you that they swear by them, but, their quality tanked). Parker also used to be a good mid-range bow, but, this past year they switched to a plastic bolt retainer and they have been snapping off in the cold. Horton has had the fewest problems for a mid-range bow, although, the problems they've had could cause harm (safety's that will not engage automatically as they are supposed to). The other hastle with Horton is the elevation knob on the side. If you cock with a cocking rope (and I strongly advise it)the rope will often rub the elevation knob without your realizing it and throw off you aim. The only wheel bow that rivals the Excalibur in accuracy and reliability in the Ten Point series. If you want a good bow at a moderate price I would suggest the TL7. hope this has helped.
quote:Originally posted by tclear
I am considering picking up a crossbow for late season here in PA. I have a great deal of difficulty trimming the thickness of clothing down and being comfortable sitting, so it makes shooting the bow in Jan. very tough. We are permitted crossbows second archery and they are considering putting them in for all of archery season.
Any opinions on what the best make/model would be. The only limitations we have are a 200 pound max draw. Other than that it is wide open.
Thanks,
Tom
I'd put the Bowtech Stryker in there first, then the Ten Point, Excal. etc... Just my opinion tho. I say go shoot what you can, like with any bow, and see what feels good to you. For example my buddy likes a crossbow he can lean over and grab the string to cock it. For me that wouldn't be a factor in my decision. Put a few in your hands and see what ya think.
A Legacy will be around $770.00 at the place I looked. Keep in mind that Legacy is a recurve crossbow with a 225# draw weight (illegal to hunt with in PA).
quote:Originally posted by tclear
THanks for the post. I am looking to keep the whole set up under the 700 dollar range, so there are plenty of options out there that fit that bill. Brother in law has an older excalibur and loves it. I have a buddy who has a horton and downed two with it between 20 and 30 yards. After shooting the two, I was having a tough time placing the extra 2-3 hundred dollars into the excalibur. Fleabay seems to have the best prices I can find on either of them. One shop has a new Horton Legacy with scope, quiver, three bolts, three practice tips, and cocking rope for 400 bucks. I am looking more at 450-500 just for the bow in the excalibur. Add the rest of the package and it is easily 2-300 more. Could you tell me what the upgrades from the Vortex to the Legacy may be and if they are worth it in your mind?
The legacy does have a full ine that will come in 175, 200 and 225 pound draws. I have shot the 175 and did like it. They are available online much reduced from that 700+ price range (buy it now of 559, some less).
The only thing I found that I did not like on this bow was the safety, but with the cost being substantailly less and my desire to only use this during late season archery, I think the legacy 200 is the way I am going to go.
Thanks to all for your help and opintions on the bows. Should they legalize them statewide maybe I will look at some point to upgrade to a stryker, but for the Horton is the way I am going to go.
Thanks again,
Tom