recommendation ?

[fleroo]

Any of you experts want to recommend a X-Bow ? A fairly CHEAP X-Bow ? I don't want or need the 4 figure bows with neato catchy gimmicks, bells & whistles. My last bow hunt was in 1983, with a Bear Whitetail Hunter. To boot, I doubt I will be hunting much with it as it is. I'm not a huge hunter, and definitely not an avid bowhunter. I'm just looking to target a Slammer, Hammer, or Toad without freezing my rear-end off.

Anyhow, I certainly want a cocking crank built-in mechanism. I guess I can stomach spending in the $600-$700 range. If the Bond rates go up, maybe even $725. And I don't need a 400 fps deal either.

[ridgecommander]

Feb 15, 2024 8:35:51 GMT -5 fleroo said:

Any of you experts want to recommend a X-Bow ?

Not an expert but buy one of these four crossbows. Wicked Ridge Invader M1 or Commander M1. If you want super simple and virtually no maitenance buy the Excalibur Mag340 or Mag Air. The they are recurve style and slower but basically bulletproof. All in your price range.

Then make sure you buy from David at www.wyverncreations.com The most knowledgaable crossbow dealer in the country who will back up what he sells 100% and throw in some goodies.

[fleroo]

So for a newb, you recommend recurve over pulleys/cams. Good to know I don't need 400 fps.

Where is your guy located ?

[ridgecommander]

Feb 15, 2024 10:29:52 GMT -5 fleroo said:

So for a newb, you recommend recurve over pulleys/cams. Good to know I don't need 400 fps.

Where is your guy located ?

Recurves are tough to beat from a durability and maintenance perspective. If you buy a cheap Excal stringing aid available from Dave or other places, you can change the string yourself and add twists when it stretches over time without needing to take it to a shop for a bow press. Those two bows will be in the low 300fps range which is what a typical compound bow will be shooting. Still plenty fast to get the job done and not arrow finicky which some faster bows can be. They will be lighter as well without all of that extra stuff up front. You have to have decent strength abd god shoulders to rope cock these but a detachable crank is a option.

Wyvern is a online only dealer located in NH. With that said, he shipped me a set of new Excalibur limbs no charge when one of my limbs started twisting. Excalibur customer service is as good as it gets and their warranty is the best in the business. Lifetime and transferable.

Call him and tell him you are new and what you want to spend. He is not high pressure and will talk to you directly to get you the best crossbow for you. Or email him. He is super fast with his responses unless he on vacation or at a trade show.

[Loggy]

Ridge…..do those 2 Excals have  built-in cocking devices?

[ridgecommander]

Feb 15, 2024 11:58:06 GMT -5 Loggy said:

Ridge…..do those 2 Excals have  built-in cocking devices?

No. You have to step up to their more expensive models for that. Those two are either rope cocking or removeable crank. Both of these lower end models won't offer you much more than your current Exocet, performance wise, except being much narrower and shorter.

[Loggy]

Thanks Ridge.

I really like the features of the bow Dutch just got especially the integral cocking device plus is in price range what I want to spend. Plus TenPoint has an excellent reputation. I think Fleroo is also looking in same price range for one with built-in cocker. As far as maintenance how much would there be for someone who likely wouldn't be a high volume shooter?

Also, thanks for your suggestion of cking out Wyvern which I will when I decide. Is there any advantages of going to a bow shop vs online? 

[ridgecommander]

Feb 15, 2024 14:52:53 GMT -5 Loggy said:

Thanks Ridge.

I really like the features of the bow Dutch just got especially the integral cocking device plus is in price range what I want to spend. Plus TenPoint has an excellent reputation. I think Fleroo is also looking in same price range for one with built-in cocker. As far as maintenance how much would there be for someone who likely wouldn't be a high volume shooter?

Generally, compounds that are really narrow like the Wicked Ridge when cocked will eat up center servings faster, but if you do not shoot high volume, that almost becomes a non issue. Most manufacturers recommned string and cable change every 2-3 years even if you do not shoot a lot. On a compound that means a trip to a shop for a press. On a recurve, it is easy peasy at home if you get a Excal stringing aid and only the string which is much cheaper. Compound string and cables with labor will be over $100. Recurve string and home install will be about $35. Strings and cables stratch over time and the compound crossbow's timing could be affected. That can't be adjusted without a press and a trip to the shop. On a recurve, it can't go out of timing and twists can be added to the string easy peasy with the stringing aid if it does stretch.

Also, thanks for your suggestion of cking out Wyvern which I will when I decide. Is there any advantages of going to a bow shop vs online? 

Shops are weird. Some will only service bows they sell. Some will work on any bow cause they are making money on labor. Many shops cater to the vertical crowd and finding technicians that really know crossbows is sometimes a challenge. For warranty work, an authorized warranty repair dealer will work on your bow becuase they are getting re-imbursed from the manufacturer.

Wyvern(Dave) knows crossbows inside and out. A cool service he offers when you buy a bow is too swap out the factory scope for a aftermarket scope and charges you the difference if someone is looking for better optics than the factory scope. You won't get that at a brick and mortar shop. If something goes wrong, he will go out of his way to make it right and works on your behalf with the manufacturers.

[fleroo]

Thanks for the info. Your suggestion on a simple recurve vs. compound, for a rookie like me, is a valuable piece of information.

[stroupy]

I am no where near an expert on crossbows but am very pleased with the killer instinct I got for my daughter and it didn't break the bank.

[ridgecommander]

Feb 15, 2024 18:03:03 GMT -5 stroupy said:

I am no where near an expert on crossbows but am very pleased with the killer instinct I got for my daughter and it didn't break the bank.

Killer Instincts are not bad bows for the money. The lower end models are made overseas and branded under many different manufacturer names. Wicked Ridge and TenPoint and designed, assembled, and as many of the parts as possible sourced from North Amercia. Excalibur is a Canadian company with similar principles.

[stroupy]

Feb 16, 2024 7:26:49 GMT -5 ridgecommander said:

Feb 15, 2024 18:03:03 GMT -5 stroupy said:

I am no where near an expert on crossbows but am very pleased with the killer instinct I got for my daughter and it didn't break the bank.

Killer Instincts are not bad bows for the money. The lower end models are made overseas and branded under many different manufacturer names. Wicked Ridge and TenPoint and designed, assembled, and as many of the parts as possible sourced from North Amercia. Excalibur is a Canadian company with similar principles.

That's something I wouldn't have known but the bow is quite impressive for what you pay for it.

[fleroo]

but am very pleased with the killer instinct I got for my daughter

Is it for Toddlers ? Maybe that's a good starter for me too.