Can somebody give some advice on what to buy in Crossbows? What is a general draw weight for most hunting situations? Any features to look for? I have done alot of archery in past but want a Crossbow. Was thinking about the Excalibur Phoenix, has a draw weight of 175lbs, 305fps bolt speed. Thanks for any info. Lastly where is the cheapest place online to buy?
Crossbows what to buy?
- Thread starter USP
- Start date
- Location
- London, Ontario
I had that one and LOVED it...Bass Pro is where to go, they have amazing package deals
I've hunted with an Excalibur Phoenix for 4 years and shot 3 deer with it. It's a good sturdy crossbow, maybe a bit smaller/lighter and slower than other models by Excalibur. The only possible negative, and it doesnt bother me, is the width of the limbs. In a tight space this crossbow is wide compared to for example a Horton. I bought it in a package deal with a scope, target points, bolts, accesories (The Right Stuff) at Bass Pro, dont know about current prices. The Excalibur scope on it is a 4X (I think) and works well for my use.
.......whats your intentions to use it for deer/ moose/ bear?
Have a Horton for the past two years and love it. Point and shoot, reasonable pricing etc....have shot an 8 point and just this past Sat shot a 2 1/2 year old Doe. Both ran less that 50 yards and it was over.
I have two friends that have just switched over to a Compound and they love them as well. You should try both out and see what you like the best!
Best of luck.
I have two friends that have just switched over to a Compound and they love them as well. You should try both out and see what you like the best!
Best of luck.
Halhunt hit the nail on the head. Love my phoenix, only thing I don't really like about it is the width of the limbs, but I can get past that because I could shoot the #### off a hummingbird with that crossbow.
superd222
CGN frequent flyer
Thanks for the info. On the Phoenix is it much different that the Axiom? I am looking over the stats and they all seem similar. Will probably use it for deer or maybe coyote or similar. Is the LOP on the Excalibur stocks all the same? I cant find this spec anywhere listed?
You cant go wrong with an Excalibur....See if you like the pistol grip versions or not....I bought the Vortex (really like the pistol grip ) they are really accurate out to 50 yards pretty much out of the box.
I have only heard of one complaint from any of the people I know that have one (6 of them) and that is the quiver is mounted on the side and when using the sling to carry the bow it sticks out a bit...I am used to carrying a Xbow so now big deal to me....You have to pay attention walking through the bush...I have a source for a quiver mount from CGN member who makes a quiver mount that mounts on top if any one is interested.
When buying your bow get the accessory package that gives you the scope, quiver mount and arrows etc (Right stuff package I beleive)
Then what i did was work out a deal to upgrade to the scope with the illuminating reticle pattern instead of the regular scope.
It is worth the few extra bucks...the excalibur soft case they sell for around 75 bucks is a good idea as well...I also bought the cheek rest (Comes stock on the Exomax .. Overall I really like mine and everyone I know who has one swears by them..
There is a new model out called the IBEX...it is shorter in length an inch or so...All Excaliburs have the same width of limbs .
I have only heard of one complaint from any of the people I know that have one (6 of them) and that is the quiver is mounted on the side and when using the sling to carry the bow it sticks out a bit...I am used to carrying a Xbow so now big deal to me....You have to pay attention walking through the bush...I have a source for a quiver mount from CGN member who makes a quiver mount that mounts on top if any one is interested.
When buying your bow get the accessory package that gives you the scope, quiver mount and arrows etc (Right stuff package I beleive)
Then what i did was work out a deal to upgrade to the scope with the illuminating reticle pattern instead of the regular scope.
It is worth the few extra bucks...the excalibur soft case they sell for around 75 bucks is a good idea as well...I also bought the cheek rest (Comes stock on the Exomax .. Overall I really like mine and everyone I know who has one swears by them..
There is a new model out called the IBEX...it is shorter in length an inch or so...All Excaliburs have the same width of limbs .
I have been reading abit and alot of what I have read so far seems to indicate that anything over 150lbs is just gravy and its not needed other than the higher speeds flaten out the shot arc abit. I use to do alot of Archery years ago, but other than shooting some Barnets have shot alot of Crossbows in a very long time.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
- Location
- south western ontario
x2,
I have the horton legacy 175,,actually dropped a 7 pointer 7 weeks ago with it.horton work's for me.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
INTIMIDATOR
Regular
- Location
- Southern Ontario
I love this quote, cause its true. I only use one arrow at a time when sighting in. Learned my lesson 10 years ago when I robin Hooded one of my arrows and bent it.
Currently I own an Exomax and previously owned a Vixen. Both bows are extremely accurate.
There is a new company out there called Maximus Crossbows. They have almost an identical design to the Excaliburs but i hear that they are cheaper. The Bonesplitter 225 has an advertised speed of 370 fps. You would have to go to their website to see where they are available, but i think the Hunting and Fishing Store in Stratford can get them.
I don't have a problem killing deer with my Excal Vixen......I have thought, on numerous occasions, to upgrade to a faster version, but all the deer I have taken have been inside of 25 yards, usually 16 yards or less, the vixen is plenty!
