compound or cross bow?
- Thread starter fogducker
- Start date
- Location
- Cottage Country, Ontario
Bolts
Interesting thread....
How do you match the arrow to the particular crossbow that you are using other then by length? Is the draw weight a factor?
mb
stubblejumper said:
Interesting thread....
How do you match the arrow to the particular crossbow that you are using other then by length? Is the draw weight a factor?
mb
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I started off with a long bow, and, I'd love to have stayed with it. Problem was, I just didn't have the time to become really good with it. Practice is really important, and you don't seem to keep the ability like a rifle, you need to keep practicing to keep up to snuff.
I switched to a crossbow.
I found it to be somewhat shorter in range, but, right off the bat it was close to rifle accurate.
I was told it would be a paing to carry in the brush, But, in my case, I found it much easier to carry than a full size compound bow.
You can carry a crossbow, with a bolt on the string, full cocked with the safety on if you wish.
Just trying to carry a compound with an arrow on the string is a PIA if there is any brush at all.
If you are hunting from a stand, and that is arguably the best way to bow hunt success for a beginner, then there isn't a lot of difference, except.
The crossbow guarantees One accurate shot at close range.
The long bow guarantees one, maybe two shots, at slightly longer range, but is only accurate, if you put in lots of practice time, and may be difficult to hold at full draw for some when your muscles are cold. (I never suffered from problems holding my 75# compound at full draw, even in December.)
I switched to a crossbow.
I found it to be somewhat shorter in range, but, right off the bat it was close to rifle accurate.
I was told it would be a paing to carry in the brush, But, in my case, I found it much easier to carry than a full size compound bow.
You can carry a crossbow, with a bolt on the string, full cocked with the safety on if you wish.
Just trying to carry a compound with an arrow on the string is a PIA if there is any brush at all.
If you are hunting from a stand, and that is arguably the best way to bow hunt success for a beginner, then there isn't a lot of difference, except.
The crossbow guarantees One accurate shot at close range.
The long bow guarantees one, maybe two shots, at slightly longer range, but is only accurate, if you put in lots of practice time, and may be difficult to hold at full draw for some when your muscles are cold. (I never suffered from problems holding my 75# compound at full draw, even in December.)
cdngunner said:
True, there is no equal. I've handled the Exomax, and to me, it's just too big. I'm 5'11 180lbs and the Phoenix fits me perfectly. My 6'4, 250lbs buddy shoots it rather well also. The Exomax is quite a bit more expensive as well. IMO, not worth it. It's all about personal preference.
Fogducker, handle a few different ones and choose the one that fits you.
You'll love whatever one you get! I'm sure I'll be buying another one if Alberta ever lets them into bow season.....fingers crossed.
rocksteady
Member
- Location
- Cranbrook, B.C.
Heres my opinion, just my opinion....
I bought a crossbow because I have a torn rotator cuff on my left should and can no longer shoot my Hoyt...
I bought a Horton Hunter Elite (175lber) as compared to the Excalibur for the following reason:
I found that the Excaliburs were very wide (Axle to Axle) compared to the Horton, which I found may have been an inconvenience when trying to walk thru any of the thick stuff...My Horton is slim enough that I can tuck it in behind me and it does not stick out too far...Even though the Horton is a compound, versus the Excaliburs which usually are not, I like the Horton...
Horton is supported by Monsons (?) and is a good quality product...
I killed my bull elk last year at 50 yards with it and the bull only went 20 yards til he fell over....
I DO RECOMMEND good quality broadheads though..These things move along pretty good and you want to cut a good hole to get a blood trail....I use Wasp Jackhammers Select-a-cut that I have set at 1.75 inches...Boy they leave a nice trail... I would rather have a big hole on only one side than go with a smaller diameter cutting area and have a complete pass thru...Again just my opinion too...
The technology of crossbows has improved so much over the last 5 years its amazing...If you are going to buy one, go for a good quality bow/scope/arrow/broadhead etc..>Don't scrimp on any of them...I would avoid the cheapo $200 Barnetts from 10 years ago that were CRAP.....I can't speak to the newer Barnetts but the old ones were poor....
There my opinion, hopefully did not raise too much of a stir...
I bought a crossbow because I have a torn rotator cuff on my left should and can no longer shoot my Hoyt...
I bought a Horton Hunter Elite (175lber) as compared to the Excalibur for the following reason:
I found that the Excaliburs were very wide (Axle to Axle) compared to the Horton, which I found may have been an inconvenience when trying to walk thru any of the thick stuff...My Horton is slim enough that I can tuck it in behind me and it does not stick out too far...Even though the Horton is a compound, versus the Excaliburs which usually are not, I like the Horton...
Horton is supported by Monsons (?) and is a good quality product...
I killed my bull elk last year at 50 yards with it and the bull only went 20 yards til he fell over....
I DO RECOMMEND good quality broadheads though..These things move along pretty good and you want to cut a good hole to get a blood trail....I use Wasp Jackhammers Select-a-cut that I have set at 1.75 inches...Boy they leave a nice trail... I would rather have a big hole on only one side than go with a smaller diameter cutting area and have a complete pass thru...Again just my opinion too...
The technology of crossbows has improved so much over the last 5 years its amazing...If you are going to buy one, go for a good quality bow/scope/arrow/broadhead etc..>Don't scrimp on any of them...I would avoid the cheapo $200 Barnetts from 10 years ago that were CRAP.....I can't speak to the newer Barnetts but the old ones were poor....
There my opinion, hopefully did not raise too much of a stir...
lots of talk of this Excalibur Phoenix,on here..
is it one of the better ones for the buck?(i neaver meant that as a deer buck it was meant for the dollar buck
)lol
JYC...this is the bow you bought last year no?if it is...you have to invite me up to try it out..
thank,s all for your input here..
if any other,s here within a hours or two drive of the gta...want to get on a band wagon and get into bow hunting.. let,s unite and learn a few tricks
is it one of the better ones for the buck?(i neaver meant that as a deer buck it was meant for the dollar buck
)lolJYC...this is the bow you bought last year no?if it is...you have to invite me up to try it out..
thank,s all for your input here..
if any other,s here within a hours or two drive of the gta...want to get on a band wagon and get into bow hunting..
let,s unite and learn a few tricks
I really enjoy both my compound and my exocet. The compound is what I hunt with most of the time. The exocet is so accurate its uncanny, plus tuning for broadheads is a snap. The compound can be a little more work and practice but I find it a little more rewarding when i shoot it well.
If I had to choose just one ot would be a compound.....(until I get to old and worn out to pull it back), then I would swicth to a crossbow and get some young whipper snapper to #### it for me.....
If I had to choose just one ot would be a compound.....(until I get to old and worn out to pull it back), then I would swicth to a crossbow and get some young whipper snapper to #### it for me.....
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
With added length, comes added weight, this is a good thing, as its easy on gear, and the arrow will retain energy for a longer flight time. Better ballistic sorta speak. A light bolt will exit with laser like trajectory , but will slow quickly , and drop like a rock.
For hunting big game use
And to add a bit more here, fletching may also be looked at, length , profile , helical, right or left etc. And lastly bolt wall thickness , so they last , and carry some weight.
Last edited:
That's a good question. And there is no set answer. Bows are not firearms under the gun registry but a lot of municipalities have anti discharge bylaws that forbids the discharge of pellet guns and bows. You'll have to check with your local by-law enforcer.
fogducker said:ok a dumb question of the day
ok iknow the laws in regards.to rifle shooting in and near towns...but what are the reg,s on bows?the laws state a fire arm...so are bows legal to play with to practice?
Bows are not considered firearms under the current "gun"laws . For the hunting regs they are. So everything that aplies to a gun applies to a crossbow. ie encased between 1/2 hour after dark and 1/2 hour before dawn. You have to check your own municiple by-laws to see what your town/city thinks. Remeber city bi-laws are only ticketable offences, like parking.
Most places allow bow shooting.
Grimsby, for instane has a "no discharge law within town limits" this only applies to "proper" guns. In the regs it is designated as bow only. and your allowed up to 6 bow tags. Area 88
p.s. it is legal to shoot geese with a bow/crossbow
if you want a challange that takes a bit of time to master, take the compound
if you are in reasonably good shape, take the compound
if you don't have a lot of time to practise your shooting and form, take the crossbow
if you are in poor health and shape, take the crossbow
if you have poor eyesight, take the crossbow with a scope
if you are a die hard meat hunter who is only after the meat and not the challenge, don't take either
if you are in reasonably good shape, take the compound
if you don't have a lot of time to practise your shooting and form, take the crossbow
if you are in poor health and shape, take the crossbow
if you have poor eyesight, take the crossbow with a scope
if you are a die hard meat hunter who is only after the meat and not the challenge, don't take either
its the challenge im after more then any thing...the meat is just a little bonus..
but i think i got my mind made up on a cross bow..i was out to visit my grandson the other day...he could not wait to get my attention to show me his bow...
it was hard to hold back the giggles from him doing his dammest to show how he draw,s the bow back.. i have to release a bunch of tension on it,so he can pull it back a little bit more....
next time out there,i,ll get a few pics
cheers and thanks for all the help here
Don
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I know, you're moose hunting, but just maybe a bear might show you this post
Crossbows are not easy to pull either, but, there are kits available that make the task much easier.
added bonus, grampa can #### the bow for him
He's likely only gonna get one shot on game anyway.
Crossbows are not easy to pull either, but, there are kits available that make the task much easier.
added bonus, grampa can #### the bow for him
He's likely only gonna get one shot on game anyway.
