Crossbows what to buy?
- Thread starter USP
- Start date
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
yes, Phoenix...buy it
The trigger is very good on both our Excalibur crossbows. Huntress has a Vixen (150 lb) & I have the ExoMax (225 lb). I don't like the models with a pistol grip, it's hard to get the safety off as you have to remove your thumb from the pistol grip. With the regular stock, you can just flick the safety off with your thumb.
And, like the others have said, they are deadly accurate. We both have the Right Stuff Scope Accessory kits. My only complaint was I did not like the rings that came with the kits, I stripped one of them easily & went out & bought steel replacements. No issues since.
Cheers
Jay
P.S. Whichever one you get... Sight in at 20 meters using the main crosshair, then move the target back to 40 meters and shoot at it using the 40 meter "pin", which is the second chevron down from the main crosshair. Your arrow will now be high or low. Adjust the speed dial on your scope to get back on target, likely SLOWER than the claimed speed of the bow, which was my experience... (No need to touch your scopes adjustment screws.) Once you've done this, the crossbow is set for 20, 30, 40 and 50 meters! You just have to know the distance to the target & the scope takes care of the trajectory...
No worries! And, even though guys say you don't need the power or speed of the most powerful Excalibur crossbows... My suggestion would be to get the most powerful one you can ####. (Keep in mind that the rope cocker cuts the 225 lbs to 112.5...) On Excal's website they have a chart & most people are surprised to learn that it IS NOT strength that limits their ability to #### a crossbow, it is their stature! How tall you are matters when it comes to crossbows... I'm 5'9" and I can just #### the 225 lb ExoMax. IIRC, the Vixen @ 150 has a cocking stroke of 13.5 inches, and the ExoMax @ 225 has a cocking stroke of 16.5...
Cheers
Jay
P.S. And make darn sure, if your going to use mechanical broadheads, that they are the ones Excal recommends. Other mechanicals (with the rubber o rings keeping the broadhead closed) have been known to "blow open" when fired in a crossbow. It's a violent acceleration for an arrow! And, if the mechanical blows open, your accuracy goes to hell...
I've used a Vixen for a lot of bears in the last 6 or 7 seasons, upgraded to a scope last year and its definitely worth it, if for nothing else than the confidence boost out to 40 yards. The aiming points in the scope are perfect when you've got the velocity dialed in.
I've used fixed broadheads for all hunting so far with excellent results but the next time I hunt with it I will be using Tekan II mechanical heads, they seem to give more consistent accuracy.
Lots of power and unbelieveable accuracy even with that low-poundage, outdated model. Sliced the vanes on quite a few bolts.
PS watch out for dry fires!! I've done it 3 times and i can't believe it hasnt blown up yet. The sound and vibration makes my hair fall out.
I've used fixed broadheads for all hunting so far with excellent results but the next time I hunt with it I will be using Tekan II mechanical heads, they seem to give more consistent accuracy.
Lots of power and unbelieveable accuracy even with that low-poundage, outdated model. Sliced the vanes on quite a few bolts.
PS watch out for dry fires!! I've done it 3 times and i can't believe it hasnt blown up yet. The sound and vibration makes my hair fall out.
Oh ya, when you get your Excal, pm Munch & get a Munch Mount. Huntress & I both have them & I just bought another one to give to the farmer who lets us bow hunt his property. Nice piece of kit for the Excal.
Cheers
Jay
Before the Munch Mount... My ExoMax.
After the Munch Mount on Huntress's Vixen. MUCH BETTER IMHO!
Cheers
Jay
Before the Munch Mount... My ExoMax.
After the Munch Mount on Huntress's Vixen. MUCH BETTER IMHO!
yes it does help out to draw back evenly...
That's why I use it! Notice... No admission to being a wimp... he he he
Cheers
Jay
Can't comment on the rail... Never seen one on a crossbow... IMHO, the benefit of using the VariZone scope Excalibur makes is that once you have sighted in with it, all you need to know is the distance to a target... With archery, the distance to your target is critical!!! I can't stress this enough! A shot you think is close but is say 10 to 15 meters further, can actually result in a miss or wounded animal...
Cheers
Jay
I would recommend the scope that comes with it has the reticle pattern set up with the different ranges ...for me once I zeroed at 20 the rest of the pins lined up
Munch is the guy I was mentioned about who makes really nice quiver mounts
You need the rope cocking aid to un-#### bow as well (NEVER DRY FIRE) as well as that... it does make sure you have an easier and even pull on the limbs...really important for accuracy
Munch is the guy I was mentioned about who makes really nice quiver mounts
You need the rope cocking aid to un-#### bow as well (NEVER DRY FIRE) as well as that... it does make sure you have an easier and even pull on the limbs...really important for accuracy
Nope, it's like a picatinny rail, but with just a couple positions to place the rings... There may be other options, but the original kit is very good & I would recommend going with the VariZone scope due to the speed ring & it's being "dialed" in for the trajectory of the arrow when the speed ring is adjusted.
Cheers
Jay
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Me no tough dude, just an old fart with a bad back. However, I don't bother with the rope cocker, at 6'1" (reduced from 6'2", I shrunk) I can pull the bow easy enough.ive seen a lot of guys thinking they tuff dudes that could #### it by hand.......but most of them fail
By the way, make sure your boot is fully in the stirrup (don't ask)
The secret to pulling while standing, is a quick, and full stroke pull. Pull through the stop, don't anticipate the click, you won't break anything.
I even did it to get a second shot on a deer, successfully. That's where I found out it's easier to do, at least for me, whilst sitting.
Wrong Way
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
X50 for the Excal. The one thing noone has mentioned is the incredible level of customer service that they provide.....it is borderline rediculous how far Bill, Kathy and team will go to ensure happy customers.
Try geting THAT from a Chinese knock-off bow
Try geting THAT from a Chinese knock-off bow
This may be true, though, most of us have never had to use Customer Service from Excal!
