Which crossbow to use

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rickslady

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Hi,
I'm all new to this crossbow thing & am wanting to buy one. My dilema is this:
I'm 5' 3" tall and weigh 115lbs. I don't really want to use one of those noisy cranks but don't know if I will be able to load it without one. Any suggestions?? I would be using the crossbow for deer, moose, bear etc...
I have looked at the excaliburs, but haven't really gone any further than that. I'd like to know if anyone has any advice for me before I shop anymore.
Thanks,
rickslady (val)
 
I think the vixen is perfect for deer, but as far as Black Bear and Moose are concerned, I think you might want to step up to something with a little more power. Just my opinion. I have used a vixen for the past 4 seasons on Whitetail, and have on a couple occasions, not had complete pass throughs. Maybe try the Phoenix out first, if you plan on larger game.
 
CrossBowComeshome001.jpg


I bought this equinox last fall after hunting with a buddies crossbow a few times. He had the vixon i think. It was pretty slow and you had to aim high for longer shots without much velocity when it got there. (the faster the better as your worst enemy is sound of the bow snapping beating your arrow there)
My Equinox has sound dampening pads on the limbs but it still sounds like a 22 rifle going off.:eek:

Have you tried pulling one back yet with the pullies? It's actually a lot easier than it seems. I let the neighbourhood kids take a few shots last year in the yard and most could pull it up themselves.

If you're hunting moose and bear you need something that can penetrate bone (softer bone like ribs and such) on a poorly placed or overhead shot.

Good luck with the hunt.

Mike
 
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I have a Phoenix. You should be able to #### it with the rope cocker. Uncocking it would be a different story. Its hard as hell to uncock by yourself. Just get a crappy old arrow and shoot it into the ground everytime you wanna uncock.

the vixen is a little iffy on bear and moose in IMO. Probably would work but i'd want something around 300fps


go excalbur though. Just make sure you pull each arrow out of the target before you shoot another!!! you'll be splittin' arrows! :)
 
Thank you all for the great advice! I feel that I am better informed to shop now. I will try both the vixen and the pheonix at a local retailer.
Thanks again!
Val
 
me and my buddy decided on getting into bowhunting this year and bought 2- excal phoenix bows... we shot them a couple times and wow are they accruate to about 35-40 MAX... at 50 yards they drop alot ! ( which is expected and woudlnt shoot at anything at that range ! )
 
Crank a roo

You can get an Excalibur Cranck a Roo. It doesn't matter how tall or strong you are. I takes a little bit of time more than the stringer route, but with archery it's not about how fast you are, it's how accurate you are. Good Luck!:)
 
my wife is your size and she has a problem pulling back the Excaliburs even with a rope cocking aid...not that she is not strong enough but she is a little to short to get it to lock in without really streching herself out....a crank will work and it is not noisy, but she hates the bulk of having to pack it along....i have bought her the pheniox and the vixen with the same results...the last bow i got her is a horton explorer 150...she can draw it back no problem with a rope aid and it is accurate, but she doesn't find it comfortable...back to the drawing board again....
 
mmm...chicken said:
You can get an Excalibur Cranck a Roo. It doesn't matter how tall or strong you are. I takes a little bit of time more than the stringer route, but with archery it's not about how fast you are, it's how accurate you are. Good Luck!:)
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I agree. Bows are usually a one shot deal anyways.
I have very seldome heard of a deer waiting around for you to pull out your string and recock. (but a buddy let 3 off on a buck 2 or so years back and he waited for the 3rd that went through him. he was cocking by hand which sets the string off center and never really lets the arrow go its straightest.)

That said it a wonder that my quiver holds 5 arrows:rolleyes:

Usually it's up close and personal and it'll run and you wait to go collect your dinner:)
 
The easiest way I have found to uncock an Excalibur is as follows:
MAKE SURE THE SAFETY IS ON
Take the arrow out of the bow
Put one of your feet in the stirrup
Put one hook of the rope cocker on the bow string on the left side of the riser
Put the rope cocker cord over the groove at the back of the bow as you would if you were cocking the bow.
Put the other hook of the rope cocker on the bowstring on the right side of the riser
Now pull all of the string with your right hand up as far as you can. (You should have the two hooks of the rope cocker close to the riser on either side and one of the handles in your right hand with all the excess rope cocker cord pulled up).
Now hold the handle tightly in your right hand and take the safety off
with the other.
Now WHILE PULLING THE ROPE COCKER HANDLE TIGHT in your right hand pull the trigger with your left hand.
This is actually a lot simpler than it sounds and saves wasting arrows by shooting them into the ground. Frozen ground especially.
Think about the setup and make sure you have it right because while I suppose it is not completely idiot proof, I assume no responsibility for your result. I use this method all the time and have for 4 seasons.
If you are left handed use the directions in reverse.
 
There are minimum draw weights for hunting large game in Quebec. Make sure whatever you buy is legal for hunting. Most shops will let you try a bow before you buy.
"Crossbows having 54 kg (120 lb.) or more of pull with a string extension of a least 25 cm (10 in.) and equipped with a safety catch. The bolt must be at least 40 cm (16 in.) in length including the broadhead."
 
John Y Cannuck said:
One more thing, don't unload a crossbow by shooting it at a tree. Arrow will be lost, by being buried in the tree, or, maybe, like a $ carbon, explode into a million little expensive bits. Yes, even with a field point.
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He he he... "Personal experience" John Y Cannuck??? He he he!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
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