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Cross Bow #5251557 08/13/14 10:38 PM
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hoof n wings Offline OP
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I'm thinking of getting a cross bow to hunt with. Been looking for a couple months and wondering what those that have used them think of

Barnett Quad 400
Barnett C5 Wildcat
Wicket Ridge Invader


Also, how often will the string/cables last?
Any broad head better than others
mechanical vs fixed
100gr vs 125- I assume the higher grain, slower speed?
Does speed kill or is kenetic energy better

Anything else?


Originally Posted by ImTheReasonDovesMourn
I'd ask him if he's pregnant. He missed a s__tload of periods.

Originally Posted by Hancock
I'll take "things that look like a uterus" for $200 Alex.
Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5251630 08/13/14 11:13 PM
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texashelms Offline
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My pick would be any Excalibur crossbow. Plus it's easy to replace the string.

Other crossbows from what I hear the string should be replaced after 50 plus shots. Also you'll need a bow press for any adjustments or replacements.

Fixed is the only way to go.

Speed 100 vs 125 little speed difference with most crossbows.

Speed does kill but any crossbow over 300fps will do job.

Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5252076 08/14/14 03:09 AM
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Originally Posted By: hoof n wings
I'm thinking of getting a cross bow to hunt with. Been looking for a couple months and wondering what those that have used them think of

Barnett Quad 400
Barnett C5 Wildcat
Wicket Ridge Invader up


Also, how often will the string/cables last? Keep the string waxed and the rail lubed and the will last a long time, depends on the # of shots but will last lots longer with good maintenance. Have gone over 400 shots on one set of strings and cables on a Parker crossbow without accuracy degradation.
Any broad head better than others
mechanical vs fixed I like fixed, slicktricks are good as are Montechs
100gr vs 125- I assume the higher grain, slower speed? true but I like 125s seem to get better accuracy with them over the 100s at least in my crossbow.
Does speed kill or is kenetic energy better A sharp broad through the vitals is what kills, this isn't like a bullet that kills with blunt force trauma. loss of blood is what really kills when using archery equipment.

Anything else? Each brand has its followers and fans much like Ford/Chevy/Dodge... Go handle and shoot several and pick what you like. Have seen more than one person think they want one crossbow then after trying several decide the one they started wanting doesn't rank anywhere near their top pick after handling and shooting several bows. The main reason I scratched through Barnett is quality issues mainly with strings and cables on too many of them also most other makes have scopes with pretty well regulated aiming lines in the scope for about 10 yard increments, not so with the Barnett scopes and bows. Stryker is another brand with many returns, though they seem to have fixed a lot of those with the new Solution bow for 2014, only time will tell if that is true.

Hard to go wrong with TenPoint, Wicked Ridge, Excalibur. Parker, Darton and Carbon Express those IMO are all good choices with enough variation in models and features to keep a person busy fir a while trying to find the right one.



lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5252165 08/14/14 03:44 AM
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hoof n wings Offline OP
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Thanks Kmon, that's what Im looking for


Originally Posted by ImTheReasonDovesMourn
I'd ask him if he's pregnant. He missed a s__tload of periods.

Originally Posted by Hancock
I'll take "things that look like a uterus" for $200 Alex.
Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5252216 08/14/14 04:23 AM
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kmon has it right on the 3 you listed.

I will say, I looked at several and actually settled on the Excalibur Matrix 380. Reason being, I don't need a press to change the string/cables. I can do it in the field if something was to happen to my string, and I usually carry a new string and stringer in my backpack, or at least have one in the truck or camper.

As far as BHs, I usually shoot a 125 grain, but last year I killed several pigs and a doe with a 170 grain mechanical head, and it did a number on each one. The more weight on the arrow, the quiter the bow.

The only crossbow I know of that you won't need a press for would be the Mission line-up.

Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5255946 08/16/14 01:59 AM
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Went and shot the Invader today... loud! Is there that much difference in 300 fps compared to 315 fps?


Originally Posted by ImTheReasonDovesMourn
I'd ask him if he's pregnant. He missed a s__tload of periods.

Originally Posted by Hancock
I'll take "things that look like a uterus" for $200 Alex.
Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5255981 08/16/14 02:22 AM
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They sound MUCH louder indoors. All crossbows are going to be loud when shooting.

Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5256058 08/16/14 03:10 AM
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300 is fast, don't worry about posted numbers

Re: Cross Bow [Re: Brother in-law] #5257416 08/17/14 03:34 AM
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explain por favor
Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
.....don't worry about posted numbers


Originally Posted by ImTheReasonDovesMourn
I'd ask him if he's pregnant. He missed a s__tload of periods.

Originally Posted by Hancock
I'll take "things that look like a uterus" for $200 Alex.
Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5257419 08/17/14 03:41 AM
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Most companies use 350 grain arrows to get fastest possible posted speeds. Most hunters use 400+ grain arrows which results in slower than listed speeds. 300 fps is plenty fast for any need. Until the compound bow came along, lots of critters were killed with arrows launched at under 200 fps. Shot placement and sharp broadheads are what gets the job done. JMO

Re: Cross Bow [Re: rjd] #5257463 08/17/14 04:45 AM
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Bought a Barnett Predator used from a friend. It is 175# and a 16" power stroke; shoots at 375 feet per second. The first wire is good for 20-30-40 yards. Probably had 200-300 shots thru it, when I got it. Drew a crossbow tag in Texas and got it only for that; I have been a vertical bow hunter for a long time before that. Shot a couple hundred rounds thru it before the hunt, and another several hundred since. Just shot another hundred last weekend, before taking it to Wyoming for an archery antelope tag. The string has not been changed yet, and with proper waxing, should last for a long time. It is a lot of fun, and really doesnt detract form the experience of bowhunting at all. I thought it would seem like cheating, but it is just different.

They are a lot of fun to shoot, and very accurate. I cannot shoot more than 3 arrows at a spot on the target before moving to another, or I will be tearing up arrows at 30 yards. With a 4X scope and the stadia wires, I could shoot accurately out to 90 yards.

Mine likes 22" carbon arrows and 125 grain broadheads. I have tuned it for the 4 blade Muzzy, which locks the blades into the ferrule and is indestructible. Weigh the arrow and head and try to keep it between 400-450 grains for optimum performance. The better bows like Barnett, Parker, Ten Point, and Excalibur are all quality weapons. The recurve bows are simple and indestructible, while the compounds will require more upkeep and maintenance.

Whatever you get, go into it with an open mind and enjoy it for what it is. Another opportunity to enjoy hunting.

Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5258500 08/17/14 11:26 PM
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Go to this forum you will find a world of info.http://www.crossbownation.com/forum/

Last edited by Bearpaw; 08/17/14 11:27 PM.
Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5260145 08/18/14 10:14 PM
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I'd stay with Excalibur ..it's simple and all you need to do is replace the string. They are not the cheapest crossbow but they are reliable and in the long run will be lower maintenance (string replacement).

Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5260338 08/18/14 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted By: hoof n wings
Went and shot the Invader today... loud! Is there that much difference in 300 fps compared to 315 fps?


I have the Invader HP and have shot many others before I decided on the Invader. I can tell you they are all loud! That's why I laugh at the guys that talk about how accurate their xbow is at 50-60-70+ yards. I promise you a deer will string jump a xbow when you start getting beyond 30 yards. In fact 30 yards is my max........not because I cant shoot past that distance but because with the amount of noise a xbow makes I think your chances of a bad hit past 30 yards due to string jumping go through the roof! My dad shot his buck last year at 34 yards and although it was a quick clean harvest the deer still spun about 70 degrees before the arrow got there. If you want to shoot farther than that then get a upright compound that's is much quieter.

Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5260490 08/19/14 12:44 AM
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Can you use both 20" or 22" bolts?


Originally Posted by ImTheReasonDovesMourn
I'd ask him if he's pregnant. He missed a s__tload of periods.

Originally Posted by Hancock
I'll take "things that look like a uterus" for $200 Alex.
Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5260527 08/19/14 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted By: hoof n wings
Can you use both 20" or 22" bolts?


That will depend on which bow you end up with. Most are pretty specific in the manuals about what you can and cant use. They will even tell you what the minimum total weight your arrow should be. The Wicked Ridge even tells you which nock is acceptable. Make sure you buy the bow first so you don't end up with a bunch of accessories that wont work with your bow.

Re: Cross Bow [Re: hoof n wings] #5266229 08/22/14 01:36 AM
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I thought my crossbow was loud. I set up my phone underneath the target and recorded a couple of shots. It wasn't as loud as I thought it would have been. I also shot it at camp one day and my buddy could not even hear it from about 30 yards away.

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