HELP looking to buy Crossbow

Alright I'm looking to buy a crossbow this year so I can take a buck with it. I'm not familiar with any I'm looking to spend $500-600 range and found a few at cabelas but not sure which one is the best or what to look for so please help me out??

Which ones did you like? There are basically two types - recurve and compound. Compound is generally narrower, faster for drqw weight, argueably quieter. They are more prone to problems (more to go wrong), and most require owning a bow press or taking them to a shop for repairs.

Recurves are simplier, mostly wider,generally a little slower for draw weight, require a bit more effort to [censored], and possibly louder (all crossbows are loud in relation to vertical bows). They can be worked on at home or in the field as generally loose screws or possibly a string change is all that is needed for repair.

The top brand in each category is probably Ten Point and Excalibur respectively. Both have good products and back them with great customer service. There are a number of other quality makers out there, so do your research if you are interested in a different brand.

You will get a variety of answers to your question, sort of like what's the best rifle, or whats the best brand of ice cream. Everybody generally pushes what they use, which may or may not fit and work for you. I can tell you what I like, but you are the only one who can decide what is best for you.

After saying that, I sent you a pm.

I picked up a Barnett Brotherhood package at BPS, comes with arrows, scope, quiver $499. The only other item you would need is a cocking devise.

I just got a PSE Toxic for $300 delivered that is stupidly accurate. 325 fps., came with four carbon bolts, field points, quiver, sling, scope, and rope cocker.
http://www.americanarcherysupply.com/

FWIW, I learned really quick to use different aiming points on the target because fletchings and arrows get expensive in a hurry and this thing will literally stack 'em on top of each other if you aim at the same spot.

The main thing is to go and hold the unit, and then see if your thumb is riding up into the path of the string.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtoKbjbRDxw


This is why some of the newer units come with thumb/finger shields or other mechanism to mitigate the risk.

I found out about this when I was at Cabela's last year shopping for a crossbow, and heard the story about the guy buying a crossbow to kill a big buck that was showing up on his camera during archery season.

The end result was he wife made him take it back the next day after he removed his thumb ..I don't think he got the buck either

Also, there are some reports that Basspro was sued by customers getting injured while test firing a crossbow.

In the end, I did buy a Wicked ridge CLS crossbow (performance was ok), but only after taking the whole family to Cabela's and having them handle various crossbow options.

I just bought a Barnett Predator for $499 for the bow, quiver and 3 bolts(mine had a 6 pack) Supposed to shoot up to 350fps. I've shot it a couple times and can get 2" groups....
I had never shot one before, so it's all new

I'm currently unboxing an Excalibur Matrix 380. This particular model costs more than your range, but they make a 310 and 330 that are cheaper. They also have older model lines in your price range. They are highly rated.

As others above suggested, go look at/handle/shoot as many as possible and see what you like. There are currently several in the classifieds that you can find with a search.

There are also sites out there like crossbownation.com that are dedicated to Xbow enthusiasts. Lots of hints, tips, and valuable info out there, as well as guys selling used equipment.

Good luck, and welcome to the sport!