crossbow

[Firefighter]

I'm looking to buy a crossbow. (I dont want this thread to turn into an arguement so if you dont care for crossbows, ignore it)
Ive looked at many and they all seem to be really loud. I think i'm leaning towards an excalibur because of their reputation for durability and accuracy. I want to use the crossbow for deer, turkeys, groundhog, etc. Anyone have one or have any tips on buying one? On silencing one?

[djd]

Firefighter, I own an Excalibur excet, it's absolutely amazing how accurate and fast it is. I live in Canada where they are definitely more accepted. In southern Ontario i may hunt 25-50 days before I see a whitetail with-in 50 yards, so they severe a definite purpose here. I love my bow, just ask my wife how much time i spend with it!

[Riva]

Ditto on the Excalibur crossbows. The are a great bow and moderately priced. The Exomax shoots an arrow at 350+ FPS and is virtually flat to 40 yards. NOTHING gets out of its way under 30 yards. The bow itself is somewhat big and "lunky" and IMO, doesn't "shoulder" well (and I'm a big guy). The Exocet is a better size bow and shoots 330 (PLENTY FAST).

I also happen to like 10 Point brand. Unlike the Excalibur which is a recurve, this is a compound. Kind of heavy ( 9lbs) and pricey ($1,000+) but a great bow.

There aren't too many crossbowd out there that are totally quiet. All have some sort of "twang" when you release. I would think the Excalibur is the most quiet (less moving parts) and they all offer string silencers.

I, myself, own several crossbows but hunt with a 12 year old Horton Super Sport. Wood stock, 42" long and weighs about 7 pounds. Almost like a carbine crossbow. Shoots a blistering 260 fps however; i never shoot at anything over 20 yards and I have killed plenty of deer with it. I simply like light and small versus big and heavy.

[Munsterlndr]

I personally like the recurve over the compound design, must be the traditionalist in me! :lol:

One of the Excalibur models would be my first choice of a production crossbow.

[Wallywalleye]

Any bow you look at make sure you have the ability to cock the bow back to load. If you can't then look into one that has a cocking mechanism. I had to go with a 10 Pt. because they offered a built in cranking loading device which is an option. With a herniated disc & bursitis in both shoulders it was a necessity for me. Hope this helps. WW

[Riva]

Any bow you look at make sure you have the ability to cock the bow back to load. If you can't then look into one that has a cocking mechanism. I had to go with a 10 Pt. because they offered a built in cranking loading device which is an option. With a herniated disc & bursitis in both shoulders it was a necessity for me. Hope this helps. WW

Cocking these thing is a great challenge to some, including me. I use a rope and pully for my old Horton and even then @ 150 pound pull, it's difficult sometimes. NO WAY do you hand pull any of the newer crossbows by hand if you were 100% perfectly healthy.

Also got to remember, you might have to (re)cock the crossbow while up in your tree stand, which is no easy task sometimes.