I have hunted with crossbows for several years now. I have a Horton Legend SL. This is the second horton I have owned and have never had any problems to speak of with them. I sent the entire head of this bow back at the end of last season for what I thought was a crack in the limb. The waranty was long gone and Horton replaced it w/out any questions or charge, just price of shipping to get it to them so they could see it. I basically got a new bow for $15 shipping. My Legend is right around 300fps. i shoot carbon arrows with 125gr. Muzzy braod heads. Deerslayer is right, they drop off pretty quick and are kind of noisy, but a set of limbsavers will quiet them right down. I have 4 (2 on each side ) and you would beleive the noise difference. Range is about the same as a compund but like everything else you need to be the judge and know what your equipment can do, as for cardeer, I have no idea what you are shooting but 2x4 smacking together?????????? must be an oldbarnett or pse those were very loud and heavy. upgrade. You can gowith top of the lineTenpoint but it will cost you about 3x as much as a great Horton bow will. Just my 2cents worth....................... Good luck and aslway be safe.