I personaly have never used a crossbow but after shooting with a guy at the archery range one day who was using a crossbow I left with the idea that the crossbow was no more effective than a compound at any range. I was actually outshooting him by a longshot - He was not experianced with the crossbow at all though but I still saw no advantage other than you do not have to draw and the use of a scope - which is I know a big plus because of lack of movement and the scope itself....I was actually very surprised by the compounds performance and it made me wonder what all the hype is about regarding crossbows.

More on your post - it seems to me that if you are getting relatively close perhaps you should move your stand 10-20 yards IF possible or just practice a little patience..... remember - bowhunting has never been easy and its not just about the kill.... being a proficiant bowhunter has a lot more to do with planning and execution of your hunt plan to put you in bow range than anything else. It' s FINE if you are not comfortable with a shot over 20 yards..... simply concentrate more on a plan to get a little closer...... I know its a simple sounding solution but you have plenty of time to get a deer..... and if you are seeing plenty its only a matter of time before you are in that 20 yard position, and send one into the bioiler room......

Dont give up on the bow so fast...... sticking it out is what will make you a better bowhunter - not switching weapons mid stride.
Good luck and happy hunting....

I am with cardeer about your Horton Legend. My brother shoots the legend. There is no possible way you can use the same crosshair at 50 yards as you do with 30 yards. Sighted in at 20 yards with the " dial a range" set on 2 you have to click it up to the 5 position to shoot 50 yards and that is with 2219 eastons and 100 grain tips. You are looking at probaly 10 to 12 inches of drop between 30 and 50 yards. This is just my observation while shooting 3-d shoots with my brother. There is no way the legend can hang with a good modern compound for the arrows down range dropage. JMO

Is " dropage" really even a word?? Oh well you get the gist of what I am saying whether it is a word or not.

avid I am hoping you have decided against the crossbow for both your sake and the deers after the about statements on crossbows versus compounds. More practice, pateince and getting closer to the deer are part of the thrill of bow hunting.