Trajectory
 

I am looking into getting a crossbow for this years deer season. I have always shot compound, but no longer have the time or place to practice, and I have not shot as well in the field as I used to.

I am torn between 2 bows, but after looking at the Horton site I have a bigger concern. It shows bolts going 300 fps. losing 16 inches in the first 30 yds?!?!?!

Can that be right???? I understand trajectories and that sighting in at 20 yds means a drop of 7 inches between 20 and 30, but that seems like a lot even then.I know that crossbows are not supposed to be any more efficient than compounds, but I use the same pin on my compound out to 30 yds with only a2 inch varience (from 20 yd pin) between 10 and 30 yds.

What is the experience of you folks?

RE: Trajectory
 

Welcome to the forum! Yup CB's arrows drop like lead. I have mine sighted in at 35 yds. and at 50 yds. at 3-D shoot it drops 18-20" that other 15 yds.!

RE: Trajectory
 

scaupstopper here is a link to a page that lists some real good info on arrow ballistics. take a look and see if it helps you any, I think it will answer your question, if not come back and ask more questions.

http://excaliburcrossbow.com/demo/listings.php?category_id=51

RE: Trajectory
 

there's guys here who use a single pin or single red dot, some even use rifle scopes w/ one xhair. if you are new to xbows, check out the Excal V-zone. It has a speed rating ring you adjust that puts your aim points on from 10 - 50 yds, in which case trajectory becomes less of a concern, however, range is still very important to know. They have brought out a new model w/ lit reticules w/ same features as V-zone. I've had several and they work real well for me, on any set-up between 250 fps and 350 fps. Btw, welcome to the forum!

RE: Trajectory
 

That helps a bit. I guess I was just shocked by the numbers. How far do you guys shoot at deer with a crossbow?

What are your thoughts on the pro-fusion vs. the Legend 175?

Can you stabilize a broadhead at 300fps?

RE: Trajectory
 

The range of the crossbow is the same of the compoound vertical bows. Most people (with deer) limit their shots to 30-35 yards. It is not that you are not accurate out past that distance, but the time it takes for the arrow to travel out that far. In the time it takes the arrow to travel to 45-50 yards, a deer can move to make any accurate shot a bad hit (just because the animal moved).

Me personally I do not like the compound crossbows becasue of the extra maintaince and dependicy on the proshops for repairs. If you look in past threads (just recently) you can see some pros and cons on both the recurves and compounds to see why I prefur the simplistic nature of the recurves

Good luck and welcome to the world of crossbows. Ask any uestion that you need to.

RE: Trajectory
 

Among others, I have an Excal Exomax which is a barn burner w/ around 100 ft lbs k.e. My max range I'll shoot deer at is 35 yds for all the reasons GT posted. I use my Phoenix much more than the Emax, a lot easier on me, servings, ect. One thing about Excals, they all have the same triggers and they are great. I recently dialed in a Legend 175 for a friend. I was really impressed w/ the bow, but not the 3 dot red dot or the dial-a-range, which is also referred to as the dial-a-rage when the rope from rope cocker moves it to an unwanted position. It would not shoot b-heads anywhere near poi it did w/ field points and Horton told me it was for mechanicals only. Had a swell trigger though. If you haven't written those two choices in stone, and both are good companies, try a Phoenix. You won't need a bow monkey as you can do all yourself.

RE: Trajectory
 

most normal guys on here shot at nomore than 30 yrds, but im sure theres a few that shoot out to 40, me less than 30.

welcome to the forum

RE: Trajectory
 

Those are all good points, and I should have specified that I am not looking to shoot past 35 yds. It is irresponsible imo.

I am not in a rush to pick anything up. In fact if I can find the time, and the place I am going to stick to a "upright" as you guys call it. I wont have the money before June, as I just bought a new boat and plan to teach the Lake Erie Walleye a few lessons. that has been expensive.

Just been weiging it out cost wise. Glen Dell Buck, new sites, bow tune, new broadheads, new fletchings, new fletchings, new fletcher...It all adds up.

But you eluded to something I hadnt figured in. I thought crossbows were relatively maintenance free? Are they not?

RE: Trajectory
 

Most crossbows are maintaince free or close to it, but the recurves are as close to it as you will ever get. Just wax your string, either reserve the wrapping or replace the string, check bolts for tightness, remove string and DP pads (dp pads for excalibur) for the off season or if going to store in a hot area.

Many of the compounds can go for many years withoutneeding service, but if ou need, you basicly need a shop unless you have ur own bow press.

Strings (mainly the serving or wrapping) on a crossbow do wear and need replacing every once in a while. If you need to replace the string on a recurve, it is a 5 minute job at most, even in the field, but on the compound, go to the proshop.

Since you state that you have always shot a compound and talk about getting new fletchings and new fletchers, most all arrow parts will work with the corssbow arrows (guess it is what you have used with your compound setup). I know many that use the same fletcher for both types of arrows. If your fletching setup requires a knock to fletch the arrow, all you need to do is glue a knock onto a field point and use fron inserts into the back of the arrow (screw it into the arrow then fletch),

Most shooters (the standard) use 4 or 5 inch veins or 5 inch feathers with either 1 to 4 degree right offset.

As for broadheads, if what you have now is a quality head, then it should work well with a quality crossbow. Where you can run into problems with hunting heads with the crossbow is if our head has a soft spine. That is, it can be easily bent (tip becomes off center from the AXIS of the arrow/head). Other then that, you will probually find that with the crossbow, ou wil not have to do all the matching, alining the blades/fletchings, ect. Some willalso tell you that if our using a fixed head with the larger cutting Dia (say 1.5"), in windy conditions, you can get some plaining of the head in flight to effect the accuracy (why some have gone to the mechanicals).

Hope this helps.

RE: Trajectory
 

That answers a lot of it. I was commenting on needing a fletcher because I dont have one, and I cant find anyone local that does a good job with fletchings. I plan to hold off buying one at this point and try to work more with my bow. If I cant get it shooting the way I want, I have a long time to get a xbow before season. This is a bad year to spend $600 on something I dont absolutely have to have.

RE: Trajectory
 

scaupstopper, Do you understand the differance between drop and trajectory? Drop is measured down from an arrow shot at perfect level,trajectory is shooting the arrow at a slight upward angle to use the power of the bow to keep it close to the line of sight. For instance I sight my 2x rifle scope with one cross hair in dead on at 27 yards so it hits 3.5 inches high at 20 yd 2" high at 25yds and 2 low at 30 yds which is what I limit myself to since I don't like having to trail wounded deer that jumped the string. Lee

RE: Trajectory
 

I never had any problems with my compound needing maintenance other then string wear. I did a cam upgrade on my old Horton after about ten years and that came with new cables. The only thing I think sucks is that with a Compound style you will need a shop or a press for string service. It is a misconception about How powerful a CB is and how far they shoot. I have shot all mine within twenty yards for the most part. But Never intend on going past thirty. CB's are like high school boys on prom night, they come out screaming, but run out of gas real fast!! LOL!!

RE: Trajectory
 

Hotburn76, I dont have a lot of experance with Horton's I have helped a few of the guys with theirs so I am not sure if this works on them it depends on clearance. You might try using a crank down like they tie down loads on a trailer or tie an ATV down on a trailer. we put a steel rod across the slot for the wheels and crank it down enough to loosen the string to work on it. Be carful not to put any pressure on the excetric wheels. Lee

RE: Trajectory
 

Lemon, I definitely used the wrong tem. Thanks. Even then, I was just surprised how much drop a bolt has. I guess I was so used to never varying more than 2 inches from the bow to the 30 yrd target that 16 inches of drop at 30 yds was a bit shocking. (from the Horton website)

I guess it will just take practice. Which is the reason I am wanting to get away from my upright [&:]

RE: Trajectory
 

It will take some pratice but if you get set up right to start with you will be suprised how little. Lee