Greetings -- I'm new to the forums and looking to get into crossbow hunting. I'm looking for advice on what crossbow I should purchase. I've read through the crossbow forum and it seems most folks recommend an Excalibur. I like the Phoenix and the Exocet, but they sure are expensive. I saw the Phoenix package at Bow hunters superstore for $499 and that seems to be a pretty good deal. I suppose I'm leaning that way, but think it's kind of a steep investment to get into the sport.

I like the idea of a smaller/light bow that can be more easily carried and manuevered in the wild but still packs the punch of a larger bulkier xbow. I also like the idea of being able to maintain itinexpensively and at home on my own. I think I want a recurve and I'd like to get something powerful enough that I can hunt a wide range with it and not feel the need to upgrade in a year. I also would prefer to buy something good now and grow into it if needed, rather than get something that I will wish I had not bought a season later. Seems like a waste to me to buy two bows.

So let meknow what you all think and I'll keep reading, too. I'm grateful for any advice. Thanks.

I think if you buy the Excaliber you wont have to worry about up-grade ing in a year or so.All the people that I know that have them,swear by
them,and never talk of switching to another brand,it may be a little
steep for you at this time but in the long run you will be money ahead
and and have the joy of working on your own equipment and being
independent of the shops to do all the little things that come up!As
much as I love my Parkers the shop has to change strings for me and
I have to carry an extra in case of an accident,good luck on your pick!

Ooops,forgot, welcome to the board,enjoy good folks here1

Two guys on here come to mind, and I may get them wrong, but one is Dan, AKA AWSHUCKS, and the other is Don, AKA DNK. I think they both have the Phoenix and consider them there favorite if I remember right. I think the Phoenix will do you just fine on any big game here in North America, want to hunt elephants and you may want the 200# or 225# CB's but them guys have pass thrus on deer with the Phoenix with no problems. They always say get the bigger Excal's and you just walk farther to pick up your arrow after you kill a deer. There is alot of guys on here from the Excal crowd IMO cause the Excal Forum is about as dry as it gets and way to serious for me, I post there some, but most of the cut loose guys post here. I have been a long time Horton fan, and still am, but I too wanted freedom from the press monkey and a run in last fall with my local shop put me over the edge so buying a self service Excal became my priority. Plus I got tired of hearing all the fun these guys where having and needed in on it. LOL!! Others will chime in and should give there opinion also, but I think you will be happy. Also, if you think about it 500 bucks ain't that bad compared to a decked out mid line compound, or say a Remington with a scope. If you spend over a grand on a CB then maybe you should think about the high price thoughts! LOL!!


EDIT: Also forgot to say welcome! Chime in and have fun, its a good group of guys in here!

Hi, I'm Dan, and I shoot Excaliburs. Sounds like an intro at "Xbows Anonymous" lol. 1st off, any name brand xbow will be adequate for deer hunting. This post is NOT to slight any other brand out there. Here's why I like Excals. They are lighter than compounds, [but a tad wider]. You do your own maintenance. All models have the same excellant trigger. They have won more competitions [3-D] in the past than all the other mfgrs put together. Two things you don't get w/ an Excal are: [a] a serial # on the bow, a warranty card to fill out and send in. Neither are needed, they stand behind their products regardless of age or original owner, yada yada, yada. About the only way to screw one up is to dry-fire it w/ Fast Flight string. I'm not going so far as to say every split limb is replaced under warranty, but mine and Planters were. In both cases, only one limb split but both were replaced so they match. There are no "tune-up specials" trigger upgrades, bells and whistles, [YOU put the safety on each time you cock it]. There are no cables to fray, no wheels to need timed, just plain simple and deadly. I've shot every Excal made except for the "Point Blanc" target bow, including their joint effort w/ Bear on the Maxpoint[USA Paradox [Can]. Being a compound, I couldn't offhand it, so adios amigo, it's being loved in Texas as I make this post. I currently own a Phoenix and an Emax, which is a bruiser!! Had I shot the Phoenix 1st, the Emax would still be at Cabelas. So......that's my story and I'm sticking to it!! Have fun!!

Btw: Welcome to the forum! You new guys are showing up in droves, which is in my humble opinion a great thing!! Glad to see you here!! ps: have no idea what button I hit to get this bold print, it was unintentional!!

Welcome puphus,we all have our own opinions,take what you need and shovle out the rest...
these guys are all good people......Ask away.....

I have had a Pheonix for a while now and can't imagine needing anything else. I can change the string, blow some crud out of the trigger housing,clean the deck a bit and be back shooting in 10 minutes. Even with a string change I can be back in the black with just a tweak of the scope.
Was lucky enough to test it on deer last year and the arrow zipped thru them like nothing out to 30yds.Bet it would do a fine job on a shoulder blade if it had to.
The only drawback the bow has is that it requires no maintainance I always liked playing with the compounds and working on the long armsbut all I can do with the Pheonix is look at it or shoot it.
The Pheonix with all the trimmings was still alot less $$ than my last compound and it sure shoots cheap. Welcome Bud....

Do I really need a scope or will the fiber optic sites do fine? I just can't imagine needing a scope for a 20-30 yard shot. But what do I know...

welcome to the forum. lots of great xbows out there. i went for the excal because you can do your own maintainence w/o needing a bow press. also, the trigger is top of the line. i have the exocet and i love it. as i said, there are many good bows on the market but, i have never heard anyone who regretted buying an excal. good luck. it's a great sport.

Fiber optic are fine,BUT..at 25 yards it covers up alot of your target area.thats why I just order a lumizone,hopefully it will be sharper,plus I can set 20-30-40 yrds with it....


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