Excaliber opinions
 

I am buying an Excaliber, for deer hunting. This is not a suggestion, it is what the future holds.
This web site has the best opinions on this subject, hands down.
Here is the criteria, I "may" go to OHIO hunting, which limits the crossbows to 200 lb pull weight. I am leaning toward the 225 though.
I have searched retail outlets and believe that sportsmansguide to be the best prices:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/browse.aspx?c=8&s=261
Thank you for your assistance.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

If you are wandering the difference between the 225 and the 200 there is one. It will be about an extra 10 yards walk with the 255 CB to find your arrow on a pass through, which they all will do. I have the 200# Vortex and had two pass throughs last fall, my old 150# Horton always had pass throughs. I like to shoot alot during the summer and the 200# works me over with even a rope cocker with alot of shooting, the 225# model gets some complaints from guys that like to shoot alot, works a guys shoulders over real fast!

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

You made a great crossbow choice. Everybody here loves Excals. I guess the question I'd ask is have your personally shot one yet to see how the bow feels for you? Also, there was only one bow that offered the scope, quiver and bolts. I beleieve that was a Phoenix. You may get a better deal on a complete package from a specialty shop, plus get a chance to hold the merchandise you plan on spending considerable funds to purchase.

Wyvern is always a good POC for all crossbow questions and purchases. He's incredibly knowledgable and super friendly. Good luck on your hunt :).

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

Stephen,

The 200lb Exocet is capable of taking any animal in North America. The Vixen (150lb) has been used to take moose in Canada.

Actually, the cheapest retail outlet I have found is BHSS:

http://www.bowhunterssuperstore.com/crossbows-excalibur-c-40_145.html

But if you get it from Dan Miller, the person who handles all US repairs, the xbow will come setup and sighted in. His prices are very competitiveand heis also and excellent resource for questions (740) 483-2312. Call Dan Miller before you buy, it is worth the time.

Any Excalibur product is an excellent choice and they stand behind their product regardless of where you get it.

Bob

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

Go for the 200.....I also have the Vortex and Love it....Matter of fact I was just outside doing some 30 yrd shots with her...Excal is great all the way around.......

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

Go for the 200. I got the 200 Vortex..after buying the 225 Equinox. More bow than I could handle. Cocking it was a chore so that I had to limit practice shots to half dozen or so. The 200 gives me complete pass through at 30 yards. Fast accurate and easier on the bowstring. The 10 fps extra speed isn't worth the hassle. I'm getting an honest 320 fps with 41o gr arrows and Flemmish string. More than enough for anything that walks this area, or flies...will be using it for long beards next week end. While you're at it, check out the LumiZone scope, got one on both my bows (the other is a Parker Terminator) it's the cat's meow. Multiple aiming points that can be adjusted for speed of arrow and a lighted reticule on demand. I used to think 'Robin Hoods' were an anomaly...now I don't aim at the same spot twice.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I agree with the boys with one exception. If you are a high volume shooter you may want to go to the Phoenix which is a whole lot easier to cock. Otherwise the Vortex for hunting is pretty much perfect. I have a Vixen, Phoenix and Vortex. Even better is the Y25.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I've done alot of business with these folks,most of thir crossbows include free shipping
http://store.outdoorsexperience.com/excaliburequinox.html
Tell them I sent you

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

Stephen1959, the 225 is a beast! heavier & longer plus it likes to eat string servings. It will wear you out cocking it if you do much practice shooting. the 200 Lb and 175 Lb models will do all you ask and much easier on you.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I bought my Vortex thru...bowhunterssuperstore.com.........Ive had very good exp with these folks........

Get my Strings from Boo,aka Dnk,aka Don,akaone of theY25 guys.........;)

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I had an Emax. It was hard on servings and tiring to cock for repeated target work like has been said. The Ecet seems to shoot almost as fast and is alot more user friendly. Good Luck!

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I was thinking about just this kind of thing last week. I'd like to have a 200 lb beast, but jeeze! It'd blow through my targets and force me to spend more on replacements. It'd be too tiring to cock to shoot very much, and I shoot a lot because it's FUN. (I hate practice, but I do play a lot.;)) Won't be hunting anything much tougher than feral hogs. I finally pretty much came to the decision that 150 lbs is plenty for my needs. 175 at the very outside, and I'd have to get a ridiculously good deal to make me look at anything that heavy.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

You're right as usual AP, actually when I still had the Emax i was going to order a Vixen from Danny Miller, but he talked me into a Phoenix, which I discovered about a year later was actually a mis marked Exocet, lol. By then I was so fond of the bow which cocked soooo much easier, I couldn't get away from it. I had a carved tip black Vixen here for awhile, buddy was hiding it out from girl friend, lol. Smoke has it now and it was a real pleasure to shoot, and if I'm not mistaken, Smoke took 5 deer w/ it this last season.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

You bet...Excals are #1 as far as I am concerned my ExoMax will drill thru hogs with ease.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I too am a member of the Ex-Exomax club. It's just too much poundge - period. I shot a deer at dark from inside a ground blind with it. The sparks flew from the rail on the shot and you could smell the burning wax. And it's just too scary to be comfrontable with for me.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I, too, am an ex-Exomax shooter. It was a nice crossbow, but it went through string servings as fast as most people change their socks. Recently, while in Europe, I had the opportunity to shoot the Vortex. Even though it is only 25lbs less draw and has a 1 inch shorter power stroke, it seemed to (imo) to be alot less violent and almost the perfect blend blend of power and shootability. I am in in the market for a recurve and it's going to take someting remarkable to keep me from making it a Vortex.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

Cheapest prices (besides *bay) on the Vortex and other Excalibers that I have found is at "western hunting online". a vortex is $455 and a Exocet $424 But don't expect to get the after sale service you would get from Dan Miller or Wyvern

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

Qoute: "Even though it is only 25lbs less draw and has a 1 inch shorter power stroke, it seemed to (imo) to be alot less violent and almost the perfect blend blend of power and shootability."
The thing that makes it seemingly easier to cock is the stock is 2" shorter overall. Don't get me wrong, the Vortex is still one powerful bow and hard to cock if one has physical limitations. But it's a good blend of size and power that is suitable for any critter that walks this country. If I were to only hunt deer or pigs I think I'd Phoenix it tho.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

The Vortex, IMHO,is the perfect crossbow if, like me, you are a "seasoned" (older) hunter and you like recurves. Mine is set up to shoot 480 grain arrows and the Vortex blasts them out at almost 300 fps and accuracy for hunting ranges is hard to beat.

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

I too also have a VORTEX and love it!!
It is extremely accurate and I love the compact stock. I had a Horton Team RealTree HD175 compound Xbow before I bought the Excal. It was also a nice bow and accurate. But I went with the Excal because it is easier & cheaperto maintain being a recurve. Also quite a bit lighter. You can't go wrong with an EXCAL....

chris

RE: Excaliber opinions
 

Good luck, keep us posted to how you do when you get set up and go for a deer.