First Crossbow
 

Hi,

I am looking at buying my first Crossbow. I am wanting to stay in the $300 range, I will be using it mainly for hunting hogs here in Texas. I have narrowed it down to three choices and each seems to have the items I want so I thought I would ask for your input.
The three are:
1.) PSE Copperhead
2.) Barnett Wildcat
3.) Barnett Quad 400 150#

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jake

RE: First Crossbow
 

You probably won't like my input but here it is. I would not buy any of those you mentioned. Do yourself a BIG favor and make a phone call to David at Wyvern Creations: 603-659-0575. He can give some guidance and honest advice on what to buy.
You can get far better CB's than those you mentioned and stay close to your budgeted amount. Last thing you want to do is buy a crossbow soley based on cost. I guarentee you would regret it in no time at all.

RE: First Crossbow
 

I agree with the Griz on your choices. Definitely at the bottom of the quality order. Do yourself a favor and have a look at an Excalibur Phoenix or the like. Quality bow, minimum of a maintenance required-you can do yourself, without a bow press-with a lifetime warranty to boot.

RE: First Crossbow
 

[:o] I had a Quad 400 blow up literally in my face. I could not get smaller than 3" groups at 20 yds w/ it to boot. If you are bound and detrmined w/ the $300 limit, get the PSE, but as others have pointed out, a little more loot will go a long way, lol. I just got back from doing some longer range target shooting preparing for a match and was getting 1.5" groups at 50 yds from a bench rest w/ an Excal setup. Far better accuracy than is needed for hunting, but I like to compete in matches.

RE: First Crossbow
 

Horton Explorer 150. Great buy, compact bow and awesome accuracy out to thirty yards. I wasn't comfortable enough to shoot out to 40 with it.

RE: First Crossbow
 

This is true. My first Xbow was a Horton so maintenance was kinda a pain. Now I have a Excal Vortex and life is so much better! lol..

chris

RE: First Crossbow
 

Did you look at the Excalibur's? It seems like what I found was everyone had great things tosay about them so I bought oneand it has been a great bow and lots of fun (had not hunting with it yet but have lots of bolts in trees).

RE: First Crossbow
 

what crossbow would YOU reccommend though????? in that general price range? because im looking at a crossbow or a bow that is in that near price range for hunting deer

RE: First Crossbow
 

what crossbow would YOU reccommend though????? in that general price range? because im looking at a crossbow or a bow that is in that near price range for hunting deer

RE: First Crossbow
 

anybody?

RE: First Crossbow
 

I would go with an Excalibur Phoenix. You can find it for around $400 for the bow alone. Around $500 for the package. This is for a new one. If you can find a good used one that would be okay too. Since the warranty and customer service is so good. I bought a Vortex with the big package Varizone scope etc. for $550 on Ebay. This close to a thousand dollar setup. It had only been shot a couple times. The guy needed money bad. So I would check Ebay out and see what you can find. But I wouldon buying a crossbowtill I could get the money for a Pheonix. Either new or used. In the long run I guarantee you will be most happy with that choice. If you get a compund you need a bow press or a shop to do any little thing that comes up. There is also alot moreof moving parts that can possibly wear out or mess up. Also, compounds are generallymore front heavy and not as well balanced (imo) .An Excalibur crossbowhas a recurve style bow. You can do all of your own mantainance with a bow stringer. I had a Horton HD175 for my first xbow. It was a nice and accurate bow but my new Vortex is even more nice and accurate. And I can do all my own string changes etc. without having to use a press, rig something up, or take it to a shop that costs more money. If you get the Excal it will pay for itself in the cost difference in shop time alone. Unless you already own or plan on buying a press that works on crossbows. There are ways to restring a compound rigging up a rope wood blocks and such. But I would not recommend doing it unless you really know what you are doing. I didn't try it. I upgraded to the Excalibur. I hope this helps you out and saves you the hassle of having to findeverything out the harder more expensive way. I wouldn't give you bad info.

Chris

RE: First Crossbow
 

Why is itthat you think a compound CB has to go to the shop all the time. I've owned compound cb's and vertical bows for a long, long time and never had to take one to a bow shop. Never had a problems.

Telling people that they NEED to buy a recurve CB rather than a compound CB because a compound needs to go to the shop for every little think is pure hogwash.
Compounds are just as accurate as recurves. Most compound CB's are faster than recurves. Changing a string is easier to do on a recurve but you can also change the string on a comound without taking to the shop!
Now days all GOOD crossbows from the top manufacturers are virtuallymaintainence free, other than normal stuff like waxing the string. lubricating the rail/barrel and keeping the trigger free of derbis and lubricating it.
Price difference between the two is very small. A recurve CB is wider and harder to manuver around to shoot in a lot of instances. Saying that you will save money on maintainance is crap. If you need to be taking a compound CB to the bow shop all the time you sure as hell aren't taking care of it nor using it properly.

This telling people to stay away from compound CB because of maintainence is just BULLSHIETE!!!!

RE: First Crossbow
 

Easy there feller!!! I have nothing against compounds. I am just saying if you need to change a string etc. WHICH YOU WILL.. They charge at bowshops when you take your bow in. I don't know what your problem is blowing up like that. I was just trying to help the guy out... But you obviously you have a big one... as well as big mouth!

Chris

RE: First Crossbow
 

A big mouth?? WTF is your problem?? The truth must hurt!! You're telling people "If you get a compund you need a bow press or a shop to do any little thing that comes up."
"If you get the Excal it will pay for itself in the cost difference in shop time alone. Unless you already own or plan on buying a press that works on crossbows."

I merely posted that what you said is bull shiete! You're trying to tell peole not to buy a compound because of all the maintainence. Like I said beofre that's BULL SHIETE!!

RE: First Crossbow
 

allright allright i dont really have 400 dollars to spend on one but i need somemore advice on some

RE: First Crossbow
 

Well I guess that's your opinion then...we'll see what other's have to say about it. But don't come back on me asking me "wtf is my problem?" YOU ARE THE ONE THAT BLEW UP.

RE: First Crossbow
 

wow
are hortons and barnetts any good?
here isa barnett that looks pretty cool
http://www.barnettcrossbows.com/recu...s/panzer_v.asp
here is the hortons i was looking at
http://www.crossbow.com/tacomabyhortontrac150
http://www.crossbow.com/summithd2

tell me what you think about these xbows plesae
thanks

RE: First Crossbow
 

Barnetts are not a very good crossbow to consider They have had lots of problems for years. Most everyone stays away from them. They have come out with some new models but haven't proven them nor gotten rid of their lousy reputation.. Horton makes a decent crossbow. Their mid to high end models are pretty good. If you're really limited on the mount of funds you have to spend , you can most likely find a good used Ten Point of Excal. Wyvern may have some new demo's still available You could POSSIBLY get a new 2007 model bow and stay within your budget. When you get serious about buying one, give David a call and he will work with you to get you the best now for your $$$$!

RE: First Crossbow
 

what was his number again?

RE: First Crossbow
 

Wyvern Creations: David 603-659-0575

RE: First Crossbow
 

DaGriz covered all the basics. I shoot a Horton so my opinion is biased but Excalibur and Ten Point are great bows too. If you are looking at a Horton I strongly conisder looking into an Explorer, it was my first crossbow and is a great intro. CB.

RE: First Crossbow
 

ok ppl a good vent every now and again is life. what would i recommend in that area of money for only a CB. excals phoenix & vixen also parker buck buster ten pt TL7. these will all give top notch performance and very good speed ,warranty as good as it gets, easy on the pocket book. lots of fun and great accuracy.[8D]

RE: First Crossbow
 

i will look at lots of def crossbows

RE: First Crossbow
 

I shoot and maintain (make my own strings and arrows, etc) a recurve (Vortex) and a compound (Terminator). Both are good bows and I will likely always have a recurve in my rack. (Just ordered a Cyclone). BUT, Recurve is both easier to maintain and more accurate. Wish someone had steered me toward Excalibur Phoenix when I was looking.

RE: First Crossbow
 

Thanks for the post... I have a Vortex too and also wish I had bought an Excalibur first. Thereare also a some good threads on the need for a bow press with TenPoint's split-rail design. Kinda hard to change a string without a press on one of those. lol.... They dohave a strap they are trying ro "rig" up to accomplish this. Though they CLEARLY state that it is not advisable. And they will be in no way liable for equiptment damage and/or personal injury.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=669780


I also believe that a recurve is more accurate than a compound. That seems to be the popular belief.
I think they also did some tests where EXCALIBUR blew TENPOINT away on accuracy.
No wonder Excal has sponsered and donated to the US Olympic CB Team for all of these years. Just maybe, I could be opening a can of worms here, it is the fact that EXCALIBUR makes a better CB???? and that recurves are indeed more accurate....

chris