need advice
 

trying to decide between ten point or excalibur for hunting.any pros or cons would be helpful .thanks

RE: need advice
 

I have one of each and either one would be a good choice!

RE: need advice
 

WELCOME mdsharp!

You couldn't go wrong with either company. You need to choose based on your hunting preferences, stature and strength. The best advice I could offer would be to listen to the folks on these forums and not just one salesperson. Then go shoot some to see how they feel.Good luck!

RE: need advice
 

I recently purchased a Ten Point Phantom and so far I really like it but what I like most is Ten Points customer service ...I had an issue with the dealer I bought it from (a few things missing in the package) and 10 Point took the bull by the horns and got it all worked out for me ...I appreciate good service.

dd

RE: need advice
 

You won't be able to make a choice based on customer service, both companies are top shelf. I'm limited to a recurve style for offhand shooting and got an Excal prior to 10 pt making recurves, so that's the brand I'm most familiar w/ and loyal to.

RE: need advice
 

Both companies make great cossbows, both companies have terrific customer service, both make recurve crossbows, both are super accurate, both have great triggers. Excal does not make compound crossbows,Ten Point does. TenPoint has anti dry and automatic safety features incorporated in their trigger assemblies, Excal does not.Excalscome as a bare bow and the accessory package ("Right Stuff")is an addedcost. TenPoint usually come as a package deal, but you can buy a bare bowalso.You should shoot a couple of models from each Manufacturer and see which one feels best to you. It comes down to personal preference and which one fits you best.
The TenPoint anti dry fire feature is a real plus as you can not fire the bow with out an arrow in it! Other than that you can't go wrong with either one!

RE: need advice
 

you just have to handle them both, any and all models. they are like a pr. of shoes try them on til you find the one style/model you like.

RE: need advice
 

You can let a Excalibur down without shooting it, by using the rope cocker. And change the string in the field if need be. No can do with TP.
Both great bows. Great companies Can't go wrong with either. I shoot both a compound and 2 recurves, if I had to choose only one it would be the Excalibur Vortex.

RE: need advice
 

If you go with the Tenpoint recurve you can do the same field swap on the string, but you have the anti dryfire and automatic safety which is a nice addition...besides, if you check and maintain your equipment regularly you dont need to do too many field repairs anyway...Recurves are lighter and easier to work on, but they tend to be louder and slower than a compound of equal poundage and they are alot wider which depending on where you hunt may be a big factor

Wyvern

RE: need advice
 

Another thought, a recurve is always wider than a compound bow for the same poundage. So it depends on where and how you plan to hunt. Tenpoint sales a couple of crossbows that can be either a compound or a recurve. Use as a backup or different kinds of hunting or fishing.

Dave

RE: need advice
 

I have a 23 year old Ten Point. It was the top of their line at the time it was purchased.Originally I bought it for my handicapped brother, but it was too heavy for him - any would be I suspect. I have shot it a ton at target and used it last year for the foirst time hunting. It proved to be a fine X-Bow for hunting.

RE: need advice
 

Yup, you can change a string on a recurve crossbow in the field but.....IN 40+ years of seriousbow hunting I have NEVER had to change a string on a bow in the field,NOT on a recurve, longbow, or crossbow. Using that as a reason to choose a recurve over a compound isn't anywhere near a vaild reason.


Choosing a crossbow is likechoosing a pair of good boots; Pick the one that fits you the best!

RE: need advice
 

I called ten point a couple days ago and Randy answered the phone, Talk about service. I have 10 pt Stealth X-2. I needed a solid base for a scope got it in 2 days. Now if only I can get a better trigger?
RC

RE: need advice
 

After lurking, cruising, posting and reading 4 different crossbow forumsI have learned that the folks that have Ten Points LOVE them and the folks that have Excaliburs LOVE them. They all rave about the service and choices in xbows. I supposethe other brand owners love theirs also but bottom line is shoot some and see what feels great for you!!. You really can't go wrong with the top companies. They all want your business. I'm partial and you will be too when you decide on which oneto buy whatever it is. :DGood Luck!

RE: need advice
 

Thanks for the good reviews guys. We try hard to make the best bows out there and we try harder to stand behind them. Made in the USA too.

Randy

RE: need advice
 

I prefer the recurve style crossbow by Excalibur. The maintenance is way much easier than a compound style. You can chance the string without a bowpress. Do any work by yourself. Excalibur bow is very solid and simple. I really like my phoenix.

RE: need advice
 

Only one thing left to do .... shoot 'em both, only you can decide. I couldn't, so I got both types.

RE: need advice
 

I believe that recurves are the way to go for the reason they are simplier and easier to maintain. Yes if you check and maintain your equipment regularly you dont meed to do too many field repairs anyway like Wyvern stated ...................... BUT .......... with most hunters this is the norm and normal maintainance is not what usually causes the problems in the field. In my many years with archery hunting, I have seen string get accidently knicked with a cutting head, cutting only a few strands. Barbed wire fences are also good for damage like this. Serving come completely unraveled on new strings. With a compound bow, this could ruin your hunt with that bow. Compounds are usually quieter then the recurves, but the noise of the bow is alot less then the noise of the arrow in flight and both recurves and compounds tend to use the same arrow/head setups.

Now about the "anti dryfire and automatic safety" ............. I personally do not like them and think that they are an actuall safety hazard. Having them on a bow will lead to the shooters to depend on them and trust them instead of learnig the proper safety steps of cocking the bow, putting on the safety and installing the arrow on the rail. If you go through all of these steps every time, you will not have dryfires or will not forget to put on the safety. Remember that a mechanical device (anti dryfire and automatic safety) are devices made by humans and will fail in their life time and you will never know when that will happen. NEVER EVER TRUST A MECHANICAL DEVICE AS A SAFETY DEVICE.

Please if you have these devices on your bow, keep up with the proper safe loading cocking steps and do not reply on the devices.

RE: need advice
 

Greetings,

Without going into great depth. I wish to start deer hunting w/a crossbow. I have hunted (years ago w/good elbows now bad) with compounds and sticks. I can now use a crossbow in Michigan and need advice on getting started.

Here are the parameters:
[ol][*]$500-700 budget for bow, arrows, target[*]I would want at least a dozen arrows w/hunting/field points interchangable. What material for shafts, fletching, nocks, etc.?[*]There is a 350fps upper limit here in MI for the setup. I value accuracy over speed.[*]Ease of cocking[*]Simplicity and ease of maintenance - the less "tweeking" the better NOTE: I can draw blood winding my watch so I need something I won't have to fool with. THIS IS BIG[*]Broadhead recommendations for deer (other animals not likely to be hunted).[*]I have a red-dot I can mount on the bow - prefer some form of glass sight to irons... need visual help[*]Hunting from a very stable, raised tree stand. Will practice both ground level and elevated. Plan to practice a lot.[*]Any and all other recommendations on gear and technique are greatly appreciated.[/ol]
I do a lot of firearms shooting, so I'm looking forward to expanding my hunting opportunities.

If this site is like other hunting/outdoor sites, I KNOW I'll get a lot of good responses. I will view all responses with respect for the writer, and thank you in advance for your advice.

Mike

RE: need advice
 

I don't know where you live in Michigan, but the best thing to do is go to a place likes Jay's or one of the big companies and handle all the bows in your price range. Most seems to came with some sort of scope and quiver and arrows. Parker doesn't have arrows but a lot of the dealers add them to the set. Everyone has there own favorite companies. Just like autos. The warrintees for the companies do vary. Parker, Tenpoint and Excailbur have limited lifetime to original owner. Others only protect the crossbows for a year.

I was told not to worry about speed, that it can be lowered with heavyer arrows, but it's hard to find the arrows around my area. I shop Lansing, Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Clare (Jays).

Good Luck and have fun.

Dave

RE: need advice
 

Greygrouse here are some ideas for you.

IF you want simplistic operation of a bow, then I would recommend the Recurve Style bows. I know that most will say that they do not have much maintenance with the compounds or even much in the way as field repairs, but just once that you need to change the string in the field, your day could be SHOT (I know, bad pun). I am not that sure of the prices in today's market, but I think you can easily get a good Recurve, arrows and heads in your price range. You do not need special scopes for crossbows, but most manufacture a model that better suits a crossbow (multiple points of sighting) but you can still use what you have now (could save you a little money).

Read and ask questions and have a good idea of what is quality and what is not before you go to a store. But do go to a store and try to shoot and hold a few. When I say hold a few, I mean like in a hunting situation, see if you can hold it for a while comfortably (just like you might have to while waiting for the kill shot). Some bows will feel alot better then others. The only way for you to find out which is the best balanced bow for you is to try them yourself. For cocking the bows, most offer a ROPE COCKER which decreases the amount of pull by 50% and it also has handles which make it more comfortable on your hands (no string pressure cutting into your fingers). You can also get the accu-draw from 10-point but they are costly and would probually exceed your budget, excalibur also has a crank-a-roo available (rope cocker would probually do you good).

With the top crossbow manufactures, I would not hisitate to look at used. I have dealings more with Excalibur then the others so I will speak more about them. Their used bows, if they are looked after (normal care and no dryfires) will last and be very dependable. Since they are still reliable later in their life, they still hold alot of their value in the resale market. Here is an Example of a resale you might come across (not sure if it is still available or not) http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26219

Hope this helps

RE: need advice
 

"With the top crossbow manufactures, I would not hisitate to look at used."

While I agree, you should know that the warranty generally does not transfer to the second owner.

RE: need advice
 

Excal is one exception to that.

RE: need advice
 

I worry more about the abuse of the previous owner than the manufacter. It's hard to tell if there are mirco cracks that are there from abuse or poor care of the crossbow.

Dave

RE: need advice
 

Dave, the most likely form of abuse for an Excal is a dry-fire. Not likely to be a problem w/ any string except FFF, and then it's 50/50 on splitting a limb.

The best test for that is rubbing a cotton ball along the limbs. My dry-fire that split a limb cost me $7 in shipping and I got back 2 new limbs, new diss bars and pads in less than 6 days, think I mailed it to Miller on a Monday and had the assembled riser back on that Friday.

The only catch to a used Excal is the resale price seems to hang close to new, lol.