Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: Need info on crossbows

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Anderson, SC
    Posts
    8,402

    Default Need info on crossbows

    I have a Matthews Switchback XT I have used for I guess 10-15 yrs and have to admit I have laughed at ANYONE that uses a crossbow and calls it archery (laughed at ANYONE that used a CPAP machine for years UNTIL I started using one so I can change my thoughts LOL &#128514

    I really enjoy bow hunting and still do not think of a crossbow as archery equipment HOWEVER I am getting older and do not get to practice much at all like I used to plus I have been having some elbow issues as well and last few times I have tried to draw my bow back it is very painful

    Guy I lease land with is in same boat as I am, he has been having shoulder issues lately as well. We were talking today and after a few beers (he is helping me rebuild my deck ) I admitted I was "intrigued" by crossbows . He laughed and told me he had actually been looking at them some

    I have seen the Ravin on TV ads as well as Excalibur but not sure of pros and cons to any of them

    Can anyone here fill me in on different types, brands, etc

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Lexington
    Posts
    1,213

    Default

    Go to Jeffery’s and shoot the Raven. Badass is an understatement. It is a rifle that shoots carbon bolts essentially. Better take your checkbook bc I think she’s about 2k

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    The Mire
    Posts
    4,149

    Default Need info on crossbows

    I’ve been happy with my Excalibur. It’s louder and slower than than most but it does the job.

    Plus it’s a recurve, if might get you maybe, just maybe, a little street cred with the bow boys. It definitely ain’t archery though.
    Last edited by britton40; 07-06-2018 at 08:51 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    3,542

    Default

    Ravens sound like a bomb going off. Yes it’s fast and shoots a mile but the mission sub-1 is quiet (as a crossbow can be). It also has a decocking mechanism that allows you to decock with out firing. Neither are cheap but both will hold sub 1 MOA at 100 yards. Jeffery’s has both talk to Ryan and tell him Zack sent you. He will help you out.

    The other thing I don’t like about the raven is the crank handle you drop or lose that thing and you are screwed. Btw they are like $80 new if you lose it. The sub 1 is just string with handles on it like most of them use.
    Last edited by banded_mallard; 07-06-2018 at 09:00 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Posts
    13,499

    Default

    Parker...nothing better for the $
    "They are who we thought they were"

    You can dress a fat chick up, but you cant fix stupid

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Irmo
    Posts
    4,248

    Default

    Ever thought about switching hands?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Anderson, SC
    Posts
    8,402

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JBtflo View Post
    Ever thought about switching hands?

    Not really, to be honest I can not see where that would make a difference. Still have the issue with my left elbow not my right.

    Too damn old to learn how to shoot that way and I am right eye dominant as well

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    3,542

    Default

    I don’t know what your budget is but the raven and sub 1 are the top of the line. They have the newest technology. I thought about it and realized by the time you buy a flagship bow, rest, sight, arrows, and release aid. You have easily made it to what they cost and it’s ready to go right out of the box.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Wateree, South Carolina
    Posts
    48,810

    Default

    .25-06

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    49,819

    Default

    I concur

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Sullivan\'s Island
    Posts
    12,865

    Default

    Unless you are doing it to take advantage of a special bow season, why not just use a gun? If you want something with restricted range to make it more challenging, get a pistol or subsonic rifle.

    Every deer you shoot with a crossbow will get an asterisk like you hit a home run while using performance enhancing drugs.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Anderson, SC
    Posts
    8,402

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Palmetto Bug View Post
    Unless you are doing it to take advantage of a special bow season, why not just use a gun? If you want something with restricted range to make it more challenging, get a pistol or subsonic rifle.

    Every deer you shoot with a crossbow will get an asterisk like you hit a home run while using performance enhancing drugs.

    Main reason I want one is for the early archery season, after that will use rifle/pistol

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Horry, SC
    Posts
    5,516

    Default

    Serious question, have you considered trying to shoot say 45 or 50 pounds? It might be much easier on your elbow and a lower draw weight will still blow through a deer with the right arrow and broadhead.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Spartanburg
    Posts
    6,297

    Default

    Look at the Tenpoint Nitro with the cocking crank option.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    charleston
    Posts
    8,600

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tprice View Post
    Main reason I want one is for the early archery season, after that will use rifle/pistol
    early archery or primitive weapons? If the second get a smokepole and dress like Jeremiah Johnson

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    132

    Default

    I have a Parker. No its not the top of the line but it gets the job. I never had a deer tell me that it only wants to be shot with the top of the line equipment. I shoot it out to 50 yards dead on.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Chapin
    Posts
    4,130

    Default

    I set my wife up shooting a $400-$500 Parker. I shoot it in the yard with her fairly regularly making sure it’s sighted in, helping her know where to hold at certain distances, etc. For what they cost, they can’t be beat. At 30 yards you simply can’t shoot the same spot on the target or you will bust arrows. It probably won’t do it at 100 yards but you don’t need it to. More money will get you a little lighter/little faster/little smaller/etc. But, in my opinion, unless you’re planning to hunt with it as your primary weapon all season long, it isn’t worth $800-$1500 more for a top of the line crossbow to hunt with for 2 weeks. It’s similar to the guys I know who buy a Mathews Triax to hunt a 2 week bow season and then pick up the rifle.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    columbia
    Posts
    710

    Default

    I shoot a 300 dollar barnett. Kills them dead just like a raven does. No way i would spend 2k on a crossbow that will be worth 500 bucks in a few years. Dont overthink it. Even a base model crossbow shoots faster than what the natives made from a stick and string and they managed with it.

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Sullivan\'s Island
    Posts
    12,865

    Default

    We don't have a special archery season and I still use a real bow anyway but crossbows have still intrigued me.

    I think the ones with the reversed compound bow are the smartest design. They have eliminated the extra overall length induced by brace height and added to the length of the power stroke. Instead of having 6-8 inches of length that doesn't add to the power, they turned it around and used the brace height to keep pushing the bolt. You can get faster speeds with less draw weight and length. They don't look like the sexy crossbows in the movies though and haven't been best sellers even though it was a brilliant design upgrade.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •