Crossbow Thoughts

dogghr

dogghr

Well-Known Member
So I finally talked my hardheaded 85 yo Dad to let me get him a crossbow so he can hunt with me some. Keep in mind the man has always hated even compound bows and would only use recurve to hunt. Of course those days are over for the most part.
My question, any recommendation for brand or type? I'm a little late in the game as season will start tomorrow but have couple weeks to get him ready. Light and balanced and easy trigger pull would be nice. Money not a real object but doubt the xbow will be used a whole lot. Will try to get him to hunt from blind, but sure he will fight that idea also. He is still strong as a horse. Suggestions??
 
I've never seen a light crossbow, but then I don't fool with them much. I bought a Wicked Ridge a few years ago when I had shoulder issues, but never hunted with it. Worked out my shoulder issues and sold it to my buddy and he's killed two antelope with it. Deadly accurate out to at least 40 yards, probably farther. Loud and cumbersome though. In a ground blind it would be pretty easy to use, in a tree or tripod, maybe not so much. Good luck, and good on you for wanting to hunt with your Dad !
 
I have to hunt with a crossbow due to a right shoulder issue. Too much baseball pitching and tennis years ago. Please tell your dad the most important thing is to hunt as opposed to sitting the season out.

It was hard for me to admit I couldn't shoot a compound anymore. It is a legal weapon in most states and I have a handicap statement to hunt in KY.

Shop hard and you will find a good deal for a reasonable price. I selected a bow based upon it being less noisy. I started with an Excaliber which is touted as the world's most accurate crossbow. I believe it probably is but I didn't keep it because it was too loud. Even young would turn inside out when I shot it.

I have a Skopyd which has polymers in the construction which makes it much quieter. It has been highly accurate. It is expensive and it ain't light. Lugging around a crossbow makes me miss my compound days.

I ain't sitting on the couch - I am hunting. I hope your dad is hunting too. :)
 
Crooked Crow said:
Do you have... a budget in mind?
Click to expand...

No. I'll spend what I need to for him.



Thanks guys for advice. I'll have to hit the shop I guess.
Has anyone shot the reverse crossbow technology? Supposedly much more balanced.
Like I said crossbows legal for bowhunting here but have never paid much attention other than pick one up in store and cuss the weight and forward balance. Again thanks for help. I'll shop next week.


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Balance is the best thing about the reverse xbow and would be my first consideration for someone of that age or a child. Second thing I would look for would be noise. I don't think accuracy is going to be an issue with any modern xbow. Good luck.

Jeff
 
If not on a budget ten point all the way. They have the fewest warranty claims according to our local sporting goods store. Every other Barnett gets returned they claim
 
Horton, tenpoint, and scorpyd are pretty much the only ones I will look at for crossbows right now. I currently have a barnett and will be buying one of those three brands in the very near future at which time I will sell my barnett. Its been a good bow to me but the new models are many levels above.
 
I have a Barnett Jackal. Yeah, I catch crap for using a crossbow when I am young(er) and healthy for the most part, but it's legal, and I obey all the rules.

I wouldn't recommend it for your dad. It's a real PITA to cock. No way I'd reload in a tree, I'd probably fall out of it. The upside is it was cheap. I would definitely get one with a hand crank or something similar.
 
Crooked Crow said:
If cost isn't... a concern I would "highly" recommend the Horton Storm RDX with an ACUdraw.
http://www.hortoncrossbows.com/shop/horton-storm-rdx/
Click to expand...

Yep that's what I'm looking at. Thanks everyone for your thots. They are quite the rage here since legalized 2 yrs ago. They just always seemed so off balance and bulky to me but then same was said of compounds years ago. Thanks again, knew you guys would have good advice.


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3 years ago I bought a Mission 360, But it had a heavy trigger (4lb+) & creep.
Month later I bought a Stryker 350 w/ 3lb.
I just bought a 'Reverse Draw' Ten Point Carbon Nitro, w/ a stealth crank cock. It is narrowest Xbow (10"). While trigger is 3.5#,, it's very smooth and accurate.
Yes, it's pricey, but worth it.
Wyvern Creation.com, bass pro, & cabela's all carry it.
 
Sort of like asking what motor oil to use in a motorcycle forum.Everyone has a favorite.
I went to a crossbow forum and tried to research who had the least complaints.Who had the best warranty and etc.
A good shop can have you set up and shooting out the door. Ron's Stop and Shop is about 20-30 minutes east of Princeton on 460 in Va. They are pretty good. Sounds like a good excuse to spend a day with your dad visiting shops.
I've got a CamX. Relatively new to the the market. A guy that worked in the industry for years developed them. Sold out to to Elite Archery. It's a solid xbow but hard to get your hands on them to try them out.
 
catscratch said:
Look at the youth models. They are light, manoeuvrable, and plenty fast/accurate enough to kill a deer. Makes a huge difference in a stand or blind.
Click to expand...
catscratch said:
Look at the youth models. They are light, manoeuvrable, and plenty fast/accurate enough to kill a deer. Makes a huge difference in a stand or blind.
Click to expand...
Funny, that is exactly what I looked at yesterday thinking same thing and with couple grand pups that could use it…….

BrianVT said:
Sort of like asking what motor oil to use in a motorcycle forum.Everyone has a favorite.
I went to a crossbow forum and tried to research who had the least complaints.Who had the best warranty and etc.
A good shop can have you set up and shooting out the door. Ron's Stop and Shop is about 20-30 minutes east of Princeton on 460 in Va. They are pretty good. Sounds like a good excuse to spend a day with your dad visiting shops.
I've got a CamX. Relatively new to the the market. A guy that worked in the industry for years developed them. Sold out to to Elite Archery. It's a solid xbow but hard to get your hands on them to try them out.
Click to expand...

Thanks Brian, that is a good shop and have bought some bows and stuff from him over the years. I'll have give him ck. And you are right, cars and bows and women/men, everyone has their own attraction.
 
big L said:
3 years ago I bought a Mission 360, But it had a heavy trigger (4lb+) & creep.
Month later I bought a Stryker 350 w/ 3lb.
I just bought a 'Reverse Draw' Ten Point Carbon Nitro, w/ a stealth crank cock. It is narrowest Xbow (10"). While trigger is 3.5#,, it's very smooth and accurate.
Yes, it's pricey, but worth it.
Wyvern Creation.com, bass pro, & cabela's all carry it.
Click to expand...
hows the balance on that nitro? considering one but heard they are front heavy really bad
 
dogghr...When I grow up I wanna be like your dad. Hope I'm still swinging the bat at 85! Hope you get him in the woods and on something. That would make for a great post. The guy that leases the land across from me is 86 and still uses a climber. He and his wife have a primitive camp set up that's been there since the 70s. They spend most of the season camping there. Always find it uplifting to see guys in their 80s still enjoying the great outdoors. Hoping we see a pic of your dad with his crossbow over a nice harvest!
 
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