Any Excalibur. You tend to get more speed with more money. You get other things too, but speed is what you are able to read on the tag. A friend of mine purchased the Matrix 355 and couldn't be happier. I have shot it multiple times and it is a tack driver. Using sandbags as a rest, we were putting the bolt in the same hole or cutting the hole at 50yrds. I have shot a bunch of Excalibur crossbows, but never at that distance. I was impressed a with the brand before, but that 50yd accuracy put me over the top with how accurate it was.
Excalibur X two. I've had many different crossbows with wheels, a lot of issues until I got an Excalibur.
Vandy - not sure I would surprise him with one. It's a very different weapon to hunt with. Just like a bow or gun you need to find what fits him and what he likes. Like I said it's a very different weapon. He may not like it at all......I would hate to see someone drop $500~$1,000 on something that just collected dust. If he is on-board then go where you can shoot several. Most archery shops I know will have at least a few different ones for you to shoot. Balance and the trigger on the weapon is where I think you will see the biggest "bang for the money spent". They are all loud compared to a vertical bow and heavier. And to be honest it's just plain odd at first to hunt with because it's all "wrong".....holds like a gun without a bang when you pull the trigger. Distances like a bow, yet you have these limbs that now go in a different plane! Just my 2 cents worth.
