[Christo]

Hi all,

I'm a long time lurker of this site and only rarely feel the need to post. That being said, I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge here and need some help!

I will definitely be buying my first crossbow this year in anticipation of the upcoming deer season. I've been doing lots of research and trying to come up with what I should be looking at.

First things first- I don't have a huge budget for this. I'm looking to spend about $600 max out the door for a complete set up. $500 would be better, but I know I'm really limiting myself on availability and quality at anything drastically under $500.

I've been doing the research on compound vs recurve. After spending lots of time reading on the subject I am fairly certain I want to go with a recurve. Still plenty of hitting power, if not as much as a compound, and much easier servicing of general wear and tear items. I hate the idea of breaking strings out in the field and having to wait for a tech to fix it, paying $50-$100 and having to wait a week to get it back.

I shot a barnett C5 and quad 400 at the local bass pro shops. The only thing I learned from that is that I prefer a reticle scope over red dot, though I could live with either I think.

The excaliber axiom package looks pretty nice and fits the bill. This is new for 2010, right? So no one has handled one yet I suppose. Although I'm leaning away from compounds, the wicked ridge xbow line looks good as well.

In the running-
Excalibur Axiom
Ten Point GT Flex
Excalibur Phoenix (out of price range as a package?)
Excalibur Ibex (again, out of price range as package?)
Excalibur Exocet (same thing as above?)
Wicked Ridge Invader
Horton Legacy 175
Anything else I should consider?!

If you have any good suggestions and thoughts on an xbow in this price range, please post and give me your thoughts! I'm really excited about getting into using an xbow and I know you guys have tons of experience and knowledge to throw around on this.

To Arrowhead- Will you be carrying the axiom kit? Also, if you have any good deals in this range, please PM me and let me know!

Thanks in advance, folks.

Christo

 

[arrowhead]

We will be carrying the Axiom kit. It's sure to be Excaliburs best seller this year. Of the bows mentioned above, the Axiom kit would be my choice. I've handled it and it's a great bow....especially when you consider the price. It's going to be $549.99. It's basically the Phoenix without the dissapator bars and high priced camo. (royalties paid for camo can get expensive and the manufacturers pass that onto the consumer) The Phoenix and Ibex are my favorite bows in the Excalibur line and the Axiom is going to be my all time favorite. (everything you need...nothing you don't need) Lightweight, simple, trouble-free and effective.

The Ten Point GT Flex starts at $499 and it's a good bow for the money. I've shot them and I like the trigger alot. Parts and accessories generally cost more for the Ten Point.

The Wicked Ridge bows vibrate alot. I think it has to do with the stock and the way it's made. The vibration transfers to the user through the stock. I don't like the vibration, other than that it's a good entry level bow for the price.

Horton- there are only two I would even consider. I like the Vision because of it's reverse limb technology and the Team Realtree 175.

 

[dpms]

I can't add more to what Arrowhead already did. If you are set on the recurve, he will set you right.

 

[TATERDAVID]

i don't think i would limit myself to looking at recurves. i have bow hunted since i was a kid and have never broke a single string, thats hunting and shooting for over 30 years and never haveing a string malfunction. sure it may happen but i wouldn't make that what i make my decision on.


just my 2 cents

 

[Harrysigafoo]

Had my Horton for lots of years with lots of shooting. It is a compound and no string problems and I seldom use and rail lube. Server looks new. Shoots very accurate. Price are great, jump in.

 

[Hiamovi]

You may have never broke a string but can you unload your crossbow without firing it?Can you adjust the brace height?With a recurve those things can be done.I'm not against compound crossbows either.I may buy one for my son.If I decide to do so Arrowhead will get yet another call from me.

 

[TATERDAVID]

again neither of those two points are that important to me, may be to some but not to me.

i hunt at home so can unload no problem and i have a old bolt i can use if i'm away. i have no need to adjust my brace height.

more important to me would be how wide the recurve is compared to a compound. thats where i made my decision

 

[Christo]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. For those that are saying not to rule out compound xbows, I will definitely take that into consideration. Speaking of that, what would you suggest? Again, I'm looking for $600 complete and out the door.

The Axiom isn't out yet, right? Does anyone know when they are supposed to hit the shelves?

I plan on taking my time and trying to shoot pretty much everything I can lay my hands on. Maybe a compound will end up feeling better to me after all.

 

[arrowhead]

Axiom will hit the store in May.
If you are thinking compound I would suggest taking a look at the Parker Buck Buster 150 and Enforcer 160. Both will get you set up at under $600 and give a lifetime warranty.

 

[Christo]

I'll definitely try to test out a Buck Buster 150 and Enforcer 160 next time I get up to Harrisburg. I will be anxiously awaiting the release of the Axioms as well! I hope Bass Pro doesn't mind me taking a few hours of their time to shoot xbows and then walk out without purchasing! Ah well, I've given them plenty of money over the years feeding my fishing addiction.

 

[Harrysigafoo]

Try the Horton Legacy package. You can be out the door under $500 with great bow, scope, mount, bolt on quiver, an a half dozen bolts. Most places discount. I have one and my brother both have them...more than a few dozens of big game animals (and some turkeys) have been taken with our three bows.

http://www.amazon.com/Horton-Crossbow-Package-Realtree-Hardwoods/dp/B000HX0PIC

 

[TATERDAVID]

i got the buck buster 175 and i love it.

 

[Wing & a Prayer]

The Gt flex or any of the Excalibur lite stuff pkgs spend the upgrade and get the lumizone pkg for the excalibur you won't regret it or go wrong there!

 

[mdmlm]

excalibur, 100 percent, can not go wrong with it.buy it

 

[Hiamovi]

The problem,if it is one,Christo is that any quality crossbow is good and has a following.You need to find what works for you.The el cheapo ones on ebay with the rubber tips on the limbs are not what you want.Check the warranties and shoot the ones you like with good warranty service.Talk to the people that sell them and see what brands have good service.You have time on your side since it is spring right now.

 

[Christo]

I'm definitely going to spend some time at the various sporting goods stores and test out a wide variety of xbows. The biggest problem at the moment is that so many of the bows that I'm planning on trying are new for this year and won't be hitting the shelves for a couple months yet. Its hard to stay patient while having to wait. Of course, I knew I wanted to get into archery for many years now and its finally here. I guess I'll have to bottle up my excitement for a few more months and live with it!

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. I'm getting a quick education. Now I just need the hands on experience.

 

[mgp629]

I am in the same situation. I just found the receipt from my current crossbows, 8-5-1994 . Not bad considering that 1 is vintage and worn out and the spare is like new yet. I just want newer faster and more compact. Tornado, Defender, and Turbo XLT are the finalist with no deadline.

 

[Christo]

Well, I purchased my first crossbow. I had to go used, but I got the Excalibur Phoenix with the light stuff package. Needless to say, I'm very excited for it to arrive!

I suppose I will have more questions once it gets here, but I have one question right now even before it arrives. It will be coming with some new and some used bolts. I know Excalibur says to use minimum 350 grain bolts.

How do you measure grains?! Is this something I can do at home? My wife has a nice digital kitchen scale, but I don't remember how far the accuracy goes. If it goes to tenth of grams is there a conversion I can do to determine grain weight of these bolts I'll be getting? Or is this something I'll have to take to an archery shop to have them do for me.

I will eventually buy a new pack of all grain matched bolts, but until then I certainly would like to use what is being shipped to me.

Did I mention that I'm really excited?!

 

[bobby2bears]

I bought a small Archery digital scale on that auction site for 15 or 16 dollars and it works great. I highly recommend it. It measures grains, ounces, grams and even carats.
Best of luck with your bow.

 

[bobby2bears]

Also forgot to mention that if you use your wife's scale you can do a google search for a grams to grains calculator and all you do is plug in the weight in grams and it will tell you the weight in grains.