Crossbow guidance...total noob

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  • tjiann

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2022
    568
    AACo
    I'm going to revive this thread as I'm now in the market for my first crossbow. Any update on the thinking these days in terms of recurve vs. compound? I will likely hunt with it after I spend a bunch of time shooting at the range and get comfortable with shooting/accuracy.

    Looking at the newer Barnett compounds, but also the Excalibers. Not crazy about the cranks, so would prefer something relatively easy to draw. Would appreciate any input.
     

    steves1911

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 2, 2011
    3,026
    On a hill in Wv
    I'm going to revive this thread as I'm now in the market for my first crossbow. Any update on the thinking these days in terms of recurve vs. compound? I will likely hunt with it after I spend a bunch of time shooting at the range and get comfortable with shooting/accuracy.

    Looking at the newer Barnett compounds, but also the Excalibers. Not crazy about the cranks, so would prefer something relatively easy to draw. Would appreciate any input.
    Check out wicked ridge. They are built by tenpoint and are basically the prior model tenpoint xbow relabeled as wicked ridge and sold for much less.
     

    Waingro

    Active Member
    Apr 4, 2018
    585
    I have the first Raven, the R9. Love it. Shoots like a laser. It's taken many a deer. I got it from midway usa on a clearance sale for 1k when the newer ones were coming out. Some of fhe prices of crossbows are getting outrageous. My buddy just spent 2.5k on a ten point
     

    Speed3

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 19, 2011
    7,816
    MD
    Check out wicked ridge. They are built by tenpoint and are basically the prior model tenpoint xbow relabeled as wicked ridge and sold for much less.
    I have an Excalibur 380(at the time their flagship) and my stepson bought a wicked ridge. We shot side by side and both felt good and were as accurate.
    The post above is spot on.
     

    hobiecat590

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2016
    2,434
    Shoulder is good if I don’t have to raise it too far. The crank system should not be an issue.
    I hope this means you are going to purchase a cranking system on whatever CB you get. Integrated ones are much less hassle and less noisy.

    While most of us can cock a CB with no problem. Doing it more than a few times in a row can hurt you as you get older from a spinal/shoulder perspective. The muscles can still do it, but the framework and discs not so much. Don't ask me how I know :-)
     

    teratos

    My hair is amazing
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Jan 22, 2009
    59,775
    Bel Air
    I hope this means you are going to purchase a cranking system on whatever CB you get. Integrated ones are much less hassle and less noisy.

    While most of us can cock a CB with no problem. Doing it more than a few times in a row can hurt you as you get older from a spinal/shoulder perspective. The muscles can still do it, but the framework and discs not so much. Don't ask me how I know :-)
    I got an Excalibur 440 lb crossbow. You aren’t cocking this bastard without a crank. Lol
     

    hobiecat590

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2016
    2,434
    I have the first Raven, the R9. Love it. Shoots like a laser. It's taken many a deer. I got it from midway usa on a clearance sale for 1k when the newer ones were coming out. Some of fhe prices of crossbows are getting outrageous. My buddy just spent 2.5k on a ten point
    How often do you have to replace consumables like the strings etc.? Rumor had it that the Ravens had to be restringed much more frequently than a standard CB which put me off. Most of us cock the bow each hunting session, then decock if nothing walks by. This could work out to 100+ cycles per season. Thanks
     

    Waingro

    Active Member
    Apr 4, 2018
    585
    How often do you have to replace consumables like the strings etc.? Rumor had it that the Ravens had to be restringed much more frequently than a standard CB which put me off. Most of us cock the bow each hunting session, then decock if nothing walks by. This could work out to 100+ cycles per season. Thanks
    I've actually been researching that alot lately. I used it for the past three seasons. Took 20 deer in those three seasons with it. But how many times did I cock/uncock it without shooting anything...hell if I know=) I think I'm gonna hunt this season which I won't start until usually late October. After this year I'm getting the strings replaced to be safe
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    I have a Barnett Raptor and so does my son. Dad has gone through a few ones and ended up with one with a built in crank so he can load it w/o help (at his age, he is 86). I have gone through multiple seasons w/o touching the scope and sighted it in only to leave it be. took all the screws off and blue lock tighted them of course. Never took a shot beyond 25 yards I think and always sighted in at 20, 30 & 40.
    You might be asking about fixed broad head or expanding. I always went fixed myself. Always carbon fiber shafts. I also rolled all of them on glass to verify straight. Numbered each bolt and always shot the same one I last sighted it in with. Target block that can handle a broadhead. I did gross sighting in w/ field points, then switched to broadhead. After sighting in, practiced offhand while sitting. Even practicing holding it up supporting elbow on my chest for 30-60 seconds so I'd get used to waiting for the good shot to present itself. Everyone has a preference on shafts & heads..... uhhhh,, ok set myself up there.

    I shot from a ground blind my last season and changed the front of my bow from camo to all black to match the background of the inside of my blind.

    If you don't have one, look at the ozone generators. Borrowed my dad's 2 years ago and did not bother showering or changing clothes (used my black daily jacket). Had them in front of me for I think a minute and never smelt me. As you can imagine scent comes into play when they are closer. I've lost a chance at a nice 6 point when I used a bow cause it scented me before I could prepare and pull the bow back.
     

    Archeryrob

    Undecided on a great many things
    Mar 7, 2013
    3,064
    Washington Co. - Fairplay
    If you don't have one, look at the ozone generators. Borrowed my dad's 2 years ago and did not bother showering or changing clothes (used my black daily jacket). Had them in front of me for I think a minute and never smelt me. As you can imagine scent comes into play when they are closer. I've lost a chance at a nice 6 point when I used a bow cause it scented me before I could prepare and pull the bow back.
    You really have to watch these things. Ozone is bad for your lungs and the hunting industry sells these things and tells you to put them above you so it rains down on you. Sounds like extremely bad advice to me. Ozonics even tells you to turn it off if you develop dry eyes and a soar throat. Ozone is an oxider and that is how it kills your scent.

    I use a ozone generator, but I use it in a basement closet and we hang our clothes in it. It de-scents your cloths between trips and if you run it the evening before it is on your clothes to help catch scent the next day. In short order the ozone is gone.

    I full believe in it working, I just worry about long tern exposure causing chronic lung tissue damage. IMO, it may be safer to smoke cigarettes than use Ozone.

    Ozone™ can be an irritant and powerful oxidizing agent. Like many products, ozone can be dangerous if used improperly. So, follow the instructions herein. Should you experience dry eyes or a sore, scratchy throat, turn the OzonicsTM ozone generator off immediately and get fresh air. Please refer to ozone and battery Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for further information (available from Ozonics). Ozonics, LLC manufactures to meet or exceed Federal Safety Standards (e.g., NIOSH, OSHA, EPA, etc.) when used as directed.

    From a health site. Possible lung cancer, but not totally linked yet.
    The lungs will usually recover within a few days after exposure to elevated concentrations of ozone. However, if ozone exposure is experienced over a longer period of time or on a number of repeated occasions within a year, chronic damage to lung tissue may occur. This means that the lung function may be affected and the lining may lose some of its ability to serve as a protective barrier against microbes, harmful chemicals and allergens.

    Also, recent research studies suggest that long-term exposure to ozone may be associated with lung cancer. This possibility is expected to be further explored.
     

    tjiann

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2022
    568
    AACo
    Ended up buying a Wicked Ridge Invader 400. Took it out to range yesterday to sight in. Really love Ten Point's Acudraw cocking system.
     

    tjiann

    Active Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2022
    568
    AACo
    Where did you go to sight in? Ranges for CB is limited in my experience around here in AA Co.
    I went up to AGC in Marriottsville. I'm about a week away from being a new member in AAF&G, then will shoot there.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,818
    Where did you go to sight in? Ranges for CB is limited in my experience around here in AA Co.
    Do you know of anywhere where you can take a 'block' type archery target and shoot without being harassed? Start at 10 yards to make sure you're "on paper", them move back in increments to set your ranges?

    This is coming from a non-crossbow shooter.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,736
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Probably so, tell me more.
    FWIW I’m a member of Garrison Rifle and Pistol Club, was a member of AGC but did not renew for this year. Was going to buy time just slipped away. :)
    If you have the ability to shoot during the week, AAF&G is a great place. However, it has restricted times for shooting. M-F centerfire hours are 10 to 4 and Sat it is 10 to 1. There is no centerfire shooting on Sun. Rimfire shooting is from 9 to dusk.

     

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