Thinking of getting a new one. Suggestions.
New Crossbow
- Thread starter Jeepnik
- Start date
I have an Carbon Express X-Force Blade Crossbow. It came with a scope installed and the scope has little circles for each 10 yds. Easy to use, accurate, and inexpensive from Academy Sports. Good luck!
gramps
gramps
pete44ru
Hunter
.
My Son uses a Carbon Express, and needs to shoot only a single bolt/arrow into each black spot on his 5-spot practice block @ 45yds, lest he hits/splits the bolt/arrow previously fired.
I am, however, enamored of the Ravin - I just can't afford one.
https://ravincrossbows.com/
My Son uses a Carbon Express, and needs to shoot only a single bolt/arrow into each black spot on his 5-spot practice block @ 45yds, lest he hits/splits the bolt/arrow previously fired.
I am, however, enamored of the Ravin - I just can't afford one.
https://ravincrossbows.com/
contender
Ruger Guru
I studied crossbows extensively a couple of years ago to determine what I wanted in one. Ten Point is one of the top brands for reliability & quality. And,,, I was seriously considering one of theirs.
Until I went to put "hands on" to see what each different crossbow felt like & see actual features.
I went with a Parker.
American made.
A very good feel to it.
Hand protection guard built on & not an accessory.
And one feature I really like; Their "Capture Nock" system where the bolts are held in place.
Most crossbows come with a scope, as the recoil of a crossbow is different for them compared to a firearm. Most made nowadays are very accurate & will work quite well. It's the little features that make one type or brand stand out over others.
Until I went to put "hands on" to see what each different crossbow felt like & see actual features.
I went with a Parker.
American made.
A very good feel to it.
Hand protection guard built on & not an accessory.
And one feature I really like; Their "Capture Nock" system where the bolts are held in place.
Most crossbows come with a scope, as the recoil of a crossbow is different for them compared to a firearm. Most made nowadays are very accurate & will work quite well. It's the little features that make one type or brand stand out over others.
mike7mm08
Buckeye
Sadly Parker went out of business back in December. They would of been one of my suggestions to look at along with tenpoint. Really any mainstream brand that has the features you like will be fine. Not a lot of difference between the technology brand to brand any more.
I am running a old tenpoint around 20 years old. Totally outdated tech. But it has been a very reliable meat getter. Any problems which have all been minor have been taken care of immediately by tenpoint no questions asked. If I had a consistent spot to bowhunt I would upgrade to a new Tenpoint without a second thought.
I am running a old tenpoint around 20 years old. Totally outdated tech. But it has been a very reliable meat getter. Any problems which have all been minor have been taken care of immediately by tenpoint no questions asked. If I had a consistent spot to bowhunt I would upgrade to a new Tenpoint without a second thought.
I bought a Barnett 6-7 years ago and killed 3 deer with 3 shots the first season. Work and health issues have prevented bowhunting since but I still launch a bolt now and then. Changed from a "dot" optic to a 1-5(?) variable optic to help my low light aiming.
The Barnett has been super accurate with both aluminum and carbon fiber bolts but a little less so with fiberglass(may be the construction of the brands I use). I don't go with the "light and fast(er)" bolts and stick with a weight range that doesn't get quirky/finicky.
I'd buy either Barnett or TenPoint in the mid 350 fps velocity class if purchasing a replacement.
The Barnett has been super accurate with both aluminum and carbon fiber bolts but a little less so with fiberglass(may be the construction of the brands I use). I don't go with the "light and fast(er)" bolts and stick with a weight range that doesn't get quirky/finicky.
I'd buy either Barnett or TenPoint in the mid 350 fps velocity class if purchasing a replacement.
Thumbcocker
Blackhawk
The accuracy of even an inexpensive entry level cross bow is awesome. I would look for a package that has the bow with a scope and other things. I have an entry level parker that shoots very well but with Parker out of business I would go with another brand. One word of advice: spring for the illuminated arrow knocks. Well worth the few extra bucks they will more than pay for themselves in recovered arrows and broadheads.
contender
Ruger Guru
Gee,, I just learned something today. Parker out of business. Well CRAP!!!!!!!!! Now, if I have an issue (which hasn't happened so far,,,,) I'll be hunting answers elsewhere.
American made & all,,, yet,, I guess they couldn't compete. I really like my Parker.
American made & all,,, yet,, I guess they couldn't compete. I really like my Parker.
Flyfisher66048
Bearcat
- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Messages
- 49
After my shoulder forced me to give up my traditional bows, I picked up a recurve crossbow from tenpoint. Can only shoot one arrow at each dot. Deadly accurate
BROKENBEAR
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2016
- Messages
- 161
First crossbow purchase I would make eventually into a "backup bow" but start with it ..this means a much lower cost and yes an import ..a PSE Fang 350 is or was an import but backed by a great company ..or slightly cheaper ..the same basic imported bow as PSE is the CenterPoint brand but PSE would be my first pull for cheap
Next ..throw away the scope that comes with most bows and get a Hawke X1 or X30 in variable power (power ring is used to create drop compensation for the various arrow/broadheads/total weight/velocity as you will .. I guarantee .. will WANT to do)..(the came with the bow scope takes a bunch of time to "recalibrate" each time you change an arrow component/weight)(the Hawke is a one shot rezero system) ...(it's fun too!) ...PLUS once you know what you really want in your crossbow for life and move to the "Big ONE" ..the Hawke can move right along with you as you progress in crossbows
350 fps will guarantee full pass thru at any ethical distance and angle ( for me 30/35 yrds or less and no goofy frontal, bad front quartering etc) ...My (medical permitted) crossbow log book from my last 16 years has my average shot at 16 yards
I cannot tell you which premium brand to buy because I have not been able to find fault with my CenterPoint of several years (4 yrs?) (would have definitely bought PSE but not available when my old bow died)
One last thing ..bare minimum at least place the bow in you think you want up to shooting position ..you've got to like the feel ..and they do feel different ..some by a wide margin ..Example: in my case due to an accident in my left shoulder I have 50% range of motion and 10% weight bearing capacity and right shoulder about 70% in both categories ...in trying various crossbows I found a drastic difference in the weight forwardness of various brands with the PSE Fang type model by far the lightest in the frontend
Happy 4th and good luck to all
Bear
Next ..throw away the scope that comes with most bows and get a Hawke X1 or X30 in variable power (power ring is used to create drop compensation for the various arrow/broadheads/total weight/velocity as you will .. I guarantee .. will WANT to do)..(the came with the bow scope takes a bunch of time to "recalibrate" each time you change an arrow component/weight)(the Hawke is a one shot rezero system) ...(it's fun too!) ...PLUS once you know what you really want in your crossbow for life and move to the "Big ONE" ..the Hawke can move right along with you as you progress in crossbows
350 fps will guarantee full pass thru at any ethical distance and angle ( for me 30/35 yrds or less and no goofy frontal, bad front quartering etc) ...My (medical permitted) crossbow log book from my last 16 years has my average shot at 16 yards
I cannot tell you which premium brand to buy because I have not been able to find fault with my CenterPoint of several years (4 yrs?) (would have definitely bought PSE but not available when my old bow died)
One last thing ..bare minimum at least place the bow in you think you want up to shooting position ..you've got to like the feel ..and they do feel different ..some by a wide margin ..Example: in my case due to an accident in my left shoulder I have 50% range of motion and 10% weight bearing capacity and right shoulder about 70% in both categories ...in trying various crossbows I found a drastic difference in the weight forwardness of various brands with the PSE Fang type model by far the lightest in the frontend
Happy 4th and good luck to all
Bear
