So it seems to be a topic of interest.  So what bow should a new cross bow hunter buy and what are some things to look for?

If you want the latest technology go on the web and there are videos of two of them. Bow Tec Stryker Crossbow-----PSE TAC  15 Crossbow.  They shoot like a  rifle but there not cheap.

i don't want a tactical bow I am thinking something for the average hunter.

S-10 is one of those that --

don't like the way our deer are managed...  don't like the way the forests are mananged.. and don't like crosssbows.

He is out of touchh with the majority of hunters today and thus thinks those are the types of crossbows the newbies are interetsed in....



I do not think there are alot of members here that use or have alot of knowledge on types of crossbows...

I'll try to get a list of some manufactors that you could web search for more info...

Horton
Ten Point
Excalibur
Barnett
Bowtech
Parker
PSE

My questions to help narrow your choice down a bit would be compound or recurve style and price range you are looking at.

Recurve styles have the advantages of being simple to maintain, less to go wrong and the user can change the string without a press.  Excaliber leads the way with these with Horton having a few established models and Parker just introducing a recurve lineup for 2009.

Compound styles are much more compact in width than recurve styles which is a advantage for maneuverability.  Some of the newer ones are very compact.  They also tend to wring out a little more speed than their recurve cousins.  Parker, Horton, Barnett, Ten-Point, Bow-Tech are the big names.

I have the Parker Cyclone and have no complaints.  Fast, compact and quiet.  Parker's new Tornado has gotten very good reviews so far.  If I were buying right now, that would be my choice.

Here is the Tornado, very compact and fast.


Here is the new Parker Cyclone recurve. Wider but simple.


Here is the Excaliber Exocet.  Probably the simplest most rugged crossbow out there.


Lots of choices.  Hope this helps.  

--Last edited by dpms on 2009-02-19 12:29:44 --

I was leaning toward the recurve style.  more or less due to price if i like it after a couple of years then maybe upgrade.

About the Tactical i would rather just buy a couple of guns with that pricetag!

Quote :

FlyFisher wrote : I was leaning toward the recurve style.  more or less due to price if i like it after a couple of years then maybe upgrade.

You will find prices between recurve and crossbow in the same ball park.  Excals can be had for $400-600 with some higher.  Parkers compounds are in the $400-600 with some higher as well. Barnett has many compound stlyes less than $400 as does Horton.

Doc--And just what in the h-ll was the justification for that rant. The man asked what was available and I gave him two sites to access to find out. Just because you don't want anyone to think the new crossbows aren't any better than the old ones doesn't make it so. Get your head out of the sand and welcome to the real world of high tech hunting. Those companies do a lot of research and market evaulation before committing time and money to building a new product. They must know there is a strong market for the new techonology or they would not have put them on the market. My guess is DPMS is wishing he would have waited another year before buying his and probably will have one before he is done. They didn't build them to gather dust, they built them to sell.

Thanks!  I got plenty of time to look around what would you recomend in the 400 to 600 range?

I apologize S-10...  I know you like to push those two super high tech models as what you perceve is what the newbies are going to be using,, in fact I could bring a post over here to show just that but I won't ..

flyfisher stated he was NEW and want to know what type.. I do not think any TRUE crossbow hunter would suggest those several super high tech thousand dollar bows for beginners...


I'll just say I maybe should not have ranted !!!!  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2009-02-19 13:21:51 --

Accepted. Springs coming and we will all be happier An awful lot of folks buy the latest technology in hunting gear every year just because it is the latest. Remember--He who dies with the most toys wins.

I guess the fact that ---

the compound I use is a Bear Whitetail Hunter- $25 at a flea market 10 years ago...

I use a Warren/Sweet climber

I have two rifles 30/30 and a 30/40 Kreg

2 - 22s one semi one bolt

one of each gauge shotgun 410 & 12(single shot) 20(bolt)

one bb gun that shoots pellets too

I buy all my fishing gear at Kmarts

I am still using the box of re-loaded 30/30 shells
from 5 years ago for my deer hunting..

shows what I care about the latest in high tech..

I'm from the if it ain't broke don't replace it school

Man---and I get accused by my hunting buddies of being old school  ;)  No wonder our economy is gone to hell. Loosen up on those purse stings Doc and help get things going again.

Quote :

FlyFisher wrote : Thanks!  I got plenty of time to look around what would you recomend in the 400 to 600 range?

Compound type in that range.  Parker Buckbuster 175#
http://www.outdoorsexperience.com/parkerbuckbuster175.html

Recurve style. Excaliber Ibex 175#.  Comes without optics but you can put your own on for cheaper.
http://www.outdoorsexperience.com/excaliburibexcrossbow.html

I kind of like both of those...

I am confused about one thing though..

I noticed one called it arrow length the other has bolt length but both are 20"

here's what confusinig my hunting camp neighbor is from Ohio and has a handicapped permit for Pa (one of those ones RSB talked about --shall)... anyhow.. his crossbow is a Horton of some type but I think the bolts are NO WAY Near 20inches long more like maybe about 10" ??????

I have found one thing in surfing for crossbow stuff.. BOLTS.....

seems they are just like regular arrows..

I have found them from 6 for $34 to 6 for $60

nice bows the extra money migh t be worth it to get a slightly faster compound!

This new hunt has be excited about deer hunt for the first time in a long time.

You got me Doc.  All the crossbows designed for hunting have 20-22 inch bolts that I am aware of.  You could go longer if you wish.

I have seen some target type crossbow pistols with short bolts?

Thanks ...

I made you moderator of the new crossbow section.. hope you do not mind !!!


I'll have to double check the next time my neghbors is up ... I'm probably wrong then about the length...  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2009-02-19 15:59:32 --