Crossbows for hunting?????

[HCJtractor]

My criteria would be something very compact and lightweight, especially for tree stand hunting. The reverse limb design is very balanced, like a good rifle, and not nose heavy like on many standard crossbows. I don't care for the cocking devices built in. My simple rope cocker sled works just fine. Nor in my opinion does adjustable stock length matter. It's not like a shotgun that has to fit the user perfectly to get a good sight picture. Most crossbows are short in stock length. Simple is better. I think balance is more important. I also much prefer the narrower ones.

 

[Code54]

Good information - thank you all.

I kind of figure I will shoot it a bit more often than normal as I like shooting my rifle for fun and used to shoot archery very frequently in my younger years. I am planning on taking my son to some 3d fun shoots just so he can practice and keep his skills up. We have a place around here with the animal targets throughout the woods where we can walk and take shots so I look forward to playing around there.

Is there any website you recommend looking at about crossbows and hunting with crossbows?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I don't cross bow hunt, but I thought I'd post a pict I got a few days ago, out back, here on my place,

The buck in back had pretty decent horns started too...

SR

 

[HCJtractor]

Good information - thank you all. I kind of figure I will shoot it a bit more often than normal as I like shooting my rifle for fun and used to shoot archery very frequently in my younger years. I am planning on taking my son to some 3d fun shoots just so he can practice and keep his skills up. We have a place around here with the animal targets throughout the woods where we can walk and take shots so I look forward to playing around there. Is there any website you recommend looking at about crossbows and hunting with crossbows?

Two good sources: A good forum: Crossbow Nation. And a great retail source is Wyverncreations. They sell many brands. I bought my whole system from them.

 

[Bocephous]

Not a crossbow expert by any stretch. I bought my Excalibur Axiom 2 or 3 years ago and have been very pleased with it. Simple and dead on accurate, it's put meat in my freezer each of the last two seasons I've hunted with it.

 

[forgeblast]

I hunt archery and just bought my first crossbow. My buddys dad who just passed had a ten point, and we wanted to make this archery season in memory of him.
The cross bow I bought was Amazon.com : SA Sports Empire Beowulf 360FPS Crossbow Package, Camouflage : Sports & Outdoors but I bought it from sportsmans guide, join the club for one year, got it on a double discount day etc... It is awesome. Easy to put together and has tactical rails for various items.
I cannot wait to hammer something with it. Its impressive.

 

[bullbreaker]

Just a thought IMO those of you's that "can" , try practicing on occasion loading (cocking) your crossbow with your bare hands :laughing: .
I own 2 rope cockers and use them , but on occasion I have bare hands or with hunting gloves on crossbow cocking drills incase I ever forget my rope cocker . My crossbows like I mentioned earlier are 200 and 175 pound pulls . The 200 @ times can be a little difficult when I load string in practice after 2 or 3 times continueally with no bolt remember just practiceing loading also if I were to miss and somehow which is rare could try a follow up shot . I also practice cocking my bow up in tree stands . Also those of you's newer to the "sport" remember how you are gonna unload (release your string) when done hunting. I take off bolt of course and hold my string with my hands and release trigger with my thumb. I don't like to carry a "dummy" bolt to fire in ground to release bolt.
Also when tree stand hunting cock your bow on the ground , pull it up with a rope , set your self in position "THEN" put your bolt on .

BTW I don't know him personally but IMO Dan Miller in Ohio is a great gent to deal with if your after an "EXCAL" .
The truth about Danny Miller - Excalibur Crossbows

 

[Code54]

Thanks for all the info
Made it out to Cabelas this evening and got to look over several model and style. My son looked at some lighter less expensive models and got to shoot them on the range (even shot bulleyes without effort so that is a good sign) - he is definitely interested in learning more and hunting with a crossbow so I was glad to see his interest.
I looked at several bows and am leaning toward the Excalibur Matrix line - I really love the look of the reverse limb Xbows but the dependability and simplicity of the recurve is what is selling me. I like the idea of being able to change a string if needed and the lighter weight is nice. They are a little wider than a compound and take a bit more to draw but otherwise I don't see any real major drawbacks.

 

[bullbreaker]

As most of you's know for recurve crossbow designs it is recommend when not in use for "long" periods of time that the limbs on bow are relaxed . So to take off/put on recurve style strings they sell an inexpensive device consisting of a rope and plastic end blocks to hold your crossbow "cocked" with limbs curved back to put on or off your string. You can also make one of these yourself(s)
The loading and unloading of recurve design crossbow strings can also be accom plished by putting your crossbow on solid ground (careful not to damage finish) and leaning it on one side and bending limbs . However some might find this hard as cocking crossbow with bare hands .

pic with T handles is the cocker to put bolt on

pic with plastic parts with holes in em is aid to string your recurve ........

 

[Code54]

Thank you to everyone for the advise and thoughts.
I ended up getting a Excalibur Matrix 380 as it seemed to fit my needs the best. Everything I read about them impressed me and I really like their reputation of standing behind their products. I figure it is more than fast enough for me and should be good for everything I want to do. Now to start getting all the accessories!!!!!!

Any one have a target they recommend?