DVXDUDE

i'm hoping to buy a crossbow in the near future and I noticed that all the excalibur ones are recurve crossbows and horton and tenpoint are compound. I realise that on recurves that you have to pull the strings completly straight or your shot will be off. Any other disadvantages with them?

I held the excalibur vortex and it felt really comfortable, I've only shot a crossbow about 10 times with a friends horton legend. It was about 5 years old and I didnt mind it but the excalibur was way lighter.

I need some suggestions on brands of crossbows. I'm looking to spend in the 700-900 range thats with arrows,scope and everything.

thx in advance

Hotburn76

This is a disadvantage with all CB's regardless of type. At least on my two Horton's it would make the shot be off.
That was what first turned me onto the Excal's. Took a friend to a shop where he had bought a gun safe and first seen them there. It is alot lighter then my Horton supermax 175.
The Vortex is what I have for primary use. My dad will be using the supermax 175. You can get everything you need for that price range and probably some extras like a target and other goodies. Get the right stuff package on them and get one with a Varizone scope or a lumizone scope and you will never look back!

BigTiny

Compounds are more compact and easier to carry in the woods. The downside is they require more maintenence and have more mechanical failures, resulting in more money out of your pocket during the career of the equipment. Considering that, I would guess the compound would not last as long either. I don't know if there is an accuracy difference between the two or not. I bought a Vixen (Excal) back in Feb. and it is my first piece of archery equipment. The accuracy of my bow borders on the freakish, and I don't think I could be happier with my purchase. This week I took the bow out of storage, restrung it and took a few shots. I made a one-click adjustment on the scope at 20 yards and now it is dead-on out to 40. Easy is good.

awshucks

Centering the string is critical to accuracy regardless if bow is recurve or compound. I'm a recurve shooter, which means in a nut shell Excal.

ranger56528

Do what I did......BUY BOTH...........More then likely I will use my Vortex in my stand and the Profusion(10 point) while stalking......or vice versa or or or just one or the other..[]......

Cossack

With so much competition in the X bow market, most of the major brands will work just fine. It then becomes a matter of personal preferance. Recurves are bigger but simpler to work on. Compounds are shorter, narrower and generally quieter but more maintenance prone. (NO x bow is as quiet as a vertical bow, however). Shoot as many brands as you can to find the one that fits/works best you best. Make your decision by trying current bows. Those from even 5 years ago may be much different than current models.Cocking effort may be an issue if you choose a bow that has high draw weight or you have limited capability. Narrower, short bows tend to be easier to use from blinds. Determine which bow has the best trigger...which is most important to accuracy...and which stock fits your physique. Consider the customer service provided by the maker. Excalibur, Parker and TenPoint, for example, have great service. Don't be overly concerned over what someone else shoots; they may not have used much thought to buy theirs.

But, hurry. Deer season is comiong on soon. (That comment was prompted by the 4 deer that just browsed through my shooting range in the back yard.)

DVXDUDE

well thx for the comments guys, I'm really leaning towards the excal vortex now. Probably go to basspro tomorrow to hopefully get some shots out of it and see if i really like it or not.

DVXDUDE

Well guys i went to basspro and bought the Excal Phoenix. Got the Excal scope "all the right stuff" package too. It was about $175cheaper then the Vortexwhich was my other choice.I'm very pleased with the Phoenix. I took about 35 shots with it today from ranges from 20all the way to 55 yards. Hit bullseye everytime at 20,30 and 40 yards. I was about an inch low at fifty and probably 3 inches low at 55.Still dead center though, just low.

I was shooting from the top of my shed (20feet high) and on the ground. My cousin brought his Horton Legend (older model about 5 years old) over and i shot it too. It definatly wasnt as consistant as the excalibur was. The horton was heavier too. My excal would almost punch arrows right threw the target box, the horton was only pushing them about half way threw each time. Trigger pull is real nice on the excal too, Can't wait to shoot a big ol buck this year!!


thx a lot guys, couldnt be happier.

Dnk

Congratulations on your choice!

ranger56528

May the Force be with you.....Congrats on the Bow.....