bunny_busta

Hey Everyone,
I am new to this forum and brand new to bow hunting.

I am from New Zealand and am looking at getting my first crossbow for hunting goats.

I probably wouldnt be using it a HELL OF ALOT, but I would when I go up to my mates house where i know plenty of goats are, shooting from around 20m.

I am thinking that 150lb would be sutiable for this? but i have no idea what is good quality etc. and i am not wanting to spend a hell of alot of money.... up to $300 NZ
How do these ones look?

http://www.aimtru.com/perfect-line-recurve-crossbow-150lb-xidp105300.html

http://www.nzap.co.nz/crossbows.php
^the one at the bottom, the Horton Tacoma Trac 150. (but its a wee bit pricy)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Hunting-shooting/Archery/auction-139758612.htm?p=20

i am thinking the one at the top? not too expensive but looks quite good??
also is a scope nessacery?

Any Help would be much appreciated

Thankyou

grndhntr

BB, I haven't heard of the 1st one there so I can't really give youmuch advice. You might get a good one, but with crossbows, I think, some are made quite cheap and an off brand (like this appears to be) might be hard to find parts forif anything breaks. On the other hand, a recurve crossbow like this is much easier to work on yourself. Buy at your own risk. As far as sights, I shoot with just a peep sight and pins and have done well with that. I've never used a scope so I can't really comment on which is better, but I would say that if you get used to the pins, you can do quite well shooting reasonable ranges.

bunny_busta

oh ok thanks for that. is barnett a good brand?

bunny_busta

i am looking at the buying the barnett RX-150. it obviously isnt the best bow around but it would be suitable for the occasional goat hunt wouldnt it?
thanks

Cossack

Quote:"oh ok thanks for that. is barnett a good brand?"
No. Of these affordable major brands (Excalibur, Parker, Ten Point Horton) I'd rate it dead last in fit and finish, reliability and customer support. But it may well work for the occasional goat hunt....esp since you seem to have your mind made up to buy cheap over reliable.

Dnk

Glad you said it Cossak, I wasn't brave enough!

bowfisherman

If I was you I would look at an excal vixen. Not too expensive but plenty of speed and very reliable.

awshucks

Ilooked at your links. I don't know the dollar conversion rate, but the Horton Summit is about double in NZ dollars as it is in American dollars. The price for the 1st one and the picks makes me believe it's about the same as a cheap Chinese xbow sold here by Sportmans Guide called a "Feng Shui". Translated from Chinese to English, that says "Eat Tuna", lol. There are some serious xbow hunters from NZ on the Excal forum from time to time, you may want to contact one of them for ideas on a quality bow where you are located. The suggestion on the Vixen was a good one, it will last a life time, has great resale value and they are as problem/maintenance free as you can get. A scope is not needed, but the range compensating ones will allow you to get the maximum performance out of your bow. Have fun!

KLS

I didnt know what it was either but your comment got my curiousity up so I checked it out...
I use several online conversion programs for various things I do anda few of them have curreny conversions... http://www.currency-conversion.info/ and unless I'mnot seeing things right it looks like the NZ dollar isnt far off our rate, US= $1~NZD= $1.264
if thats the caseI take it crossbows must be pretty expensive over there, you can get package dealson summits for around $250 here, that would make them around $316 NZD... $549NZD for the summit package on that sight would put it at $434USD, almost twice what we'd pay...

that just doesnt seem right...

bunny_busta

I cant get the vixen over here i dont think.
A Horton would probably be the best one to get as thehunting and fishing shop supply this brand so if anything happened to it i can go in and get spare parts etc

so Ithink that ive decided on either the:

Horton Steelforce which i can get at a local hunting and fishing shop for $450 NZ which comes with red dot single point sight, quiver and 4 bolts

or the

Horton Tacoma Trac for $400 from here:
http://www.nzap.co.nz/crossbows.php

im not sure if the recurve or compound is better or just which is better overall?

please any recomendations would be much appreciated.
Thanks