epd1102

I've been a bowhunter for about thirty-five years. I recently found out that Indiana has legalized crossbows for both early and late archery seasons. I have become about as dangerous as I can be with information from the Internet about some of the major crossbow companies. Between what I have read and the little bit that I have learned recently at my local archery/crossbow shop, I think I have it narrowed down to one of three crossbows.
1. Barnett Predator or Ghost 400. I have these two listed together since they're from the same company and are both fast compound crossbows. I like the idea of 375 or 400 fps. They are $519 or $800 at my local shop. I don't like the idea that their web site says I may have to replace strings and/or cables somewhere between 100 and 200 shots and this will require a service to be done at my local shop.
2. Excalibur Exomax. On this one, I like the idea that I can replace my own strings and there are fewer things that can get out of time or go wrong. I also like that it is a little lighter. I don't like the idea that it is a little slower at only 350 fps. It's also about the same price as the more expensive Barnett at about $800.
I know that I might be able to save a little money by buying off the Internet but I like buying items like this at a local shop where I will have someone who will hopefully appreciate me as a customer and will take care of me.
I am going to shoot them both on Tuesday to see if one of them has any better "feel" to me when shooting. I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions on things to look for or opinions about which way to go. If you tell me which one to buy, can you please add a sentence or two on why I should choose that bow?
Thank you in advance.

OneBear

You need to do more research!! Based on you including Barnett in your choices, you haven't learned anything.
Excalibur makes the best recurve crossbow you can find. TenPoint is top of the group for compound crossbows. I strongly suggest you male a phone call to David at Wyvern 603-659-0575, be the best phone call you ever made.
You will a ton of advice here from the arm chair experts Some will be good, a lot will be horsecrap. Make the phone call you won't be sorry that you did!

liquidorange

stick to the big names. Excalibur-Parker- Horton -Tenpoint. go to a store and shoot and hold a few. calling a salesman on the phone is the same as asking an internet forum for opinions. too many opinions. only you can decide. i wouldnt get all caught up with speed. the way a xbow feels in hand is more important. recurves are wide and easy to work on. compound xbows need a ittle extra love but some models you can get a hand press and change and adjust strings and cables yourself.

Dnk

The Exomax has killed an Elephant, why do you need more power?

Huntr2

Many good ones to choose, its alot about personal preferences, shoulder and shoot all your choices then decide. I think the flatter it shoots the better off you are if you mainly hunt. But yes practice as much as you can there is not any replacement for that.

smokepolehall

My opinion is jus what it is. I think all new crossbow buyers should purchase a quality Recurve. Then after owning n shooting it fer a yr then look fer a Compound style if'en it melts yer butter

Mojotex

Another 2 cents. After serious injury to my left shoulder left me unable to shoot "vertical" (probably forever), I switched to a cross bow.

My experience with the two models I have had personally and hunting with 6 other cross bow users, is that about any "name brand" maker offers a very good, reliable product as long as you stay in the upper quality range of each.

What I had to get used to most were the "horizontal" space needed for an unimpeded shot and the fact that I am limited to one-shot only.

A cross bow is much louder than any compound I have ever used. So I would never have had a second shot if I needed one. Every deer has scattered when I fired. With my compound (SQ-2) many times, several just stood there, as if wondering what the noise was all about.

Plus cocking requires a lot of movement relative to "re-loading" a compound. Too much for me to have been able to reload with out beeing seen.

I have found no appreciable increase in "kill" distance from my compound set-up and my cross bow. The bolt arc is about the same as the arrow arc .... about 45 yards seems to be a good limit for me.

awshucks

Don't fall into the 'fps' trap, Smokepolehall kills 4 or 5 deer a year, plus a hog or two shooting an Excal Vixen. It churns them out at about 260 -270 fps.

I'd advise an Axiom package, has it all for about $500..........

Johnmorris

I got a Excalibur phoenix speed at 280 3 1/2 lbs Get a excalibur package with string changer and cocker. I never looked back great bow. I had several compound cross bows
love the simplicity.