Looking at purchasing a crossbow.

[nullzero]

Any recommendations for good crossbows . I know the basics of archery like draw strength etc. but cant recall how hard it is to use a crossbow with a higher draw strength.

I was leaning toward using an crossbow compared to a composite bow, figuring it would be easier to use since I am new to archery. There seems to be very few medium to high end crossbow manufactures from what I have seen it looks like its mainly Barnett and Horton. TenPoint looked interesting to me but I am not sure on the quality and if the higher price is worth it. I was thinking something in the range of 160 to 170 draw strength. Will be using the crossbow for hunting smaller game and target pratice.

Thanks any advice would help me greatly.

 

[bonkers325]

try the blacksmith. it'll cost you quite a bit of gold coins!

 

[GagHalfrunt]

crossbow != archery. Archery is a skill, any numbskull that can pull a trigger can use a crossbow.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
crossbow != archery. Archery is a skill, any numbskull that can pull a trigger can use a crossbow.

Not quite. your average internet crybaby would not be able to pull the string

 

[vi edit]

Check your state laws. Some (like IL) won't allow you to hunt with them unless you are physically impaired.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Check your state laws. Some (like IL) won't allow you to hunt with them unless you are physically impaired.

But you can hunt with a gun?
Does that strike anyone else as peculiar?

 

[Kelemvor]

Find a local archery place that might have some you can try out...

But then get a real bow..

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I have an xbow I picked up off a friends dad for cheap. It's a 175# draw and once you get about 1/2 the way back its easy to pull, just like any compound bow. I much prefer a compound bow for any real arrow shooting, but xbow's are fun to shoot and easy to use.

Higher draw weight does not mean its much harder to pull (technically yes, but realistically no)

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: vi edit
Check your state laws. Some (like IL) won't allow you to hunt with them unless you are physically impaired.

But you can hunt with a gun?
Does that strike anyone else as peculiar?

Crossbows are VERY quiet, guns not so much. Something about being able to miss all day and not have the target move because you missed. Not sure that's the actual reason, but it's what I was told by some hunter savvy friends.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: vi edit
Check your state laws. Some (like IL) won't allow you to hunt with them unless you are physically impaired.

But you can hunt with a gun?
Does that strike anyone else as peculiar?

Crossbows are VERY quiet, guns not so much. Something about being able to miss all day and not have the target move because you missed. Not sure that's the actual reason, but it's what I was told by some hunter savvy friends.

if you're missing by a wide enough margin to not, at the very least, spook the animal when an bolt goes whizzing by and hits the ground, you need a new hobby. I suppose that is assuming things like the hunter being elevated above the target, so yeah, i see your point. Aren't they just flat out illegal in some states?

 

[SuperjetMatt]

The reason that many states will not allow cross-bows is pretty simple:
Archery gets special hunting seasons, usually quite a bit before and quite a bit after modern firearm seasons, and longer, too.
As a poster above pointed out, a crossbow neither requires archery skills nor hunting/stalking skills. It's more on par with a firearm than a bow.
That's why it's not legal to use - it is deemed unfair.

 

[KB]

Cross bows are commonly treated as firearms in hunting regulations. So you are required to use them during firearms season (this is typically the shortest season).
In Maryland you can hunt with a crossbow during bow season only if you are impaired.

You might want to find an archery store and try some out first. If you are really trying for target practice you might get annoyed having to cock a crossbow with your feet and hands every-time you want to take a shot. A composite bow could fire off 5 shots before you could fire 2 with a crossbow. Plus crossbows are difficult to cock in a tree stand.

Barnett and Horton are good bows. Just look for a crossbow in your price range with over 150 draw weight and over 280 fps, don't bother with anything less.

IMO These is the best crossbows http://excaliburcrossbow.com/d...ticle.php?content_id=1 but they are very expensive.