Crossbow recommendations

[CardShark]

I'm looking to buy my first crossbow and was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction.

I'll mostly be hunting out of box blinds for deer, hog, etc.

I don't really have a fixed budget, I'm really looking for the best bang for the buck.
I know in most things, there are price points where if you pay a bit more, you're getting a lot for the money and then you reach a certain dollar level where it's diminishing returns.

Trying to find where that sweet spot is and any specific brands/models and places to buy you guys can recommend.

 

[CardShark]

Also wondering if it's worth it to buy some of these "packages".
Seems like you're getting a lot for the extra money when I price items individually but hard for me to judge without experience if the items that come in these packages are crappy quality that I'll end up having to replace anyway.

 

[BowChamp]

I have an older model Excalibur Crossbow that shoots very very well.

At 30 yds. it will put a bolt in the same hole...over.....and...over.....and.....over!!!!

 

[CardShark]

I have an older model Excalibur Crossbow that shoots very very well.

At 30 yds. it will put a bolt in the same hole...over.....and...over.....and.....over!!!!

What model is it?

 

[BowChamp]

It's an Exocet.

 

[dewayne]

Buy you a killer instinct 405 and kill some deer,I shoot 425 and very happy

 

[CardShark]

Buy you a killer instinct 405 and kill some deer,I shoot 425 and very happy

Are you talking about this?
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/killer-instinct-lethal-405-crossbow-package

I saw this when looking around but seems like you're getting a lot for $220 so thought it might be crappy.

 

[CardShark]

This is a different price point but caught my eye since it's currently $399 after $160 off:
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/wicked-ridge-invader-x4-crossbow-package

 

[Dewayne white]

Yes it will do anything needed. It looks like my hero 380. Got a 425 also,but prefer fit and feel of the 380. For the money can't go wrong

 

[Dewayne white]

They'll work but prefer feel of ki crossbow

 

[Dewayne white]

for broadleaf I preferswCker 100gr green or red hypodermic in 100

 

[CardShark]

Yes it will do anything needed. It looks like my hero 380. Got a 425 also,but prefer fit and feel of the 380. For the money can't go wrong

Which crossbow are you referring to?

 

[CardShark]

for broadleaf I preferswCker 100gr green or red hypodermic in 100

Sorry, you're going to have to break down some of the jargon for me...still new to crossbows

 

[Raven]

The "Ravin" brand is one of the most accurate and ultra compact, with a free floated bolt. But it's also one of the most expensive. And I'm a little biased. New for 2021 is the Ravin electric cocking system

 

[CardShark]

The "Ravin" brand is one of the most accurate and ultra compact, with a free floated bolt. But it's also one of the most expensive. And I'm a little biased. New for 2021 is the Ravin electric cocking system

Yeah, I saw some of the Ravin crossbows as I was looking around, definitely pricey. Which one do you have?

 

[Raven]

Yeah, I saw some of the Ravin crossbows as I was looking around, definitely pricey. Which one do you have?

I sold my crossbow like 25 years ago. What I want is the new electric Ravin model. I'm not getting any younger, and RA sucks. Something else to consider is that there is a crossbow that is an upper receiver for any milspec AR15 lower. I forget the name, but it makes sense. Especially if going to be bringing along a rifle anyways. It was like $2,000

 

[dewayne]

Yeah, I saw some of the Ravin crossbows as I was looking around, definitely pricey. Which one do you have?

Card shark go to bass pro shoot a couple of crossbows. Then make a logical decision about price. Hi dollar crossbows work but cheaper brands save money. Don't get more than require

 

[no woryz]

I have a Excalibur matrix 380 and I am sold on the re-curve's... I broke a cable in NW Kansas on a standard compound crossbow and couldn't hunt. I drove to Nebraska next day to buy cables & have shop restring old bow & bought the 380 and extra string's also... now i can change string on my own anytime and have had no troubles... deadly accurate to about 100 yards & super simple... they've gotten more streamlined & Excaliber now has a 2 shot version... you can spend as much as you want on crossbows but will only get so much return on your investment... good luck....

Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow Review [November 2023]

Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow has sturdy build & powerful design. REDS Suppressor, longer limb, Diablo arrows, makes it a powerful combination.

bestcrossbowguide.com

 

[Raven]

I have a Excalibur matrix 380 and I am sold on the re-curve's... I broke a cable in NW Kansas on a standard compound crossbow and couldn't hunt. I drove to Nebraska next day to buy cables & have shop restring old bow & bought the 380 and extra string's also... now i can change string on my own anytime and have had no troubles... deadly accurate to about 100 yards & super simple... they've gotten more streamlined & Excaliber now has a 2 shot version... you can spend as much as you want on crossbows but will only get so much return on your investment... good luck....

Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow Review [November 2023]

Excalibur Matrix 380 Crossbow has sturdy build & powerful design. REDS Suppressor, longer limb, Diablo arrows, makes it a powerful combination.

bestcrossbowguide.com

Yep, for sure. Recurve bows have been around for thousands of years longer than compound bows and crossbows. And longbows hundreds of years. English longbows can pierce iron plate armor at 100 yards. There's something to be said about that.
Let us all know when you master the atlatl spear throwing thing. No strings attached with that one, lmao, pun intended. All joking aside, recurve bows and longbows are just as awesome as compound bows and crossbows, and the atlatl is super old school and deadly accurate once mastered. If the long bows and recurve bows were the 357 Magnum equivalent of the ancient world, the atlatl was the way older 45-70 equivalent giant 3 ton moose killing spear thrower of the ancient world. And it doesn't use strings at all.

 

[no woryz]

Yep, for sure. Recurve bows have been around for thousands of years longer than compound bows and crossbows. And longbows hundreds of years. English longbows can pierce iron plate armor at 100 yards. There's something to be said about that.
Let us all know when you master the atlatl spear throwing thing. No strings attached with that one, lmao, pun intended. All joking aside, recurve bows and longbows are just as awesome as compound bows and crossbows, and the atlatl is super old school and deadly accurate once mastered. If the long bows and recurve bows were the 357 Magnum equivalent of the ancient world, the atlatl was the way older 45-70 equivalent giant 3 ton moose killing spear thrower of the ancient world. And it doesn't use strings at all.

dang brother, your everywhere on this one...lol, i not sure if i should "like", "dislike" or say "puff,puff,pass" on this post...haha... short story long is yes, recurve crossbows are better than compound in the big picture although that's not exactly what you're saying but hey, its my experience owning top shelf of both....