Crossbow feedback

[Bob33]

I have an elk tag for Wyoming. In Wyoming, crossbows are considered legal archery equipment. I'm considering the purchase of one as my compound skills probably limit me to around 40 yards. I believe with some practice I could extend my range to 60 yards with a crossbow.

Based on research to date, I'm considering TenPoint as the preferred brand.

Does anyone have any experience, insights, or advice about crossbows that you would be willing to share?

[treeclimber2852]

I hunted with a crossbow in the carolinas for a few years after shoulder surgery.  I had a parker crossbow and the thing was a tack driver.  One of the big differences between crossbow and compound is going to be the noise.  You're only likely to get one shot off with the crossbow.  No matter how much dampening you have, you're still going to get a loud twang and yes, the animal will jump the string every time so shot placement needs to be lower. 

[h20hunter]

Lokidog has some recent hunt experience.  I think he posted about it.

[SquirrelHunter]

Check out the carbon express, i have a carbon express CX2, i love it, its a bit heavy but shoots great. I shot the buck in my profile pic with it in 2013 at about 50-55 yards. Only issues i have had is the scope that came with it was horrible, I adapted a reg bow sight on it and it give me a lot more adjustment and range options and beats having to send it away for a couple weeks and spend a couple hundred bucks on a custom sight.
If you have any specefic questions feel free to shoot me a pm

[Machias]

They sound like a .22 going off and I think you will find your range is not extended as much as you think it will be, if at all, particularly with elk. 

[JDHasty]

Excalibur Matrix is what you want.  Incredibly accurate, no range advantage over a compound.  We use them on the islands.  Pay attention to weight, a friend loaned us a Ten-Point before we bought our Excaliburs and it would put your leg to sleep sitting with it on your lap in a blind. 

[Bob33]

They sound like a .22 going off and I think you will find your range is not extended as much as you think it will be, if at all, particularly with elk.

Why do you say that? Do you not believe it's possible to shoot a crossbow accurately at 60 yards?

[Bob33]

Excalibur Matrix is what you want.  Incredibly accurate, no range advantage over a compound.  We use them on the islands.  Pay attention to weight, a friend loaned us a Ten-Point before we bought our Excaliburs and it would put your leg to sleep sitting with it on your lap in a blind.

I've heard some good things about Excalibur.

The weight difference between the Matrix and the TenPoint model I'm consider is three ounces.

[JDHasty]

They sound like a .22 going off and I think you will find your range is not extended as much as you think it will be, if at all, particularly with elk.

Why do you say that? Do you not believe it's possible to shoot a crossbow accurately at 60 yards?

It is entirely possible to put a crossbow arrow through a deer at 60 yards.  I have seen it done.  But it is also possible to shoot a deer w/a compound at 60.  After that trajectory gets pretty high and wind becomes very problematic even on "calm" days.  I am about as accurate w/compound as crossbow. 

[BULLBLASTER]

Those things would scare the heck outta me trying to carry one cocked with the string back on a stalk or something. So much energy. I'd stick with a compound and shoot more personally. I did set up a buddys pse tac 15 crossbow and that thing was pretty awesome to shoot!

[Bob33]

They sound like a .22 going off and I think you will find your range is not extended as much as you think it will be, if at all, particularly with elk.

Why do you say that? Do you not believe it's possible to shoot a crossbow accurately at 60 yards?

It is entirely possible to put a crossbow arrow through a deer at 60 yards.  I have seen it done.  But it is also possible to shoot a deer w/a compound at 60.  After that trajectory gets pretty high and wind becomes very problematic even on "calm" days.  I am about as accurate w/compound as crossbow.

My extreme limit with a compound is 40 yards currently. I believe with a rest I could accurately shoot 60 yards with a crossbow.

[BULLBLASTER]

The couple people I k ow with crossbow permits for using them in wa for archery season said they'd trade that ability back in order to be able to shoot their compound bows again.

[Machias]

They sound like a .22 going off and I think you will find your range is not extended as much as you think it will be, if at all, particularly with elk.

Why do you say that? Do you not believe it's possible to shoot a crossbow accurately at 60 yards?

It's not about the accuracy it's about kinetic energy and enough penetration to put a bull down.  I'll also add I am in the get closer not shoot further camp, even for a compound bow, so my views are slanted.

[JDHasty]

Those things would scare the heck outta me trying to carry one cocked with the string back on a stalk or something. So much energy. I'd stick with a compound and shoot more personally. I did set up a buddys pse tac 15 crossbow and that thing was pretty awesome to shoot!

It's no worse than carrying a loaded bear trap around while navigating your way through the woods.   

[JDHasty]

They sound like a .22 going off and I think you will find your range is not extended as much as you think it will be, if at all, particularly with elk.

Why do you say that? Do you not believe it's possible to shoot a crossbow accurately at 60 yards?

It is entirely possible to put a crossbow arrow through a deer at 60 yards.  I have seen it done.  But it is also possible to shoot a deer w/a compound at 60.  After that trajectory gets pretty high and wind becomes very problematic even on "calm" days.  I am about as accurate w/compound as crossbow.

My extreme limit with a compound is 40 yards currently. I believe with a rest I could accurately shoot 60 yards with a crossbow.

With practice that will not be a problem.  I have seen people shooting them off the tripod shooting sticks, but haven't done it myself yet.  Hitting a tennis ball at 60 yards shooting prone is no problem.