CrossBows,recommendations,short comings

[Runt_Pup]

His gang;
I am interested in acquiring a fairly good CrossBow set up. Has anyone here had any real time experiences with these weapons, and are they worth owning?
Can anyone recommend any particular makes or models.
I'd like to keep it under $600.oo if possible!
I'd appreciate you input on this...

This is one area where I have no experience, or training.

[AlchemyAcres]

I currently have a Barnett WIldcat (wooden stock) and a Barnett Commando.
I highly recommend the Commando.....they're well built.....the cocking device is built in...it breaks apart in the center...much like a break apart shotgun...the leverage pulls back a rail which hooks up over the string.....it's slick!

Made back in the 80's....you can sometimes find them on eBay.



~Martin

[Runt_Pup]

What could I expect to pay for something like that?

[AlchemyAcres]

Hi Runt_Pup....
I paid $75 for my used Commando locally.
I wouldn't be afraid to spend $200 or so on one in good condition.
The Commando was the top of the line back in the 80's....retailed for around $500.



~Martin

[AlchemyAcres]

I can take some pics of the Commando and the cocking mechanism if that'll help....let me know!



~Martin :)

[Kevin]

I shoot a Excalibur made in Canada. It is a recurve and has about 1/2 the forward recoil as a compond.

It is very very very acurate from a bench rest at 50 yards if I shoot at the same spot I will split the bolt in the target. Done this 2 times I guess I am a little slow.

I have shoot many deer and a bear with it, in one side out the other. Cut the spine on one deer and it kept on going. I have never had that happen with a regular bow.

Mine is a Exomag 200 lb pull. I think they all use the same limbs just different pull lenghts to change power ratings.

I like it a lot and no I dont work for them. If you have ever seen Ted Nugents show they use them all the time. This is the link.

http://excaliburcrossbow.com

[Dawgus]

I've had a Horton "Hunter" crossbow for a long time and never had a problem with it. They started here as a local company, and my support started there. I scoped mine years ago with a Tasco red-dot, though there are a few scopes available made just for crossbows. A good idea is to search the archery & outdoor shops in the off season for a good deal on a used one. When I was at a gun shop, we always had archery trade-in's in the spring and summer, usually towards a good varmint rifle. They've made several modifications and improvements with newer models since the Hunter I bought in the early 90's, but I'm keeping this one since it's been so reliable.
Keep in mind if you get one, they are 150-200 lb pull, so some regular archery backstops/targets won't work with them. Hay bails might as well be a piece of paper....I knew someone who bought a Horton, set hay bails in front of the garage door, and ended up shooting through both and put a nice hole in his tailgate with a crossbow bolt.