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Post by ourway77 on Sept 1, 2005 8:03:57 GMT -5
Anyone have a knowledge of this Crossbow? They boast a speed of 345 fps.
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Post by Douglas Blair on Sept 1, 2005 10:23:22 GMT -5
ourway77, I take it you are thinking of buying one.
As you know I am also new to crossbows but have been told the quality of Barnett has went down for the last few years. I had thought of buying one of the same bows, but after talking to more experienced shooters of crossbows I decided to go with a Horton. I think you might be better satisfied with a Horton Explorer in either 150 or 175 pound draw weight.
If you can afford a Ten Point they are one of the best on the market, but for the money the Horton can't be beat IMHO.
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Post by edge on Sept 1, 2005 10:55:41 GMT -5
IMO, velocity with any bow has trade-offs, with noise being the worst. Most hunting bows have enough energy @100 yards ( With Sharp Broadheads ) to cleanly take any whitetail through the lungs so energy is really not a consideration!
Noise is one of the biggest reasons for missing deer from 15 -25 yards. Past 25 yards I think that range estimation is probably the greatest reason. Under 5 yards and from a treestand it is the angle that causes most poor shots.
IMO, from 0 - 15 yards even a noisy bow is too fast for the deer to react unless he sees movement too, including the bow recoil. Much past 25 yards a noisy bows sound is muffled in the woods and a deer tends to look but not immediately bound away. Hunters out West in open areas may have a different and much greater problem with sound!
Velocity from a bow, apart from the obvious reduction in time of flight, will give the archer approximately one yard for every 10 fps to his FIRST aiming pin: 250 fps = 25 yards 345 fps = 34.5 yards
This assumes a normal 4 inch +- centerline of arrow to the eye. Use of a scope will reduce this if it is set lower and I also assume that it yields only one aiming point.
edge.
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Post by Douglas Blair on Sept 1, 2005 16:37:51 GMT -5
Edge, crossbows are noisy critters to begin with. This is because of the heavy draw weight, short power stroke and all the other goodies attached to the bow itself like the stock. Most companies have silencers which fit to the limbs as well as other parts of the bow.
The Horton bows come with what they call a dial A range and is really neat. For each click it sets the scope almost to poi at the next 10 yards out. I have found my Explorer XL 150 is within + - 2 inches of being right in the bullseye. This is from 10 to 50 yards using the Dial A Range. I have yet to shoot it any further, and this is with 100-grain Bear razor heads.
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Post by ourway77 on Sept 1, 2005 17:03:12 GMT -5
Edge, You are so right. When i first got into Crossbow shooting I bought a PSE, It was so loud one would think someone was breaking 2x4's in half. Well as a coincidence mine did crack. At the time I purchased it I also purchased a lifetime guarantee, So I contacted PSE, who advise for me to return it. They sent me a brand new PSE made by Horton, It has the designation as PSE 175 made by Horton. I have used this bow for about 3 years now. Have taken several Deer with it, I can find no faulkt with it but am always looking at something new. I agree the Ten point is a great bow, However I think I will stay with the top of the line Horton in 175 pound class. Edge or Doug do either of you have the name of any silencers that would quiet the bow down? Most of the Deer I shoot are 22 yds from my stand have never had one jump the string, but I am sure at longer distance it surely woulkd be a factor as the bow I have now, not as noisy as the first, it's still somewhat noisy. Lou
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Post by kansas on Sept 1, 2005 21:54:02 GMT -5
Ourway77, You will never quiet a crossbow down to the level of a good compound. There is just too much weight and force. There are a couple good kits out there to dampen crossbow noise. 10 pt makes a good kit and it did wonders for my Stealth. Limb Saver also has a kit. The one item I would stay away from is stuff that goes on the string. Generally, they do a couple of things. first they will slow the bow down. Second is they become projectiles as they fly off the string and smack you in the head. I personally don't think either of these results are positive. I also agee that there are several other brands of crossbows that you would be happier with and that will perform better for you in the long run. The Barnett may shoot 345, once or twice... 10pt, excalibur, parker, horton would be my top 4 pics. Just my 2 cents. Oh yeah, I've been selling all different crossbows for about 10 years. I'm not claiming to be an expert, but have seen a lot of goods and bads. You will probably be happy with one from the above 4. Kansas
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Post by Lou on Sept 2, 2005 4:31:36 GMT -5
Kansas thanks for the heads up. I am looking into the silencers you mentioned. Anyone know where would be the cheapest price for the top of the line horton? Lou
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Post by Douglas Blair on Sept 2, 2005 5:43:02 GMT -5
Cabelas has Horton bows. Also check your local Wal-Mart. They carry Horton bows or at least they do in my neck of the woods.
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Post by kansas on Sept 2, 2005 6:43:19 GMT -5
Lou, If you are looking for a top of the line Horton, I think your money would be bettter spent on a entry to mid level 10pt or excalibur. An upper level Horton will run you $900. You can get a good 10pt or Excalibur for that same money and have a better bow. Horton makes great entry and mid level bows. However, there upper level bows over the last seeral years have left something to be desired (last year the recall on their top 3 bows, 200lb bow breaking limbs and axles, etc etc). Check the Horton recall thread to see last years models. Parker makes a good bow too. As for where to find the horton bows, Doug is right, but I don't think you'll find the upper end hortons at walmart. Kansas
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Post by Douglas Blair on Sept 2, 2005 7:47:16 GMT -5
Kansas, no you won't find the upper level bows but you will find the Explorer line and most have the XP 150 with the new trigger (Talon) and the super stores carry the 175 pound models to. If I may say I have yet to find any fault with my Horton Explorer XP 150 and it has plenty power for any deer or black bear in the woods. I am also really impressed with it's accuracy to. I also may try my luck with it in turkey season. ;D
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Post by bigbirdva on Sept 3, 2005 11:47:10 GMT -5
I bought a Barnett Rhino Quad when VA made them legal just to see what a xbow was all about. I then got an Excalibur. There is no comparison. The Excalibur is a Mercedes compared to a Hugo. I cannot reccomend the Barnett to anyone. For a little more $$$ than the 400 you could do so much better.
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TYE
Spike
Posts: 13
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Post by TYE on Sept 10, 2005 0:14:57 GMT -5
If you can afford a Ten Point they are one of the best on the market, but for the money the Horton can't be beat IMHO. EXCALIBUR
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Post by canadoug on Sept 23, 2005 11:50:23 GMT -5
In the past 14 years I have owned 10 Excalibur xbows and presently have 2 compound 175 lb Excalibur Paradoxs and 2 150 lb Vixens and another being shipped today from the Excalibur factory which is about 85 miles from me. Excaliburs models all have the same stock, all share the same 3 lb trigger pull, all models use the same limbs except the Paradox ( which was built by Jennings)all accesseries fit all models past and present. The only disadvantage I have found in the Excalibur recurve xbows is the width of the limbs usually about 10 inches more than acompound but is more maintenence free than compounds.
Canadoug
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