Tips on Choosing a Crossbow

I cannot review every model of crossbow. But here I offer some tips in case you are interested in getting into crossbow hunting. Recurve vs. compound, draw weight, and speed are some of the things I discuss.

This is not a channel about shooting big bucks. I don't discriminate--I'll shoot any legal deer. ;)

I want to help make YouTube the #1 place for quality hunting entertainment. I want to help spread the hunting lifestyle. To do that, I set up this channel to showcase the crossbow and help others film their hunts and get those videos online. So, subscribe to this channel to be entertained and learn more about crossbows and filming in the outdoors.

This channel is about my love of the crossbow, hunting, and the outdoors. I hunt almost exclusively with the crossbow. I love it. Sure, like a lot of kids, I started hunting with a good ol' Model '94 Winchester 30-30 back in the 80's, but drifted away from hunting when I went off to college, law school, and started a family. As my daughter got older, I regained my interest in the outdoors, and I consider myself lucky to hunt on the same property today that I hunted on as a kid. I got the Excalibur Axiom crossbow in 2010 and I haven't looked back. This channel is the result of combining my interest in filming and hunting...

Subscribe here on Youtube.

Gear used by me (not necessarily in this video, but in general):

HUNTING:
Excalibur Axiom, upgraded with a Dyna Flemish string and Vari-Zone scope from Excalibur--recurves are simply perfect!
Firebolt arrows with Burt Coyote Lumenocks
X-Act Broadheads (also from Excalibur)
Scent A-way products by Hunter's Specialties

FILMING:
Canon T5i (or 700D for you foreigners) DSLR camera
GoPro Hero 2, Hero 3 Black

[nmc]

You have a great voice, and it's nice seeing someone talking about this stuff who is not wearing camo.

[ProfKSE]

I always hunted ducks with my Lab. Never hit a one.
I couldn't throw the dog high enough.

[jubalbecker]

I started using a tenpoint wicked ridge crossbow and it was a joy to shoot and shot very well. Tenpoint recommended changing the sting and cables every two years and or when it stretches and needs replaced. After I took the tenpoint to the bow shop I walked out paying $163.00 total for sting, cables and to be installed with a bow press and took 3 weeks to be ready for pick up. It was at this point I told myself I need a cheaper way to maintain my crossbow and need to be able to work on it myself. Long story short I sold my tenpoint crossbow with a new string on. With that money along with some saving I bought a Excalibur bulldog 380 suppressor. This was the best option for me for a lifetime crossbow that I only need to buy once and be able to fix everything I need to in the field. The bulldog is super accurate and figured it would have more then enough power to take down any size game when choosing a hunt for big game once I am able to. I hope this helps someone in the market for a crossbow and needed to know if Excalibur crossbows are the way to go... The answer is YES hands down!

[BuckMcAntlerson]

Good vid. I like the way you don't think you have to have all the latest and greatest info and gear. Seriously. Get good equipment, learn how to utilize it perfectly, and you are set. Your advice is very real-life and down to earth unlike some others. Kudos.

[tommypodzielinski]

Picked up a top of the line Barnett, renevent 415 for just under 600$. The msrp was 1100$ last year. Full package and all. Shoots flat and deadly accurate. For anyone looking at buying a crossbow, check eBay for overstock and last year's models

[gramps]

A huge factor for me is that with my Ten Point Crossbow I have to pull the trigger with my right index finger and I have to depress a button with my left thumb to fire the crossbow. My crossbow can never be fired with my hand or fingers in the way of the bow string. This safety feature is a must for me when I consider owning a crossbow.

[kenandrews]

I really appreciate your statement about sticking with the crossbow you've got and not breaking the bank to up grade to the newest,  greatest whiz bang rig on the market. And, the concept of sticking with your crossbow's manufacture's original and recommended equipment. I have been shooting an Inferno Wildfire since getting into crossbow hunting three years ago. Arrow Precision (Inferno) doesn't make the Wildfire anymore but I love this 225 pound, 330+fps recurve. Here in Oklahoma we can take six doe and two bucks in an archery (including crossbow) season that runs October 1 thru January 15.

[Toastification]

Watching this vid four years later, all this great advice stands the rest of time.

[vidsoutmike]

My wife and I each have Excaliburs and are more than satisfied. Matrix 330 @220# and Matrix 380 @260# respectively. We have no problem cocking as well as uncocking them.

[Loco_Lui]

Good point about the reticle. One thing i never thought about but really like, is my barnette ghost 420 crt 2x came with a 5x32 scope with red/green reticles & both colors have 10 different lighting settings. I thought that was dumb at first, but it makes good sense for hunters. I'm just not a hunter

[coolproductions]

Thanks for a great video, very informative, I was thinking to buy a compound crossbow but now I'm satisfied with the simple and best recurve one.

[ianshaw]

Hi. Nice to see a normal person on here. Just upgraded my Jaguar 150lb crossbow to an Excalibur GRZ2. Got the recommended bolts also. And I agree. If it aint broke, dont fix it. Its a pity we cant hunt in the UK with bows, but im having fun all the same. I hold a firearms / shotgun and explosives licence so plenty shooting experience, but just love shooting the crossbows. Keep up the good work. Take care. Ian.

[HomesteadOnThePreserve]

Unless Bunjie breaks a limb, it will be just as good twenty years from now as it was the day you bought it. That's the great thing about a high quality, simplistic product. I love my Excalibur 330, no reason for me to ever "upgrade."

[madcavemantd]

Hey Rich, had to comment on what a big help your videos have been. I have a shoulder injury which prevents me from shooting a compound bow anymore and decided to go with a crossbow. I didn't want to spend $2k to 3k on my first crossbow. Although I really like the Mission bows! Anyway, after months of research I pulled the trigger on a Centerpoint Sniper Elite 370 Whisper. I paid $275.00 for the package and have upgraded the scope to a Hawke Xb-1 SR IR. I am super happy with it and I am getting 1" groups at 40+ yards with Victory/Mission 22" arrows. I have started to fletch my own arrows and learning about arrow tuning. I try to shoot 50 arrows a day if my shoulder will handle it and I am having a blast! My significant other is not real happy with how much money I am spending on all my hunting gear, WELL!! Won't be complaining when the freezer is full of venison I bet!! The only drawback here in Washington state, is that crossbow season for deer, elk, bear, and cougar are during the rifle season! But there are ways to get a special permit if you have a injury or a handicap. Fingers crossed! So, thanks so much for your wonderful videos and all the information that you provide your subscribers. Your professional, personable, and a wealth of knowledge. Appreciate you taking time to teach others. Oh, and by the way, her name is Mabel, after my grandmother. She was tough, no nonsense little firecracker who was always a straight shooter! Thats my Mabel! Good hunting!!

[dontubert]

Have shot many Crossbows, have owned only two.I purchased a Centerpoint Amped 415 and a high quality scope and I am EXTREMELY satisfied with the performance.She is a little heavy but is quiet and shoots a 505grain Arrow at 375fps. The best part was the Bow Case Arrows and upgraded Scope all less than 600$.I was wanting a very high end Bow, but when my old Bow cracked a limb I was in a pinch, and after lots of research went with CP. Very satisfied.

[richardbeto]

I am brand new in looking into getting a crossbow. I am also in PA. Thank you for the great information and honest videos

[john]

Nice to see a guy that shoots a recurve, basic equipment crossbow. Less moving parts to maintain and wear out. Simpler is better with less possibility of mechanical failures and take that advice from a mechanical engineer. I've watch many of your videos and liked them so much, I subscribed. Stick with Bungie she's nice and basic and get's the job done.

[father_son_galaxy]

I really enjoy your down to earth advice instead of just pushing the latest and greatest. I started out with the same Excalibur axiom. I bought it used on craigs list for $400. It served me well and I was lucky enough to bag three 8 pointers with it over the years. Last season however I did make a change and bought an Excalibur micro 355. It was just getting a little tight in my climbing treestand with the axiom so I wanted something a little smaller. I love the Excalibur brand for the high quality and simplicity so I stuck with them. Unfortunately I got skunked this year so can't comment on how well it preformed. I may have pissed off the axiom gods and be cursed. Fingers crossed for next season.

[frederickbierweiler]

by shit luck i bought abarnett deer hunter II. did some research on line and spent what i had. It is the best sporting expenditure i have ever made. I killed a 100 lb, a 129 lb doe and a 165 lb buck here in N.H. Had given up deer hunting for 20 years and the crossbow has opened the door for me I just love it now..

[michaelpiatt]

Great vid as always. A couple of comments. I took an elk in Co with standard archery equipment, draw weight of 170 with arrow speed ~ 300 fps (10 yd shot). Bungie is more than adequate for that. Like you said "Placement is everything." Another thing, I missed (first time for everything, ha, ha!) a doe with my crossbow last year at 35 yd because she jumped the string (went belly flat to the ground). I'd love to see a vid on that. Just because you have a crossbow doesn't mean that the deer don't jump the string!