Anybody into Crossbows? Who has the best value these days?

Robert Hankins

Robert Hankins

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May 19, 2003
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Ever since seeing "Ms Havalock" perforate Gonzales the hit man on the James Bond film "For you Eyes Only" and also in the "Dogs of War" I have been fascinated with high tech crossbows.
She used a Barnett.
Could I get some opinions on what is the best value out there today.
Have not had any practical experience to speak of other than a cheapo I bought that was junk.
Advice and maybe some website would be a great help:D
Thanks
Robert Hankins
 
I think Barnett maks some of the finer crossbows on the market today.
Love your knives, have a good day.
Bob Barnett ;)
 
Maximum performance/price might be obtained with a no-name Chinese crossbow pistol I bought at a gun show for $14.00. A pack of a dozen aluminum bolts was $4.99. It has a heavy cast metal frame and is very well made. The only thing I didn't like was the rubbishy adjustable plastic sight. I replaced it with a laser which is adjusted to be dead-on at 15 yards. At that range it will penetrate watermelons and legs of lamb.

If maximum power is required, then Horton claims that their Hunter XS is the "most powerful crossbow on the planet".

I also have several blowguns. The Stupero caliber .625 dart is too heavy for me to use effectively but I have gotten pretty good with guns of caliber .40 and .50.
 
Silver
Any chance of posting a pic of the pistol crossbow.
Not looking for overkill on the crossbow not more than 175lb draw for sure, 150lb would work. More interested in accuracy.
 
Check out the Barnett RC150. It's a compound bow, small in size, but awesome to shoot.
 
Sorry I don't have a digital camera. But there is a similar model at http://www.pistol-crossbow.com which is actually better than mine because it has it's own cocking device.

Pistol crossbows are nowhere near 150 lbs draw. I would say more like 50, or 75 at the most. However there are probably some cheap imported shoulder-fired crossbows that can top 150.

The laser red dot pointer was sold by the same dealer for about $4. There is no brand name or any other information on it (just a laser cautionary sticker), but it too appears to be of Chinese make. I suppose you could also use an optical sight, but I don't know which one would be best for this purpose.
 
Try sportsmansguide.com they have a good range from the less expensive to the awsome Barnetts.
Peace
Bob Barnett:cool:
 
I believe the model in the film is the Barnett Commando- it breaks down like a shotgun w/ auto-cocking arms. Prod is 175 lbs I think. Huge fun to shoot. Once upon a time, someone I know may have once heard a story about someone who once read a thing somewhere about a guy who knew how to make explosive crossbow bolts. sorry- don't remember who that could have been if it were indeed anyone at all... :)
 
Explosive crossbow bolts---yes they are easily made.
Has anyone seen the slingshots that are made like a compound bow. Suppose to be really powerfull.
 
Hey Blinker,

I would guess that the slingshot bows you are referring too are a take off of the Asian pelletbows that were used to fair effect a couple of centuries ago. I am sure that the modern versions would be quite powerful.

As for crossbows, while it sounds like you are looking for modern crossbows, you may want to look at historical crossbows (for fun if nothing else). A good friend of mind makes them for historical reenactors, and he has made them for both me and my wife. He really does beautiful work, and how proud would you be after you took a deer with a 16th century weapon? Puts those blackpowder guys to shame ;). Sure you have to practice a bit more, but they are plenty powerful and accurate.

Anyway, he does custom work, and more styles than are listed on his website, but check them out at:
http://crossbows.biz/products.html

Enjoy!

Greg
 
My wife, ms. Ravenn, has a Barnett. She love sit. String life on it seems a bit short though.

Ravenn in Ky
 
Hey Robert....

How serious are you about Crossbows ?

Are you looking for something for hunting, or just something to shoot once and awhile...

If you are seriously looking for the most accurate crossbow money can buy,, then you should be looking into an Excalibur recurve...

www.excaliburcrossbow.com

In all honesty,, Excalibur crossbows are the absolute best on the market..Recurves have many, many advantages over a wheeled crossbow.

I shoot an Excalibur Exocet, and I'm more than happy with it...
Have a look at some pictures of my recent hunt..

www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel/blackbear.htm

ttyle

Eric...
 
Eric, Great link they are some great crossbows.
Now if I could just find someone who wanted to trade one for a Custom knife...
They are legal here and it would be fun to go Javelina hunting with.
 
Hey Blinker...

Yaa they truly are the finest hunting crossbows known to man...

The owners of Excalibur are known to hog hunt once and awhile...

These bows are surgically precise.. You won't go wrong...

ttyle

Eric...
 
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