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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jun 3, 2013 18:22:33 GMT -5
Anyone got an opinion on a Barnett Jackal/Wildcat C5's crossbow? Cant afford the more expensive crossbows, looking for an entry level type. Maybe something the kids can shoot to. Post your experience with any would be appreciated. I have no idea which to buy?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2013 18:35:53 GMT -5
I have a Barnett Jackal. It is the only crossbow I have any experience with, so I can't compare it to others. I can only say that I like it.
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Post by majyang on Jun 4, 2013 7:38:49 GMT -5
I picked one up recently and i'm kind of mixed on it right now. It has the pontential to be a really cool weapon, throws the bolts down range with serious intentions but the scope it came with (3 dot) i suspect is giving me issues. I've discovered that mine doesn't mount correctly on the Xbow. I took it out once and the shots were jumpy and all over the place. Brought it home, did some PM on it, specifically the scope and then tried shooting it again. Got better groups with it but they still aren't as good as i was expecting from a shoulder fired weapon, especially when shooting it from a stable platform position. Not giving up on it though, i'm probably going to swap out the 3 dot for something else and see what that does. I'm hopeful that it will perform as well for me as I've read that it has for many others. BTW, i got mine in used condition BUT it was in nearly new condition. I think the guy before me didn't really know what he was doing when assembling it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2013 9:42:03 GMT -5
My red dot scope has been replaced with a regular shotgun scope and it has been a much better option.
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Post by Russ Koon on Jun 4, 2013 12:11:22 GMT -5
I had one. Bought it used off Graigslist for $200. Shot it a few dozen times while I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to shoot my compound again. Previous owner said he'd bought it new and hadn't used it much, and I could find no evidence to the contrary.
Liked it OK, easy to shoot and hit with. Heavy to tote and cumbersome, compared to the compound, but I suppose it wouldn't have been bad after getting it to the stand or blind.
Accurate, and plenty fast enough to be a very effective hunting tool. Trigger wasn't what I'd have liked in a rifle, but wasn't bad for x-bows of that period. That's one of the areas where there has been improvement in the higher end models since, I understand. I've had worse triggers in a couple of shotguns, but it had more creep than any rifle I ever owned. Didn't hurt it for my use, as I was planning to only use it with a good steady rest anyway and it didn't hamper accuracy after I got used to it, but it would hamper ever getting great accuracy while shooting offhand.
Mine had the accessory cranking device built into the stock, and had the red dot scope option. Groups were very good with the red dot, but being a single dot without the range adjusting mount meant holding over at longer ranges. I didn't get real serious about it, as it was all kind of a "just in case" adventure and curiosity satisfaction, so I simply picked a spot on the big target box I was using for longer range shots to see what kind of groups I could expect shooting from a good rest. Would have wanted something with better range adjustment for hunting if it had come to that, but could have easily used the single spot scope to about thirty, maybe forty yards with just "KY english" with more practice and using the rangefinder for good yardage readings. Accuracy was there to squirrel hunt with at that range using a good rest.
Sold it after my rehabbing went well enough to get the Mathews in my hands again at hunting weight. Got back what I had in it except for a couple bolts and some spray lube that I had purchased to shoot and maintain it. (Found out the bolts are easier to lose in casual practice than arrows, especially during early long-range practice sessions).
Seemed like a pretty decent machine. Probably a good one for the money, but I had no real basis for comparison except one super-cheap recurve x-bow I had bought earlier and wasn't impressed with at all. Reviews I read at the time were favorable for the most part, as were the personal experiences of the few owners I managed to ask.
I'd recommend checking out the used ones on CL and classifieds. I think they are one of those items like weight training gear, treadmills, and camping gear, that are often found for sale with much less use on them than the original purchaser had envisioned when they bought them. Good percentage of bargains to be had on like-new ones at half original price or less.
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Post by scrub-buster on Jun 7, 2013 22:07:25 GMT -5
Have you looked into the Wicked Ridge line from Tenpoint? Low cost and high quality. I bought the Warrior last fall and I love it. I can't wait to hunt with it this year.
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Post by Woody Williams on Jun 8, 2013 7:17:42 GMT -5
Have you looked into the Wicked Ridge line from Tenpoint? Low cost and high quality. I bought the Warrior last fall and I love it. I can't wait to hunt with it this year. ^^^^^^^ THIS If you dont mind used Ill be putting my TenPoint ProElite on the market very soon. Probably week after next when Archery Camp USA is over..  |
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jun 8, 2013 10:31:13 GMT -5
Hey thanks guys for all the suggestions, I would have no problem with a used crossbow. Very hard to pick a crossbow, there are so many and there is a big price difference in them.
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Post by hankhunter on Jun 9, 2013 8:26:26 GMT -5
I have a Barnett Jackal. It is the only crossbow I have any experience with, so I can't compare it to others. I can only say that I like it.  It does seem to get heavier by the end of the day. |
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Post by ms660 on Jun 9, 2013 9:56:23 GMT -5
If you can afford it and are serious about hunting with a crosssbow, get Woodies used Pro Elite. You will be much happier with the Tenpoint than the Barnett. I have never delt with Barnetts customer service, but have with Tenpoints and it's second to none, or better yet try talking him out of his new Stealth SS LOL.
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Post by trapperdave on Jun 9, 2013 14:58:53 GMT -5
barnetts customer service is great in my experiance. The jackal is good bargain. I have one. Only issue was me breaking the bolt retention arm opening day last year. My own negligence. they sent me a replacement free of cost right away
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 20, 2013 19:48:47 GMT -5
I have a Barnett Quad 400 and like it very much; however, I did change my site name to Jon Snow because I don't know much.
My bow shoots hard, but it's easy for me to pull back. I wouldn't want one that shot any harder or it would go through my target box. I don't find it heavy to carry, but maybe I'm use to carrying extra weight. If lighter triggers can be bought for it, I'd like one. I think the trigger is a little heavy. Overall, it's great for me, and I think I paid around $400, but think you can get them cheaper at Walmart. TenPoint is quality equipment. I'd rather have a used TenPoint than a new Barnett.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jun 20, 2013 20:22:56 GMT -5
Anyone got an opinion on a Barnett Jackal/Wildcat C5's crossbow? Cant afford the more expensive crossbows, looking for an entry level type. Maybe something the kids can shoot to. Post your experience with any would be appreciated. I have no idea which to buy? Look at Woody's crossbow for sale. It's nice! |
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jul 10, 2013 11:43:34 GMT -5
Bought a brand new Excaliber Axiom (got the scope not the red dot) extra 6 bolts, wax and field points for 470.00. I thought that was a really good buy. Cant wait for it to get here. Looks like a good entry level crossbow, not alot of speed 305fps, but should be deadly on the deer and turkeys. Thanks for all the suggestions.
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Jul 10, 2013 17:18:22 GMT -5
Bought a brand new Excaliber Axiom (got the scope not the red dot) extra 6 bolts, wax and field points for 470.00. I thought that was a really good buy. Cant wait for it to get here. Looks like a good entry level crossbow, not alot of speed 305fps, but should be deadly on the deer and turkeys. Thanks for all the suggestions. Congratulations ML! You might like the 305f/sec; it's enough to kill and it will probably be much quieter then mine. Mine is 345fps, and hits hard, but the trigger is heavy. It's the only one I've shot, so it may just be the nature of the beast. I think you'll be really happy with it. |
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jul 13, 2013 8:31:45 GMT -5
Just shot the Excaliber Axiom Crossbow and Wow, I am impressed. Hits the target hard and buries it deep. First shot out of the box right in the dot. Didn't even move the cross hairs. Best part is, my 7 yr daughter shot it, and loves it! Should have bought one last year.
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Post by Woody Williams on Jul 13, 2013 12:32:28 GMT -5
Just shot the Excaliber Axiom Crossbow and Wow, I am impressed. Hits the target hard and buries it deep. First shot out of the box right in the dot. Didn't even move the cross hairs. Best part is, my 7 yr daughter shot it, and loves it! Should have bought one last year. Welcome to the DARK SIDE!  I am sure that you will be much happier with the Excalibur than the Barnett. ENJOY!!BTW - My Pro Elite now resides in North Georgia.. |
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Post by MuzzleLoader on Jul 13, 2013 14:15:31 GMT -5
The dark side is great. Took a minute and watching a video how to cock it properly. I was trying to pull the string up without looping behind the rail first. That was pretty interesting, daughter kept sayin "Dad, I think you are doing it wrong".
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