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Post by deadeer on Oct 26, 2023 18:31:34 GMT -5
Yeah the noise is YOUR concern echoing thru the stock. You will over come it when the arrow goes thru the deer. I am/was on the Excalibur forum, and seen guys put up pics of shooting squirrels with their Excals. I have one and its louder than a compound xbow, but no problem whatsoever. I cant remember EVER reading of a deer jumping a string of a xbow over 300fps.
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Post by esshup on Oct 27, 2023 0:31:10 GMT -5
I switched to lighted nocks a number of years back and won't hunt or target shoot without them. You can see where the arrow went in flight, and find it easier once it's on the ground.
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Post by astronankin on Oct 29, 2023 7:53:06 GMT -5
I've used a Stryker crossbow for about 9 years, owned it for 8 of those years when a friend sold it to me after letting me use it the year before. It's a pretty quit shot, but honestly it's the only crossbow I ever shoot and I've never shot a hunting bow either, so I really can't say too much. But you should hear what my Dad's crossbow sounds like compared to the Stryker. Sounds like some mechanical squeaker going off in the woods! We don't have anything on our crossbow strings, just the plain old string. As for broadheads, can't say too much there either except that it sounds like your Rage broadhead was not a good one. I was looking for new broadheads this fall and was told don't use Rage, they are not the best. I have used Schwacker mechanical broadheads since I started using this crossbow. They work really well, but with only two blades and a rather small sharpened area on the tip they don't send a deer down immediately and they don't leave a huge hole either. I've almost had them not open due to being older and a bit dirty inside. The new broadheads I bought this fall were recommended to me as I was looking at them, and I've only shot two (one at my buck and one at my turkey). They got the job done better than the Schwackers ever did. They are Grim Reaper Whitetail crossbow broadheads. I think the difference between a crossbow broadhead and a broadhead for an arrow may have something to do with the weight and length of the broadhead, but not sure, so please correct me if I am wrong. These Grim Reapers make a good size hole and they make quick work of the animal. My buck was only injured with the bolt between the shoulder and the spine, yet he was knocked down immediately and couldn't get up. Possibly it was the broadhead that prevented him from doing so. As for the turkey, she only went 10 yards before expiring. Excited to see how it will go when I shoot a doe standing broadside.
I have never used fixed blades, because from what I have learned they don't have quite the effect that the mechanicals do. Since the well-made mechanicals open up on impact and so do more damage to a larger area.
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Post by SFC (R) B on Nov 20, 2023 16:02:59 GMT -5
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Post by oldhoyt on Nov 27, 2023 9:56:13 GMT -5
The schwacker is designed to be able to puch through ribs on entry, then open inside the deer and leave a big exit for trailing. Looks like it worked.
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Post by BigJLocke on Nov 27, 2023 19:49:51 GMT -5
I use the same bolts you have there, but I used the rage mechanical broadheads for the first time this year and I was impressed with them. I’ve always used muzzy fixed blades because I’ve heard so many horror stories about mechs bouncing off of deer 😂 but the one I shot passed straight through, opened all the way, hit two ribs on the way out and it never even slowed down.
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Post by onebentarrow on Nov 27, 2023 20:26:37 GMT -5
There is a guy on youtube called ranch fairy that has a lot of good info on broadheads.
I am not saying he is the be all end all but his thought process,experance in live animals and he has measured blade thickness and strength along with other things will give a guy a lot to think about. He will bring up things a lot of guys won't think about. Like angel of shot and just what is required to get to vitals,ease of penatration of the broadhead in and thru bone.
You will problly need to watch a couple of his vedios to get the information.
I personally agree with most of what he sais except shooting extremely heavy arrows and only because of trajectory,so I have opted for a lighter arrow and will take my chances on a little less penatration.
Onebentarrow
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Post by omegahunter on Nov 28, 2023 8:21:31 GMT -5
I use the same bolts you have there, but I used the rage mechanical broadheads for the first time this year and I was impressed with them. I’ve always used muzzy fixed blades because I’ve heard so many horror stories about mechs bouncing off of deer 😂 but the one I shot passed straight through, opened all the way, hit two ribs on the way out and it never even slowed down. I still shoot fixed with the crossbow, but mechanicals should do just fine with a crossbow due to the additional kinetic energy (KE) of the more powerful limbs. This, however, could work in the reverse if the mechanical's blades are too thin to survive bone contact with the higher KE. |
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Post by parrothead on Nov 28, 2023 11:38:40 GMT -5
I am a fixed guy too.
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Post by Mack Apiary Bees on Nov 28, 2023 13:40:24 GMT -5
Fix - muzzy. Had bad experience with rage 1st year using them. I will not chance not opening. Dead on shot at 25 yards and hit shoulder edge. Basically, the arrow bounced off the buck. Ring still holding the blades. Now the new Rage might be a better getting rid of the rubber ring.
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Post by esshup on Nov 29, 2023 22:08:38 GMT -5
I used the precursor to the schwackers and while they worked great, if they didn't exit there was very little blood trail. Especially on high angle entering shots. Don't get me wrong, they killed deer just great, I don't believe any of them went more than 30 yds.
I am using Rage now, better blood trails. Except for 1 deer. I have no idea why there was no blood found. Complete pass through, thru the lungs from a ground blind. I found the deer the next day, and found the arrow the next morning. I use mechanicals because it's easier for me to get them to fly straight.
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Post by omegahunter on Nov 30, 2023 11:00:34 GMT -5
I spin-tune broadheads on all my arrows... compound or crossbow. I have no trouble hitting the same as my field points out to 60.
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Post by astronankin on Dec 4, 2023 8:26:25 GMT -5
I heard the rage broadheads are not considered the best due to their mechanic problems. But I am enjoying these new Grim Reaper Whitetail crossbow broadheads. They punched right though the button buck I shot and did a number on my turkey poult this fall. To say the least I am very impressed with them. They are hefty however they make up for it with their beautifully working mechanics. No ring needed, just carefully push the blade up and feel the click when it locks.
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Post by oldhoyt on Dec 8, 2023 8:04:48 GMT -5
I'm fixed, been that way since the birth of my last child. That's another story I guess.
Rage heads are what I call a "Plan A" broadhead. They are reliable when you can aim and shoot right where you want - through the lungs, hitting only ribs without heavy leg bone.
Sometimes you need a "Plan B" arrow, and that's a broadhead that will punch through the scapula and leg bones without a second thought. A good fixed head will do that more reliably than a mechanical.
I shot my buck with a NAP Spitfire. Woody recommended them a while back so I gave them a try. They look like a Plan A head to me. I took a Plan A shot, but I ended up spining the buck. The buck had use of his front legs for a minute, but by the time I reloaded the crossbow he was lying flat on his side and not moving. That head really did a number on some heavy bone. I shot him again anyway for insurance and that head hit bone too. Was able to buy new blades and rebuild the heads. The ferrules stayed straight.
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