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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Oct 17, 2013 3:11:10 GMT
I'm so prone to just getting interested on the most irrelevant weapon and just getting in the way of my budget and my sword wish list :? Swords are my favorite type weaponry, I will always love swords over any weapon... Then I got interested into archery, later bought and started with a simple bow and some arrows... And now I've gotten myself with crossbows :oops: (I'm sure I'm not getting myself into firearms, they're just expensive for me) Oh well, I don't see it as a big problem, I see it as a way to broaden my interests with other things that doesn't have a sharp edge with a handle :mrgreen: I hope I'm not the only one that goes through this. :lol: Why crossbows you may ask? I have no clue, but I thought it be a useful thing to have. I'll probably just buy one crossbow and not upgrade to a higher end one till it broke or something along those lines. Plus, if I ever decide on hunting, I have something to use. Rather than me asking: "So which crossbow is good at Sub $200?" (Even though that would be helpful, I started looking into crossbows a long while ago, so I have some in mind. I've been going through Amazon and a special archery site called www.thecrossbowstore.com , even read through some archery forums but still can't find some answers), I want to ask some feedback about this whole compound vs. recurve deal. Being a traditionalist, I would choose recurve over compound, but I heard safety is an issue with Sub-$200 recurve crossbows. On the other hand, a compound bow around the $200 range is something I'm paranoid about, all those wheels and pulleys just waiting to fail. So what do you guys think is the better crossbow type in terms of durability, maintainability, and safety, rather than Accuracy, speed, and poundage?
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Post by Onimusha on Oct 17, 2013 3:20:21 GMT
It is easier to make a recurve crossbow. There are less possible places to screw up. They are harder to cock though. I'm not a crossbow guy, so that's all I can tell you.
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Oct 17, 2013 3:30:27 GMT
Thanks for the response! That seems true. I do believe that recurves are the better crossbows, but the quality of recurves in my price range is somewhat of a hit or miss depending on the company, like Armex, Arrow Precision, and Man Kung (Which are basically from the same Taiwanese manufacturer from what I researched) And with the reliability of recurves in mind, what do compounds honestly have an advantage over recurves besides a lighter draw with the same poundage?
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 17, 2013 3:50:45 GMT
Just a little info, while cartridge guns can be expensive, black powder is fairly inexpensive for a decent gun.
You can get a decent black powder rifle for under $200. I was just at a gun shop today and was shown a bunch of amazing under $200 black powder rifles. Plus flint locks have a much longer hunting season if your interested in that. it took a lot of will power not to impulse buy and grab one of the rifles that was only $175 plus 20% off.
Black powder pistols can be fairly inexpensive also, though tend to be more $250-$300 as the lowest you should go on them. Some of the revolvers also have the option of a cartridge cylinder to turn your black powder into a cartridge gun.
Plus black powder guns are just cooler than the new style guns. they have artistic craftsmanship that just isn't seen in modern firearms.
Now to speak to your actual question. While I am not that up to speed on cross bows, I would say recurve is the way to go if your going for lower cost. As mentioned just less to go wrong.
What compounds bring to the plate is easier draw and smaller size for similar power. Also I suspect you can find more accessories for compound crossbows due to the style being more popular.
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Post by ineffableone on Oct 17, 2013 3:54:19 GMT
I think most of us go through it. So don't stress, it is normal. Well normal for us at least. :lol:
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Post by Onimusha on Oct 17, 2013 3:59:19 GMT
I love my black powder guns, but to each their own. A compound doesn't actually give better performance with lighter draw weights. What the do give you is "letoff". You start off pulling the full weight. At some point, you feel the weight let off, so you're not holding back much weight. On crossbows, this makes it easier to obtain a light trigger pull. Some power is lost in the cams.
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Oct 17, 2013 4:55:18 GMT
Everything seems to be the truth from what I heard about recurves. The only reason I was skeptical was the durability of the crossbow, although I can just buy extra parts if some did break... I can always make modifications to it to improve durability, like replacing the string. Thanks for the responses.
Black powder guns looks like a cool choice, but I'm not that traditional... With firearms, I prefer something a little bit more modern :mrgreen: But not necessarily those modern high tech guns, more like WWII era types. Then again, I'm one of those gunless gun lovers :lol:
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Post by greypilgrim on Oct 17, 2013 5:07:53 GMT
I've played with crossbows for many years with draw weights up to 400 pounds. Never saw any reason at all for a compound bow. Too many moving parts and too many things to go wrong. Crossman (air rifle company) makes a really nice 175lb pull recurve crossbow in the $200-250 range. You can always build your own with a bow cut from a steel leafspring and a hand carved hardwood stock.
Modern inline ignition black powder guns might be just what you need. I'll stick with my old longrifle and loose powder. Hope this helps, Kenny
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Oct 17, 2013 5:11:50 GMT
With a caveat - most compounds begin where a recurve ends, not all mind you but a 120lb compound is less likely and a 300lb recurve would be a semprini to cock, without some form of assistance. Now to add confusion on the compound issue! :lol: The reverse energy bow - comes in many flavours and prices, small, light and easy to carry and use... This would put the cat in with the other pets ...
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Oct 17, 2013 6:01:25 GMT
I'm shooting an Excalibur Phoenix so I'm clearly in the recurve camp. Seriously though, avoid compounds if you're budget is lower than 500-700$. The lowest level compound stuff that's actually worth the money starts with the smaller TenPoint or Great Lakes bows. The cheap China crap just falls apart way to easily and with all the cams, etc there is simply too much to go wrong.
With recurves I'd of course recommend Excalibur but to get into the hobby, the cheap chinese Jaguar will do. Recurves generally are more robust and easier to handle, no need for a bow press if you want to change strings and they are plenty powerful for pretty much everything.
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Post by greypilgrim on Oct 17, 2013 12:33:41 GMT
If you just want a basic crossbow to try out Kultofathena has one for $99.95.
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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Oct 17, 2013 23:59:07 GMT
The one's in Kult of Athena are basically from the same Taiwanese manufacturer as Man Kung and Jaguar, they all have that distinct look in the bow... Although I'm looking into crossbows that comes in a package with accessories like a sling and a quiver. :? Thanks for the advice though, I may buy the mini crossbow just for fun along with a future purchase I might make at Kult of Athena. And Excalibur crossbows are basically the description of my dream crossbow, recurves and a good reputation of durability and maintainability. Too bad I'm interested on the Matrix 380 Blackout (A black tactical look on a crossbow is something I find more appealing than camo) Something that's way too high for my budget :lol:
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Post by greypilgrim on Oct 18, 2013 0:48:16 GMT
Yea the 380 is awesome but way above my budget too. Love the black out treatment.
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Talon
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Oct 18, 2013 4:06:57 GMT
I'm hesitant to post this as I'm a big Excalibur fan (best crossbows made in my book),and these are a blatant rip off of the Excalibur design.It's a buyers market though so here goes. Look at the Chace Wind bows. It's basically a copy of the Excalibur Vixen,and it also comes in black They also do the Chace Star which is a direct copy of the Excalibur Equinox. While both bows seem to get good reviews I'm still hesistant to post this as they're taking sales away from Excalibur :? . Still for a cheap intro recurve these are hard to beat,and I would pick a recurve over any compound bow made. You can't beat the real thing though.Excalibur bows are the best bows out there imo. Attachments:
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Post by Unit731 on Oct 18, 2013 5:21:13 GMT
What is a good compound bow priced 200$-400$? I plan on using it for hunting medium game. Maybe deer at the biggest. Sorry, not trynna highjack this thread . Just don't feel like making a whole thread just for one question
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Post by Onimusha on Oct 18, 2013 5:40:57 GMT
You can pick up a mathews feathermax for about $250 on ebay. If you ever need parts, mathews will make them, even though they haven't made the bows in years.
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