First Time - Crossbow Hunting

I've worked quite a bit and repaired the crossbow my uncle left to me when he passed away. It had been driven over by a truck and broken in several places. Needless to say, it would have been cheaper to buy a new one however - this was nostalgic for me.

That being said, it's been to the range and inspected by a bow tech and seems sound, shot well, and is ready to use so here I go - venturing into the adventure of bow hunting (or crossbow hunting). What I don't know however, is how heavy, and what types of broadheads to use.

I have a dozen of these fella's:
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/cat..._carbon_arrows

... and I am looking to hunt whitetail and black bear. The bow itself, is an older Barnett Panzer III - 150lb, recurve.

I've read mixed reviews about mechanical broadheads - some folks love 'em, some folks hate 'em. I'm about open to anything, and all constructive advise. Furthermore; what ranges am I looking at here?

Welcome to the world of bow hunting, I was hooked quite a few years ago. As to your question fixed or mechanical I will give you my experiences. I have used NAP over the tops and rage, both excellent broadheads and both flew just like my field points. I currently use slick trick 125s fixed, only reason, I use shoot through mesh in a ground blind sometimes and the mechanicals open on impact so not so good. I would say try a couple of different weights for accuracy in your xbow, remember the heavier the bolt/broadhead combo the quiter the bow will be. I won't shoot much past 40 yards, but that is dependant on the situation:)

My first bet would to get some different weight field point's , my guess would to first try 100 and 125 gr. and see what or how it behave's in the way of grouping ? Does that bow have a min total arrow weight? Once you have nailed that down then there are ton's of great broad head's out there , some junk to. The diablo arrow's should be fine out of that bow and weigh in about 256 gr. stock no tip.( check that your bow doesn't require moon nock's as the diablo's are flat ) Once you have the field point of choice nailed down I would take a good hard look at slick trick's fixed. I have tested and had good luck with them out to 50-60 yd's only to start opening up past that. I wouldn't consider mech's if I were you with that bow. I'm trying them this year but also out of a matrix 380. Stay inside 40 and you should be good to go!

100gr muzzys will do the trick but practice to see how they fly

have taken 3 bucks with mechanicals with no issues, but all have bin within 25 yds and from a 220lb bow... id be a lil nervous shooting a bear with a 150... but im sure its bin done 100's of times...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishy steve

have taken 3 bucks with mechanicals with no issues, but all have bin within 25 yds and from a 220lb bow... id be a lil nervous shooting a bear with a 150... but im sure its bin done 100's of times...

---

The only difference between a 150lb and 220lb draw is how far you arrow drives into the ground on the other side.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oaknut

The only difference between a 150lb and 220lb draw is how far you arrow drives into the ground on the other side.

---

or the tree:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oaknut

The only difference between a 150lb and 220lb draw is how far you arrow drives into the ground on the other side.

---

as it was explained to me at my local bow shop the 150 lb is the .22 of crossbows... has killed many big game animals, but theres better options lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishy steve

as it was explained to me at my local bow shop the 150 lb is the .22 of crossbows... has killed many big game animals, but theres better options lol

---

I think that comparison is a bit out of line. Have a look at the bolt speeds coming off the 150's. Not a lot less than the heavier ones are they?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by werner.reiche

I think that comparison is a bit out of line. Have a look at the bolt speeds coming off the 150's. Not a lot less than the heavier ones are they?

---

Heavier one's ? bolt weight or bow poundage?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishy steve

as it was explained to me at my local bow shop the 150 lb is the .22 of crossbows... has killed many big game animals, but theres better options lol

---

I think I would find a different bow shop as that fella was just milking you of some unneeded cash. You can not compare bows to guns period. They kill in different ways. Faster bow does not equal greater wound channel. Simple question. If a 150lb crossbow is like a .22 what is my recurve?

years ago 150 was the top of the line crossbow many animals have been killed with a 150

I shot my first deer with one almost 30 years ago.... (Excalibur Wolverine) its still dead today... :) I think it was with 100 gr Wasp heads...what groups well should be used....
Good luck with this new and exciting way to hunt...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rackman

years ago 150 was the top of the line crossbow many animals have been killed with a 150

---

Sorry for the late reply and recap - was away for the weekend doing work at the hunting camp, and managed to get a little archery time with my daughter (she's 10, and and shot her first archery competition back in June). That crossbow is nice, and rather accurate but damn - after pulling it back by hand for the 10-12th time it was getting shaky. I also learned my daughter can kick my butt from 20 yards; I seriously need to practice.

Thanks for all the posts over the weekend to answer my question, I'm going to look around for some broadheads both at 100g and 125g to see which fly better. The field points I have in right now are 125g and they seem to have quite a bit of drop at 30 yards - does that mean I need to go heavier or lighter?

I also agree, I don't think I'd shoot out any further than 30 yards with it, probably within the 25 yard range which works great because the stand I'd use it on has a perfect 25 yard shot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oaknut

The only difference between a 150lb and 220lb draw is how far you arrow drives into the ground on the other side.

---

Agreed

Get yourself a cocking rope. You will have no problem cocking hour bow with that.
I shoot 100gr Spitfire mechanicals out of my 150 lb browning. I limit myself to 40 yds, but it will shoot groups at. 50 yds.

Try balancing your arrows. FOC ( front of centre of arrow ) arrows should be 7-10 percent FOC . My Excalibur came with 150 grain bolt cutters which seem perfect for the arrows. Don't trust the arrow makers,I had a dozen made and half of them had different problems. Spin testers are only about 30 bucks and will determine any possible problem with an arrow. LOL,I always check my hunting buddies arrows.