Crossbow knowledge

[Cageyc]

Hi folks,
I’m new to the crossbow scene and am looking for tips on using it, safety tips, hunting arrow types what’s a good rail lube and wax etc. Also can you point me in the direction on good websites regarding crossbows.

Thanks in advance.

[Demonical]

I'm no expert but I can offer a couple of safety tips.

Never dry fire the bow. So you really need to practice your technique and learn proper handling, plus how your ADF (anti-dry fire) device works. And learn proper cocking/de-cocking.

Along with that, always engage your safety device as soon as the string is cocked.

For my Excalibur I bought a cocking device, which is great for safely cocking the crossbow, as well as when de-cocking it.

On top of the rail, once you have your string cocked, and you're going to place a bolt in it, do it in such a way that your fingers are not on top of the rail inside the string triangle. If you were to accidently trigger the bow, you never want your fingers in the path of that string as it releases.

If you hunt from a tree stand, you pretty much have to cock your bow before you climb the tree, then haul the bow up to load it.
Don't pull a loaded crossbow up to your tree!!
And don't lower a loaded crossbow either (although those things are probably obvious).
And when you're done at the end of your hunt, you've got to safely remove the bolt, then use a rope to lower it to the ground, where you might then reload it or de-cock it.

Also I bought a sling for mine. Not so much for carrying as for when I'm just standing to use binos or something like that.

It's a debatable subject, but I subscribe to the theory of using heavier bolts.
For example, my Excalibur is supposed to shoot 400fps using 'standard' 18" supplied bolts. But I deliberately bought 20" Carbon Express Piledriver bolts.

Using the Piledrivers with 150gr Excalibur Boltcutter broadheads, my crossbow shoots 330fps Chrony certified.

And at the velocity of 330fps I can tell you that my crossbow bolt absolutely blew right through a bull moose last fall. To the point that as yet I haven't recovered the bolt.

Oh ya, for a crossbow target I can recommend the Morrell Yellowjacket 450 target butt. For practice with fieldpoints.

[CNP]

Originally Posted by Cageyc

Hi folks,
I’m new to the crossbow scene and am looking for tips on using it, safety tips, hunting arrow types what’s a good rail lube and wax etc. Also can you point me in the direction on good websites regarding crossbows.

Thanks in advance.

https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/ph...wforum.php?f=1

[IronNoggin]

Lots of good intel from the Demon above.

I have a sling on mine, but do use it to carry the bow often.

I run a Matrix 380 with over-strength limbs.
Tricked out with a Custom Trigger Tech Single Stage at 1.75 lbs, a Hawke aftermarket scope, a Custom Boo string, and Custom Zombie Slayer arrows.



It pushes a 405 grain arrow (dressed) along at 365 fps (chrono'd).
That blows through pretty much any critter it encounters.
Pinpoint accurate.

Having had 3 Excalibur's I highly recommend them.
Easy to work on, powerful and exceedingly accurate.

The site CNP posted consists of friendly folks willing to help.
No egos, no BS, no drama.

Feel free to ask if I can add anything more you want to see...

Cheers,
Nog

[Cageyc]

Thanks for all of the info, greatly appreciated.
Nog, can i ask where you got your sling? It looks comfortable.

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by IronNoggin

Lots of good intel from the Demon above.

I have a sling on mine, but do use it to carry the bow often.

I run a Matrix 380 with over-strength limbs.
Tricked out with a Custom Trigger Tech Single Stage at 1.75 lbs, a Hawke aftermarket scope, a Custom Boo string, and Custom Zombie Slayer arrows.



It pushes a 405 grain arrow (dressed) along at 365 fps (chrono'd).
That blows through pretty much any critter it encounters.
Pinpoint accurate.

Having had 3 Excalibur's I highly recommend them.
Easy to work on, powerful and exceedingly accurate.

The site CNP posted consists of friendly folks willing to help.
No egos, no BS, no drama.

Feel free to ask if I can add anything more you want to see...

Cheers,
Nog

Dam Nog that rig hunts on its own, no need to get up out of the fart sac just lay it out side the tent and wake up to the hunt being over

[IronNoggin]

Originally Posted by Cageyc

Thanks for all of the info, greatly appreciated.
Nog, can i ask where you got your sling? It looks comfortable.

Custom Build for that specific bow.
It is comfortable, and does not slide around / off my shoulder.
If you are interested I can see if he will make another...

Originally Posted by 58thecat

Dam Nog that rig hunts on its own, no need to get up out of the fart sac just lay it out side the tent and wake up to the hunt being over

[skidderman]

I run an Excalibur Matrix 380 as well. I took off the anti dryfire setup because it makes it very difficult to de caulk with that on. You will need to buy the special string setup to tighten or change strings. They do stretch. Buy one or two spare strings. Unless you are very strong you will require the mechanical winch to caulk it. I would like the newer model with the built in winch but too much dough for me. All I shoot is 125 grain fixed broadhead with for the most part Excalibur bolts. I use muzzy 4 blade broadheads & have taken two moose and an elk with them. One final thought. The wider the limbs the harder to walk through the bush.

[Cageyc]

What do you use for arrows( bolts),broadheads ? Weights?

[IronNoggin]

Originally Posted by Cageyc

What do you use for arrows( bolts),broadheads ? Weights?

I am downright fussy on these matters.

Custom built arrows based on Black Eagle Zombie Slayer shafts.
Blazer Vanes both helical & offset (spin like a top!).
280 grains (plus or minus less than 1/2 grain).



125 grain mechanical NAP Spitfires.



Dressed weight = 405 grains.

Cheers,
Nog

[Demonical]

20" Carbon Express Piledriver bolts, 442grs.


Basic 3-blade fixed blade 150gr Excalibur Boltcutter broadhead.
The supplied bolts are 18" Diablo Excalibur... tiny little things.

I guess that means my bolts weight w broadheads is 592grs.

I also forgot to specify but my crossbow is the Excalibur Matrix Bulldog 400.
It is a BIG crossbow.

Even with that heavy bolt-broadhead combo my bow shoots 330fps, which is plenty fast enough. And most important, it is very accurate.


Sept 18 2022. I called in this bull moose. 40 yard shot.


Entrance hole.


Exit hole of my shot.