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Post by loggy on Jul 8, 2007 8:17:34 GMT -4
After visiting the Kutztown German Festival yesterday I talked the Mrs. into a slight Rt 222 detour up Rt. 61 for a scenic route. It just happened to go past the PA Cabelas!! ;D
Well, I shot 4 different crossbows: Parker Terminator 175, Horton Hunter HD175, Ten Point Phantom CLS and Excaliber Equinnox. Before shooting any I carefully inspected all & shouldered each several times.
The Cabelas salesman spent quite a bit of time explaining the features of each, how to cock, how to place bolt etc. He was very knowledgeable.
My first impression of the 4 crossbows was gained when I first shouldered them. The Parker seemed to fit me like a glove plus no thumbholes(which i personally dont like). Owned several thumbhole rifles & they are all history. So the Parker's appearance immediately caught my eye even before I shouldered it.
I then shot all 4 several times each. Was i ever having a ball!!!!!
The trigger pulls were all within an acceptable level. Horton had a tad of creep as did the Excaliber. Ten Point & Parker were the most crisp with virtually no creep. I'm sure they all can be adjusted but that was my call. Of the 4...the Parker seemed the most quiet of the 4. of course, im sure that can be changed with silencer mods etc.
Most importantly was the way they felt. The Parker felt the best to me. The stock design is what i favored the most. Also, the stock seemed very solid plus fit me like a glove. Speedwise, man ...they all seemed supersonic to me since I never shot one before! ;D
I then asked the salesman which one he favored out of the 4. He liked the Parker the best but didnt say a word negative about any. He just happened to own a Parker. ;D Said they were all outstanding shooters.
I will be buying a Parker this coming Friday!!!
Much thanks to all here who shared their experiences & input. The best thing I ever did was to shoulder & shoot the different models. I wasnt thinking $$$ in the process but the Parker with the features it has & most of all how comfortable it felt to me shouldering plus shooting was my favorite.
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Post by cossack on Jul 8, 2007 9:44:28 GMT -4
Congrats on joining the ranks of the horizontal hunters. I shoot a Parker Terminator and an Equinox. The Parker is my go to bow for hunting. I bought it becaue it's compact and had the best trigger of the 4 brands I tried. As a result I can shoot it quite accurately. The Equinox is my fun bow. Too much bow I'm afraid. Cocking the 225 lb draw pull keeps my back in termoil. It's a fun bow, with enough power to kill an elephant (no kidding), but I've decided to trade it on their Vortex. Somewhat less cocking effort, a bit shorter but 20 fps loss of speed. I'm hoping that tames my back, if not it will be the Phoenix. Some things I've learned that may be of benefit: Make sure to check the trigger on your bow before you buy it. They tend to vary bow to bow. They are not adjustable. I had a lot of trouble with the screws that hold the bow to the tiller, and the trigger group to the stock, loosening. Accuracy would then suffer; blue LocTight took care of that problem. If you're going to scope it, give the Excalibur LumiZone scope a try. Absolutely super. Five aiming points that are speed adjustable and can be lighted on demand for low light shooting. If you buy a scope, get the Millet or Weaver rings that can be adjusted horizontally. That will keep your scope's internal adjustments centered in case there is a slight base to tiller alignment issue. Keep your string well waxed. Use a string cocking aid to keep the bowstring centered. Try the rope kind before you invest in an (expensive) Crankaroo you may not need. Use the same weight/fletching size practice bolts as your hunting bolts. I've get my best results with Carbon Express bolts (with moon nocks, for the Parker) and the 100 gr Magnum Slick Tricks for broadheads. Their 4 bladed and compact design gives me the best accuracy (they shoot to the same point of aim as field points of comperable weight). Avoid the larger broadheads as they tend to make the bolt plane if not adjusted uniformally for each bolt. Buy a good target. Your 175 will bury the bolt in most cheap ones. Get an arrow puller. Try waxing yout bolts with Johnson wax or soap to make them easier to pull out. The Block works, esp for broadheads. I hear they make one for crossbows but have not tried it. Believe it or not, the $29.00 sack filled with plastic bags from WalMart works best for field tips. Bolts come out with minimum of effort. Hope that saves you some time on the learning curve. Best luck.
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Post by loggy on Jul 8, 2007 11:19:33 GMT -4
Congrats on joining the ranks of the horizontal hunters. I shoot a Parker Terminator and an Equinox. The Parker is my go to bow for hunting. I bought it becaue it's compact and had the best trigger of the 4 brands I tried. As a result I can shoot it quite accurately. The Equinox is my fun bow. Too much bow I'm afraid. Cocking the 225 lb draw pull keeps my back in termoil. It's a fun bow, with enough power to kill an elephant (no kidding), but I've decided to trade it on their Vortex. Somewhat less cocking effort, a bit shorter but 20 fps loss of speed. I'm hoping that tames my back, if not it will be the Phoenix. Some things I've learned that may be of benefit: Make sure to check the trigger on your bow before you buy it. They tend to vary bow to bow. They are not adjustable. I had a lot of trouble with the screws that hold the bow to the tiller, and the trigger group to the stock, loosening. Accuracy would then suffer; blue LocTight took care of that problem. If you're going to scope it, give the Excalibur LumiZone scope a try. Absolutely super. Five aiming points that are speed adjustable and can be lighted on demand for low light shooting. If you buy a scope, get the Millet or Weaver rings that can be adjusted horizontally. That will keep your scope's internal adjustments centered in case there is a slight base to tiller alignment issue. Keep your string well waxed. Use a string cocking aid to keep the bowstring centered. Try the rope kind before you invest in an (expensive) Crankaroo you may not need. Use the same weight/fletching size practice bolts as your hunting bolts. I've get my best results with Carbon Express bolts (with moon nocks, for the Parker) and the 100 gr Magnum Slick Tricks for broadheads. Their 4 bladed and compact design gives me the best accuracy (they shoot to the same point of aim as field points of comperable weight). Avoid the larger broadheads as they tend to make the bolt plane if not adjusted uniformally for each bolt. Buy a good target. Your 175 will bury the bolt in most cheap ones. Get an arrow puller. Try waxing yout bolts with Johnson wax or soap to make them easier to pull out. The Block works, esp for broadheads. I hear they make one for crossbows but have not tried it. Believe it or not, the $29.00 sack filled with plastic bags from WalMart works best for field tips. Bolts come out with minimum of effort. Hope that saves you some time on the learning curve. Best luck. Thanks for the great pointers cossack! I couldnt believe how easy those 175's were to cock!! Will consider the 100 gr Magnum Slick Tricks. The cabelas guy liked the 125 grain muzzys. The parker comes with a scope & rope cocker.
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Tim50
lodge member
Posts: 141
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Post by Tim50 on Jul 8, 2007 12:03:41 GMT -4
Loggy- Welcome to the dark side!! ;D You did it right! You did not get caught up in all the hype! You went out & shot them "first hand" and made the decision on what you felt! That is what I reccommend to all that ask. Enjoy the process of shooting different bows....All the bows you shot were quality so you had now worry there! You will really enjoy shooting these once you figure out you don't have to stuff it with powder!!!! Clean up is easier too!!!! CONGRATS!!
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Post by loggy on Jul 8, 2007 12:44:56 GMT -4
Thanks Tim. You were the first who pointed me towards a Parker & i appreciate it!!! I didnt see any with ram rods though!! ;D
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Post by berkscoflinter1 on Jul 8, 2007 18:37:32 GMT -4
I'm really leaning towards a crossbow purchase in the near future, and all of the input above is very valuable. It demonstrates the value of a website such as this, where there seems to be no hidden agendas, just folks who enjoy hunting sharing their experiences. I appreciate everyone's thoughts on their crossbow experiences. Now, what the heck do I do with a custom-made, left-handed longbow?
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Post by loggy on Jul 9, 2007 20:01:51 GMT -4
I'm really leaning towards a crossbow purchase in the near future, and all of the input above is very valuable. It demonstrates the value of a website such as this, where there seems to be no hidden agendas, just folks who enjoy hunting sharing their experiences. I appreciate everyone's thoughts on their crossbow experiences. Now, what the heck do I do with a custom-made, left-handed longbow? BCF, i agree......imo this site has less of those "hidden agenda's" than any other site on the net! Hey, maybe use a xbow to poke a TN Porker his Fall! ;D Kiddin aside, i personally feel more armed with my ole flinter!!
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Tim50
lodge member
Posts: 141
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Post by Tim50 on Jul 9, 2007 22:26:50 GMT -4
Berkscoflinter1-Hang on to that longbow!!! You must have at least one of each weapon! Good luck with your crossbow search!!! Once you shoot one you will be hooked! Shoot a bunch before you make your decision!!
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Post by coyote170 on Jul 15, 2007 20:33:12 GMT -4
You made a good choice love my Parker,good luck!
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Post by octagon on Jul 16, 2007 19:12:17 GMT -4
Cool Loggy!! I am going to have to check out one of those Parkers. You said the Excal had a little trigger creep, that is unusual for Excals, their triggers are usually about 3 pounds or so and no creep. Either way, let us know how she shoots for ya Jack.
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onager
lodge member
Posts: 244
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Post by onager on Jul 17, 2007 16:16:47 GMT -4
So how much $ are we talking for a Parker with the start up extras? Wife still skakin her head over my Super Redhawk Alaskan purchase . Also thanks for the great tips
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onager
lodge member
Posts: 244
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Post by onager on Jul 17, 2007 16:30:52 GMT -4
Sorry should have read some other posts first. $650 is nice I see Parker sells bows for women too. Hmmmm
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Post by mrlongbeard on Jul 17, 2007 19:19:09 GMT -4
the excalibers are great xbows and very accurate. but the proplem is trying to draw the string in a tree stand. where the tenpoint you just crank it back, but also it's pricey. i personnelly don't hunt with one but it's nice to see people getting into other parts of our sport.
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