Compounds vs Crossbows in a saddle

[NWPA22]

I have been hunting out of a saddle for 2 years with a compound. What are your thoughts or observations regarding the pros and cons of a compound vs crossbow in a saddle. It seems the limbs on a crossbow would be tough to maneuver, although I see they are making them slimmer widths now.

 

[woodsdog2]

Generally, I prefer the vertical bow over a "normal" style Horizontal Xbow as I just think that to me personally, they are much easier to move around in the tree. The front heavy standard-horizontal crossbow configuration is a bit bulkier and front heavy and I don't find it as nimble or manageable as my vertical bow. That being said, I have been spring turkey hunting with the Hickory Creek Mini-Crossbow this year and it is a vertical crossbow and to me, mimics much of the maneuverability of a vertical bow. I am also thinking that the Darton Toxin, Scorpyd, Mission, Raven which have a narrow axel to axel width and more of a bullpup design may be a bit more manageable than your run of the mill crossbows but I do not own any of those. To me, the Hickory Creek Mini seems to be the most manageable but I have not hunted out of a saddle with mine yet. In a pop up blind so far very balanced and to me, none of the front heavy bulk of your more standard crossbow type configurations.

 

[philsanchez76]

Generally, I prefer the vertical bow over a "normal" style Horizontal Xbow as I just think that to me personally, they are much easier to move around in the tree. The front heavy standard-horizontal crossbow configuration is a bit bulkier and front heavy and I don't find it as nimble or manageable as my vertical bow. That being said, I have been spring turkey hunting with the Hickory Creek Mini-Crossbow this year and it is a vertical crossbow and to me, mimics much of the maneuverability of a vertical bow. I am also thinking that the Darton Toxin, Scorpyd, Mission, Raven which have a narrow axel to axel width and more of a bullpup design may be a bit more manageable than your run of the mill crossbows but I do not own any of those. To me, the Hickory Creek Mini seems to be the most manageable but I have not hunted out of a saddle with mine yet. In a pop up blind so far very balanced and to me, none of the front heavy bulk of your more standard crossbow type configurations.

+1 on the Hickory Creek Mini. Don't think a traditional horizontal x bow would feel very natural in a saddle. Other way around, if you were hunting out of a ladder stand or something, the horizontal x bow would be better cuz you could rest it on a cross bar or something.

 

[SNIPERBBB]

Older xbows could be a bit more awkward as they have longer limbs. Got a tenpoint accudraw a few years ago and it's not much more awkward than a gun. And it's got better things to tie your now hoist to than a gun does.

The xbow does allow you to take more awkward angle shots than a compound does. Just gotta be careful not to bang the limbs on a limb or tree trunk when you fire.

 

[sojourner]

I use a child’s crossbow. Short and not too wide. If I had the scratch, I would order one of these when they come out.

Ravin R18

Small but mighty

ravincrossbows.com

 

[Mopar1169]

I use a ravin r26. It is easy to use with a saddle. Narrow and short. Not much gets in the way.

 

[FishBlood&RiverMud]

My first year with a crossbow i spent a lot of time just holding it in a shooting position to develop the muscle memory to get used to the oddball weighting. In the living room holding dead center on a target at 5 yrds is good practice, well, better than none at all that is for sure.

I have a Raving R10, and it still felt wide...Because it is wider than anything i've ever pulled the trigger on. Didn't take long to get used to it and to be able to hit bullseye at 60 yds standing unsupported. I also shot a ton the first year to develop that natural memory.

In a tree, being aware of how the limbs open during firing is all you need to be concerned about, well that and being conscious that you are holding something under extreme load that could break and release that pent up energy at any moment - mind your limbs!

 

[sdoyle1]

I preordered a killer instinct swat x1. It’s very narrow and I believe it’s the shortest crossbow on the market. I currently have a carbon express piledriver 390 crossbow but opted to use my compound for all of my saddle hunts last season because of the size of it. I believe the small size of the killer instinct will make crossbow hunting out of the saddle a lot easier.


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[dlist777]

I've hunted with a xbow for the last 2 years. I have a Ravin and it's no issue. But, I do think the ones with wider limbs would be harder. Not impossible, but more to think about when you're going through a shot (making sure limbs clear). The R10 is like 6 inches cocked and 10 uncocked. So each axle is only moving 2 inches outward when you pull the trigger. If you have 2 inches of room you're good. I don't even think about it. I'm generally shooting a little back from the tree so it's never an issue for me.

But, of course, a compound or the hickory creek is going to have that advantage...

 

[HuumanCreed]

I shot my Barnett Jackal a few times from the saddle, its not as maneuverable as a compound but its not a deal breaker either. There are some clearance issues but its actually not that bad due to it being in a 'defined' state where the strings are already cocked. In the beginning with my compound bow in a saddle I did hit my bridge or tether a few times drawing back. But one time I didn't take into account of the limbs expanding and did hit my tether. But with practice (or money, as in Ravin) all things can be suited to what you want to do.

 

[SloMo]

I use a Raven R10 from the saddle. Two kills this year. I usually rest my bow on my bridge or leave it on my weak side on a hook. Easy access. No issues with anything . Shooting from a saddle seems to make the weight forward r10 feel much lighter than it is.

 

[Apex7]

I use both and have no problem with the limbs on my crossbow. It's a Parker crossbow and the limbs aren't huge and it's not really super short axle to axle.

 

[Genesis]

Anyone get the R18 yet?

 

[2Sloe]

Limbs aren’t a problem, you just have to be mindful. Crossbows are considerably heavier than a regular bow and that becomes apparent if you are essentially shooting freehand, which can limit your range to that of a traditional bow. No problem with penetration using mechanicals though.

 

[BowhunterXC]

I shot a doe, last fall with my Ravin R10. My first crossbow kill and it felt rather uneventful...similar to a rifle kill. It was easy to maneuver from my Cruzr XC tree saddle, no issues. I purchased it in January of '21, prior to my retirement, thinking that I'm not getting any younger and may need one to continue hunting. As it turns out, I'm still hunting with my Elite Ritual 30 and using it to compete in 3D shoots.

Personally, I'd rather not use a crossbow (just not interested), but they get people out in the woods to hunt and that's what it's all about. Here in Ohio, the archery season kills have surpassed the gun season kills, due to the increased popularity of crossbows.

 

[spinal tap]

The aforementioned Killer Instinct Swat X1 is currently on sale. I just bought one. Should make saddle hunting with a crossbow much more enjoyable than my Barnett Hyperghost 405, which shoots great, but kinda bulky and unwieldy. I pretty much just used my vertical bow because of it, so I'm anxious to give this X1 a try!

 

[Kayl]

I'm actually going to be trying a compound next year. Bought a crossbow at a friend's recommendation and it's a pain in the saddle imo. I have a $400 one with wide limbs though.

 

[MJH]

I have an Excal Micro. It is not an issue to use it in a saddle. I have never had the limbs hit the tree of branches.