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Best budget crossbow?

ImThere said:
I wish it was that price local to me! Lol I would buy one


See you in a tree, Ricky
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Same. I'm not really a crossbow guy but some of those Killer Instinct setups are tempting. There's a Rush 380 at Rural King for $270.
 
Wicked ridge rdx 400 w accudraw50 and proview illuminated scope for under 500 on amazon. They are in my opinion the best bow on the ma rket for under 500.
 
cegawiv said:
Does anyone shoot affordable crossbows anymore ?? Most of these forums, it's 75%, Excalibur, Ravin and Ten Point. Most of us working class people, cannot afford $2,000 crossbows. What happened to hunting on a budget ? $400 is the most that I would ever spend on a crossbow. Good old Barnett, Centerpoint and Carbon Express, are within my budget
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Most flagship compound bows fully loaded with all the add ons are runnin close to 2k too.

I like wicked ridge bows. U can find good deals on them. I have an old one I spent 400 on that works great 8 yrs later. Got my dad a new fancy one for 550 I think. But its got a ten point proview illuminated scope and all the fixins
 
I bought a KI Boss 405 this summer, because I injured my bow hand and couldn't practice. Shot it maybe 20 times, and the center serving gave out. Called KI customer support, and they sent a replacement string to my bow shop. Got it installed, shot it maybe 40 more times, and the center serving on the replacement string gave out. I've spent literally hours on hold with customer support (they don't answer emails) since October, without results. I was not able to hunt with my crossbow this year, and by the time my injured hand healed up my form had fallen right apart and I haven't had a chance to get back to where I need it it to be to hunt with it. I did not have a chance to try to fill my archery tag this year.

Don't buy a Killer Instinct crossbow if you want to hunt with it. I wish I had bought literally any other brand in that price range. I might have been able to fill an archery tag this year.
 
Tr33_n1nj@ said:
My first crossbow was a Barnett Jackal from Wally World. Shot accurate out to 50 yards, maybe further. But was not small or light. Sold it for almost what I paid after that 1st season because I went to a compound. A friend of mine got a Barnett Recruit that he’s been happy with.
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I picked up a Jackal from Walmart a couple years ago for $120 on a whim. The thing is damn accurate and I’ve killed a boatload of deer with it in the urban herd control hunt I participate in. I don’t know why but I take a little pride in killing deer with a super cheap Walmart special crossbow
 
4 wks ago I bought a Barnett Assault Recurve on Craigslist for $50, shoots well with an effective range of 30yds.
Prior to this, I'd have never considered an inexpensive recurve, but now a new Barnett Blackcat for $150 seems like a viable low cost option.
 
Williston716 said:
4 wks ago I bought a Barnett Assault Recurve on Craigslist for $50, shoots well with an effective range of 30yds.
Prior to this, I'd have never considered an inexpensive recurve, but now a new Barnett Blackcat for $150 seems like a viable low cost option.
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I had a parker I got off craigslist for 500 back in 2016. Used it for several year. Had the string replaced. Either the dealer missed the yoke strap or I knocked it off. Pretty sure they didn't do it right, and I didn't think twice to check it. Pretty sure it resulted in a cracked limb. I liked that bow, but with parts all discontinued I opted to move on. I traded for a carbon express which i like. Just a bit heavier. I also purchased a used Killer instinct which broke a limb before I could kill anything. I was able to get a new set of limbs for that. But it's heavy. Don't care for the trigger and safety. But it works. I still use my compound. The kids use the crossbows, and I don't mind taking it out late season or in the blind with the kids. I do like those Barnett's. If either of the ones I got fail I will probably aquire one.
How is the blackcat to cock?
 
MattMan81 said:
I had a parker I got off craigslist for 500 back in 2016. Used it for several year. Had the string replaced. Either the dealer missed the yoke strap or I knocked it off. Pretty sure they didn't do it right, and I didn't think twice to check it. Pretty sure it resulted in a cracked limb. I liked that bow, but with parts all discontinued I opted to move on. I traded for a carbon express which i like. Just a bit heavier. I also purchased a used Killer instinct which broke a limb before I could kill anything. I was able to get a new set of limbs for that. But it's heavy. Don't care for the trigger and safety. But it works. I still use my compound. The kids use the crossbows, and I don't mind taking it out late season or in the blind with the kids. I do like those Barnett's. If either of the ones I got fail I will probably aquire one.
How is the blackcat to cock?
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I picked up a Barnett Assault, I don't have a Blackcat. The Assault is older, the Blackcat is what is currently available but they are similar, mine is easy to cock by hand and effortless with the rope aid at 150lbs, nothing like my Excalibur.
I think the Blackcat is 165lbs, but I bet still pretty easy.
 
Wicked ridge. They kill deer and most are very affordable. Never had any issues with my wife's in 8 years. My dad has a 400 that shoots crazy groups out to 60 no problem. They both came with 10 pt scopes. My dad has the pro view 2 illuminated one on his and its a real nice scope for a $500 xbow. I consider that budget realm.
 
PEEJAY said:
Wicked ridge. They kill deer and most are very affordable. Never had any issues with my wife's in 8 years. My dad has a 400 that shoots crazy groups out to 60 no problem. They both came with 10 pt scopes. My dad has the pro view 2 illuminated one on his and its a real nice scope for a $500 xbow. I consider that budget realm.
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PEEJAY,
What has your string/cable life been with the Wicked Ridge?
 
Williston716 said:
PEEJAY,
What has your string/cable life been with the Wicked Ridge?
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If you keep the rail lubed every 5-10 shots it has been great. Ive replaced them twice on mine in 8 years but it only comes out during season. One of those times was when my dad managed to break something while borrowing it. he did the same thing to his own xbow. I think he installed some lighted nocks funky (not paying attention to his vane position) both times and it tripped the safety but also let it dry fire with a slight gap.

The 400fps xbow needed new limbs after he did that ( some slight cracks) but ten point covered it no questions asked very quickly and he was hunting by opener. It happened during a sharpshooter qualification lol.

I can vouch it wasnt the brand's fault and he can break anything. Im his son and ive broke almost everything ive ever touched. I EXPLODED my first xbow (Barnett Jackal) the day before opening day lol... and derailed and exploded my first SR6. Both 100% my fault. he taught me well
 
MY buddy has the same 400 and its been 4 years on the same string/cable and looks just fine. absolutely smokes deer out to 40 yds. i wouldnt try anything past that.
 
fbwguy said:
Not sure about your area, but check Walmart!
this was local to me yesterday View attachment 32303
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We are talking budget right? Well here ya go! This^^^^^ for sure! I have a Karnage Apocalypse (bear) and it was a whopping $250 RTH about 5 years ago. It’s like any crossbow designed like this one above.……kinda heavy, bulky, scope is avg at best, shoots great, hits hard easy to 50 yards, Must shoot it to release/uncock.
Anything over $250 and you left “budget” behind.
 
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