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Best cheap crossbow for younger hunters

MattMan81

MattMan81

Well-Known Member
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Jan 13, 2020
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The Mitten
I saw in some of the other threads guys mentioned some good bows for less than $400. Just wanted an up dated review. Accurate, dependable, available hand crank would be a plus. On the lighter side would be a plus for my daughter to use, or at least we'll balanced. I like my old Parker, but by the time I would purchase some new limbs and another string I'm over $300. Might be time to send it out to pasture instead of fixing it. I did aquire a carbon express I like. But it is a little heavier than the Parker. Not by much, but more front weighted. So any suggestions?
 
I have a killer instict that was really affordable. No complaints, I think it weighs about 6 pounds. I keep thinking I should sell it too.. wink, nudge lol
 
Horn said:
I have a killer instict that was really affordable. No complaints, I think it weighs about 6 pounds. I keep thinking I should sell it too.. wink, nudge lol
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Which one was it? Let me know if you do.
 
It's a lethal 405. I got like 402 403 in my chrony with the bolts that came with it if that matters. Pretty sure you can get a hand crank for it but I don't have one. Has a quiver. Got a Vortex crossbow scope on it at the moment, pretty sure I have the one that came with it too. I bought it on black Friday probably a year and a half ago. I used it for turkey last year, those two weeks are all the time it's seen afield20230411_195841.jpg

Edit to add a picture. I know I lost the one cover on the vortex, fell off last april. I probably have that cap for the other scope somewhere... and I have more bolts to have at least a matched set
 
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My 6 year old shot a deer last October using a Centerpoint Amped 425 that I bought off amazon. He rested it on the shooting bar on a double seat ladder stand and was able to kill the buck all by himself. I got him some Sevr 2.0 broadheads... I'd suggest something similar for the end of the bolts regardless what crossbow you choose.
 
Can't go wrong with a Barnett crossbow.

Two years back my brother and I got my dad a Barnett crossbow for $170 on black friday. It didn't come with any bolts, just the crossbow, scope, quiver, and cocking device.

Does it have all the bells and whistles? Heck no. Is it the fastest? Nope. But it is lightweight, super accurate, and still shoots 330 fps which is more than sufficient to kill a deer.

For a few years I was using a centerpoint tormentor whisper 380 - it was ok. Really fast and accurate but also bulky and heavy.

It looks like Barnett has an explorer 370 for sale on their site right now for $270.

I bet you could find something nice for sale on craigslist.
 
HaunSolo said:
Can't go wrong with a Barnett crossbow.

Two years back my brother and I got my dad a Barnett crossbow for $170 on black friday. It didn't come with any bolts, just the crossbow, scope, quiver, and cocking device.

Does it have all the bells and whistles? Heck no. Is it the fastest? Nope. But it is lightweight, super accurate, and still shoots 330 fps which is more than sufficient to kill a deer.

For a few years I was using a centerpoint tormentor whisper 380 - it was ok. Really fast and accurate but also bulky and heavy.

It looks like Barnett has an explorer 370 for sale on their site right now for $270.

I bet you could find something nice for sale on craigslist.
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Sorry but I'm going to have to politely disagree with you. Barnett's are trash.

From what I've been reading, Centerpoints are a great budget friendly xbow.

Either that or get a Wicked Ridge.

David

Sent from my moto g power (2022) using Tapatalk
 
I’ve got a Centerpoint Sniper 370 that I got for like $250. No complaints. The Wicked Ridge Blackhawk is another option for a little more money.
 
yoda4x4 said:
Sorry but I'm going to have to politely disagree with you. Barnett's are trash.

From what I've been reading, Centerpoints are a great budget friendly xbow.

Either that or get a Wicked Ridge.

David

Sent from my moto g power (2022) using Tapatalk
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Ok.

All I know is I've owned a Center point for years and my dad has owned a Barnett for years. Both are bullseye accurate out to deer hunting ranges 30-40 yards. Both have been reliable and durable. Both will kill deer just as dead as the other. The Barnett was cheaper and lighter.

Have you owned either brand. What has your experience been?
 
I think for any thing out there, you can find 9 great reviews, and one bad one. Some where along the line a mechanical device fails.. either out of the box, or few years down the road.
 
Killer Instinct Burner. Under $400, light weight (6lb), 425ft/s, lifetime warranty, accurate, consistent, available online or at your local Rural King. Not sure what not to like. Also can be fitted with KI crank system for additional $100.

I have the Burner and the Ripper. I like the platform of the Ripper better, but KI doesn't make that style anymore for some reason. The Burner has a better trigger than the Ripper.

For me, some of these KI features, such as speed, accuracy, weight and trigger technology, compete with or exceed many much higher priced crossbows.

I have had to use the lifetime waranty a couple of times because I accidentally dry fired while knock tuning, and can tell you KI customer service was a breeze.

Basically did you register your bow, oh I see it and sir your part is on the way, which was in Va. within 3 days, during season!

Also I have to give a shout out to Centerpoint sniper 370. Very good crossbow for the money. I owned one of those before buying the KI(s). Actually talked my sister-in-law into buying one for my brother I liked it so well.
 
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BuffaloBill said:
I’ve got a Centerpoint Sniper 370 that I got for like $250. No complaints. The Wicked Ridge Blackhawk is another option for a little more money.
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I have the same bow. It is deadly out to 30 yards with the red dot. We have taken a lot of deer with it over the last 5 years. I would recommend the Centerpoint as well.
 
HaunSolo said:
Ok.

All I know is I've owned a Center point for years and my dad has owned a Barnett for years. Both are bullseye accurate out to deer hunting ranges 30-40 yards. Both have been reliable and durable. Both will kill deer just as dead as the other. The Barnett was cheaper and lighter.

Have you owned either brand. What has your experience been?
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The first xbow I ever owned was a Barnett Jackal; it shot 6" groups at 20 yds. I switched to a Tenpoint Titan Xtreme and my groups immediately shrank to 2" or less at 20 yds. They shrank so much that I don't shoot groups anymore because I've robinhooded 2 arrows the first few months of owning it.

I now shoot a Tenpoint Turbo M1 and love it.

David

Sent from my moto g power (2022) using Tapatalk
 
yoda4x4 said:
The first xbow I ever owned was a Barnett Jackal; it shot 6" groups at 20 yds. I switched to a Tenpoint Titan Xtreme and my groups immediately shrank to 2" or less at 20 yds. They shrank so much that I don't shoot groups anymore because I've robinhooded 2 arrows the first few months of owning it.

I now shoot a Tenpoint Turbo M1 and love it.

David

Sent from my moto g power (2022) using Tapatalk
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I'm sorry you didn't like the Jackal. Be open to the possibility that you got a lemon. I have a Jackal for 5 years now that is waiting for my son to be ready to go hunting with me. I only take it out annually before the season to make sure it still work before hanging it back up. I get 2 inch group at 40 yards every time. But to be fair, I got it used from someone who knew a lot about crossbow so it might of been tuned.
 
HuumanCreed said:
I'm sorry you didn't like the Jackal. Be open to the possibility that you got a lemon. I have a Jackal for 5 years now that is waiting for my son to be ready to go hunting with me. I only take it out annually before the season to make sure it still work before hanging it back up. I get 2 inch group at 40 yards every time. But to be fair, I got it used from someone who knew a lot about crossbow so it might of been tuned.
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That's possible on both accounts. But at this point, unless something catastrophic happens to Tenpoint, I'm a Tenpoint customer for life. Their customer service has been second to none even when it was my own dumb fault.

David

Sent from my moto g power (2022) using Tapatalk
 
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