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Hickory Creek Koolaid

I have a carbon express x-force advantex and figure I will upgrade in a year or two. That little hickory creek just keeps popping up. Everyone that has one loves it. I have watched a bunch of you tube videos about them, but what makes them so amazing? A lot of good crossbows can be had for $700-$800. I am not knocking the Hickory, I am asking for the reason I should drink the Kool aid too.
 
I have to give it a go this year too. Too many nice deer on the edge of my comfortable range with a recurve or compound.
 
I couldnt get it to work for me, I wanted it to, and maybe will try one again in the future, just had to many issues with mine. I was more accurate with my cheap compound.
 
Owned one. Didn't like it. Sold it. Imho, there are better options if you want a xbow.
 
They are definitely a different animal. I can see it'll have it's advantages in the saddle. As far as balance and weight goes I'm pretty sure my Mathews and definitely my recurves/longbow win there but thats not a fair comparison either. I liked the fact in about 15 min. I was shooting 2" groups at 50 yds. with a tree as my rest (after making sure I tightened the take down bolt every couple shots).
 
Mine is the original full size one. Even at this size what I really like about it is it opens up spot and stalk opportunities in the woods especially terrain I wouldnt walk with an arrow nocked(pretty much anything that isnt open field farmland) IT carries like a rifle, its narrow, it doesn't get hung up on beach whips and maple saplings because of the vertical profile. IT's also easy to cock by hand even at 125lbs and DECOCK so there's no reason to have a sacrificial arrow and target to unload. I've only practiced with it in a saddle as I got it after the season, but its easily swung around, recocked on a ROS, and comfortable to shoot in akward positions because of its lightness and how balanced it is. It's also Dead-A$$ accurate. My father and 2 of his friends each bought a mini within 2 weeks of seeing mine.

I'm also a believer that things that are vertical blend into the woods better than those that are horizontal. More "tree" like and game is more used to this.
 
Does anyone know the thread size on the rail part that goes into the riser? I know this isn't the mini but hopefully the pic gives ya an idea what I'm talking about. I'm going to try to find a knob style nut to fit it and hopefully tighten the two pieces better. 20200708_080950.png
 
I have a carbon express x-force advantex and figure I will upgrade in a year or two. That little hickory creek just keeps popping up. Everyone that has one loves it. I have watched a bunch of you tube videos about them, but what makes them so amazing? A lot of good crossbows can be had for $700-$800. I am not knocking the Hickory, I am asking for the reason I should drink the Kool aid too.
You can change the strings without a press.

You can carry it through the woods without it hanging up on everything

Bullpup design means you get a longer draw stroke and more power in a shorter, lighter frame

You don't have to worry about hitting the tree trunk when you fire it.

You can uncock it without having to fire it.

You can use any arrow you want. No proprietary knocking systems that limit you to just the manufacturer's bolts.

You can actually adjust the center shot and tune it, because the arrow doesn't ride on a rail.

You can break it down into 2 pieces with a thumb screw.

It's made in the USA by a cool guy from Mississippi who boxed Mike Tyson in high school.

I could go on. :)
 
For realsies...I think that for me the mini is a bigger advantage than a saddle. It's basically a crossbow with the packability and handling of something like a gearhead bow. All those critters in the first post were taken in one year. I missed 2 more does on the first few hunts due to operator error. The mini is deadlier on deer than the interstate system and CWD combined
 
Nutterbuster, I liked your breakdown. I will definitely have to shoot one. I will hunt this season with what I have. I have already spent a lot going from a climbing stand to setting up for saddle hunting this season. The one big thing I really like is the vertical and not having to worry about bouncing a limb off the trunk.
 
Nutterbuster, I liked your breakdown. I will definitely have to shoot one. I will hunt this season with what I have. I have already spent a lot going from a climbing stand to setting up for saddle hunting this season. The one big thing I really like is the vertical and not having to worry about bouncing a limb off the trunk.
Yep. Shooting one is honestly a bit weird because of the offset scope. Once you get it down pat, the huge advantage is ease of carrying and maneuverability in the tree. I walked miles and miles through brush and palmettos last year with the thing hanging down by my side. I used to have a wicked ridge invader, and there was no good way to carry that thing.
 
It attaches directly to a tripod, so it would great in a blind as well. That was one of the things I liked on first glance. Haven't gotten a chance to try one yet.
 
Does anyone know the thread size on the rail part that goes into the riser? I know this isn't the mini but hopefully the pic gives ya an idea what I'm talking about. I'm going to try to find a knob style nut to fit it and hopefully tighten the two pieces better. View attachment 29890
5/16-18 on my HC Mini crossbow.
 
Yep. Shooting one is honestly a bit weird because of the offset scope. Once you get it down pat, the huge advantage is ease of carrying and maneuverability in the tree. I walked miles and miles through brush and palmettos last year with the thing hanging down by my side. I used to have a wicked ridge invader, and there was no good way to carry that thing.

What sling are you using? How do you attache it? I'm a still hunter at heart and that's where I'm hoping the Mini will really shine.
 
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