Author Topic: Horton Explorer Team Realtree® 175 Package (Read 2654 times)

Graybeard · « **on:** August 25, 2004, 09:52:49 AM »

I've made arrangements with Horton to obtain a Horton Explorer Team Realtree® 175 Package for use during the upcoming Alabama archery deer season. This will be the first year Alabama has ever allowed deer hunting with crossbow. I've not been able to pull and hold my other bows for the past 2-3 years due to need for shoulder surgery which I keep postponing. Nope I'm really not looking forward to the surgery. Here is the photo of the crossbow I'll be getting.

Horton Explorer Team Realtree® 175 Package

Their writer contact Ottie says it is at this time unclear whether Alabama is allowing the use of scopes on crossbows or not. So they are shipping the above bow with a three dot red dot sight which definitely will be legal he says. Since I can't imagine me using any kind of archery gear to shoot at ranges requiring a scope I don't see this as a problem and it might even be a plus as there is no FOV limits to worry about as there are with scopes up close.

I'll be using it on targets to get it sighted in and get used to it. Then will use it during bow season and report my impressions of it as time goes by. At the end of season I'll do a full review and hopefully have some photos of game taken to go with them. But that depends on the cooperation of the game.

For more info on this or other Horton products go to their website at:

http://www.hortonmfg.com/

Rick Teal · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2004, 03:04:29 PM »

GB:

Those compound limb models normally cock pretty easily, but to save your shoulders and get better consistency, I'd suggest getting a string cocking device (if you haven't already ordered one).

These give you a 2:1 mechanical advantage, but most importantly, always centre your string for improved accuracy (consistency).

Rick

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2004, 05:39:50 PM »

I've seen those Rick. Not sure if Horton will include one in this package to me or not. I'll likely pick one up if not. I'm expecting it to be fairly easy to cock but have read they help in centering string which seems important too.

Thanks.

varmit_master · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2004, 09:52:41 AM »

HI GB i have used one for a few yrs a crossbow i have killed 11 deer and 9 turkeys and even tree rats lol they shoot good all i useed on mine is a Tasco Pro 2 Reddot scope and a Rocket broadhead a Mini Blaster 3L 76gr head with a 1 3/4 cut it makes a hole i have the Horton Legend 2 bow you will like it i carry 2 arrows with feild points with me and i have killed the tree rats out to 30 yrds with it good luck and let me know how you do VM

drags · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2004, 10:45:40 AM »

Varmint Master, I just bought an excalibur exocet an so far I like it very much. I've only shot it at 20 yds. so far and it is very accurate. This will be my first year hunting deer with it. Do you hunt from the ground or a trrestand and what is the longest distance you will shoot a deer?
Thanks Drags

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2004, 10:47:28 AM »

In Alabama I don't think it is legal to have field tips with you much less on arrows in the quiver when deer hunting. Nor broadheads if small game hunting. Reckon they think us southern rednecks might poach out of season game or something. Some might. Still when both are legal game at the time and in the area it seems kinda dumb to me.

jh45gun · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2004, 02:48:31 PM »

Trust me Bill you will thank yourself for getting a cocking unit if you have a bad shoulder. I can cock my bow easy but I have used some that were tough to start to pull back. I just shot that bow you are getting at Gander Mountain with a buddy who was looking for a crossbow it is a nice setup and that red dot should be a 3 dot sight which is nice. He finally decided on a Barnett Compound he got on sale but did like the Horton when he shot it. Money in this case was the deciding factor for him though I do not know why he could afford a more expensive one. Nice bow you are getting I think you will enjoy shooting it. Like I say a cocking aid used will not abuse your shoulder. Jim

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2004, 05:02:45 PM »

Quote

that red dot should be a 3 dot sight which is nice.

Yes Ottie told me it was a three dot red dot sight. But I'm not really sure what that means or just how it works.

Are the dots independantly adjustable? Do you set one and the others follow at a fixed distance from it and you have to figure out at what range to use them? These are things I'm not sure of at this time.

varmit_master · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2004, 01:28:28 AM »

Hi drags i hunt from a tree stands mostly i will shoot out to 30 yrds i have a reddot on it if i got the horton scope i mite shoot 35 yrds and GB you can carry a feild point with you here i carry one to shoot my bow before i hunt to make shure it is still on i like to make shure the only shot counts VM

jh45gun · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2004, 08:11:46 AM »

Quote from: Graybeard

Quote
that red dot should be a 3 dot sight which is nice.

Yes Ottie told me it was a three dot red dot sight. But I'm not really sure what that means or just how it works.

Are the dots independantly adjustable? Do you set one and the others follow at a fixed distance from it and you have to figure out at what range to use them? These are things I'm not sure of at this time.

The one I saw you adjust the top one for 20 yards and then the others are set automatically for 30 and 40. They claim 40 yards is about the most you should shoot at for deer and I try to limit my shots for 30. 40 yards is quite a distance but I can still hit good at that range with kentucky windage as I have a straight 4x scope with no elevation bars so I have to use kentucky windage which is fine as long as I practice a lot which I do.

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2004, 08:51:45 AM »

Don't think I've ever shot at a deer over 30 yards with a bow and doubt I will with crossbow. So 20 and 30 yard red dots will do me fine.

Graybeard · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2004, 05:38:08 PM »

Got a box from Horton today.

Nope the crossbow wasn't in it. There was a dozen carbon bolts, a tube of string wax and a thing of rail lube. The crossbow was marked off. Dunno why. Maybe it will ship in a separate box. Could be it was out of stock. If I don't see it in a few days I'll call again and check on it.

jh45gun · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2004, 06:35:02 PM »

Rain lube? I think you mean Rail Lube. Use it as often as they say you should as crossbow strings get more abuse than regular bow strings as they rub all the way down the rail. A little goes a long way, but you still have to use it often. I wax my string often also. IF Horton does not send a spare string I would get one to have on hand as some bows go through strings faster than others. I shot my xbow quite a bit last year practicing and hunting and am replacing it this year next week before hunting season starts. Peace of mind.

My old string still has some service left, but I want to start out with a new string before the season starts. Strings are not that expensive and is good insurance that no problems will arise because you did not change the string when needed to. As soon as the server starts to wear through and get frayed is time to replace it. You should be able to go through this year with the string on the bow but having a extra around never hurts. Jim

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2004, 03:58:35 AM »

You caught me in a typo. Matt keeps telling me I should actually read this stuff I type but I don't. :eek: Now corrected.

Since this is a wheel bow, more or less like a compound just how would one go about changing the string? Would you need a bow press of some kind? I'm not much of a bow mechanic and usually leave such matters to someone who is.

Rick Teal · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2004, 12:41:17 PM »

GB:

I haven't seen the model you are getting up close, so what I have to say may be way off-base.

Many of the newer compound crossbows don't have a separate string as such. The cable is continuous, with a serving where the bow cocks. It's very unlikely these will ever break, however, they can become worn, and need replacement. I believe that this work is done best by your dealer.

My Horton is the earlier version of the Explorer (with a wheel bracket instead of split limbs). This has an actual string that was 17" long. Each limb is attached with two limb bolts. The instructions that came with mine were to completely remove the "secondary" limb bolts (smaller in diameter), and then gradually loosen the primary limb bolts until everything was free enough to allow the string to be replaced. I was always careful to count the number of rotations on the bolts (using Allen Keys) when loosening them off, so that I could tighten them up to the same tension after changing the string.

Rick

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2004, 01:23:10 PM »

Looking at the image above of the bow I'm supposed to be getting it sure appears to be one continuous part with the cable. Sure more than I'd want to tackle I think.

Digger · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2004, 04:33:28 PM »

Hi guys I'm a new member but an old crossbow shooter and hunter, I shoot the best of both worlds a compound Excalibur Paradox (175 lb draw-340 fps) and a 150lb - 285 fps Excalibur Vixen.Inthe last 13 years have shot only Ecals., IMHO they most accurate hunting xbow I have ever shot, with the smoothest trigger and easiest to maintain. But as I say just MHO

Digger

jh45gun · « **Reply #17 on:** August 31, 2004, 06:00:22 PM »

Welcome Digger glad to have you aboard. Any info you can share with us as since you are a old hand at the game we will appreciate. Jim

GaryL · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2004, 01:24:40 PM »

Done some reading on that xbow Graybeard and it sure seems like a nice xbow. I think yer gonna like it. Let us know how it shoots.

GBO MGMT · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2004, 07:16:53 PM »

Will do Gary. By the way it came today. Or since it's a few minutes past mindnight here now I guess I should say yesterday. I partially put it together and will finish the job tomorrow. I need to pick up a target to shoot at to sight it in. Been out of bows so long my deer target is in sad shape and my other target is long gone. Not sure if "Bucky" my deer target is large enough for initial sight in or not. Maybe if I start out real close.

GaryL · « **Reply #20 on:** September 02, 2004, 04:52:16 PM »

Graybeard we all set are scopes a little different, but the standard would be the top dot at 10yds, 2nd dot at 20yds and 3rd dot at 30 yds. Once the 20 yd dot is on the money the other two should be also. I would shoot at nutten over 30 - 35 yds. Just my .02 cents on the red dot. I think you will like it but the light gathering is poor at dusk and early morn. A cocking aid will sure help out your shoulder and keep your string stright on cocking so get one if they did not send ya one. Have fun and take your time.

PS: the new red dots might be better at light gathering then the older one's as I have not tried the newer 3 dot.

jhalcott · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2005, 10:45:13 AM »

I don't get that "no field tip "thing! Does that mean you HAVE to keep the bow cocked all day.even when climbing from your stand? Barnett says the bow should be relaxed after about 4 hours. I would not think it would hurt to stay cocked all day. I DEFINETELY wouldn't try to lower that string by hand! I've been thinking about a new xbow,and the maxpoint has come to mind a time or two.