Author Topic: New Bow (Read 1683 times)

Rick Teal · « **on:** August 25, 2004, 02:55:54 PM »

I recently changed crossbows (actually, I still have the old one - I just have a new favourite). This one is an Excalibur Exomag (200 lbs) plain brown model. I had dissipator bars put on to reduce noise, and have bought some 2219 bolts with 130 grain Wasp broadheads giving me a 480 grain projectile.

My first hunt will be moose in a month's time, and then I hope to be able to take the odd day deer hunting locally as my season develops.

I haven't started shooting the bow yet, as I'm looking for another sight to put on it.

The bow I've retired is an older Horton Explorer (Not the same Explorer model they sell now.). This is a 150 pound pull compound limb model.

I originally bought the Horton because I'm a still hunter, and felt the shorter limbs would make negotiating the bush easier, and the only concerns I've had about hunting with it is the difficulty in changing strings when necessary, and the noise factor.

Two years ago, I shot a friend's Exomag, and really enjoyed the "feel" of it. The recoil was very smooth, and the noise level was significantly lower.

I know I'll be losing something using the longer recurve limbed Exomag, but I will also be gaining in actual velocity. I got an actual 235 fps out of the Horton, and I expect to get about 300 out of the Exomag with the bolts I've bought.

I'll probably add to this thread as I begin shooting it.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2004, 05:44:24 PM »

Interesting Rick. I think the new Explorer 175 Horton is sending me is rated a bit over 300 fps but not a lot over. Dunno what bolts that is with but some come with it and I'll see how they do.

Question on broadheads. I've been using Thunderhead 125s for many years with my other bows. Kinda thinking of going to a Thunderhead 100 for the crossbow. My logic was shorter lighter arrow so lighter broadhead for better balance. Am I on the right track here? My only quarry will be white tail deer in the near future.

Rick Teal · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2004, 07:43:03 AM »

GB:

I know Excalibur recommends 2213 shafts with 100 grain broadheads for deer, and some of the guys I've spoken to recommend 2216 shafts and either 100 or 125 grain broadheads for moose.

When I bought my Horton, I got three "Fibrestrike" (fibreglass) and three "Lightningstrike" (aluminum) bolts. I liked the way the lightningstrike shot in my bow, so I went with them. They are heavier than my 2219's by about two grains per inch. I used 125 or 130 grain heads on them, and never had a stability problem.

Most bow "ratings" as far as fps go are not done through actual shooting, but certain readings are taken from the bow, and then are applied to a computer model. Very few actually give you the velocities advertised when you shoot hunting heads and shafts. I believe my Explorer was rated at 250, but I actually got 235 with a hunting set-up. My exomag is rated at 325 fps, but with the set-up I have (providing it shoots OK) I may be lucky to get 300 fps. Excalibur recommends at least a 350 grain projectile, and I'm shooting 480 grains (my lightningstrike/Wasp combo in my Horton weighed 515 grains).

It seems to me that 100 grain heads should be OK for your Horton, but you may want to get out on the range with various field points, and see what results you get before buying broadheads.

Rick

varmit_master · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2004, 10:00:52 AM »

Hi i am shooting the Beman carbon bolt and a 76gr Mini Blaster 3L head 1 3/4 cut and my bow said with the horton arrow and a 100gr head it will shoot 300 fps i have a guy wanting to buy mine so if he does i am going with the New Horton that shoots 345 fps i live in Ark and the deer isnt is big as the northern ones and use it on turkeys too VM

jh45gun · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2004, 02:41:44 PM »

Rick, I noticed that my Straight prod Barnett is easy on the recoil also. That is why I can get by using a cheap scope on it. I have heard some of the compound xbows have lots of recoil though I suppose it depends on the xbow. I guess the recurve and straight prod xbows are smoother? Jim

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2004, 10:17:06 PM »

Hey guys,I using a Barnett Rhino Mag,w/Horton Carbon Stk MX bolts,w/Muzzy 125 gr. 3 blade,1 3/16 cut dia.Have a few Easton xx75,2219 bolts also,one of which I use to release bow.I would try some Barnett bols,but I can't find anybody around here that carrys them............Rick

GaryL · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2004, 04:58:15 PM »

Graybeard with the Horton you would be better off seting up with 2219's and 100gr broadheads for white tail, 125gr for anything bigger. Hortons like a heavy bolt. Horton states ya can shoot 2216's but make sure you stay in Hortons recommend total bolt weight.

XCOP · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2004, 06:19:19 PM »

Hello Rick Teal,
I've been shooting an Exomag for about a year. You won't be disappointed. The speeds that Excalibur quotes are from actual test shooting, but are done with Gold Tip Laser II bolts and 100gr heads. This is one of the lightest arrow setups you will find. I am shooting that combo and it does blaze, though I haven't run it through a chronograph some of the people I know have and found it to be very close to Excalibur's numbers. The thing that I like about Excalibur is that it is "stupid proof". Anyone can change the string in the field without tools, can be sighted in, then broken down packed away, put back together and will still be sighted in. It's a great product.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2004, 06:54:20 PM »

Quote

Graybeard with the Horton you would be better off seting up with 2219's and 100gr broadheads for white tail, 125gr for anything bigger. Hortons like a heavy bolt. Horton states ya can shoot 2216's but make sure you stay in Hortons recommend total bolt weight.

Horton has provided me a dozen carbon bolts marked APO70 on the box. They are the largest diameter carbon arrows I think I've ever seen. Dunno the weight of them yet as I've not put them on a scale. Bow hasn't arrrived yet. Still waiting.

GaryL · « **Reply #9 on:** September 01, 2004, 01:40:17 AM »

Sure read that Graybeard and must tell ya I am do not know what size carbon that would be. I have not looked at the newer Horton xbows, but sure have used the Horton for a number of years. I did shoot 2216's with 125gr Heads, then tried their carbons. Went back to the 2219's. I then went to TenPoint's Stealth X2 one super xbow, smooth adjustable trigger and shot only 2219's as recommened by them. I then went to Excalibur Exomag and have now got a Exomax on its way. Just be sure and read what HORTON says there recommened bolt WEIGHT is, as anything lighter will give you a limb problem later. Do not go by the fact they sell lighter bolts 2216's I think that is their Horton light's.

Digger · « **Reply #10 on:** September 02, 2004, 04:40:35 PM »

Greybeard , You may want to try the slick Trick broadhead. This head on my Gold Tip lls Flys like a field point, same POI. A lot of the Excal. shooter are using them and praising them.I have been using the 100 gr. heads with my Vixen and the 125gr head with the Paradox.All the heads are four bladed.

Digger

http://www.slicktrick.net/

Book · « **Reply #11 on:** September 04, 2004, 08:55:51 PM »

I have hunted with an Excalibur Exo-Mag 185 lb. since 1999 and love it. I have shot a lot of different broadheads and had bad experiences with Spit Fire Expandables. I was not getting the penetration I was used to getting from fixed wing heads. I swapped to Muzzy's and actually ended up going back to the Old Simmons 160 grain Land Sharks. I like the Land Sharks and they shoot very good out of my c/bow. I always get total pass throughs with the Simmons heads. My c/bow is supposed to be in the 280 fps. range and I think I am close, but I guess with 100 gr. heads it would be faster. I really don't care too much since my average shots are 17 yds. Thanks Book

Graybeard · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2004, 11:48:57 AM »

I'm a firm believer in the NAP Thunderhead broadheads. I've used the Thunderhead 125 for a great many years and it has never let me down. I'll be using the NAP Thunderhead 100s on my arrows. Have them on the way. From what I can tell 100s is what Horton recommends for my bow and arrows.

Now if I can only figure out a way to get it cocked so I can shoot it.

Rick Teal · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2004, 07:15:36 PM »

I got out to shoot my Exomag (finally), and didn't learn as much as I'd hoped. One thing I did learn was that I need a better target backstop than 6 inches of styrofoam insulation. More than half my shots - particularly those with broadheads went clean through the target.

From those that stopped I'm certain that the sight is Ok for centre, but the bolts moved so fast I wasn't able to pick them up in flight when looking through the red dot sight. So I don't know if there was any wobble in their flight. Next time I take a spotter.

wabi · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2004, 03:17:30 AM »

Rick,
With the Emag and 480 grain arrows you are probably getting around 300 - 320 fps. I shoot an Exocet and get 310 with minimum weight (350 gr.) arrows and 294 with 400 grain. You will find the heavier weight makes a big noise reduction, but for deer I usually go for speed. Sounds like your setup should be good for deer though. As for broadheads, I've found the flight is also dependant on the arrow balance (FOC) and fletching. I had trouble with the SlickTricks so highly recommended until I switched to a minimum weight carbon arrow with maximum helical fletching. Now they do group very well and right with field points. I also like G-5 Outdoors Montec broadhead. Under 1" groups at 20 yards - consistantly!