How hard is it to......

[lswoody]

cock an Exomax with the string cocker????? Really looking at getting one of these crossbows and don't want to strain to get it cocked. The crossbow that I currently have is a compound type and has 175# draw weight and is very easy with a rope cocker. Just wondering how hard 225# will be with out any let-off??? Thanks!!!

[vixenmaster]

112.5 lbs dead pull fer 16.5" no let off, but i would try one prior to buying it.

[VixChix]

I can do it... but wouldn't want to shoot 3d with it! One of our forum members here uses his for 3d but he's a bricklayer.

[tharris811]

I have a exomax . at first it was really pretty hard.I also have been cocking a 175 lb. ten point.But after a few times you learn the nack of it & it gets a lot better.I am not a brick layer

[OneShot]

Just how far do you want the bolt to stick into the ground after it goes completely through the animal ?

Be sure you need the big dogs before you buy it !

Unless you are going after extremely large game, any normal average male and female can use the rope cocking aid necesary for average bow weights.

It is all in the approach and experience to make the act totally easier than you appear to be making out of the task !

Go to any sport shop and let them show you the most convenient safe way; then buy the bow you can handle - while considering you need to practice and be able to cock in the field when hunting .

oneshot..........

[flightattendant100]

Keep the cocking rope as short as you can get away with. I have to pull the string up 3-4" to get the last hook over the string. It makes a big difference. Or get a crank. Uncocking is pretty easy though.
Hank

X2 , I have to pull my string up maybe 5-6" to get it on the last hook. Then its just a matter of standing up,and its cocked.At first you are going to feel like you have had a workout,but you will get used to it just like you would get used to shooting a verticle bow.My "lightbulb moment" came last fall in a pop-up blind.I shot a pig and was going to re-cock the Exomax. In a chair,in a pop-up,you cant stand up or lean back, it has to be pretty much all arms. I did manage to get it cocked,but it was a whole new ball game.Think I'll opt for a larger pop-up this fall.

[Dash]

Hi IsWoody,
If its just a few shots of hunting your doing you shouldn't have a problem, and there is the crank option. But if you want to shoot a lot of target work like Vixchick mentioned, it can get a bit much if your not it great shape.

[robertyb]

I was shooting a Parker 175 lb. compound and recently purchased a Vortex 200 lb Excal. I was worried about cocking the excal cause I have a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder. I found that there is not much noticable difference at all in between cocking the two bows using a cocking rope. At 225 lbs. you are adding 6.25 lbs. per arm in cocking weight over the 200 lb. bow.

[vixenmaster]

It really depends on yer physycal shape. Strong arms n legs will help alot. I have 4 herniated Disc's & lowest one has ruptured in the past few months. So i am sure i would have to use the crankaroo now fer the 225 models.

[sumner4991]

I have a weak back as far as spine issues and I find cocking the Max is a good workout and it keeps my back strong, muscle wise, to compensate for the weakness in the discs.

You definitely need to try it out before you buy. And remember, it will feel hard the first time. It gets easy with practice, just like everything else.

However, I'm thinking, if you are unsure enough to ask the question, then it's probably too much. Nobody knows better than you and you are not feeling confident about it.

Don't feel like you are missing out on anything by not getting the fastest bow. There is a speed advantage and I love it. But, there are disadvantages . . .I can't think of them off the top of my head . . .maybe vixenmaster will know some.

Get the bow that you are comfortable shooting. You will enjoy it MUCH more.

[flightattendant100]

A second point that I forgot to mention. Your arms will stretch. You may become NBA worthy, but a new wardrobe will be needed.You can always just hang out with the rest of us "knuckledraggers". Its pretty easy to spot the Exomax shooters in a crowd.

[Hoagy]

A second point that I forgot to mention. Your arms will stretch. You may become NBA worthy, but a new wardrobe will be needed.You can always just hang out with the rest of us "knuckledraggers". Its pretty easy to spot the Exomax shooters in a crowd.

I've only been at this a couple weeks & can tie my shoes now with no trouble And I have the Axiom!
Hoagy

[robertyb]

Forgot about this on pervious post. I had double hernia surgery in my groin on Feb. 1 and bought my Vortex 2-9. Started shooting it around the 15th. Did not even think about the Doctor limiting me to 15 lbs. of weight. I saw him on the 23rd and he about had a fit when I told him I was shooting the bow. I said but Doc. it only weighs around 8 lbs.

[vixenmaster]

I have a weak back as far as spine issues and I find cocking the Max is a good workout and it keeps my back strong, muscle wise, to compensate for the weakness in the discs.

You definitely need to try it out before you buy. And remember, it will feel hard the first time. It gets easy with practice, just like everything else.

However, I'm thinking, if you are unsure enough to ask the question, then it's probably too much. Nobody knows better than you and you are not feeling confident about it.

Don't feel like you are missing out on anything by not getting the fastest bow. There is a speed advantage and I love it. But, there are disadvantages . . .I can't think of them off the top of my head . . .maybe vixenmaster will know some.

Get the bow that you are comfortable shooting. You will enjoy it MUCH more.

I really don't knowed any disadvantages of shooting the 225 pound models. Hey if'en you need speed they do ok. I even owned a E'cet 200 & i even had a 200 rail earlier, back several yrs ago. Now i just have a slow low poundage vixen & every now and again i get a deer or hog wid it.

[lswoody]

Thanks for all the replies!!!