Exocet/Vortex shooters

[frisky]

100 grain head TOTAL weight 411 grain

[Cossack]

Carbons. 405 total weight, 100 g slick heads. (Blazers). Greeeeat!

[Philzleads]

I'm shooting a Vortex. I was shooting the Excal 150gr. Boltcutters with the CF Firebolts from the Right Stuff Pckg. But I can't say that I have had success with them. Three deer shot at so far this season, no recoveries. The last one was a doe at 31yds. Blood trailed for over 200yds., then no more blood.

I shot the Vortex the day before with my brother, following the VariZone scope sighting in procedures....again. The last of those zeroing procedures says to progress with your shots out to 50yrds, then adjust with the speed dial on the scope. And that your scope should then be dialed in. Hmm...not this one.

I'm shooting the Vortex off of a bipod, so its steady. I am squatting on the ground for stability. Can't keep a group at 30yds or 35 yds, let alone 40 or 50.
The day before, I did get a group that I would call good enough, but not what I would consider something along the lines of what I read here or the Excal Reputation. At least I was inside of a 4inch circle at 30yds., most of the time.

The next day, after blood trailing the doe, I did some target shooting. First shot at 30yds is 5 inches left. Same with the second shot. I shot the Vortex for over an hour, trying to get a 3-shot group, to, well, group. No such luck.

So here's what I would try to do. I have a B-head target that has 4 four inch circles on it, one hi, one low, one left one right. Now I know better, after reading this forum, that I would not bet against some of you that you would Not be able to shoot 3 bolts in 3 4inch cirlces at 30 yrds. Think you can do it ? Shoot a bolt at the top 4inch circle at 30yds, now the L one next the R one. Well I can't. Not with this bow.

So instead of hunting that day, I left to go get some new arrows. I bought a 1/2 dozen Eastman CF's and a 1/2 dozen Muzzy 3-blade 125gr. Also bought 3 125gr field points.

At this point to say I am frustrated is an understatement. These bolts at 30yrds., which isn't that long of a shot should be touching each other. I shoot at the different circles on the target b/c I don't want to damage the previous bolt. The only mod I have done to the bow is put four Limbsavers on it, two on each limb., thats it. I'm shooting the string that came with the bow. I followed the assembly instructions exactly, using Loctite where it said to.

I'm going to try these new bolts with field tips first. I want fresh fletchings. I have to start at 30yds, preferrably 35 b/c the Vortex buries the bolts any closer making it a real pain to remove them from the target. And now these new bolts don't have female threads at the end so I cant use my T-handle to extract them from the target...great.

I have a bad feeling that the reticle inside the scope is creeping. The adjuster doesn't always "click" positively. The Vortex could be shooting great L to R, and I start working on Elevation, then all of a sudden it will start shooting left...very frustrating. Either that happens or its shooting L, I adjust the scope to the R, its shoots fine L to R for a while then goes L again. I'm not that bad of a shot either.

I have a Ruger Mark III in .30-06 SS. Off of a bench I can make 3 shots inside of a 50-cent piece with Match Grade Ammo. Apples and Oranges I know, but I understand the mechanics of steady shooting. I can shoot a single hole w/three shots in paper with my Encore Pro Hunter smokepole.

The rut is on here in MD and I've shot over a hundred times with this Vortex and can't, with a good conscience take into the field again.....I'm bummerd.

[vrodman]

Have you tried marking your bolts to see if the same bolt is doing the same thing each time. If so, narrow it down to a group of bolts that shoot together. I mark 1,2,3 etc... I was taught this and know some other bow hunters that do it and there is a difference in bolts.

[Philzleads]

Have not tried that yet. Frankly, I don't think I should have to. If I do, then that means several things to me. First, the bolt manufacturers tolerances are way out. Perhaps they are. But, and don't take this the wrong way, its not directed at you...But, I have yet to see a post on here that says "Hey for accuracy, you'd better mark your bolts...". You know cull the ones that shoot right and then only carry the ones that give you a good group. Haven't seen that post yet. Know what I mean. No I haven't read every post and perhaps there is one that says that, I just haven't seen it. I know some guys do mark their arrows, but for this Vortex, I'd have to take exception to that. Shouldn't have to do it.

You know thinking about this, marking bolts makes an assumption and that is that the bow is shooting consistently and that the problem lies in inconsistent bolts. I can't get a group with Excal Boltcutters and Excal Firebolts. So far, I have a group of one.

Second, Excalibur doesn't say that. That's not how these Xbows are advertised. I was shooting Excal FireBolts with Excal Boltcutters and I can't get a decent group at 30 or 35 yds after a hundred shots.

Third, I really don't want to be in the field, worrying about which bolt I put in the Xbow. I should be able to load a clean bolt and put it right where the scope says it will go, three shots in a row, period. And then repeat that for three times.

And I would put that challenge out. Can you make nine shots, 3 groups of three shots and put your bolt in a different 4inch circle on the same target at 35 yards? Because I can't with this Xbow and I should be able to.

If its not raining too hard I plan to go out tomorrow with brand new Easton CF PowerBolts, brand new 125gr Field points and brand new Muzzy 125 gr. Bheads. I really hope I can achieve my own nine-shot challenge.

[vrodman]

Not taking it the wrong way. Just a suggestion. I personally have found that not all bolts will shoot the same after I marked them. I documented where each# bolt hit at least four to five times and they were consistant, but example (1 may be dead center and 5 be 1/2 off at 1 oclock). If I could find enough that were dead center or enough that consistantly shot at 1 oclock, I would use them and rezero. I keep those in quiver. I'm using Firebolts. Maybe I'm over analizing, but my groups are touching or tear up each other if I were to shoot at same spot twice. Three days after purchasing this bow I robin hooded one with this technique, so now each shot at different spot. I wish all my bolts would have shot the same from the box. Maybe I was just lucky

[Dereck]

I shoot a vortex with no scope and I can put an arrow in the same hole shooting from a rest at 25yds.
Now I don't shoot much past 35yds but am confident out to 40 and that would be the longest shot I will take for deer.
I would suggest you look at all mounting hardware on your bow.
Other members have had experience with the same issue and have found loose screws and corrected the problem that way.
These things vibrate like there is no tomorrow so things will loosen up on ya.

Hope you get it resolved and are able to recover a deer good luck.

If you can try and hook up with a member in your area who has had these problems maybe you could work it out together.Lots of helpful people on this forum.

[longwinters]

Things I would consider.

Scope problem - take it off and try a regular sight or a different scope.

Make sure the string is coming back perfectly centered.

Check to see if there are any broken strands on my string.

Long

[Philzleads]

Thanks longwinters, yea i'm being real meticulous with using the ropecocker and making sure the hooks are right against and all that. I think the next thing I have to do is get a new target. This Vortex buries the bolt at 35yds. and then the vanes get curled. The string is new, no strands broken.

I may remove these Limbsavers, I have two on each limb. Can't see them affecting accuracy but it has been suggested...oh well.

[longwinters]

I tried a pair of limbsavers.....did not even last one shot. The 1st shot one flew off into the great beyond. That was a waste of money.

I still think it is your scope. Have you done a search on scope problems? Several people have had problems and have had their scopes replaced.

Long

[Vortex-Todd]

Philzleads, I read your post, I thought I had typed it in my sleep because I am having the identical issues.

I have 2008 Vortex with The Right Stuff setup, 100gr Wasp that came in my package. I did upgrade to the Lumi-Zone Scope.

I was hitting bulls all summer long with field tips but am all over the place with the Wasp Broadheads. Even missing the target a few times.

I have shot at 3 bucks, 6pt and 2 8pts. Gut shot the first at 10 yards, missed the second at 20 yards and gut shot the 3rd at 18 yards all in the 10 days of hunting this season.

In 25 years of hunting with horizontal compounds, I have missed 2 and not recovered 1, so I feel I am a descent shot. Now I have abosolutely no confidence in this Vortex Crossbow.

In a futile attempt to save face, I have logged almost 6 hours of target shooting since I missed the 2nd deer with broadhead and field point. Now my field points are not hitting with accuracy.

I ready to put this thing up for sale but couldnt consciously sell it to someone that would hunt with it.

Most other hunters I have talked to have told me to throw the excalibur broadheads in the trash and shoot one thing or another, mostly expandle "Rage" 2 blade. I dont have the extra cash to switch yet as I am off work due to the auto industry down time and trying to fill my freezer to feed the family.

I have now put away the Vortex and will pick up my Hoyte Vipertech that I know it "dead on" if my shoulder injury can allow me to pull it back.

I know this doesnt help with a solution but your are not alone Philzleads.

[Philzleads]

Wow. Well, that doesn't add to my confidence, but i'm glad you posted. I would be less concerned had you not owned a Vortex...hmm. I am on my way to get a new target this morning, instead of being in my blind which is where I should be...hunting.

Those shots you described are close shots...wow. Mine have been 35, 31 and 32 yds.

Instead, I am logging more and more hours of target shooting. I really don't have the luxury of time to endlessly dick around with this bow. Like I said in earlier posts, the rut is on here in MD and I've spent a lot of time and $$....and I can't, with good conscience take this Vortex in the field. Not after shooting at 3 deer, hitting two, blood trailing 1 with zero animals recovered. Hell, I don't even know where I hit these deer...very very frustrating. Thought it was shooting good, was out the day before, hitting reasonably well, or so I thought, come back the next day after not recovering a doe only to find that the damn thing is five inches Left on the first shot.

Let me ask you this...

Do you have Limbsavers on the limbs? If so how many?

What type and brand target are you using?

Are your arrows getting buried to the fletchings and curling them when you target shoot?

Is a wrinkled vane going to throw off your bolts 3 or 4 inches?

[Vortex-Todd]

Again your explanation of, hitting good one day, going to the stand tyhe next morning and hitting the deer, no recovery , mine was a smelly gut shot and then shooting at the target missing by 4 inches is exactly my hunting experience with this thing so far.

The target I have the best luck with is a "Block" for all types of heads. Will stop my shot with only 1/2 the arrow going in.

No limbsavers on mine.

I would say yes a wrinkled vain should throw off your accuracy and if the blades on the head are not alligned with the vanes, it could throw it off also.

I am going to paper test my shots because it seems my bolts are at all angles when they stick the target. From there, I dont know where to go.

The Vortex is hung up right now, early due to wounding and missing. My rut is on now here in MI also with the opening of our firearm on Nov 15th. I know I will have much better luck with my Weatherby 30:06.

Good Luck and make sure to call Excalibur and talk to them about whats happening. They need this information

[Philzleads]

Thanks again for the reply.

Have you contacted Excalibur? If so, what happened?

Yea I gun hunt PA. My Ruger MKII in .30-06 will get it done.

Seems to me, from what I have read The Block Crossbow Target is the only target that will stop one of these bolts from penetrating into the vanes so as not to wrinkle them. I've been using a Six-Shooter by Morrels...wont stop 'em.

I just didn't think I would have to blow a Saturday during the rut, chasing targets(an hour one way to BassProShops), then spending time trying figure out this xbow. There goes another Saturday during the rut ...geez...

[Dereck]

You don't need to spend a lot of money on a target.I use a box full of clothes and two pieces of archery foam in front and my bolts only go in a little over half way with broad heads and a little less with field points.

As far as broad heads are concerned I had bad luck with Talon's and put on 100gr Eastman's and they fly exactly like my field points.

I have complete confidence in my bow and I hope you get yours resolved you have an excellent product there and I am sure you can get it working.
Take it to a dealer and see if they can help you get that bow shooting straight.

Don't lose faith I know you will get it right.

Also I have no extra stuff on my limbs but I do have a string stoppers to reduce wear on the string which is an Excal Excel string