Help me get started please.

johnrios · Post by **johnrios** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:39 pm

Just ordered a 2004 Exomag. Price was right from www.eders.com . I ordered the crossbow ALONE not as a package. Also ordered a scope rail.

Could you give me suggestions to which scope what be a good choice (not red dot) and which bolts all of you recommend (weight, length, etc.)and with what broadheads.

I think

I made a good decision. Any feedback? Thanks!

claude · Post by **claude** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:52 pm

I use the varizone scope you defiantly need a cocking aid I use
excailbur bolts (2219) these are heavier than most people use because
i use mine to hunt elk & moose. you can get accesory packages from
various places that include every thing you need including bolts &
broadheads

Nudo7 · Post by **Nudo7** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:00 pm

Make sure there aren't any scope laws in Tenn. In Alabama you can't use a magnified scope. I think thats stupid, but I guess they want to generate money from fines. If not the varizone scope is a good one I heard. I have a red dot, since can't use magnification. I works good. Woody Williams is from Tenn he would know if you can't find out. Just PM him.

johnrios · Post by **johnrios** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:05 pm

Thanks for replying guys. What other bolt can I use (lighter than 2219) for whitetails?

Another stupid question ... will the crossbow come with strings? I don't know why I think it would ship without one?

Is Simmons a good scope for crossbows? Thanks.

Sandman · Post by **Sandman** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:09 pm

Welcome aboard~!

Vari-zone all the way for me. I use 2219, and Lazer II Carbons.

Regards,
Robin

Nudo7 · Post by **Nudo7** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:53 pm

Unless you bought the kit, it only comes with one string. You can get them online just about anywhere. PM BJ he is a memeber and he can get you any crossbow accessory you need at a very good price.

johnrios · Post by **johnrios** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:24 pm

Had a $25.00 gift certificate to Cabelas. Ordered the Excalibur scope and crossbow bolts.

Hope the bolts are a good recommendation. Thanks.

TNhunterKMC · Post by **TNhunterKMC** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 9:47 pm

You'll love your setup with the Excalibur bolts and the Varizone scope. I just bought an Exocet 200 and LOVE it. BIG WORD OF ADVICE - DO NOT SHOOT AT THE SAME AIM POINT 2 TIMES IN A ROW or you'll be buying 2 new bolts. Don't believe me - post back when you ruin 2 bolts.

As far as a quiver I would get either the Excalibur quiver mount and put a Bohning 4 arrow Lynx quiver on it or get a top mount quiver mount from Dan Miller and go with the Bohning Quiver. With my setup the only thing I don't really like is the Excalibur quiver. I like my arrows closer together and held more securely so I'll be putting a different quiver on it before the season. If you have a rest and can hold the xbow stable you can drill the bullseye on targets easily out to 50 yards with the Varizone setup correctly.

wabi · Post by **wabi** » Sat Jul 23, 2005 10:16 pm

I've been hunting with an Excalibur for a few years and used a drop-zone on my Vixen, and a vari-zone on the Exocet. Both are excellant scopes providing aiming points out to 50 yards. But.......

I have also in the past few years been known to get a bit brain dead when a deer shows up, and although I know the distance (pre-determined with a laser rangefinder) I revert to using the crosshair (dead on @ 20 yards) instead of the correct yardage mark. This mental lapse has cost me a couple of deer by shooting under them at just over 30 yards. So.....

I bought a 2X magnification red-dot scope! Sighted in at 25 yards it puts all my arrows well within the kill zone of an adult deer out to 30 yards this way. I can hold a little over/under for precise shooting if the target is closer or farther than 25 yards, but if I forget when shooting at a deer it shouldn't matter. The trade-off is that much beyond 30 yards trajectory makes precise shooting very difficult. The 380 grain arrow @ 300 fps actually drops about 11 inches at 40 yards, and I quit there

As for a quiver, I tried an Excalibur bracket and just didn't care for it. I went to a hip quiver and it works fine, but I decided to try one of Dan Millers brackets and it's great, too! I did slightly modify it (turned it "backwards" to get it further away from the front sight) and added a couple more screws (I drilled & tapped) for more rigidity. The quiver that came with it started making a bit of noise when I shot, so I stuck an old PSE quiver I had on it, and it's very quiet.

johnrios · Post by **johnrios** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:00 pm

I'm digging this forum ... and I'm Jonesing to get my Exomag and goodies. Thanks to all of you for your advice on getting started.

One last thing however. Please give me 3 choices in broadheads, given the fact I am using Excalibur bolts.

When I bow hunt, I use Muzzy 100 gr. Is this a good choice as well when using the crossbow?

Last thing I promise. My buddy has loaned me his Horton Hunter for a year now. I have gotten pretty good with it. Pretty nice unit, however I pray this Excalibur choice will smoke it in every regards! Thanks guys ... and gals!!

dw · Post by dw » Sun Jul 24, 2005 1:02 pm

i shoot muzzy 4 blades out of all my crossbows. no problems.
"dw"

TNhunterKMC · Post by **TNhunterKMC** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 2:15 pm

I'm going to be using Muzzy 4 bladed 100 grain broadheads with my Exocet 200. My second choice would be the 3 bladed 100 heads. I've read good things about he slick trick heads too. If you have Muzzy - go with them first.

Woody Williams · Post by **Woody Williams** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 4:31 pm

johnrios wrote:
Last thing I promise. My buddy has loaned me his Horton Hunter for a year now. I have gotten pretty good with it. Pretty nice unit, however I pray this Excalibur choice will smoke it in every regards! Thanks guys ... and gals!!

Your prayer has been answered...

johnrios · Post by **johnrios** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:15 pm

Can't wait to get the crossbow. Went scouting today and climbed a persimon tree to approx. 35 feet with the Lone Wolf Alpha Climber (very light, 17 lbs.) I still prefer my Docs Recliner (heavy, 32 lbs.). I usually drive it to my spot with my Kawasaki Brute Force 750.

The Docs is like a Cadillac in the trees. Awesome to climb and comfy enough to sleep in. Anyway, I bet I sweat 2 gallons today getting everything situated. Great spot, high in the sky. Buddy, I am ready for opening day!!

Thank God for the changes in the TN Hunting Regs concerning crossbows. Just hope the whole nation will catch on soon! Best Regards!!