Author Topic: Recurve vs. Compound? (Read 3168 times)

markc · « **on:** August 04, 2009, 12:21:49 PM »

Hello all. I live in sunny Texas, where crossbows were just legalized for use during the archery only season beginning with the upcoming season October 3rd. Yeah! I already have an older Horton Yukon SL, which I bought used a few years ago. I will be hunting with it for the first time this archery season. My question, in case I upgrade next year or so, is the difference between the recurve X-bows such as excaliber, vs. the compound X-bows by pretty much everyone else. How does the excaliber generate the energy without the cams? Are the limbs extremly rigid? Are there advantages to either style when speaking specifically of X-bows? I appreciate the responses. God bless'

cajun · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2009, 10:59:36 AM »

I'm new to the xbow myself having hunted my first season last year. I own an Excalibur Phoenix. I am not familiar with the compound xbows so cannot answer questions or compare them. But, the reason I purchased the Excalibur is because it is a recurve. There are no cams or pulleys to go out of tune. Changing the string does not require a press or any special equipment. Go to www.excaliburcrossbow.com and you can find out all kinds of information about the Excalibur. There is also an excellent forum there that will answer many of your questions. I hope this helps. And good luck.

coyote170 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2009, 04:49:55 PM »

have been shooting a Ten Point Curve for about a year and a half!
And never thought I would look at another bow let alone a compound
but have a Ten Point Defender CLS and am uterly blown away with
this bow!It would be worth your time to shoot one of these all I can
say is wow!

markc · « **Reply #3 on:** August 06, 2009, 07:13:38 AM »

Okay gents, thanks for the replys. I looked at bow excaliber and ten point x-bows at the hunting show in Houston last Saturday, but it was so crowded I didn't ask a lot of questions.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #4 on:** August 08, 2009, 07:16:23 AM »

Picked up a GT-Curve last year and love it. Never hunted or even shot an xbow before. I did like you and got to look at all the different xbows at the Hunting Show here in Virginia last year, but unlike you had a chance to talk to all the folks and even shot a few.

I met a lady named Barb from TenPoint and she was a wonderful person and representative of her company. After shooting the GT-Curve I was sold. I would recommend their products to anyone.

Here is mine at the ready:

Casull · « **Reply #5 on:** August 08, 2009, 08:39:04 AM »

Quote

But, the reason I purchased the Excalibur is because it is a recurve. There are no cams or pulleys to go out of tune. Changing the string does not require a press or any special equipment.

You don't need a press to change a compound crossbow's string (unlike a regular compound bow).

markc · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2009, 12:14:23 PM »

GT? Larry is GT the brand name? I read an article that addressed that issue Casull, about being able to change the string in the field on a recurve if necessary, but it isn't an option with a compound. I noticed the lombs are longer with the recurve's which I guess is necessary to get the same energy as the shorter compound limbs.

Casull · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2009, 05:21:52 PM »

Mark, it's actually easier to change the string on the compound (as odd as that sounds) than on the recurve. All you need do is cock the compound, then thread a rope with a wooden dowel on each end through the split portion of the limbs (with the rope being just long enough to do this). Then decock the compound (the aforementioned rope will keep the limbs flexed) and you will be able to easily replace the string. Recock, remove the rope and you're ready to shoot.

markc · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2009, 03:50:08 PM »

Casull, I've not heard that before. I would have to watch someone do that before I attempted it myself. I will be in the woods with my Horton this season (Oct 3rd) and then go from there.

T.R. · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2009, 03:20:33 PM »

Accurasy is largely a factor of light trigger and lots of practise.

Excalibur markets recurve style as BEST but the accurasy of 10 Point can not be ignored, either.

I hunt with a HuntMaster which was the original name of 10 Point back in 1990's. I can hit a dixie cup every time at 30 yards and a grapefruit at 55 yards. My crossbow is equipped with compound wheels and split limbs.

My best friend recently bought a PSE Viper Crossbow made in Taiwon. It shoots quite well at 35 yards despite lower cost. Its a keeper!

My cousins in Ohio favor Horton crossbows. They're also good but you get what you pay for. Don't expect top performance from a $299. sale special.

TR

longwinters · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2009, 03:16:31 PM »

This year I bought the Excal Exocet. Absolutely love the thing. If you had to change the string it is as simple as it can be with their string changer so I'd disagree with Casull there, I'd call it a draw on ease. But 10 point is also a great xbow and making improvements all the time. It was their prices that turned me off. I don't think you could go wrong either way. They are just plain fun.

Long

awshucks · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:58:41 AM »

Quote from: Casull on August 12, 2009, 05:21:52 PM

Mark, it's actually easier to change the string on the compound (as odd as that sounds) than on the recurve. All you need do is cock the compound, then thread a rope with a wooden dowel on each end through the split portion of the limbs (with the rope being just long enough to do this). Then decock the compound (the aforementioned rope will keep the limbs flexed) and you will be able to easily replace the string. Recock, remove the rope and you're ready to shoot.

Here's a pic of the gizmo he's talking about. Sorry, I don't know who offers it, but being from Arkansas I'd just 'cabbage' the idea and make my own as described. Notice the solid limb bow, probably a Horton. I have serious doubts on it working on a split limb model. I have heard of guys cocking a compound, adding the new string, letting it down then recocking via new string to remove old. Never tried it.

If you're a speed freak, lol, compound is the answer. Long way from a bow monkey, recurve.

fr3db3ar · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2009, 03:47:19 AM »

I think it's going to fall to the category of personal choice. They just allowed them in Michigan this year as well for everybody. I've had no place or time to practice with my regular recurve or longbow. I've got a shoulder problem that won't let me lift the weight of my compound this year.

I've had a 30 year old Barnett recurve xbow hanging on the wall for years that my brother in law gave me that I really never expected to use. It's so old you can't buy parts for it. It was missing the goat's foot.

So I made a goat's foot out of parachord, bought some bolts and a cocking assist. Shot an 8 point @ 18 yards with it sitting on the ground. ( a shot i couldn't have done with recurve or longbow, although I had time and distance from first seeing this deer to at least get to my knees) It was nice not to have to even move around while I watched and waited.

My regular compound is 1990 model and the cams have never gone out of time, so I don't believe that to be a serious consideration.

JMO YMMV

Hunter2 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2009, 07:37:36 AM »

Compound

coyote170 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2010, 11:32:07 AM »

Hunter2 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2010, 02:20:46 PM »

Compound bows normally are narrower, which to me is better for tree stand use.

coyote170 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2010, 02:56:36 PM »

I have used my curve twice on a ladder stand,one was a two man the other
was a single,a little close but doeable,will be useing the Defender during
turkey season from the ladder stand and a ground blind,like the recurve
best,you learn to forgive little things and enjoy the bow.

Hunter2 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2010, 03:11:10 PM »

Thats very true you learn your equipment. I was pointing out one advantage I feel a coumpound has. A recurve is very user friendly from what owners post about them..

markc · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2010, 12:09:11 PM »

Okay guys, thank you for all of the info. I might just keep going with the Horton, replace the string, add optics etc. for next season. I just need to find a shop that handles X-bows regularly. Some of the archery shops either do not handle them, or are just now beginning to sell some, but have no experience with them.

longwinters · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2010, 12:38:50 PM »

People can argue till the next blue moon about whats better, but the thing to remember is that xbows are still facing a lot of anti-bias by people who want to draw the lines for everyone else, just like many of the trad shooters did when the compound came out. Ethical hunters will not gain much range over a vertical bow nor take more animals. Lets keep our discussions helpful.....even if guys like me do have a bit of a bias that recurve style is better

Long

Hunter2 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2010, 01:09:20 PM »

The shooter and archery experience seems to be the biggest factor with any bow. Know your equipment and its limitations and your own and take carefull shots. It seems I let more deer go, the shot wasnt what I wanted.

slayer · « **Reply #21 on:** January 09, 2010, 05:32:26 PM »

I have had my Excal Exocet 200 for years and I just love it. Easy to use and a great trigger. Is it a little wide-yes, but I have learned to deal with it.

Jack