My New Crossbow

[Skunk]

Hello fellow Archers,

Well I have to thank you folks. I did a bit of researching and fun-reading here in the crossbow forum, and I ordered a new crossbow today. I'm pretty excited. I've always had a fascination with crossbows, but when it came time to being able to afford one, I always ended up buying a new rifle instead.

I've been wanting to hunt the deer archery season for a long time, but my old worn out shoulder makes it hard to pull a compound bow. Not impossible, but very uncomfortable. I can get a crossbow hunting permit, so I decided to get a crossbow. My criteria was to buy a good quality, entry level setup, that had an excellent mechanical cocking system. So here's what I got: (The hat sealed the deal for me )



It's suppose to shoot at around 300 fps, have a Draw Weight of 175 lbs., with 84 ft/lbs of Kinetic Energy. Also ordered the Progressive Dampening Package that is supposed to reduce noise and vibration, which if I understand correctly, will slow the bow down by a few fps:



The dealer had a nice Mossy Oak Breakup, Soft Case, made by Allen, so I picked that up too.

I've heard and read good reviews about the Tenpoint line, especially about their ACUdraw system. I figured it would also be just as accurate as the other brands. At least it won't likely spray arrows out like Patriot Missiles hunting down SCUDS.

So, did I do OK? I bought it from a local dealer that specializes in archery, so if I have any tech problems, I can probably take those to him. But, do you folks have any advice, comments, recommendations, critiques, reviews, horror stories, success stories, anything? I'm all eyes (to read). Thanks.

[mirage1988]

Cool x-bow Skunk
You'll find bowhunting to be so different from rifle hunting that you'll wonder why it took so long to discover it. Warm weather, unspooked deer, the list goes on..... My only recommendation is invest in a thermacell, they really work.

[Skunk]

Thanks Mirage. I'll tell you Mirage, you hit the nail squarely on the head about the warmer weather. And the season is so much longer too. The ThermaCELL sounds like a good idea. Do they work very well if its windy?

[mirage1988]

Havn't tried it in the wind as it's usually not too buggy when its windy. You can actually see the skeeters stay about 3 feet away.

[rickyp]

You should have held off on the damping kit, Ten point has a new bowjax dampening kit coming out soon that they say works better then the one you ordered.

I have had a ten point for about 3 years now and have had several issues with it. I just had to have one of the first phantoms that came out so it was a few bugs that needed to be worked out.  I will say ten point took care of every one of the issues  with out any questions. they are great people to deal with.

My phantom is on the way back to the factory right now.  I was hunting last Thursday and shot a squirrel at almost 10 yards. then an hour latter I shot a little doe.  That is when I did something stupid. I sat my bow on the deer stand and turned around to watch the deer, I heard a sound when I turned back I saw my bow falling to the ground. it landed right on the quiver and destroyed the 2 arrows I had in it along with the quiver.

I called ten point Friday and got the Return authorization number and told them what happened. I asked about the turn around and saying  to them I take it that you will have my bow 3 or 4 weeks. the woman (Barb) laughed at me and said they should have it no more then 3 days..

[longwinters]

Hey, you made a good choice...even if I am an Excalibur fan.  Ya gotta watch out for those free hat offers, they'll get you everytime.

Since you went with 10pt I'd check and see if their site has an xbow forum.

Long

[Skunk]

Rickyp,

Sounds like they have pretty decent customer service. The dampening kit didn't cost all that much. I'll give it a try and if it doesn't work out, I'll get the new kit. I could give the old kit away on the PIF forum. I'm so new to crossbows, I'd probably never know if it's helping anyway.

LongWinters,

I hear ya. A man has to have a good hat collection. I already checked for the Tenpoint forum and they have one. It doesn't seem to get a lot of action, but I noticed that a representative of the company does come on and answer questions. In fact, Rickyp posts there.

[rickyp]

Yes I do    They are good people over there and do answer all your questions.  it may not be what you want to hear or how you want but they do respond.

They do ask people to call them and go over the issue rather then talk about it in the public forum. To be honest I would rather talk to a live person them wait on them to get back on the forum.

I had an issue with my accudraw while  out in the field target shooting. I called them and they walked me trough how to fix it on the spot. I have found it is very easy to  get an American that speaks English as a first language on the phone in a very timely manner.


Did you get the stedy eddie?

What arrows you going to use and what B.H. are you going to use?

I have have been hunting with mine for a few years now and have taken about  10 deer with it and a few squirrels to boot.

[theoldarcher]

Congrat's Skunk.  Nice looking rig.

To back up the thermacell idea: I have had mosquitos swarm from the swamp I hunt next to and try to make life really, really miserable.  And they used to!  Now I carry a small screw in that normally is used to hand shovels on--you know, they look like a small tuning fork with a screw on one end.  Anyway, I screw it in my tree either off to my side, or under my seat depending on which stand I am in, and the thermacell lays flat on the forks.  The cover I bought with the unit has straps that I use to tie it to the forks, making it nearly impossible to knock off. 

Mirage is right: you can see the buggers staying away a few feet.  And I have had deer right under me, down wind of me, and never had it spook deer.

Good luck with the new rig!

Arch

[Skunk]

I have found it is very easy to  get an American that speaks English as a first language on the phone in a very timely manner.

Did you get the stedy eddie?

What arrows you going to use and what B.H. are you going to use?

I also like that the Tenpoint is made by hard working Americans right here in the good ole U.S.A. In doing the research prior to buying the X-bow, I found the advertising and pictures (for example, of Barb) from Tenpoint to create a sort of family atmosphere. For some reason, that seemed important, and helped sway the decision towards Tenpoint.

I've looked at the Steady Eddy and read a few reviews. I like it. That might just be something I'll get in the near future.

As for the arrows and broad heads, I'm probably going to go with the Tenpoint pro elite carbon arrows. I read good reviews of the Spitfire 3-blade Broad Heads by NAP, so I'll probably just get the Tenpoint carbon arrows that come with the 100 grain Spitfires for starters, to see how they shoot. Another Broad Head that I was looking at is the Rage 2-blade. If you or anyone else has recommendations on arrows and broad heads, I'd appreciate hearing them.

Also, it ends up that when the dealer called in the order to Tenpoint yesterday, he was informed that the dampening kit would be sent after the bow because Tenpoint is sending the new dampening kit rather than the kit in the picture above. So it looks like I'll get the new dampening kit that you mentioned earlier, after all. The dealer said it was going to cost a little more too.

[Skunk]

Congrat's Skunk.  Nice looking rig.

Now I carry a small screw in that normally is used to hand shovels on--you know, they look like a small tuning fork with a screw on one end.  Anyway, I screw it in my tree either off to my side, or under my seat depending on which stand I am in, and the thermacell lays flat on the forks.  The cover I bought with the unit has straps that I use to tie it to the forks, making it nearly impossible to knock off.

Thanks Arch, I think it will serve its purpose well as a good entry level setup.

OK, you and Mirage have sold me on the ThermaCELL. This means that if I use the termacell, I'll never have to buy another bottle of bug dope again, right? Excellent mounting system that you devised there Arch. One difference though, is that my setup will probably be some type of a ground blind as my days of climbing up trees are pretty much history. I wonder if using the thermacell at ground level would have any adverse effects on the deer?

[theoldarcher]

I have a bucket with a swivel seat that carries some camo cloth and threaded rods with unions that they screw into.  I set up under some cedar trees if the wind is right, fix the rod pieces to the length I want and shove one end into the ground, drape the camo cloth on the rods and tie some off on low branches with black fishing line I leave attached to the fabric, and maybe add a stick or three to aid breaking up any outline.  I then sit on the seat behind the camo cloth, fire up the thermacell and lay it on a small flat piece of wood that is also in the bucket.  The fumes from the cell have never seemed to bother deer.  I think you'll come to love having a thermacell with you.

Arch

[rickyp]

I use the 100 gr spitfires and they work great and fly just like a field point.

I have a bunch of the carbon arrows that came with my bow but have not used them.

I mostly use 2219 and 2216 arrows and I make my own so I weight tune them to be about the same weight.

When I hunt i have 2 2219 with the spitfire I have a 2216 with an Allen 100 gr or NAP thunderhead 100 gr. and maybe a 2219 with a G5 small game point or  a second 2216 with cheap er B.H.

The 2219 have the lumi knock and are only shot from a tree stand where I have a high chance of recovering the arrow. the 2216 are my fire and forget arrows. I will shoot them from the ground or when I have a good chance of loosing one. I figured that the 2219 are about $30 bucks each when I make them and the 2216 are about $10.00 each.

and they both shoot to about the same point.

Have you decided on a target yet?

[Skunk]

Hmm, that's a good question Ricky. What would you suggest?

[rickyp]

you need to use the morral crossbow BAG target for field points. if you use a  "foam" type like the animal ones you will have a hard time getting the arrows out and will not be good for a lot of shooting. the crossbow bag target  will stop my arrows from the phantom with no issue and it only takes two fingers to remove the arrow. and they are not that expensive.

When I come in to my truck from hunting I have a decocking arrow I keep in the truck. I shoot it at a rineheart ball foam target. it is a bout the size of a basket ball and is black and green and is about $30. It stops the arrows but is a pain in the butt to pull it out but I normally only take one shot and that is to decock the bow.   I just get it out of the back of my truck and toss it out in the field, guess the distance and shoot it. it is good practice for shooting off hand as well.

stay away from the junk they sell at wall mart and other discount targets. they will not hold up and may not stop the arrow at all. a clean pass trough is never good.

[Skunk]

Hey, that's a good little tidbit of info to know there Ricky. Thanks. So If I'm understanding correctly, I can shoot field points into a target like this one:

MORRELL YELLOW JACKET CROSSBOW F/P TARGET



And I can shoot Broad Heads into a target like this one:

MORRELL YELLOW JACKET CROSSBOW B/H



And the reason I need these special targets is because a X-Box hits a little harder and these types of targets have been beefed up a bit?

I've also seen the Rinehart foam ball target in which you referred. I'll check those out too. Ground is pretty rocky in some places in my neck of the woods.



I can see this is just like firearms - there is no end to the things you have to have.

[Skunk]

I have a bucket with a swivel seat that carries some camo cloth and threaded rods with unions that they screw into.  I set up under some cedar trees if the wind is right, fix the rod pieces to the length I want and shove one end into the ground, drape the camo cloth on the rods and tie some off on low branches with black fishing line I leave attached to the fabric, and maybe add a stick or three to aid breaking up any outline.  I then sit on the seat behind the camo cloth, fire up the thermacell and lay it on a small flat piece of wood that is also in the bucket.  The fumes from the cell have never seemed to bother deer.  I think you'll come to love having a thermacell with you.

Excellent info Arch! I now have a great model to work with. You guys are going to make a Pro out of me here - and one that isn't covered with bug bites. 

[rickyp]

the bag target you have on top is the one I have. I already went trough one but I really didn't take care of it it stayed out in the weather and i was very close to getting a pass trough.

The ball target is the one i  take with me to decock the bow.  I was just shooting into the ground but i broke several arrows and lost a few and it got expensive  fast.

I have no experience the B.h. target. I do not shoot my spitfire unless it is to shoot a deer. I do have a few heads with practice blades in it.

I will tell you  do not shoot a bag target with a B.H. it isn't good.

I will give you some advice about target shooting, do not shoot more then one arrow at the same aming point.

[coyote170]

Good choice skunk,you will love that bow,Ihave two of them
a GT Curve and a Defender they are great to shoot!Enjoy!

[Skunk]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Coyote. I'm getting really excited now. Ordered it on Monday and it should be here tomorrow, Saturday at the most.