Need assistance for first crossbow

[baconzeppelin]

Hi folks!
I'll try to keep this short and sweet. I'm looking to get my first (and probably only crossbow) soon. Problem is - I can't seem to decide on recurve vs compound.
For recurves I mostly worry about the lack of kinetic energy at my price point (600 dollar kit, hard limit) for that, I can get an ibex (can't get comfortable with that traditional axiom stock) which will impact the target at 40 yd with 66 ft.lbs (according to excal.) or a compound such as the carbon express sls which will carry about 40% more energy.
On the other hand, compounds worry me because of the stories i've read online of components failing, strings/servings/cables needing a press, and how a single dry fire will ruin the unit.

If any folks here have owned both types or can even comment on just one, how worried should I be about the kinetic energy of an ibex (up to moose eventually, as I'll likely be moving from southern ontario up north in a year), and how much more costly will a compound like the sls cost to maintain?(assuming I clean/lube/oil it regularly). I'm finding it hard to find information about serving/string/cable life online.

I realize I probably wont get the most balanced viewpoint here but I figure the more people I ask, the better decision I can make.

So much for short and sweet

[Boo]

The lowliest Excalibur (if there is one) will provide you ample power for most things that walk this continent. The bow used in the article below is the lowliest in the Excalibur power range. A sharp broadhead cast from a 40 lb recurve traditional bow will zip through a Whitetail Deer. You have nothing to worry about using any of the Excalibur hunting bows.
http://www.frow.ca/moose/crossbow/

[baconzeppelin]

except that moose kill was from 5 yards away.

[Amrap]

I bought a Matrix 355 from Dunhams for $630 after using a 30% off coupon. If you have one in your area I highly recommend doing the same thing. I am very happy with mine. The one thing I don't like about recurves is the noise, but trade off of simplicity is worth it. I like the fact that I am able to change strings on my own without the use of a bow press. The overall package of the matrix is also the nicest I have looked at. The scope is clear and illuminated with 20 30 40 50 60yd markers (even at 60yds the bolts are difficult to get out of my 3d targets, so no worries on the loss of kinetic energy), the 4 bolts fly great, and the rope cocker already sized right makes you question if it really is 240lbs. I haven't had to deal with Excalibur's customer service, but if it means anything to you. I hear it is second to none. I hope my opinion helps and good luck in the field.

[baconzeppelin]

I wish I could get in on that too but most large outdoors stores are US only. I pretty much just have amazon, basspro, and cabelas (online only) to work with, as well as your occasional independent dealers, but there aren't too many.

[tharris811]

I have a ibex a exomax and a ten point gt mag...Like the Ibex don't get no better

[bowmaker]

Here is what I can tell you. I have an Axiom that I just bougth last March. Sunday morning I used it to kill my first crossbow deer. It was a decent size buck that I shot at about 18 yards. I was using Schwaker 125 grain broadheads on Firebolt arrows with Nocturnal nocks. At the shot I could see the glow of the nock hit the deer right where I wanted and then it disapeared until the deer spun and took off. Then there it was sticking in the bank behind the deer. I watched the deer run a ways and then lost sight of but heard it crash as it rolled down a creek bank dead as a hammer, about 70 yards away. The arrow had entered high up on the rib cage on the entry side and exited lower down and clipped the edge of the off front leg. At the entry the broadhead cut clear through a rib, slice up the lungs and cut through another rib on the way out and clipped the leg bone leaving a gaping 2 inch wound channel. The chest cavity was completely full of blood and bubbles when I field dressed it. I can only speak about my experence so I don't know anything about 40 yard shots or game as large as moose, but after seeing what happened to my deer I would not be concerned about harvesting something larger. I chose the Axiom because I liked the traditional stock better and the safty was much harder to reach on the Ibex with the thumb hole stock, and especially with gloves on. The simplicity of these recurve Excaliburs are a huge selling point for me, because I can do virtually every thing for my self. While speed and energy may be important, if the arrow passes clear through then there is less than 100 percent of the energy used. If you normally don't need 100 percent of the energy, what ever that number is, then why buy more than what you need at this point. The Ibex or Axiom will both perform to the same level and will kill virtually any thing I will ever want to shoot with it, especially with good shot placement and good very sharp broadheads.

[flightattendant100]

With the introduction of the Matrix series of bows last year, the prices for the higher poundage non-Matrix bows (Exomax and Equinox) have become somewhat depressed. I'll bet if you look you can find an Exomax or Equinox for what you are talking about spending.I know that there are some real bargains on the used bow market and with Excals quality and warranty you dont have a lot to be worried about. Just a thought but I'll bet you can find one you really like and can afford.

[Kegbelly]

[quote="bowmaker" The simplicity of these recurve Excaliburs are a huge selling point for me, because I can do virtually every thing for my self. [/quote]

X2. Simplicity, reliability, durability.
Don't rule out buying a used Excalibur either, you might can get a lot more bow and still stay well within your budget. I bought mine used, pushing 10 yrs old now and still drives tacks. Couple interesting ones on the Trading Post right now.
Look closely at the build quality of some compounds, you're likely to see a lot of plastic... plastic cams, plastic rails, plastic risers, etc. I'm not knocking anyone's bow at all, my best Bud just bought a compound xbow and it's fast and accurate, but I can't help but wonder about the long term reliability of all the plastic parts. I think you'd be money ahead in the long run with the Excal.

[Fred T]

I bought an Ibex in part for the the reasons posted above,great build quality,simplicity and reliability.I was worried about potential issues with the compound bow's I was also considering.This after having read some less than confidence inspiring tales of failures and poor follow up service.I have to say after having this bow since march,I really like it a lot.It is easy to dial in so it is dead nutz accurate,easy to maintain and change strings etc. and by all accounts backed up by great CS.

[Ibex]

Buy the Ibex. Plenty fast enough. Easier to cock. My serving just broke and if I had a compound crossbow I would have had to put hunting on hold. With my Ibex I simply put a new string on. Buy the Ibex.

Fran

[Knymc]

I just bought the Axiom 2 weeks ago. Love it. Very accurate. Hope to take it on its first hunt in the morning.

I was unsure which bow to get as well. Axiom and Ibex both in my price range. Only place near me had one Excalibur to hold, it was an Axiom. So I had nothing to compare it to. Like the idea of the thumb hole stock, read reviews on it, but wasn't sure. I was able to get the Axiom cheaper though. So since it was the only one I had held, was cheaper, and I don't bow hunt every weekend, decided on the less expensive one to get me started. If I continue to use it and wanna move up in a couple years I can. Just get one is all I can say.

[wabi]

I've never hunted with an Excalibur above 175#. I haven't kept good records over the years, but I'd say I've probably shot well over 20 deer. I've never failed to get a complete pass-thru, but I have had 2 arrows hit the off side leg and end up broken. Still had an entrance & exit wound and a short blood trail.

I've also owned compounds, but when I bought the first Excalibur I never looked back and never have even considered another compound. I've also let a couple friends shoot my Excalibur and they soon purchased an Excalibur and that is all they hunt with now.

[nchunterkw]

I owned 2 Horton Legend compound crossbows and took many deer with them. Had to replace limbs on both, and pay to have my string - and cable changed every time. One of them came apart in my hands as I tried to cock it when one of the cam pins bent. I was lucky and did not get hurt. After that I bought my first Excal - a Vortex and have never looked back. If I had 1 shot to buy a1 crossbow that needed to last me 20 years, I would buy an Excal. Any Excal. Don't worry about KE. A properly tuned arrow with some weight to it, with a sharp broadhead when fired from an Ibex will pass through any animal in North America.