Crossbow scopes

[Patcon]

Thanks Janesy
I will rifle hunt the later season in the same area, so I have the luxury of not worrying about any drop because my 30-06 has negligible drop out to 100 yards which is my longest available shot. Lots to think about guys
Thanks for the info...
Charles

[Patcon]

As far as your other post when you say 60 yards that's getting to be a long poke at a white-tail.

I agree, which is why I have held off on that until I have some time in the offseason to practice but you also have to remember my deer are substantially smaller than your deer

[mmc]

We each have differing needs in scope of choice. Some are perfectly happy with those few choices that are currently available.

I am holding onto my cash and waiting to see if anything new comes out, because I don't want the added weight, added cost, added moving parts (I own a recurve 'fer cryin' out loud!) and added sighting complexity of the HHA Optimizer on my crossbow.

I am looking for a GREAT all-in-one, extreme long range optics (100 yards plus) model offering at least 6x power and designed specifically for crossbows. I hope to see at least two reticule choices for that model AND I want to specify the parallax setting myself. I am looking for a very expensive, finely engineered scope. ONLY when it becomes available to me will I dump my wallet on the sales counter.

[SEW]

I am looking for a GREAT all-in-one, extreme long range optics (100 yards plus) model offering at least 6x power and designed specifically for crossbows. I hope to see at least two reticule choices for that model AND I want to specify the parallax setting myself. I am looking for a very expensive, finely engineered scope. ONLY when it becomes available to me will I dump my wallet on the sales counter.

There are more than just you in this boat, but not many. Likely not enough to justify such a scope. I want the same. An Optimizer/VXR or other great scope is as close as it gets now. The XB75 has some of what you want. It could have been a XB100 just as easily.
1st focal plane had its drawbacks. All available dedicated xbow scope have their drawbacks.
The Optimizer/Duralyt 2-8 lighted is my answer on my 400 & 405.

[mmc]

I am expecting the market for high end optics to grow rapidly and soon. The crossbow industry has completed two of the three stages that all high tech products go through to the point of (everyone wants one/gotta have it) mass acceptance and adoption.

This new growth in development of the traditional crossbow industry toward higher speed, longer range, and greater power in smaller packages began well before new laws began to be passed allowing crossbows to be used for hunting game animals.

The first stage of growth consists of the Visionaries and their Ideas, seeking to improve the product through new applications of technology and materials science. There are very few players among the Visionaries, but they are the pioneers, the movers and shakers that determine a products' viability and its future. Groundbreaking new products are rolled out within this stage providing excitement and opportunity for those craving them the most. Bill T is certainly a recognized pioneer within this group.

The second stage consists of the Early Adopters and their testing and further development of ideas and materials into practical designs. There are many working together (and many others competing) for a share of the young markets within this stage of growth, each bringing refinements to new ideas and applying them to the product. In this stage, proof-of-concept performance is attained that the Visionaries set out to prove possible many years earlier. Bill T is certainly a leading pioneer among this group as well.

This third stage, Mass Acceptance and Adoption by the general populations of a technologically superior performing product is where we are right now within the crossbow industry. This is just the beginning folks... Sales of these hot new crossbow products will continue to grow more rapidly as the public becomes more exposed to, and made more aware of their potentials, with their compact size and light weight providing ease of handling, the increases in speed, in power, and still untapped accuracy potentials, the glamor surrounding all these accomplishments and through decreasing costs due to competition. We haven't seen this explosion in crossbow sales just yet... but its building in pressure, it is here and now and it is accelerating. This stage will require years to mature just as the previous two stages have. It will generate incredible sales and become an entirely new force for development and change within the industry. This stage reaching its maturity will show us all what Bill T was dreaming of and working for.

There will be many fine long range crossbow scopes to choose from in a short time. The only question for me is... will I maintain my patience? Or will I cave? I doubt I'll care much about that until January has passed.

[SEW]

MMC,
Very well expressed, and hopefully very accurate. In the meantime, an Optimizer lets you use the scope of your choice while the wait for the xbow scope that has it all.

[racking up points]

I use the HHA/VXR combo on my Matrix and I'm very happy with it. It allows me to use any mag I want, and to use a scope with far better glass than anything termed a "crossbow scope."

I am also very fond of the VXR Patrol 1.25-4x which is on my Micro. This tactical, lightweight scope has elevation turrets which I can dial in ten yard increments to 50y, (I can go further if I want to), or I can use the mil dots for holdovers out to 50y and beyond. It has long range potential too - if I dial up to 50y, the reticle has mil dots below that would be usable out to 100y but that is not what This setup was intended for. I use this setup in tight shooting quarters where a 20-30y shot is expected.

[Czy_Horse]

I like the glass in the Ziess XB75 and the 2.5 yard markings are really really close out to 75 yards. I currently have it on my 380 Lynx . Using the Lynx with snow on the ground the requirement for a lit reticle is should not really be required.
I have the Vortex XBR on my 380 Xtra . The XBR has very very good glass. To get the most from this scope you need to know and understand how you can use the MOA reticle, turret and zoom settings to match your hunting conditions. The stand I hunted last night is located in heavy cover with a dense over head canopy, visibility is usually in the 20 yard range at the end of legal shooting time. The longest shooting lane is 28 yards, with a heavy trail at 16 yards and less used trail at 28 yards. The XBR is zeroed at 30 yards, turret set at '0', once in the stand I dialed down the turret to set the reticle cross-hairs to 20 yards, then I set the zoom to 2.5X, to suit the expected close in, low light hunting conditions. Last weekend I was hunting the edge of a field, I was expecting to see deer enter the field 40 yards away, I dialed up the turret to set the reticle cross-hairs for 40 yards, then the zoom setting to 5X, to match those conditions. Return the turret to '0' and the cross-hairs are back to the 30 yard zero. The amount to dial up/down the turret you record during your target practice sessions.
Both the Ziess XB75 and Vortex XBR have excellent light transmission.

CzY_Horse

[robertyb]

I sort of disagree with having to understand the MOA retical. I simply sighted mine in at 20 yards and then used the magnification (speed dial) to adjust it where 30-40-50-60 were dead on and then using a blank tape found 30-40-50-60 on my turret by clicking and shooting and marked them in ink. I do sort of understand MOA but found that it does not really matter for a crossbow at short ranges.

[mmc]

Thanks for all the additional info and features discussions concerning scopes! I learned a lot more than I knew...

Come February I gotta make that decision. I passed up on the big Vortex XBR price cut when they were closing them out. That and an HHA would have bought some additional patience. Looking back, and with February approaching that probably was a big mistake!

[L. E. Carroll]

In my particular case, I'm of the understanding that a crossbow is a short range bow that I may on rare occassion play with at ranges beyond 45 yards.

To me arrows are expensive and hard to replace when lost. So I keep my shots within my limits for the best chance of recovering them. Therefore for my everyday hunting conditions which is where I believe most of us use our Bows, I feel many really high dollar scopes are a bit of overkill.

Please don't get me wrong as I have 11 rifles with Leupold MX 2 & 3's ranging from the MX3...1x5 on my M-600 Rem, in 350 Rem mag, thru the ultra lite 2x7's, LRR 3x9's and a 3 1/2 x10 on the 300 Ultra Mag up to a couple extreme long range varmint rifles wearing 30MM tubed 6 1/2 x 20's.

I do realize the need for exceptional optics at extended ranges and under certain hunting conditions.. I just feel the ranges and conditions I shoot and hunt in with my 3 Excal's can sufficiently be handled with less costly models such as a Hawke XB-1 and the XB30 PRO's with illumination out to 60 yards and graduations out to 100 as well as the Leupold Crossbones 2x7 with it's fine optics.... both are models I presently own and use, which come with lifetime warranties and leave a bit over after the purchase, for more supporting gear such as a good pair of binos or to repace those arrows that I do loose.

I also readily agree that both the Nikon Bolt and Redfield Revenge are excellent scopes, light years ahead of most of the package models, with great warranties, though lacking in an illumination feature if looking for one,

When guys ask me for a reccomendation for something "to Hunt With" that's better than the "Package" scope included with their bows, these are models I always feel justified in reccomending that won't break the bank.

Gene

[sportsman700]

I have 2 Zeiss XB75 and like them alot, Just put one up for sale because Son don't like it on his Xbow..

[8ptbuk]

One of the Best scopes for the money Ive seen is the Nikon Bolt, For $150 its hard to beat ! It's not lighted though, Lighted scopes and Rangefinders are great as long as they don't blind you at the edge of dark .

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[mmc]

Yeah, I get what you are saying Gene. The reasons why I like to shoot long distances are many, and all have to do with improvement and growth through self-challenge. I love to shoot... I get bored quickly with a 60 yard crossbow boundary.

If I were a younger man (my shoulders are both junk now) I may be found out back throwing spears from a treestand into tennis balls tossed on the ground. Why? Its fun and challenging and I could eat very well tossing a heavy VPA broadhead tipped staff accurately.

I appreciate these scope chats... thanks!

[MTBighorn]

I may be the odd man out here....but I Like the Tact-Zone that came on my bows!..They really do work good...I shoot out to 115 yards with mine. It even has illumination in 2 colors! Tonight I was shooting right up until darkness...and the light gathering ability of the little scope was VERY obvious. Perfect for 100 yards or under.

And the best part,,.. the scope is guaranteed Excalibur and it came in the box with my bow