Please allow me to introduce myself…

Crossbow Hunting

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HD Archer
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Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by HD Archer »

Howdy folks, I’m a total newbie to the world of crossbows so be gentle if I ask dumb or redundant questions. Although new to crossbows, I’m not new to archery. I’ve been shooting compounds, recurves, and longbows for nearly 40 years and my bow arm shoulder has about had all it can take.
I recently bought a used BD360 that supposedly had shot about a dozen arrows and then put away. Tuning a crossbow seems to be limited to adjusting brace height, (unless I’m missing something) if so, please enlighten me. Even though I have some Diablo arrows, I’d like to build some of my own. Any recommendations on which bare shafts to buy? Does anyone use feather fletching or are vanes the only way to go? Can vinyl wraps be used or does the friction from rail contact damage them?
Im sure I’ll have more questions. Many thanks to the administrators for allowing me here and a chance to learn more about my Excalibur.

-Dave
xcaliber
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by xcaliber »

Welcome aboard! Adjusting brace height just keeps the bow in the sweet spot, and reduces harm to the limbs, etc. You will have to adjust your scope to line up the chevrons at various distances once you zero your 20 yard main reticle. As far as arrows go, Black Eagle Zombie Slayers are very good, and the wraps don't really seem to hinder speed in my opinion.
These are my hunting arrows for my Matrix 380.

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racking up points
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by racking up points »

I’m a man of wealth and taste.

Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name!
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Boo
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by Boo »

If everything is right, yes, brace height is the only tuning on the bow. But just as importantly, like in any archery game, the arrow is the other part of the tuning process. FOC and vanes are mostly at play because the arrow sits on a deck at launch so there is no spine to adjust for. Diablos are way too light in the front end so you are on the right track. Like Dan said, Black Eagle Arrow Zombies are good but I am of the opinion that if you maintain a reasonable FOC, the Black Eagle Executioners are great too. Wraps are ok but they are on for appearance reasons and depending on how fussy you are, some of the marks that you get might bother you. If it does, use the clear wrap over top of your wrap to slow down the marks. It's all good and fun!
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Dominic
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by Dominic »

Hi Dave,
if you have not already done so, check all screws to make sure they are tight. Some screws will loosen over time if you don't use loctite, i.e. if you shoot a lot.
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by Hatchet »

Welcome to the forum HD. You came to the right place to ask questions. The guys here eat sleep and breathe Excalibur crossbows. And they really enjoy sharing their knowledge with us new guys.
Take care
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by Eck »

Welcome aboard! We were all there once. There is a tremendous amount of crossbow knowledge shared on this forum.
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HD Archer
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by HD Archer »

I greatly appreciate all the responses so far. I like that the BE Zombie Slayers are 25% stiffer than the Executioners although I’m not a fan of the gaudy graphics that adorn them. I am a fan of fairly heavy arrows and FOC in the 25% range. I have an ample supply of COC broadheads in the neighborhood of 175-200 grains, I expect I’ll end up with arrows totaling about 475-500 grain minimum. Are blazers the preferred vanes or is there something better? I’d also like to hear your opinions on using feathers as I have more than any one person should need in a lifetime.

-Dave
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janesy
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by janesy »

HD Archer wrote:
Fri Sep 24, 2021 11:20 am
Howdy folks, I’m a total newbie to the world of crossbows so be gentle if I ask dumb or redundant questions. Although new to crossbows, I’m not new to archery. I’ve been shooting compounds, recurves, and longbows for nearly 40 years and my bow arm shoulder has about had all it can take.
I recently bought a used BD360 that supposedly had shot about a dozen arrows and then put away. Tuning a crossbow seems to be limited to adjusting brace height, (unless I’m missing something) if so, please enlighten me. Even though I have some Diablo arrows, I’d like to build some of my own. Any recommendations on which bare shafts to buy? Does anyone use feather fletching or are vanes the only way to go? Can vinyl wraps be used or does the friction from rail contact damage them?
Im sure I’ll have more questions. Many thanks to the administrators for allowing me here and a chance to learn more about my Excalibur.

-Dave
Good score! The BD360 was a great bow. Kind of an anomaly as it wasn't on their website, sold only as dealer models out of the US, often bare bow packages. Maybe else where But I only ever saw it down South Really got the Excal crossbow world talking when it rolled out.

They were unique in that not only were they on the rare side, but they were also the first model to come out wearing the Stryker stock. Which is a great stock in my opinion.
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Boo
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by Boo »

You will get some different opinions. I like Blazers because they are super durable. I also have Silent Knights which while are possibly better at steering and lower in noise, the take zero abuse. The Blazers by contrast will take a pass through on a bag target and if wrinkled they straighten out with a bit of heat. I have a couple of different Bohning vanes and a couple of Vanetecs, but for my Excalibur, it's the Blazer. I have a couple of chopper and can make feathers if I want to, they are great for steering but I don't have the patience for taking care of them.
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janesy
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by janesy »

HD Archer wrote:
Fri Sep 24, 2021 6:19 pm
I greatly appreciate all the responses so far. I like that the BE Zombie Slayers are 25% stiffer than the Executioners although I’m not a fan of the gaudy graphics that adorn them. I am a fan of fairly heavy arrows and FOC in the 25% range. I have an ample supply of COC broadheads in the neighborhood of 175-200 grains, I expect I’ll end up with arrows totaling about 475-500 grain minimum. Are blazers the preferred vanes or is there something better? I’d also like to hear your opinions on using feathers as I have more than any one person should need in a lifetime.

-Dave
If you like heavy, high FOC arrows, scroll down a couple threads and check out Norms arrows. Double wall carbon zombies with all kinds of insert options.
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mr meat
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by mr meat »

Welcome! If you don’t like the labels on the shafts just rub them down with some acetone and they will disappear
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AJ01
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by AJ01 »

Welcome to the Forum HD!! :wave:

The Folks on here are pretty good guys with lots of info!! Make yourself at home!!

AJ
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HD Archer
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by HD Archer »

janesy wrote:
Fri Sep 24, 2021 6:31 pm
HD Archer wrote:
Fri Sep 24, 2021 6:19 pm
I greatly appreciate all the responses so far. I like that the BE Zombie Slayers are 25% stiffer than the Executioners although I’m not a fan of the gaudy graphics that adorn them. I am a fan of fairly heavy arrows and FOC in the 25% range. I have an ample supply of COC broadheads in the neighborhood of 175-200 grains, I expect I’ll end up with arrows totaling about 475-500 grain minimum. Are blazers the preferred vanes or is there something better? I’d also like to hear your opinions on using feathers as I have more than any one person should need in a lifetime.

-Dave
If you like heavy, high FOC arrows, scroll down a couple threads and check out Norms arrows. Double wall carbon zombies with all kinds of insert options.
Very interesting read, thanks.
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Re: Please allow me to introduce myself…

Post by Riflemanz »

Welcome to a great forum of very knowledgeable group of people.
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