New Excalibur owner that would appreciate any and all advice

[MC45]

Hello all. I have ordered an Ibex for a Christmas present. I am a long time hunter and bow hunter but this crossbow is totally new for me. I am a MS resident and crossbows during archery season is very recent in this state. I am hanging on to my Mathews vertical just in case but I am excited about the crossbow. I looked up as much as I could before ordering and in my price range nothing seemed to have better reviews than the Ibex or Axiom. I preferred the Ibex stock so that is why I chose it. I have always shot 100 grain heads with a bow but from what I am learning I need to maybe be looking at the heavier heads for more FOC. I also like the idea of the heavier Easton fmj bolts.

Like I said I am open to anything you would like to tell me to help me change over from the vertical bow. Thanks so much!

[wilkster]

you won't be disapointed , excalibur makes the best ,i am also seasoned hunter and made the switch to crossbow for various reasons the main was that i introduced my 12yr daughter the crossbow (to small can't draw a 40lbs bow yet)and it really opens the hunt up for younger hunters and other hunters that can"t draw and hold a compound accurately any more.we run the newer compact matrix but have few friends with other excalibur models.just like archery equipment choosing the right arrow and tuning broad heads for your set up is a must.exspect sub 2" groups out to 60yrds with rite selection never could achieve that with my coumpound bow

[Alahunter]

You will not regret it. I bought an Excalibar for this season and my seven-year-old son killed his first deer a seven-point last Tuesday. We will never forget thanksgiving 2013.

[awshucks]

Kinda late now, but call Danny Miller @ [740] 483-2313 and get a stringing aid [needed to adj bheights], check out his arrow pulling pliers, and maybe order an extra string. He makes all of Excals strings for them. It will come w/ an Excel string, fwiw.

He'll also answer your arrow/bhead questions, an all around great guy..........

[vixenmaster]

Congrats on yer Ibex. X2 on Danny Miller

[Alahunter]

If you are trying to stay in that price range and you ordered the package deal the arrows that Excalibur sends with the crossbow should be accurate enough. Then if you want to spend more money you can upgrade later. The boltcutter broadheads have worked well for me.

[MC45]

Thanks everyone. I have looked at the bolt cutters. I may go that route since they are 150 grains. A little smaller cutting diameter than what I am used to.

[MC45]

Will it hurt anything if I try a 100 grain head just to see how they shoot? Will it make the supplied fire bolt too light and damage bow? I know with a vertical bow you try to have at least 5 grains per pound of pull. Do the excalibur's have a minimum weight of bolt?

[georgiaboy]

If you stay at or above 350gr total you will be fine. I had my Ibex sighted in with the stock firebolt (268gr) and a 100gr spitfire...Baaad medicine!!
And welcome to the forum!!

[Fred T]

Congrats on your Ibex,I think you will like it.I purchased one in the spring and love it.I too prefered the thumbhole stock over the Axiom.I have shot 100gr field points with the stock Firebolt arrows and they shot great at the 20 and 30 yds I tried them at.A 100gr fixed blade BH may not fly quite aswell but give it a try if you already have some.Minimum arrow weight is 350gr.

[Olmanstand]

Congratulations ! I like mine, she put two does in the freezer! I put the S5, a munch mount, and a excal fast flight. It would have killed without all that, but I'm a tinker'er... May get a triggertech in the off season, mine has some creep.

I love how one can adjust brace height / change a string in seconds!!!

[awshucks]

I have always shot 100 grain heads with a bow but from what I am learning I need to maybe be looking at the heavier heads for more FOC.

There ya go! If you get new arrows, ask for brass inserts, then 100 gr will almost always work.

Your present arrows will shoot good w/ 150 gr Boltcutter

[chrisbp]

...
Like I said I am open to anything you would like to tell me to help me change over from the vertical bow. Thanks so much!

I test the Ibex before, if you want to know, here is the URL:
http://goo.gl/cLJAea
Hope that would help when you dispatch the bolts with this bad boy