Folks,
I am in the market for a crossbow. Longtime deer hunter with some compound bow experience and lots of firearms experience. I am about to purchase my first crossbow. Usage is anticipated to be regular target practice (around 500 bolts per year), and approximately 6-10 days of whitetail deer hunting per season. Any input would be most appreciated. Here are my specifications:
1) Design: compound, not recurve.
2) Budget: $700-$1500, for a crossbow + scope + bolts and field tips. I'll buy additional bolts + broadheads, etc., after shooting it a bit.
3) Form factor: fairly compact. I hunt from treestands and blinds.
4) Lefty friendly: I am left handed, and insist on a 100% ambidextrous crossbow design.
5) Cocking: I like the crank system on the Ravin, and I like the easy letdown on the Sub1. I am fit and strong, but see no reason, given modern technology, to purchase a heavy to cock crossbow.
6) Trigger: No junk, grit, creep, slop, etc.
7) Scope: The supplied Ravin scope should be okay to start, although the reticle seems a bit busy. The Hawk also looks ok. Where I hunt, we get action at last light, so an HHA-based scope system may not work out well (hard to read dial in low light).
8) Build quality: I don't want a budget buster with low build quality/ poor fit and finish.
9) Pro shop independence: I prefer to do my own maintenance and would like to avoid dealing with a pro shop. Buying a press down the road to change strings is ok.
10) Speed: I don't need bleeding edge speed, but nothing pokey.
At the top of the price range, the two I like are the Mission Sub1 and the Ravin 9, with me leaning more heavily toward the Ravin 9 because I like the compact design and the arrow rest design. (I like the Mission Sub1 because 2 of my buddies have Mission crossbows and love them; the Matthews ownership; Sub1's small size; and the great reviews.) However, this weapon will be part of my weapons arsenal, and in an occasional use rotation with firearms and a compound bow. So, if there is something pretty darn nice at around $800, that would intrigue me. Once I get to around $1,000, I am inclined to just pay a few hundred more and get a Sub1 or a Ravin 9.
Any input would be most appreciated . Thank you.
I am in the market for a crossbow. Longtime deer hunter with some compound bow experience and lots of firearms experience. I am about to purchase my first crossbow. Usage is anticipated to be regular target practice (around 500 bolts per year), and approximately 6-10 days of whitetail deer hunting per season. Any input would be most appreciated. Here are my specifications:
1) Design: compound, not recurve.
2) Budget: $700-$1500, for a crossbow + scope + bolts and field tips. I'll buy additional bolts + broadheads, etc., after shooting it a bit.
3) Form factor: fairly compact. I hunt from treestands and blinds.
4) Lefty friendly: I am left handed, and insist on a 100% ambidextrous crossbow design.
5) Cocking: I like the crank system on the Ravin, and I like the easy letdown on the Sub1. I am fit and strong, but see no reason, given modern technology, to purchase a heavy to cock crossbow.
6) Trigger: No junk, grit, creep, slop, etc.
7) Scope: The supplied Ravin scope should be okay to start, although the reticle seems a bit busy. The Hawk also looks ok. Where I hunt, we get action at last light, so an HHA-based scope system may not work out well (hard to read dial in low light).
8) Build quality: I don't want a budget buster with low build quality/ poor fit and finish.
9) Pro shop independence: I prefer to do my own maintenance and would like to avoid dealing with a pro shop. Buying a press down the road to change strings is ok.
10) Speed: I don't need bleeding edge speed, but nothing pokey.
At the top of the price range, the two I like are the Mission Sub1 and the Ravin 9, with me leaning more heavily toward the Ravin 9 because I like the compact design and the arrow rest design. (I like the Mission Sub1 because 2 of my buddies have Mission crossbows and love them; the Matthews ownership; Sub1's small size; and the great reviews.) However, this weapon will be part of my weapons arsenal, and in an occasional use rotation with firearms and a compound bow. So, if there is something pretty darn nice at around $800, that would intrigue me. Once I get to around $1,000, I am inclined to just pay a few hundred more and get a Sub1 or a Ravin 9.
Any input would be most appreciated . Thank you.
