First off,try and shoot some if you can to pick the one that fits you best.

Compound Crossbows are usually faster than recurves crossbows(but not always)But theres more to worry about something happening to the cables,string,cams.Their good in ground blinds

Recurve Crossbows require less matenience(just have a string,no cams or cables)but are usually slower than compounds but in my opinion not enought to matter.MAY have some trouble with limb width inside a ground blind.

I like recurves because their simple,not alot to worry about on them other than the string.(which can be changed while hunting if using a excalibur)Sometimes I miss not having blazing speeds but then realize theres really no need for it.

So it depends on what your looking for...Speed and a little bit more maintenance OR simplicity but a little bit less speed.

 

I use a recurve. Because you can not get more simple or trouble free than that. No tuning, cables, wheels, cams, etc. As for speed, my TenPoint GT power mag is plenty fast. BUT I notice most seem to prefer the compound.

 

Recurve for me too.

Recurves are simple machines with very little to go wrong.
Recurves are easy to re-string out in the field in a matter of minutes.
Recurves require a bit more cocking effort and are a bit less powerful than a compound of equivalent size/weight/quality.
Recurves are also a bit wider than compounds, on account of their long limbs required for the power. My Excaliburs are only a couple of inches less than 3ft wide.
.
But here's the real killer for compounds:
A damaged string on a compound needs professional tools and skill to change (which costs $$$ and may require the bow to be sent elsewhere for re-stringing).
You definitely won't be able to replace a compound's damaged string "out in the field".

 

I agree

 

Just today I unstrung and restrung two recurves several times to adjust brace height in a matter of minutes .... using nothing but a hand made stringer...no press needed. Wider, yes, built like a tank. There is a very good reason Excal offers a no questions asked lifetime warranty: nothing to go wrong.

 

I like the compound crossbow because it's only 26" wide. There's more maintenance on them but I do my own work on the crossbow so it works for me. Recurves have less maintenance if thats what works for you. Shoot them both.

 

The Excal recurve is a simple bow for simple people that appreciate simple solutions and top quality construction.

The TenPoint compound is a sophisticated bow for sophisticated people that appreciate precision engineering and top quality construction.

 

LOL

we could say excaliburs are for people who like to shoot crossbows and compounds are for people who like to play with their bows

the width is a legitimate issue. That is the one issue where a compound xbow does have a real advantage. The reasons why most people hunt with vertical compounds vs recurves or longbows do not come into play with crossbows

 

I have to give the recurve crossbow the nod as well . Less is more . No cams less trouble and do my own service right in the field if needed.

 

Width matters to me and I therefore use my compounds. I own a recurve crossbow, but have never taken it hunting.

I like a more narrow bow whether in a ground blind or a treestand and just find them more maneuverable. Recurves are generally lighter.

My TenPoint Defender CLS is VERY narrow and I have my eye on their new Turbo (13.5 axle to axle when cocked).

Regardless, try to get to someplace you can handle bows of each type. This is a highly personal choice and you will shoulder something that just feels right.

Good luck and keep us posted on your choice.

 

When I started bowhunting years ago I started with a vertical compound. My hunting buddies switched to vertical recurves. While they were shooting their bows, I was working on my vertical compound. I made the switch and was soooo happy shooting rather than "wrenching". I may have been wrong in carrying those thoughts over to my crossbow purchase but I did and am very, very happy with my Excal.

 

crossbows

i have owned both,excalibur,and parker tornado.I also deal with a bad shoulder.The excalibur is one great crossbow.But i found hunting in tight tree groups from my stand the excalibur was to wide for me with my set ups.

if only that recurve was as narrow as the parker,then id really have some thing.for me with my set ups,the smaller parker was my top choice.so before you do what i did,make sure it will do what you want it to do.the smaller rig,with my bad arm is great,JIM

 

I shoot both, but the Excal Phoenix is my go-to bow. Width has never made a difference for the way I hunt. But letting the bow down without shooting it is a real plus. Have not found a bow more maintenance free than my Excals.

 

I went from recurve crossbws to the compound crossbows.

I found them much easier to cock and therefore I shoot it more.

I do own both now. I play with the TenPoint Flex, but when it comes to hunt time I take the TenPoint ProElite.

If you can, shoot both and then let the bow pick you.

 

I have a SF and a Ibex. I shoot the Ibex 50 to 1 over the SF. Hunting I took 4 deer last year all were with the Ibex.

 

Great advice on checking to see if width is going to be an issue.

It depends on your setups.

In a free standing climber you'll get about a 220 degree field, when you 'reach around' slightly and get the limb tips on the far side of the tree.
You can't go very far as you'll get way off balance...and suffice it to say being off balance in a climber is not a good thing.

In a ladder stand you can get about a 280-290 degree field because you can "reach around" a lot more using your legs to brace yourself. This works on 12-18" trees, but bigger ones become a problem.

In a ground blind you are severely limited imho....and that has had the biggest impact on me. Your shooting lanes are 'very' limited on a relative basis.

I decided this year I'm going to learn how to shoot left handed as well.
I could have used that capability several times this past year.

 

compounds for me, i could not hunt with the wide limbs of a recurve. as far as maintenance of the compounds i don't know. i have been useing hortons for 25-30 years and i haven't had any issues. i change the string and cables every 5 years or so but never had an issue with ''maintenance''.

 

I would say it depends on what the person is looking for. Recuirves are certainly simpler, but they actually need as much tuning as the compounds do. You have to adjust the brace height for the most accurate shooting. Yes, you can do it at home with out a lot of tools, but it still needs done. Most people go several years without having to adjust their compound style crossbows. If you have the string and cables changed every few years, that is all you really nedd done. If you are like to tinker, that is a different issue, but basic usage, not a big deal either way. Find the bow that feels the best and fits the way you hunt.

 

Not





I put on a Boo string, left it cocked overnight, shot about 10 shots, set the brace & it has not moved since. That is ALL that has been needed in 1 1/2 years of shooting my Phoenix.

 

recurve or compound

well after much deep thought the winner is .......... the atlatl

no strings or cables to break just SKILL

end of discussion:darkbeer::darkbeer::darkbeer:

 

Never bought into the recurve being better because it is simpler, if that was really the case they would out sell compounds 10-1 in verticals as well, the trick is to find what fits you best, the compounds xbows have many more options and faster when compared equaly. The compound xbows accuracy is without question, the recurve holds no advantage in this reguard