I have a Parker Enforcer.
I find it to be very accurate, and well made.

Things I don't like about are that its a bit loud, and the quiver mount could be of a better design.

 

Parker no longer makes crossbows

 

If it was me knowing what I know now, I’d go for a Skorpyd Orion or Ventilator They have a great trigger and have minimal issues especially the low pounders. The 135 extreme for example.

 

I completely agree with this^^. Geekster once coined the silver Ventilator “the recurve of compounds” because of their reliability. I’m into my seventh season with mine with no problems.

So yeah I’d highly suggest a good used Scorpyd.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Not sure what there going for. I bought a year old Mission MXB 400 5 years ago. This past summer i had the limbs replaced for the only time. They charged me $165 if i recall. And registered the bow in my name for a lifetime warranty on the limbs.

I ran both my 400's with the poundage backed off 2 turns. Once i started shooting them close to maxed out poundage is when i started seeing the very small splinter. Backed off i have had none. Backed off they shoot a 500 gr arrow 350's fps. 400gr arrow maxed out they shot 415 fps with a ABB string.

Excalibur have always taken care of any problem i have had. Except during there limb heating thing. And they finally did what they could. IMO stick with the 355 or lower Matrix and your pretty safe or safer as to limbs splintering.

Just my experience .

 

There is a Wicked Ridge RDX400 package in the classifieds for $640 shipped.
Several Excaliburs also.

 

In my opinion and for my needs I would get either a Mission or Excalibur. In fact now I have 2 Excaliburs and a Mission MXB400.

Disclaimer:
I am getting out of compound crossbows completely and selling the Mission. I like recurves that much but would always have a backup bow regardless of what brand. You never know when something bad will happen but most likely it will be during the season or just before it starts....

 

if one were only interested in the used market and wanted the best chance of buying a trouble free, crossbow, what would you recommend

https://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5742769

 

I know you said your budget was around $700. But I’d kick it up a little and snag this one. There is not a better representation of what the ideal compound Crossbow than this one. I have two! Just throw in another couple hundred or so and you won’t regret it. There is so much versatility with this bow. All the different limb poundages available. What a great trigger. All the knowledge on the forum in the unlikely event you have any issues. If I didn’t already have a couple, this would be mine.

 

I'll say it like this ... If the brand is known for quality, no recalls, etc when new ... It'll probably be good used. I actually prefer to buy used. That being said, Stryker had limb shim issues, Excalibur limb failures, Scorpyd limb cracks, Ravin misfire issues, and maybe some other guys can think of issues with other brands, their fixes, etc. There isn't perfection in manufacturing, and I still own Scorpyd, Mission, and Ravin.

 

If it were me I'd be looking at either Scorpyd or Mission. Both are solid companies that builds high quality bows known for reliability, generally speaking. I've owned one of each and have nothing bad to say about either bow.

 

Ten Point Venom

 

Silver Ventilator or an Orion or RDT

 

390 solution, around 400 used
Best trigger, packs a punch, yes it had some shim issues, but not a deal breaker

 

You hardly ever see a ten point turbo gt in the classifieds, for good reason, they are extremely reliable and accurate xbows, as their new prices come down I may just by another new one, I like mine that much to buy a 2nd, fairly small, fairly fast, perfect size.

 

If you are going to be packing a ways and would like to venture into the world of Scorpyd, I recommend getting on of the Death Stalkers. As much as I liked the quality of the Scorpyd Orion 175 Extreme I used to own, its large size and fairly heavy weight (as set up) killed it for me. Therefore, it found another home. I just don't do big and bulky hunting equipment.

I went to a small and compact crossbow and I couldn't be happier.

I rest my case.

 

The Nighttrain Conversion is available. Simple bolt on riser. New cables and strings. Makes the Ventilator/Orion/Acules into a Deathstalker sized package.

 

Please keep the recommendations coming as im on the hunt myself.

 

you can buy a new excalibur for $700 n not worry about anything They are known for their toughness. I actually bought a ravin r26 to replace my excalibur matrix 310, but It weighed so much more and had all the cams n crank that dirt n brush could mess up. and my matrix never didnt kill anything I pointed it at, so I sent the ravin back. N my excaliber loads fast n quiet, works everytime--

 

EXCALIBUR, period! There are a lot of good ones, but only one best for me because it is made for one thing, to hunt hard, and work on less!

 

I have had nothing but balanced performance and great service with Mission crossbows.

 

Mission, 320, 360 later version or 400. Well made, easy to cock -I also let mine down w/o shooting- no awkward stirrup and best of all, don't need a press to change string and cables

 

Check out the 2020 Bear x Constrictor. That is what i plan on purchasing this year to get my boys in the woods with me next fall.