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So I'm looking to buy a crossbow for my son for Christmas. My budget is $500. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Had a last minute bowhunting lease come up this year, so I bought the daughter a Centerpoint Sniper 370 in order for her to be able to hunt there also. Impressinlgy quiet and shoots stupid good for the money.....

The supplied scope is functional, but I didn't trust it. I ended up bolting on a SWFA 1-4 I had laying around. With a 6 pack of Easton arrows, broadheads, and decocking arrow I'm into it for a little over $400.

I'd second the Centerpoint Sniper 370, several members on here use them with good results, and I've watched several hunters in my deer management group use them.

Tag

The Barnett terrain or the green version at Cabelas is decent for sub $300. I have two buddies that have no problems out to 50 yards with them.

You simply can't beat the Centerpoint Sniper 370 for anywhere near the money. Fast, quiet and crazy accurate.

the centerpoint sniper 370.for the money,great bow,fast accurate,deadly

deputy30,

It may be a little late to start looking for a Christmas present BUT you could do far worse than find/buy him a "used" but in mint condition Horton Yukon XL or another similar "brand name XB". - There seems to be a considerable number of old, good quality but "as new" XBs "out there" & for sale at a low price.
(I bought mine, complete with a Horton XB scope, cocking strap & 2 dozen NEW broadhead hunting arrows, for 225.oo. = Mine was out of an estate sale & the PO had NEVER even bothered to unpack it out of the factory wrap.)

My Yukon XL is likely the only XB that I'll ever buy as it is sturdy, deadly accurate at any reasonable range for feral hogs, deer & coyotes AND will likely outlast me W/O anything more than an occasional new string.

The MAIN differences in a "modern XB" & my "old school" one is arrow speed and the name-brand XBs are a GREAT DEAL more money to buy. A WT or feral hog won'y notice or care that they were killed by an "old cheap crossbow".

yours, satx

Buy it right the first time.

I’m a recurve in the 300-350fps fan, it just works.

JohnnyLoco,

In the unlikely event that I ever buy another XB, it will be a recurve. = An EXCALIBUR.
(EZCALIBUR XBs are nearly faultless & I personally know of one that survived flying out of a PU onto Interstate 35N at about 65MPH & without any damages but a few minor scratches.)

yours, satx

Keep an eye on the Cabelas website. They put different Xbows on sale daily. I missed out an a couple good deals but was in one of their stores today and picked up a Cabelas branded Excalibur package for just over your budget price ($540...regular $900!). They show sold out on their website but still some in stores if you have one near you.

http://www.dunhamssports.com/product/centerpoint-tormentor-whisper-380-package/

$299 after rebate. Love mine.

Agreed - simple works, and not inheriting somebody else's mistakes.

Getting a used crossbow is asking for problems unless you know the FULL history of the crossbow, know the owner, and know what you getting. Parts for the older crossbows are getting harder to find, and the last thing you want is a "new" Christmas gift that is unusable after the first outing.

Can't tell you how many times I've watched an older crossbow come into the local shop with a "never shot by the previous owner" story and the limbs are somehow cracked, servings are missing, and the signs of a dry-fire are there.

For the price of a Centerpoint Sniper 370, you get a warranty (Five years?) and you get a bit of backing if the lad makes a mistake, or the factory shipped a problem out. Shouldn't happen, but it does occasionally.

^^^^Yep, that.

Bulletproof, easy to change strings, uncock without shooting after the hunt, and nothing to go wrong. Excalibur all the way, and one can buy a slightly used one for $400 or less, with everything needed to hunt the next day. Bought my step daughter one, and found one for my buddy's stepson as well.

+1 on the above. Have Excaliber Matrix and love it. Scary accurate, user friendly.

Mike

Excalibur ALL the way.
Simple, TOUGH!!

For the Excalibur fans. Does the new noise damping technology warrant the expense and the added weight?

Any one here use have or been around the Koda bow?

Sort of - it helps, but the older models, with the wider limbs are just loud - keep in mind this is a subjective opinion.

Stopping the string will help, but only so much.

I've shot the Koda the Outdoors Show in PA, they usually have a booth there.

I think you are over-paying for what an Excalibur will do, and it's a niche company with a niche product. They don't seem to break, and they seem to be well made.

Will the Excalibur " break down" like the Koda does?