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I would not buy anything but a reverse draw crossbow. Less stress on the limbs.

It’s probably a touch over $1,000, but I’d definitely say a Scorpyd.
They have the best trigger by far IMO. You can change your strings and cables without a press. All titanium parts. You can probably pick a used one up in the classifieds on one of the crossbow forums. That’s where I bought my second one.

Hickory Creek vertical….because I can’t stand regular crossbows or spending $2500-$3500 for one that decocks.

I bought an Excalibur for late season two years ago. Simple and work well. Reasonable price. Several models available used. Their warranty is the best.
The recurve models seem to suffer less issues.

i like my excaliber x-bow its very quiet , but my Ravin R-10 loads and unloads much easier and shoots faster too . i would spend a couple hundred more and get a Ravin x-bow

Have only ever used Excalibur myself before last fall

Excaliburs are pretty maintenance and worry free. You can easily fix most issues that should arise. Plus lots of models in your price range. But I definitely prefer the micro series

The buck I killed last fall was with my buddies ravin r9. 18 yards. So could have easily killed with any bow.

I would go ravin if you wanna shoot further than 40 yards. Otherwise Excalibur

I shot the r9 to 100 yards. 2” group at 100!!!!!
He has killed 4 bucks over 50 yards with it.

My dad has a Great Lakes that is probably 20 years old and still works great. 345fps and he has killed plenty of deer with it with no issues except replacing strings. So you could easily find a used model that is a couple models outdated and be fine as well

Haven't heard anything about Barnett. I just picked up a Recruit/rope/dozen new bolts for $100 at an estate sale. Are they junk? Book says 330 fps with a 400gr bolt. I thought it was a bargain.

Anything but a Tenpoint, last service experience 2 years ago was truly disgusting.

Lot of the suggested makes mentioned here have had limb failures.

Everything said above.

I have 2 of them and they are the best kept secret . They license Ten Point and anyone else's reverse draw technology.

Super easy to maintain and the Death Stalker is the quietest XBow on the market.

I bought my Ten Point second hand through Craigs List back in 2008 and with it I've toppled many deer. Mostly meat hunting for does. I had a problem with the safety/release device and sent it to the factory for repairs. No charge for parts and labor but reasonable fee for return shipping cost. Yes, it's not as light or as narrow as the new models but I'm happy with what I've got. No plans to trade! - Sherwood

Ravin

The Hickory Creek mini is very popular for saddle hunting. You can cock and uncock without a crank or string.

Check here..
https://www.crossbownation.com/forums/

I went with Ravin R10 model. If it is as good as they say.....I will be pleased.

Excalibur here too

I can’t say anything about new crossbows, other than they’re too expensive! I bought my Barnett C5 Wildcat about 10 years ago for under $250 for the entire package. Crossbow, scope, quiver, dozen bolts, crank cocking mechanism, and bow wax. I still use it today. It is scary accurate from 0-65 yards, and every buck I’ve squeezed the trigger on with it, has their horns on my walls.



Someone on this thread said something about not having to spend $1000 to get a good crossbow…that’s absolutely true in my mind. Bottom line, it’s your money and spend as much as you want to get the features you want. If you would have asked me about a year or two after I bought my one and only crossbow, if I would possibly buy a newer, lighter, faster, better one a few years later, I probably would have said yes. But this ol’ Wildcat shoots so damn good, I really see no need to upgrade. Good luck with your new xbow!


Doc_Holidude

I owned a ten point, good bow, owned 3 Excalibur s and a buddy talked me into a R10 Ravin, last year. I'm hooked on the Ravin! Now 4 of us shoot the R10s

Another Excalibur vote here! My first was the wide limb Vortex. It splits arrows, which I learned the hard way and stopped doing after three. Have three Matrix series (355, 380, 380) and an Axiom (wide limb like Vortex). Contemplating moving up to the Micro with the newest limbs.

Save money. BUY USED! Craigslist is outstanding place to find great used crossbows. Got all my Excaliburs there. They're indestructible but, if anything goes south, factory has a free lifetime limb replacement policy. Nobody in any industry does that. Except Excalibur.