Well, I was able to do some x-bowing this afternoon.
First I shot some of my new & old arrows at a target. The old ones (20" Easton Crossbow Hunter XX75 2216) weigh about 15 grains less than my hunting arrows (20" Horton Lightning Strike MX). Point of impact was plenty close at 20 yards for practice purposes.
While I was at it, I decided to check some speeds. The chronograph I used is a Shooting Chrony Beta Master. It was set up about two feet from the front of the crossbow.
I clocked four shots with the Horton arrows. Average speed was 283.3 fps (feet per second). Slowest was 283.0 fps and fastest was 283.7 fps. Thus, the spread was 0.7 fps.
I clocked nine shots with the lighter Easton arrows. Average speed was 288.0 fps. Slowest was 287.2 fps and fastest was 288.8 fps. This spread was 1.6 fps, more than twice the spread I got with the Hortons. Of course, I shot more of the Eastons... but I still feel better about the Hortons' consistency.
Let it be known that these speeds were attained with SVL's LimbSaver Crossbow Silencer System 3312 for split limb crossbows installed. This kit consists of LimbSaver's "mushroom" type limb silencers, a pair of string leeches, and a thingy for silencing the piece of spring steel that holds the arrow in place.
The largest single noticeable gain in silencing the bow seemed to come from the "bolt retainer dampener." It's just a funky piece of NavCom (SVL's black rubbery stuff) that sticks to the arrow (bolt) retainer and reduces the retainer's vibration after a shot. I noticed a big difference after I installed it. Prior to that, each shot produced a lingering "twang."
But more on the SVL system when I review it at a later date. For now, suffice it to say that when the dust had settled and the entire SVL kit was installed, arrow velocity had been reduced by about 9 fps, and noise had been greatly reduced.
Next, I decided to climb a tree. I got out my brand-new Summit Viper and proceeded to lasso it to a pine tree. I'm still getting used to this stand... someone wanted my old stand for a court case, so we traded and I got a new Summit.
I shot from the tree stand at close and long range, at an old life-size deer target and a "The Block 4x4 Pup" target. Again I determined that 27 yards (26 of my steps) - measured horizontally - is my max crossbow range, both on the ground and from a tree stand. But within that range, all I have to do is put the dot in the middle of the kill zone and squeeze the trigger (while holding nice and steady and being certain to follow through), and I ought to bring home some venison.
Lacking a rangefinder, I reckon I will need to put up some markers in a radius around my stand to define my max range. Then I ought to be able to make an accurate shot anywhere within that radius.
I'm glad I had the chance to try it from the tree stand before the season. Now I know for sure that I can safely cock the crossbow in the stand, too. And it allowed me to get some experience in selecting positions from which to shoot... you always have to be conscious of where your crossbow limbs are - if they hit anything when you shoot, you're likely to damage the crossbow and/or whatever gets clobbered.
Less than three days to go before I can go hunting with this thing! I don't mind telling you, I'm starting to get pumped.
Comments
Sounds like you are ready. I agree that 30 yds. is about the max. effective range. After I zero my red dot scope at 20yds., on my Horton Legend there is a wheel on the bow that you turn one click for 30yds. and two clicks for 40 yds. It moves the scope just the right amount to change your trajectory with the same aim point with the red dot. Now all you need is a Easton TRACER lighted nock for one of your bolts to use at evening hunts. Keep us posted on your S. Ga. bow hunts.
I have been working a lot lately and have not had a lot of time to keep up with your progress with the C-5. I am glad you are happy with the way that Limb-Saver system reduced the noise of the X-Bow. I always try to point people in the right direction as best I can. I figured you would loose some speed as I said on the other Blog entry, but for me the reduction in noise is worth it. I guess I need to get a chrony and see what my C-5 is shooting, but that will have to wait until after hunting season. I also agree 30 yds is the absolute max I would try with a single dot scope. I can hit a 2 inch circle (using a rest) out to 50 yds with my multi-reticle scope but I have 5 different aiming points to use and as I said before 40 yds is the max I will shoot while hunting. But it all boils down to what is good for you and not what any of us do.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it all works out.
Oh and which broadheads did you choose to use?????
Told you that 287 fps was plenty to handle any whitetail. Great pictures and coverage of your first Xbow doe. I could tell you were impressed with the power of the Xbow and broad head. Use that red dot a few more times and I bet you keep it. I’ve been out 3 times and nothing yet. Saw turkey, coyote, dillo, crows and squirrels so far. Can deer be far behind ?
Gary – I got my first archery whitetail last Saturday. For info on that see http://hunting.about.com/b/2009/09/13/256928.htm — and — http://hunting.about.com/b/2009/09/17/my-first-archery-deer-crossbow-rage-venison.htm
High tech, I was definitely impressed, but I need to be careful I don’t get too comfortable and forget that I’m still slinging arrows, no matter what type of bow I’m using. After all, this shot was only ten yards!
Just want to warn everybody. my brother in law who has been shooting a bow since compounds were invented took his thumbnail right off with my C5 the first time he shot it. Nurce at hospital said this is a very comman injury with first time crossbow users.Please warn everybody who is a first time crossbow users to keep that front hand thumb down below the rail.
thanks for the info! just went through almost exactly the same senerio with the rage broadheads today! man do i feel better! still not sure what to do, I was useing easton bolts with luminochs and rage two blade 100gr practice points and came home from the range scratching my head thinking…what do i do now? I agree 30yrds seems about max with the red dot single sight. but i had quite a few “fliers” and am considering just useing fixed blade broadheads from now on. thanks again.
Sure thing. I found that the Rage heads fly better than fixed-blade heads… at least, they’re more forgiving of a poorly-tuned bow.