14 replies to this topic

[aideym]

Hi I'm new to the forum,
I live in the UK and due to health issues I am looking to shoot Crossbow in 3d competitions.
In the UK the rules stipulate the bow has to be recurve, not exceed 300fps and has to be cocked by hand. The distances shot range from 5 to 70+ yards.
We have a number of bows which fit the bill. The Ten Point GT Flex, Excalibur Vortex etc. One specialist shop offers the kodabow as well.
My personal preference would be for a thumbhole stock having shot competition crossbows (Spirit 2000) in the past.
Due to wrist and hand injuries I don't have a large grasp (my thumb doesn't move too far)so a pistol type grip suits more comfortably. Of course I can get a custom stock made.

So are there any bows I should take a look at?
I did like the sound of the Kodabow but there is mention of the trigger being heavy. Is it too heavy for competition?
Anyway, any help would be appreciated.
Aidey

[pa crossbow]

aideym, on 19 September 2011 - 10:11 AM, said:

Hi I'm new to the forum,
I live in the UK and due to health issues I am looking to shoot Crossbow in 3d competitions.
In the UK the rules stipulate the bow has to be recurve, not exceed 300fps and has to be cocked by hand. The distances shot range from 5 to 70+ yards.
We have a number of bows which fit the bill. The Ten Point GT Flex, Excalibur Vortex etc. One specialist shop offers the kodabow as well.
My personal preference would be for a thumbhole stock having shot competition crossbows (Spirit 2000) in the past.
Due to wrist and hand injuries I don't have a large grasp (my thumb doesn't move too far)so a pistol type grip suits more comfortably. Of course I can get a custom stock made.

So are there any bows I should take a look at?
I did like the sound of the Kodabow but there is mention of the trigger being heavy. Is it too heavy for competition?
Anyway, any help would be appreciated.
Aidey

I have a Kodabow and it has one of the better triggers on the market as far as I'm concerned.If you have any questions concerning Kodabow I suggest you visit their website at www.kodabow.com and ask Chuck any questions you may have.He is the owner of Kodabow and will give you honest and straight forward answers to your questions.I hope that this has helped you in your quest for a 3D target bow.

Edited by pa crossbow, 20 September 2011 - 09:29 AM.

[larryschooley]

Since you mentioned you like a thumbhole stock you should look at the Tenpoint GT Curve. Same limbs as the GT-Flex but has the stock you wand and meets all the other requirements as well. While they are not currently offered for 2011 they are still easy to find in a 2009 or 2010 model in a lot of places.

Edited by larryschooley, 20 September 2011 - 06:16 AM.

[vaguru]

Excalibur Ibex.

[NeilM]

As another UK archer and newbie xbow shooter, I just dropped in to say hello.

I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Aidey, did you know that at the NFAS Nationals, the xbow class was won with a Jaguar? There is a thumb hole version of the same bow, although it is nowhere near the class of the Kodabow.

[aideym]

NeilM, on 21 September 2011 - 12:06 PM, said:

As another UK archer and newbie xbow shooter, I just dropped in to say hello.

I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Aidey, did you know that at the NFAS Nationals, the xbow class was won with a Jaguar? There is a thumb hole version of the same bow, although it is nowhere near the class of the Kodabow.

Hi Neil,
Yes I know Pete very well. I particularly like his plumbing fittings on the bow. In fact it was his suggestion I gave crossbow another try due to the pain I was in shooting compound.  I suspect I will end up with a GT flex and a custom stock but there is no harm looking at all the options
Aid

[NeilM]

Hi Aidey,

The GT Flex certainly seem to be THE bow over here at present. There were plenty in evidence at the Nats, although there were also a few custom stocked xbows as well.

I would have liked time to chat to a few more of the xbow archers, but it's always a bit noisy / hectic / tense at the start of a days shooting.

Good luck in your search.

Neil

[Spike]

NeilM, on 21 September 2011 - 12:06 PM, said:

did you know that at the NFAS Nationals, the xbow class was won with a Jaguar?

Wow that is very interesting! I didn't know that.

[billygoat]

Check out how many comps excal has won. Construction is faultless and reliability is staggering. The trigger is superb for targets and they very nice optics that come standard with all models. I own an equinox and can shoot 1" groups at 50yd. Ive shattered two arrows down the middle by shooting the same spot in the target. Amaizing! Could hardly believe id pulled a robin hood.

[snuffbox]

If I were buying a new xbow I'd be looking at the Excal vixen,only thing it doesn't come with a thumbhole stock but its lighter draw weight makes it more viable for a days shooting.
I do believe there had been some query on the reliability of the Ten Point limbs.
I,ve got a Jag and nearly Robin Hooded three arrows at thirty yards,they were all touching each other,this was with the red dot sight,not a scope.
Another thing in the Vixens favour is that it is available in a very fetching pink camo

[hankenhunter]

Excal Ibex.
Hank

[snuffbox]

The thing with shooting 3ds in Britain is that we can shoot our arrows up to 300fps and the bow has to be hand drawn,so no cocking aids.

[Kerrvillian]

I shoot 30 3D targets during a monthly shoot here. I'm pulling 200 lb Vortex limbs.

I don't know your country's rules but I am cocking my crossbow by hand, just using the mechanical advantage of two little pulleys. I'm still lifting 100 lb to cock it.

The rope cocking "aid" isn't the same as using the Excel Crankeroo or an Accu Draw.

I would check to see what the rules of your country specify, exactly. I could see a prohibition on crank-style cocking aids but forbidding the simple cocking ropes would be silly.

[snuffbox]

No cocking aids whatsoever I'm afraid and that does include the rope/pulley type.
A compound bow is regarded as mechanical cocking aid so only recurves are allowed as well.
These are the NFAS rules.

[Tim50]

I would find something in the Excalibur line to fill your needs. Proven accuracy and great service IF something should happen to go wrong.