xbows & sights

Although new to crossbows, I have personal ownership/ experience with both the Barnett C5 Wildcat and the Horton Vision 175.

Barnett Wildcat:
I consider the BC-5WC to be an excellent entry level Xbow with a number of fine features.  I found the incorporated stock mounted hand crank to be helpful if the owner is either older or very young and has difficulty in hand cocking the string.  Additionally, being able to cock the bow while lying down in a blind or "hide" is a great feature. The overall bow & multi-reticle scope makes a leathal combo and is very accurate and easy to shoot.

Horton Vision:
The unique reverse limb technology on the Vision is leading edge tech.  The accuracy on this bow is uncanny.  It is a more advanced Xbow than the BWC but somewhat less user friendly until you get more familiar with it's features.

In a real world comparison between the two cbows, I took them both down to the Columbia, SC area this past week and taught two of my best friends how to shoot Crossbows.  We began target shooting at 20 yds, then 30, then 40, and finally 50yrds.  It was interesting to see how quickly two separate men were able to develop exceptional skills in just a one day teaching/ practice session.

It is important to note that the two men were miles apart in physical condition/ ability.  The older (72) man shot the Barnett with the hand crank feature while the younger man (48)preferred the Horton Vision. Both were shooting consistent 3" - 6" groups within hours of beginning training (with the exception of ocassional flyers).

By the end of the day, each had reached a point of confidence wherein they were beginning to boast and taunt each other (all in a friendly competitive fashion).

The high point of the day was when first, one of the new archers buried a second arrow in the nock of the previous arrow (unbelieveable if I had not seen it my self) and then the older of the two managed to hit an apple placed in the bullseye dead center at 50 yds.  Both were shooting very close groups within hours from a sitting position.

The outcome of the training project was that both new CrossBow "archers" fell in love with their respective Cbows, and insisted that I relinguish them both.... So I was left bowless after selling them the two bows at my cost.

One last aside was that today, the younger of the two newbies related by phone that he had gone into an archery shop in Columbia, SC after I left to buy some accessories, and while bragging about his new skills, let it slip that he could shoot a 6" group at 50 yds... and was challenged by the shop owner.. who wagered him the accessories that "noone can shoot 6" groups at 50 yds.... to which my new trainee pulled his bow out of his car and did exactly that repeatedly... collecting over $50 worth of accessories free of charge.

Very proud of my Newbies and their accomplishments.... as well as the fine equipment by Barnett & Horton.

Today, back home, I placed an order for the a replacement Vision 175 due to the fact that the 2012 updated version cannot yet be acquired and I don't want to be "bowless" any longer.

Hope this provides you with some encouragement .... Good Luck

Eagle Eye

SFA Member, on 27 January 2012 - 08:36 PM, said:

Hi Imbrjk
Welcome to the Crossbow Nation & the wealth of knowledge to be learned. :startle:

Take Xbowed's advice and you won't go wrong so have fun when you decide.
GOOD LUCK

Graham :thumbsu: