26 replies to this topic

[mjgonehunting]

I'm shopping for my first xbow ,and I'm considering a SZ !
I handles on a while back,and it just felt good in my hands!

Can anyone give me some idea on string life,and any other issues that might affect my decision?
Are they any harder or easier to shoot than other brands?
Noisy or quiet?
Smooth or alot of shooting shock/vibration?

Not too many dealers here in NY are getting very deep into crossbows yet so selection and service is hard to come by .Maybe once the regs are set in stone,instead of temporary they'll start stocking more!
Right now it looks like they'll be usable again for the 2012/2013 season ONLY during the regular gun season,and late archery/muzzleloader season.
I work on my own vertical bows and guns,so I don't see any problem with basic maintainance,but will they need any sort of specialized service?
My budget is more comfortable with a used bow !
Are there any of the past problems I've heard mentioned that I should watch for?
Heading to Cabelas in Hartford today to handle whatever they have in stock!

[Moon]

I'm shopping for my first xbow ,and I'm considering a SZ !
I handles on a while back,and it just felt good in my hands!

Can anyone give me some idea on string life,and any other issues that might affect my decision? I had to re serve the center serving on the 380 at a little over 300 shots. I'm well over 500 shots with the 350 and the strings.cables and center serving is still goodAre they any harder or easier to shoot than other brands? Both are tack drivers and their compact length and width make them a natural in blinds and tree stands.Noisy or quiet? Very quiet with minimal recoil, matter of fact, I've seen nothing quieter shooting with the possible exception of a heaviereverse limb bowSmooth or alot of shooting shock/vibration? Nope :-)
Not too many dealers here in NY are getting very deep into crossbows yet so selection and service is hard to come by .Maybe once the regs are set in stone,instead of temporary they'll start stocking more!
Right now it looks like they'll be usable again for the 2012/2013 season ONLY during the regular gun season,and late archery/muzzleloader season.
I work on my own vertical bows and guns,so I don't see any problem with basic maintainance,but will they need any sort of specialized service? You will need either a portable press or table model to re serve your center servings and a table model to change strings and cables.My budget is more comfortable with a used bow ! The Stryker 350 is an amazing crossbow, especially when you consider its price being just over $500. Nothing else comes close IMO.Are there any of the past problems I've heard mentioned that I should watch for? Not with the 350...the 380 had some limb splintering problems in the beginning but it has been taken care of.Heading to Cabelas in Hartford today to handle whatever they have in stock!

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Edited by Moon, 14 January 2012 - 10:20 AM.

[milanvresk]

Here is the loudness at 35yds. Compound bow 280-290fps vs. SZ380 at 370-380fps.


I think the SZ is quieter than the bow. If I am shooting Excalibur, than I grab SZ, I can say there is NO shock/vibration on the shoot. Bow is fast, very quiet, very small - compact, perfect trigger,...

milan.

[blueball]

shoot mine today for the first time sz350 ,its quiet,best trigger ive seen,and shoots nice,glad i bought one JMHO

[mjgonehunting]

Shot the sz350 yesterday at Cabelas.
Now I have to find some more cash to buy one!
There don't seem to be any used ones available anyolace that I can find!
It looks like Wyvern has about the best price/service levels,so I'll save my pennies!
The only other bow that felt as good in my hands,though a bit heavier and longer was a Ten Point Titan!
SZ was quieter though!
I didn't try the higher end bows as the SZ and Titan are in the " Mid Price " range I tend to stick with when getting into something new.
The Techs at both Cabelas and Gander Mt had NOTHING good to say about some other brands!
I won't name brands because I'm not educated enough to agree or dis-agree !
Not very professional but honest opinions I guess!

[Verne]

I just bough a SZ 380 on Sunday.  Our Cabelas (Ft. Worth, Texas) shipped their entire stock back to get the limbs replaced.  When they got them back (apparently the day before), they put them all in the bargain cave.  I got my 380 for $488.  The 350 was going for around $425 I think.  Anyone looking right now should contact every Cabelas they can and ask for the bargain cave.  They had around 20 of them in our store and we bought 2 of them.

Okay, so here's my question.  It's about the rail lube.  One of the guys there said we could just use vaseline, but another guy said we should NEVER use anything but "rail lube".  We went ahead and bought the rail lube they had (ten point) at $12.99 for a tiny tube, but I was wondering who was right.  Vaseline or not?

[Moon]

I never put any grease, oil or "lubes" on the rail deck. It softens the center serving and increases the chance for center serving separation. Go to an Advance auto store and pick up a can of Jigaloo spray. It dries with no residue. Spray a little on a papaer towel and rub it on the barrel deck.  BTW, oils, grease and lubes attract dirt and grit to the rail and that's death on a string.

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[setreng]

Verne, on 17 January 2012 - 01:17 PM, said:

I just bough a SZ 380 on Sunday.  Our Cabelas (Ft. Worth, Texas) shipped their entire stock back to get the limbs replaced.  When they got them back (apparently the day before), they put them all in the bargain cave.  I got my 380 for $488.  The 350 was going for around $425 I think.  Anyone looking right now should contact every Cabelas they can and ask for the bargain cave.  They had around 20 of them in our store and we bought 2 of them.

Okay, so here's my question.  It's about the rail lube.  One of the guys there said we could just use vaseline, but another guy said we should NEVER use anything but "rail lube".  We went ahead and bought the rail lube they had (ten point) at $12.99 for a tiny tube, but I was wondering who was right.  Vaseline or not?

Thank you for the input.I called cabelas in Fort Worth today and a Z350 is on a ups truck for delivery.I have been trying to decide on what new crossbow to get and the reviews by Moon and the rest of the Z350 owners have been great. The price at cabelas was the icing on the cake. .

[Moon]

IMO, the 350 is THE hunting crossbow

[Everton Schimidt]

What is that? Where can I buy it?

[randyxx75]

try this everton,







http://www.tenpointc...opexd.asp?id=90

Edited by randyxx75, 05 February 2012 - 08:29 AM.

[madarcher427]

Is that hard to mount up ? will it work on a sz380?Does it get in you way when your shooting?

Everton Schimidt, on 05 February 2012 - 06:21 AM, said:

What is that? Where can I buy it?

[randyxx75]

Mad, I think its very doable if your a little mechanically inclined or at least I hope so,,, I bought one last night myself !!
do a search on Moons postings here and on AT , he kinda shows how its done !

[hiwese1]

It really isn't difficult at all.  When you buy it brand new it comes with a great installation guide.  It also includes a template for drilling the holes, just a suggestion make a copy of the template.  The other great thing that it includes is two magnet strips, I just cut it almost as small as the magnet and placed it below and the handles attach easily, the adhesive on the magnet strips are very strong.  The hardest part for me was getting it tightened and having the spring recoil back after retracted.  I don't know if I messed up drilling the holes but I solved it by placing the front screw as shown in the picture through the metal plate and this doesn't allow any shifting.  I only have one screw on each side holding down the cover but this worked for me.

The way that it mounts it is perfect and is not in the way at all.

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Edited by hiwese1, 05 February 2012 - 10:25 AM.

[madarcher427]

Thank you ! aim going to  get one .Its gotta be better then the one that come with it !

[Ky Bob]

Wouldn't attaching the Accu Draw void your warranty? It's a shame Bowtech can't manufacture a crank cocking device.

Edited by Ky Bob, 05 February 2012 - 07:54 PM.

[hiwese1]

I dont know, maybe moon or someone on here knows the answer to that.  I bought two 350's so I will always have a spare stock unaltered.

[randyxx75]

I asked wyvern and he said it shouldnt void the warranty

[NJ Devil]

Ky Bob, on 05 February 2012 - 07:52 PM, said:

Wouldn't attaching the Accu Draw void your warranty? It's a shame Bowtech can't manufacture a crank cocking device.

why would you need it? its so easy to pull back.

[madarcher427]

i went to get some jig a loo to day from advance they said it was discontinued .they recommended  liquid wrench dry lub ,said it was same stuff.