320-330 is plenty fast for most animals with the correct broadhead and at reasonable distances. The issue with "slower" bows is the rainbow trajectory. It's easier to miss a target with slight range estimation errors. I would go to at least 380 fps (with a hunting arrow, not the lightest option). Anything less would not effect trajectory much better.

 

On the verge of buying the Excalibur Mag Max.. just a little hesitant due to the speeds. With a 400-425 gr hunting arrow I see it'll be shooting about 320-330 FPS. Is this ideal for hunting? I am interested in other bows due to their speed such as the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 decock and KI Logix 435. These are well within my budget as well.

The Excalibur is appealing due to durability and ease of maintenance.

That's fine ... for killing deer. Think of vertical bows and you'd love to have a 330fps arrow!

That said, no way in Hades I'd settle for 330fps in a crossbow. You can easily get 390fps-425fps at a reasonable cost and great durability in a crossbow. Better ballistics, flatter trajectory, and more energy to run bigger broadheads.

 

What would your recommendation be with an $800 budget for 390-425 fps and durability. Any idea how Killer Instincts warranty and quality is? Should I ever need to use a warranty I don't want many hassles.

 

So many great options in your $800 and less price range. I feel it boils down to your maintenance skills(what you can do vs having a shop do it). All bows in your range will get you 370+ fps, if you can, shoot them all as each will feel differently and you will quickly find the best fit/feel. Good luck in your decision, there are a lot of great members here with a LOT of knowledge!

 

I’m with Duke.
there is nothing wrong with shooting a slower crossbow IF that’s what you want and it suits your hunting style. So I’m not saying you can’t kill many many deer or not be successful with a much slower setup.
But me personally, it’s 2025. if I’m toting around an 8lbs plus crossbow, it isn’t going to be shooting less than 360FPS with my hunting arrow. So for me I won’t buy a hunting crossbow rated at less than 400fps advertised speed.

 

I’m with Duke.
there is nothing wrong with shooting a slower crossbow IF that’s what you want and it suits your hunting style. So I’m not saying you can’t kill many many deer or not be successful with a much slower setup.
But me personally, it’s 2025. if I’m toting around an 8lbs plus crossbow, it isn’t going to be shooting less than 360FPS with my hunting arrow. So for me I won’t buy a hunting crossbow rated at less than 400fps advertised speed.

Gee thanks. I said it before he did.

 

Been using a Excaliber since 2008 have shot at least one buck with it every year. I've only replaced the scope to use a Trijicon replaced the string every other year, oiled it up for regular yearly mantaiance and shoot a quilty buck or two every year. Really not much to owning a Excaliber.

 

There is a Venom X on market forum for $735.00

 

Yupp I saw… but it’s been registered so do don’t think I get any warranty as the second owner. Warranty is a big thing for me.

 

Excalibur's break limbs the most of any bows out there this is an un arguable fact.
They also are not very efficient at delivering power to the arrow. Another fact.
So if you want speed this platform is not for you. If you want easy tuning, fantastic easily repeatable accuracy, easy maintenance of string replacements with more then enough power to hunt with this is a good platform to choose from.
Oh....and harder to cock the most other bows too.
I WOULD ASLO recommend the The Venom X bow shown over the models you mentioned if going the compound route.

 

 

On the verge of buying the Excalibur Mag Max.. just a little hesitant due to the speeds. With a 400-425 gr hunting arrow I see it'll be shooting about 320-330 FPS. Is this ideal for hunting? I am interested in other bows due to their speed such as the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 decock and KI Logix 435. These are well within my budget as well.

The Excalibur is appealing due to durability and ease of maintenance.

Hunting mostly whitetail deer making shots within 45 yard max, yes that’s fast enough but 375-400 is available. In your price range. If you considered a rope cocking 340 ExCalibur, I have to ask if you have cocked one yet? If so, do it 10 or 20 times. There are a lot of Tenpoint venom x up for sale as guys migrate up to the turbo for a few extras. VX seems pretty bullet proof so far. Look for sellers with lots of history here.

 

A LogiX 435 is likely the most for the money you can get! $499 Wyvern. It meets your criteria.

 

Check Ebay for NEW bows for sale. You can get an older model bow for 50% under original price and it will kill the same as full price. You will have a warranty also. That's where I bought my last two bows.

 

On the verge of buying the Excalibur Mag Max.. just a little hesitant due to the speeds. With a 400-425 gr hunting arrow I see it'll be shooting about 320-330 FPS. Is this ideal for hunting?

I think many in this thread forgot what you asked. Yes, 320-330 is ideal for slinging arrows at game. Many compound bows are in that range or slower and it seems to work out quite well for the millions that use them.

I am interested in other bows due to their speed such as the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 decock and KI Logix 435. These are well within my budget as well.

The Excalibur is appealing due to durability and ease of maintenance.

Speed should never be the main consideration and you pointed out one of the reasons why, above. If you do not want constant maintenance and if you want simple maintenance if you need it without needing to go to a bow shop, the Excalibur is a great choice.

You choice all depends on how you rank the pluses and minuses of each bow.

 

My compound bow that I will be using this year shoots a 475gr arrow at approximately 290 fps. For a compound bow hunting deer, that is considered blazing fast. Most compound hunters aim for 260 fps with deer. Trad bow hunters are fortunate if they are withing breathing distance of 200fps.
The Excalibur is plenty fast for everything you can hunt.

 

On the verge of buying the Excalibur Mag Max.. just a little hesitant due to the speeds. With a 400-425 gr hunting arrow I see it'll be shooting about 320-330 FPS. Is this ideal for hunting? I am interested in other bows due to their speed such as the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 decock and KI Logix 435. These are well within my budget as well.

The Excalibur is appealing due to durability and ease of maintenance.

How far are the shots you typically set up for?

 

I mostly Treestand hunt in the Northeast so hardwoods hunting. Longest shot opportunity is probably 40 yards or so. Many shots will be between 20-30 yards only.

 

I have 3 crossbows....an Excalibur Vortex 330 that shoots a heavier arrow @ 295 fps. I kill deer every year with this bow. I prefer keeping my shots at 35 yards and less but the longest kill shot this bow has taken was at 45 yards. Another is a CenterPoint 370 which shoots a heavier hunting arrow @ 352 fps. I want all my shots at 45 yards and less. This bow gets that job done too. Lastly I have a Centerpoint Patriot 425 and with heavier arrows it's shooting @ 385 fps. I will admit I do like the speed better and usually carry this bow with me hunting but I make it a point to kill atleast 1 deer with each bow every year since Ive owned them. I usually hunt a foodplot or planted powerline from ladder stands and I dont take "iffy" shots. I wait for good broadside standing shots and if the deer doesnt give me that then I dont shoot. All this said, all of the bows I have are plenty fast enough to kill whitetails and all of them have pass thrus. Dont get hung up on speed unless youre aiming on taking shots 50 yards and farther. Buy what fits YOU the best and NOT what fits others the best.

 

On the verge of buying the Excalibur Mag Max.. just a little hesitant due to the speeds. With a 400-425 gr hunting arrow I see it'll be shooting about 320-330 FPS. Is this ideal for hunting? I am interested in other bows due to their speed such as the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 decock and KI Logix 435. These are well within my budget as well.

The Excalibur is appealing due to durability and ease of maintenance.

The best thing you can do is go to a shop or store that carries them and handle each one. That will tell you a lot right there. The compound crossbows will be easier to cock for the performance than a Mag Max, which should be a good bow and I wouldn’t worry about limbs like the 400 series of Micros. As you said, 450 grain hunting arrow at 320 or so. Could be a bit less. I recently bought a KI Logix from Wyvern and it shoots a 450 grain arrow at 400 fps. Then again, speed isn’t everything. The Logix is certainly longer and heavier (and front heavy) compared with the Excal. I have had a few Micro and Matrix Excals and for me they are easier to shoot really well compared with the Logix or similar bows I have had. I believe the Wicked Ridge bows are lighter, but all of them are fairly long. A longer and/or heavier bow is no problem if you shoot off a tripod or have a shooting rail on your tree stand.

 

I think it’s natural to use current performance of bows, guns, etc to determine “acceptable” performance. Well, back in the ‘80s, the 125# PSE Foxfire was pretty hot stuff 215 - 225’/sec depending on broad head. I used a 145g Bear Super Razorhead. 215’/sec, pins to 60 yards, analog rangefinder. 47 yards, 177”, Christmas day 1990. 35 years ago. I don’t think 350’/sec is all that limiting.

If a person has a good rest, or can shoot well offhand(not me), has done his/her homework and can shoot well, & will take the shot (if deer is >30 yds and is looking away - ears not cupped towards shooter) , a good longer ranged shot is not unethical.

PS. This picture is a later picture with a similar PSE Foxfire (but 150# - note the thick string). And, he only has 2 pins. I helped him get it sighted-in. I’d forgotten just how primitive the old Foxfire was. Pretty awful feeling bow.

 

It pays to not forget your roots.

I have no doubt that old bow with the same hunter behind it would still be holding that mount today if killed last year.

When it becomes the bow and not the hunter your not bowhunting.

 

I’d be eyeballing the LogiX 435 and with the rest of your money look at a possible scope upgrade and custom arrows.

 

Think it will be a little cumbersome in a tree stand due to the length?

 

I loved my wicked ridge rdx400 when treestand hunting. Super well balanced, accurate, plenty of speed (385-390 with a 420 gr arrow). Was able to squeeze a shot at one of my largest bucks that was behind my treestand, after shooting a nice doe. The rdx design (fury 410, rdx410) has been around for quite a number of years. Look at the Horton storm rdx and the bows are almost identical still. They're solid bows that shoot great, don't require a ton of draw weight to achieve the speeds they are shooting at. Since I sold my rdx400, I've bought a viper 430 and tx440. The rdx400 is one bow I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. The viper was nice, but was way too long (especially compared to the rdx). The tx440 is too early to tell yet.
Give the rdx410 or fury a look, they don't get the love on these forums that the killer instincts or venom x or turbo x get, but I'd buy the rdx over any of those bows.

 

I loved my wicked ridge rdx400 when treestand hunting. Super well balanced, accurate, plenty of speed (385-390 with a 420 gr arrow). Was able to squeeze a shot at one of my largest bucks that was behind my treestand, after shooting a nice doe. The rdx design (fury 410, rdx410) has been around for quite a number of years. Look at the Horton storm rdx and the bows are almost identical still. They're solid bows that shoot great, don't require a ton of draw weight to achieve the speeds they are shooting at. Since I sold my rdx400, I've bought a viper 430 and tx440. The rdx400 is one bow I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. The viper was nice, but was way too long (especially compared to the rdx). The tx440 is too early to tell yet.
Give the rdx410 or fury a look, they don't get the love on these forums that the killer instincts or venom x or turbo x get, but I'd buy the rdx over any of those bows.

How are the triggers on the RDX 400-410? I love my Burky RDX, but it tops out around 350 with my 450 grain hunting arrows. Like @Bowhunter4life , I have given casual thought to having Tim make a compact RDX out of the Logix, or something like @tree-rat has with his slim reaper.

 

 

It just depends on what you like or want.

Ease of maintenance has to go to the Excalibur.
Warranty and customer service Excalibur.
While there not bullet proof. But what other bow can you buy extra limbs just incase. Change them yourself without a press on the tail gate of your truck if needed. Take a pick of your broke limbs and just email it to excalibur and they send you new limbs for life. I kinda want to say reliability is there if not hands down the best.

Speed your going to be fine. Id say its a real safe bet that way more deer have been killed over the years with bows shooting slower than have been with bows shooting faster.

The deer haven't changed they still eat, sleep and make baby deer. Few live to be 3.5 years old because of slower bows at least to some degree.

But if you feel you need or just want a faster or even the fastest bow get it and enjoy.

But get what you want .

 

One thing that is really important to me is the width of the limbs. I have a super narrow crossbow and it eats string and cables in less than two seasons affecting accuracy. I settled for fairly narrow15” to 10” when cocked with strings routed on the outside of the cams—less bite on the center serving. . It looks like much better lifespans !

Hunting in a ground blind with clear trails in and out, width probably isn’t a consideration. Tree stands, it can be cumbersome. Length doesn’t bother me one way or the other.