Crossbow Targets – Some Thoughts

Posted on December 29, 2019 by Ed Hale

Let me break bow/crossbow portable targets into two categories, bagged targets for field points and block like foam targets which can be used for both field points and broadheads. Bag targets often cost less and foam types often cost much more. What do you really need?

Bag type targets such as the Morrell Crossbow Yellow Jacket YJ-425 are cost effective $30 to $40 dollars for field points and the arrow/bolts are easy to remove.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RE6ZPW?tag=sa-b2c-new-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Morrell Yellow Jacket YJ-425 Field Point Bag Archery Target - for Crossbows and Compound Bows. Packaging may vary

On-line customer comments say it can handle 400 fps crossbow bolts. Wow! Cost effective and easy to remove the arrow? I like that! Most foam targets really hold on to your arrow and significant effort is often needed to retrieve the arrow.

Foam type targets on the other hand, are great for both field points and broadheads but they often cost up to 2 or 4 times more than bag targets and the arrows are harder to pull out of the foam blocks. The advantage of this target however is that “one target does it all”.

Example: The BLOCK Vault below does it all for $95 dollars. But you often will have a tougher time removing arrows and in some cases you will need an bolt/ arrow puller for fast bolts stuck deep.

https://www.amazon.com/Block-Vault-Archery-Polyfusion-Technology

Block Vault 4-Sided Archery Target with Polyfusion Technology - Available in 4 Sizes!

Many quality foam and bag type targets are rated these days, e.g. 300 350, 400 450 fps etc., so look for the speed rating!

This summer I will likely purchase a very cost effective field point bag target for general target practice. I have 2 foam block targets now but hate to pull the arrows out!

Hope that helps!

New Excalibur Takedown Crossbows and Cases?

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Ed Hale

Take it from me, its worth checking out these new TD crossbows like the Assassin 400 but there is so much more… Wow!

. I will try to get one this coming spring to test.

If you are in the market for a compact crossbow that is designed to be a takedown model and the bow portion easily reassembled, take a hard look at Excalibur’s new 2020 TD crossbows that can be assembled and disassembled in seconds and still maintain their accuracy.

The new 2020 Excalibur TD (takedown crossbows) with QUICKLock™ technology are here and reassemble/un-assemble in seconds such as the Excalibur Assassin TD, Suppressor, or the Micro 360 TD.

https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/crossbows

A softcase to store the crossbow is available. The only thing they need is a hard crossbow case that can be ordered separately for air travel. My guess is that a hardcase is in the works.

Check it out!

Good Hunting!

Crossbow Hunting – Gone Wild!

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Ed Hale

Barnett Whitetail Hunter II

First and foremost, as millions of bow/gun hunters get into their senior years, like me, they have difficulty with shoulders, arms, muscles and even eyes thus pulling and holding a traditional bow or compound bow more difficult as compared to the crossbow which still employs stick and string and razor sharp broadheads.

Hunting is not just a pass-time for me, it is a way of life. And for millions of Americans too. We eat the animals we harvest. Wild game meat is the quintessential organic meat, no additives, no hormones. In today’s international food markets that is a very important lesson in raising a family. Safe meat to eat!

The hunter that loves the bow and broadhead will gravitate to the crossbow as prices vary widely from introductory to advanced hunter/shooters from say $300 to $600 and far above. Below the Ravin R29 Crossbow; Cost $2549. Among a long list of other great manufacturers

https://ravincrossbows.com/product/r29-crossbow/

Secondly, the technology of Crossbows is in the midst of a revolution with advanced space age material recurves, compound and reverse compound technology for faster and quieter crossbows. Crank like devices to cock and decock your crossbow, quiet technology to silence the oft louder noise that crossbows make. Rifle like scopes are the norm today with crosshairs and distance hash marks. See the PSE crossbow below Cost $295.00.

https://www.psearchery.com/crossbows/

Coalition® Crossbow

Companies that dealt with just traditional and compound bows realized perhaps that they were losing market share too so they embraced the changes and here we are today. Other companies were always in love with crossbows and led the way.

The crossbow is more in line with a rifle once cocked and loaded. Yes the hunter still has to cock the crossbow, but for most hunters that can be accomplished with some effort or with a string cocking device. See the Excalibur crossbow below

Homepage

Speeds of 300 plus feet per second are the norm and 400 plus fps are at the higher end. Energies delivered are often in the 80 and 90 ft-lbs that can harvest all North American Game with common sense distances attributed to today’s compound bows with a skilled shooter/hunter. Many larger species including elephant have fallen to a well placed broadhead from a crossbow.

Crossbows From Small Game to Elephants

Arrow and broadhead technology has advanced as well bringing newly designed carbon fiber arrows, broadheads and illuminated knocks to see where the arrow struck. This fast paced technology is just mind boggling. The Rage™ mechanical broadhead left and Lumenock™ nocks that illuminate for examples. Note that I do not advocate these as I have not tested them. I do favor fixed blade broadheads.

RAGE Hypodermic Trypan Titanium Broadhead 100 Grain 2" Cut Lumenok Lumen-Arrow 20-Inch Carbon Bolts with Crescent Bolt End (3-Pack), Green

What is important to know , for me at least, is that crossbows are leapfrogging the technology from year to year making a three year old model seem ancient.

A must for me in New Hampshire is that the crossbow can easily be cocked and de-cocked in the woods or at the beginning or end of your hunting day without having to shoot an arrow into a target making a racket. Or have to shoot a heavy de-cocking arrow at days end.

There are numerous websites for you to research. Just enter your thoughts on your favorite search engine. It is just Wild out there!!

Good Hunting!

Christmas: Outdoor Stocking Stuffers

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Ed Hale

I really like the Survival Kit. A One stop cost effective find!

Space Blanket https://www.gearhungry.com/best-emergency-blankets/

First Aid Kit https://www.onxmaps.com/blog/tackling-hunter-first-aid-kits-what-to-include

Purify Water https://www.cleverhiker.com/best-backpacking-water-filters

Pocket Knife https://hiconsumption.com/best-edc-pocket-knives-made-in-the-usa/

Emergency Fire Starter https://gearmoose.com/best-fire-starters/

survival gear kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V6X6MG6/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07V6X6MG6&pd_rd_w=yhupH&pf_rd_p=c83c55b0-5d97-454a-a592-a891098a9709&pd_rd_wg=JArGX&pf_rd_r=P46BGTMGNW9CQS43NJHA&pd_rd_r=6a902545-60bf-40ac-b934-c2fdc8509ff1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZOEg1NDJIWlY0Q1cmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwNTQyNTcxQ1g3SDZHVFJQS0JLJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1Mzk5MDgyNjFaRjA4SzZVVEE3JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Multi survival tool https://www.amazon.com/Multitool-Anumit-Stainless-Emergency-Screwdriver/dp/B01L02A4F2/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=Veitorld&qid=1576603471&sr=8-9

Lighted Crossbow Arrow Nock Kit Kurfuffle

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Ed Hale

Today’s crossbows really throw and arrow so fast that they are often hard to see in dim light when deer hunting. Some on-line adds for lighted nocks peaked my interest for my crossbow arrow/bolts, particularly Luminok™. I bought a pack of three for 30 dollars for my Easton Firebolt Diablo bolts (EXCF) and tried to install them but the hard part wasn’t the Lumenok it was the epoxied aluminum inserts in my Easton Carbon shaft. No matter what I did they did not come out. Heating with water and pulling and/or the 1/8th steel rod failed and I damaged arrows too… a kurfuffle to be sure.

Lumenok EXCF Flat Lighted Crossbow Nock

The best solution, for safety sake, and far less frustration is for us to buy the “same exact arrow and length” already professionally fitted with Lumenok’s. Below is what I should have bought! Lesson learned!

https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/accessories/arrows-accessories/diablo-18-illuminated-carbon-arrow-3pk

Be sure to measure your Front of Center (FOC) for the broadhead weight you shoot because the Lumenok is heavier on the wrong end. I bought some 5 grain brass arrow washers to add to my 100 grain broadhead if needed. Cheap but valuable for moving FOC to the front.

Good Luck and Good Hunting!

Crossbow or Bow: Sometimes Deer Jump The String? Updated

Posted on December 14, 2019 by Ed Hale

Campfire Talk: I have read many articles on deer jumping the string (ducking the arrow) over the years. Some because the arrow made a whizzing noise from helical feathers on a traditional bow. Others because the bow or crossbow made a thump, whack or bang noise. Others because the arrow was so slow that the deer could see the arrow coming. And finally, it is a great excuse, if you miss!

My compound bow killed deer were taken from a treestand and around 20 or so yards. None jumped the string! All could hear the bow-shot thwack.

That said, I ran into this fun-to-read article below by American Hunter written by Bill Winke on the “Science of String Jumping” written back in 2010. As the bow is fired, some deer instinctively duck and the arrow sails over the deer’s back.

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/2010/7/14/the-science-of-string-jumping/

The lesson I take away is “arrow speed trumps bow noise” for closer shots say 20 yards or less. At 30 yards other experts calculate hold low on the heart, if the deer drops then you are high in the lungs. If the deer does not drop then you have a heart shot. A winning approach. Maybe!

So it is speed that Bill says is all important not necessarily the quieter bow. Quiet does help. How much? I like a muffled thwack not a hard bang. I think the unnatural bang sound from today’s crossbows can spook other nearby deer more than a muffled thwack. But if the deer is close, say 20 yards, then it does not matter, the arrow is already there.

The video below demonstrates this lack of deer jumping at close range with Lumenok™ arrows. Few really jumped the string in this video! The Lumenok tells the story! I ordered some of these lumenok’s for my crossbow arrows. But also purchased some brass washers to add to my arrows Front of Center FOC weight to account for the Lumenok weight.

Food for thought!

Good Hunting!

An Excalibur Crossbow for Christmas? Wow! And More…

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Ed Hale

I purchased an Excalibur Matrix Grizzly GRZ2 200 lb Crossbow Kit this past deer season, an early Christmas present, because of its lower cost, less than $500, and its simple recurve design with a single string shooting at around 305 fps.

https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/crossbows/matrix-grz2/

I could have purchased a faster crossbow but this is easy to cock and de-cock and excellent for deer hunting! If you want a higher end or faster crossbow, Excalibur has them.

https://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/crossbows

A great Christmas Present!

It comes with four 18 inch carbon arrow/bolts with field points and an attachable quiver which is parallel to the main body. I like that better than parallel to the bow limbs because it does not hang up when walking in brush as easy.

The bow makes a thwack that is a bit louder than I prefer. Neither the string suppressors or sound dampening kit came with the crossbow kit but I will have to purchase them to test in a future article.

It does come with a scope that works very well with hash marks to 40 yards. My broadheads are Muzzy 100 grain 3 blades which come with practice broadhead blades. In the next video I tested a 4 blade Muzzy 100 grains, and it shot the same as the 3 blade. This is the third arrow/bolt with a broadhead ever through this crossbow at 30 yards. Let’s see what happens! I have it mounted on a BOG™ DeathGrip™ Shooting Tripod.

What is most surprising and valuable with the Excalibur is that I can easily and safely, de-cock the crossbow at the end of a days hunt without having to fire it into a target. (Most all other crossbows need to be shot into a target or shoot a very expensive de-cocking bolt into the ground.)

In New Hampshire, All crossbows need to be de-cocked so they are legal to transport. A cocked crossbow is illegal in a moving vehicle says Fish and Game Laws.

Below is the video tip demonstrating the de-dock of the Excalibur.

There is another additional significant benefit that I find with this Excalibur crossbow: I can re-quiver my broadhead tipped arrow in the field, and de-cock the crossbow in the woods “with little noise” and carry the crossbow safely slung like a rifle on your shoulder as I like to do when moving from stand # 1 to stand # 2, or back to my vehicle.

Minimum energy needed for a crossbow arrow broadhead to ethically kill a deer, some experts say is around 40 ft-lbs recommended. Most crossbows today can kill well beyond 60 yards with a 350 to 400 grain arrow shooting over 90 ft-lbs at bow release. The problem is gravity and accuracy. Just like today’s compounds, your skill level drives that bus in part, and the awareness of the animal to move or jump the string, shot angle, brush in the way, are essential to the ethics of the shot. Keeping shots under 40 yards is recommended.

Here is a source for Crossbow Energy. http://www.bestcrossbowsource.com/crossbow-kinetic-energy-chart-calculations-hunting-requirements/

Good Hunting!

6.5 Creedmoor for Gemsbok – The Desert Warrior

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Ed Hale

The gemsbok aka “The Desert Warrior” is a formidable and feisty elk size African antelope. It is formally known as Oryx Gazella.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemsbok

It has been imported successfully to Texas. In Africa, it has been known to skewer lions, and hunters alike. My African Safari Professional Hunter nearly died from being skewered by a Gemsbok he thought was dead. Remembering this, evoked the words of my PH, “It is the dead ones that will kill you!”

The low recoiling 6.5 Creedmoor is an excellent choice to harvest gemsbok as it is similar in size to elk size game and I believe the 6.5 is top rated in penetration with a 140 grain class bullet due to it stellar ballistic coefficient and amazing long distance accuracy. With a very high ballistic coefficient it holds its energy at long distances extremely well and flatter shooting as compared to non-magnum 30 calibers.

The minimum striking energy often associated with elk size game is 1500 ft-lbs. The 6.5 CM is capable of this energy with a 2700 fps 143 grain bullet at 350 yards and a Max Point Blank Range (MPBR 6 inch) to 274 yards. At 150 yards this bullet is still traveling over 2400 fps and delivering 1900 ft-lbs.

That said, a gemsbok is can be successfully hunted with most whitetail deer and elk calibers such as the 308 Winchester, 30-06 and .270 Winchester and 6mm calibers provided you do your job in bullet placement with a well constructed bullet.

Here is a Safari from Outdoor Life I found that used the 6.5 Creedmoor to kill all the way up to Eland weighing over 1800 pounds.

https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2012/02/shooting-65-creedmoor-african-safari/

On my own Safari it was a well placed arrow that did the trick some years back.

My African Safari with Rifle and Bow e-book can be found on Amazon. The e- book has a wealth of knowledge. Just remember that you may encounter dangerous game in some Safari’s where lion and cape buffalo roam so be sure to USE ENOUGH GUN! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TBEOWQ?tag=sa-b2c-new-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Good Hunting!

Ballistic Word of the Day – Obturation

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Ed Hale

This is a word not often used in the ballistic lexicon where modern rifle bullets are concerned, but where you are shooting a muzzleloader, shotgun or a gas checked lead projectile it has a point of conceptual understanding and its benefits are huge!

Cast Bullet Gas Checks below.

https://detroitammoco.com/gas-checks/

I came across the word obturation when examining the using soft lead, copper or gas checks where the bullets base (sometimes concave) expands to fully engage the rifling in the barrel thus preventing the escape of gas around the slightly undersized bullet.

In the case of my TC 50 cal muzzle loader, I use PowerBelt™ Bullets with a synthetic concave gas check base which obturates, seals the gas, as the slightly undersized lead bullet exits thus providing maximum power and accuracy as the lead does contact the rifling. And it loads easier than plastic saboted bullets. See the story below.

When the muzzle-loader is fired the synthetic base expands providing the obturation (gas seal) to prevent gas to escape around the slightly smaller diameter bullet and thus increases the muzzle velocity and energy delivered. This the same concept for shooting a shotgun with bird-shot or a rifled slug/wad where the wad or plastic base obturates (seals to prevent gas from escaping around the pellets) upon ignition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obturation

Good Shooting!

.375 Ruger – Reloading Reduced Loads – Update

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Ed Hale

The .375 Ruger is perhaps one of the most versatile cartridges to reload for hunting game from wild boar, deer, elk, moose, buffalo, and most African game including Elephant with a single rifle and with a myriad of bullets and weights from 200 grains to 300 grains. And can reach out as far or close as you like as well!

My experience with a reduced load I first developed was with Hornady’s 220 grain flat nose, originally designed for the .375 Winchester reintroduced in 1978. That flat nose bullet is no longer in production. I shot it in my Ruger African M77. Muzzle velocity was perhaps 1600 fps. and the recoil was much less than my 50 cal muzzleloader. I harvested a big plump red doe below with it at 50 yards and got full penetration. One shot through the heart and she dropped in less than 20 yards with little meat damage. The bullet was not recovered but based on the speed and energy, the bullet likely stayed 100% intact.

Today I load Speer’s 235 grain Hot Core for deer with 38 grains of SR 4759 powder that I worked up based on the 375 H&H cartridge load data. Deer and Black Bear beware… and low recoil with this slower moving bulldozer!

Muzzle velocity was measured at around 2135 fps and around an inch at 100 yards, energy at the muzzle is near to 2400 ft-lbs (100 yd energy 1850 ft-lbs) . Expect minimal radial blood shot meat damage with this slow heavy bullet. Because the shape of this bullet is similar to a round nose it is capable of expanding on deer size game at slower velocities. Reloading this powder does not require the use of any fillers to hold the powder to the primer. Ignition appears consistent no matter the angle. The reloader should work up a load starting low and working up to observe that there are no over-pressure signs. Every rifle is different. The point to drive home here is that bullets in reduced loads need to mushroom or be in a quasi-mushroom shape already at speeds less than say 1800 fps on impact or exceed 2000 fps on impact with a pointed bullet such as a spitzer.

In some recent research I have found two websites that have information that is useful to .375 Ruger owners. First is a Chuck Hawks article.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_big_bore_loads.htm

The second is Hawk, Inc. a maker of custom bullets that include flat and round nose bullets for the .375. A great find in my book for versatility.

https://hawkbullets.com/

All that said, there are bullets from many manufacturers from 250 grain to 300 grain in spitzer or round nose to use as full power loads on game larger than deer. I recently shot a 850 pound moose with Nosler’s 300 grain AccuBond™ because its sectional density was one of the best for penetration on tough animals. On the right is the 300 grain AB below.

It was a one shot kill at 100 yards using RL 15 powder and a MV of 2500 fps. The moose fell within 20 yards of the shot. The bullet was recovered under the skin on the far side and maintained 80% of its original weight.

Below is a 750 pound Bison that I took several years back with Noslers 260 grain AccuBond. One shot kill. Later a nice NH moose.

I met a Texan reading some of my early writings that wanted to hunt really big hogs. He hunts with a Ruger Rifle in .375 Ruger Cartridge.

Barnes still makes a 255 grain copper jacket lead flat point that you can experiment with for reduced loads as well. I found it at MidwayUSA, 50 for $48. On the expensive side! https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101041204

Good Hunting!