Xbow Question

[TooTall71]

I bought a new bow this summer and have been having a good bit of trouble getting any kind of consistency outside of 20 yds. with broadheads. Took it to the bow shop and they said the cheap ass scope the bow came with was jacked up, so I swapped it with my other one and it helped....a little. They said nothing SEEMED wrong with the tuning(tiller, cams, etc.), but I'm not totally convinced.

Thing still throws the bolts all over the place, and I've tried fixed head slick tricks and rages. One shot will be dead nuts, next one 3 inches right. Seems like the bolts are wobbling in flight a bit as they aren't going straight in to the target each time.

Using carbon express piledrivers, bow is shooting around 350 fps. Using half moon nocks as those were on the bolts that came with the bow.

Could it just be the bolts themselves that need higher % f.o.c.? Maybe brass inserts?

Any bolt recommendations?

 

[Joel]

What kind of crossbow?

 

["J"]

Are you using a cocking device or going by hand to cock the bow?

 

[Mike]

How's the trigger and your trigger pull?
Shooting off hand or bench/knee?

 

[cspot]

My guess is that you need more FOC. Not sure what grain the insert is in those. Here is what I would recommend.

1. Check all bolts/screw on crossbow and scope. That is often the cause of issues.
2. Shoot with the same arrow, same broadhead, and using the same vane down and see how it shoots. Shoot the same arrow over and over and see if it consistently hits the same spot. I am not familiar with Carbon Express arrows, but with crossbows if they aren't good arrows they will give you fits.
3. Try using a heavier broadhead and see if that fixes it.
4. Get some different arrows to try. If you post what bow you have, I might be able to suggest an arrow for it.
5. The advice above about using a rope cocker is spot on as well.
6. Also make sure even if using a rest to hold onto the forearm of the bow. If you don't it will shoot all over the place.

 

[xbowguy]

First and foremost, what bow is it?

 

[TooTall71]

Its a Falcon 370 DX. Off brand, I know. I think they just started making them a year or 2 ago. Here is a link to it: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/falcon-370-dx-extreme-crossbow-with-bonus-kit?a=1914771

Guy at shop said it was a lot like a Parker. And I use a rope cocker. I have noticed it does prefer one bolt over the others. Dialed it in a bit more tonight with rage 125 gr. Still not totally consistent. Was thinking of putting in brass inserts or trying those heavy slick trick 150 broadheads to increase foc.

 

[Joel]

All I can add is experimenting with new arrows and broadheads can get real expensive quick! Hope you get it figured out though. I had the same issue with a Barnett quad 400 and after spending a couple hundred bucks on arrows and broadheads I bought a tenpoint and have been good to go ever since. Not saying you need a new bow but that's what I ended up doing.

 

[xbowguy]

What scope is on it now?
Go over your bow with a fine-toothed-comb. Check every alignment of parts and tightness of hardware.
Then take a metal straight edge and lay it on each side of the rail to check for straightness.
Make sure your inserts are straight (after all they are mass produced in a machine). See tool at the bottom....
Just for a piece of mind, lightly tighten your arrows in a cordless drill and run on about 1/3 speed. Any wobbles should show up directly. Spinning on a table edge will work fairly well also. I like the drill as you can look right down the shaft.
Concentrate on one arrow at a time when shooting. Mark arrows that have a definite tune (high right, low left ect ect.)
G5 Arrow squaring device.
If all the above is good, place the bow in a "gun vice" or equivalent when shooting. Brace it however you need to~~to make sure it is not moving ANY when shot.
Resight your bow at 30 or 40 yards. Do not assume your arrows will hit the same at 40 that were tuned in at 20.
Some say different, but I stick with 100gr. heads always.

I don't know how many of these you may have already done, they are just suggestions as I can feel your pain. I have been there and it sucks! I will say there are just some bows that just plain suck! Hopefully one or two will help get you in better shape. Hope you get it figured out. Confidence in your bow is a crucial.

 

[TooTall71]

It's an older ten point scope. I was shooting 2" groups at 30 with it last year with my old bow. Took a close look at the bow, and it seems like the left side of the rail is getting more wear than the right side. Not sure if that's from the string or if it's throwing the bolts goofy.

Thanks for the tips, I'll keep working on it. Probably going to throw some heavier brass inserts in the bolts and give it a go. If that doesn't work, take it to shop and get a new, pre-stretched string put on...

 

[Buckmaster]

I bought a tenpoint and have been good to go ever since. Not saying you need a new bow but that's what I ended up doing.

I have a Ten Point Phantom available for sale. It can shoot nocks off at 25 yards and out to 50 realistically.

 

[Dustinb80]

Asking price Ben?

 

[Buckmaster]

$ 750.00 and/or possible trade considerations

 

[Dustinb80]

Would you take my Step son in trade? LOL That's way over my budget. Thanks tho.

 

[Buckmaster]

Would you take my Step son in trade?

Negotiable...how much does he eat and can he mow grass?

 

[Dustinb80]

A lot and no, hes a lazy teenager

 

[Big_Holla]

Would the half-moon vs. flat nock have anything to do with something like that? I was initially thinking maybe too light of a head but I see a lot have mentioned maybe and shouldn't-be's above.

 

[giles]

I agree with the try one at a time, repeatedly. That will tell you if you have bow problem or bolt problem. I also agree with taking as much human error out of the equation.

Do these two things and report back.

Hitting hard objects will trash these shafts...just because you were able to pull it out of a stump, doesn't mean it ain't jacked up. You can roll test them on a countertop. Don't be scared to try and bend them a little by hand either. You will hear it cracking or see the weak spot. I'm not saying to wrap it around you knee...remember when you were a kid and you'd bend that wooden pencil? Same idea.

 

[TooTall71]

After some testing I found something kind of interesting....

the damn thing shoots significantly more consistent when it is cooler outside. I shot last night right before dark and was able to get about 5 shots in a row in a 3" group at 30 yds. with the rages. Seemed like temp was about the only difference.

Anyone ever notice this before with a bow?

 

[Beentown]

After some testing I found something kind of interesting....

the damn thing shoots significantly more consistent when it is cooler outside. I shot last night right before dark and was able to get about 5 shots in a row in a 3" group at 30 yds. with the rages. Seemed like temp was about the only difference.

Anyone ever notice this before with a bow?

No, sounds like a possible shooter issue. No offense intended. I would use the above advice and have someone else do the same procedures.