Early in my life, crossbows were used primarily for scaring away my daughter’s overly-optimistic boyfriends.
But ever since my shoulders and arms got F-ed up from shooting bow and arrow, crossbows found a special place in my heart. Especially since Judy got married.
Over the years, I’ve had 9 different crossbows: From small-scale, cheap replicas of medieval ballistic contraptions to bows that had so much plastic in them they could be easily featured on the cover of Playboy.
Finding the best crossbow in 2020 is difficult as people are actually turned off by too many choices.
MY MISSION: To help you pick out the best crossbow for hunting and survival.
HOW I DID IT: I have spent months testing and trying these bows, from basic to the high end ones. In fact, you will find a total of 15 crossbow reviews in this article alone. I made a list of what I consider to be top-of-the-line crossbows in 3 different price ranges.
KNOW THIS: All crossbows on this list are well-built, accurate, easily maneuverable, powerful, and easy to use but don’t forget that you usually get what you pay for.
High-end crossbows are quieter, faster, more powerful and have a much better fit and finish. They are also more sturdy and generally come fully loaded with advanced scopes, arrows and cranking systems.
Contents:
- Best crossbows under $500
- Best crossbows under $1000
- Best crossbows over $1000
- Crossbow beginner FAQ
Best crossbows under $500
Crossbows in this category are considered the best cheap crossbows on the market, good for entry-level and experienced users alike. They check all the basic boxes for both survival and hunting and will enable you to take out even the biggest of game with relative ease and accuracy, but usually in the 30-40 yard range.
1) Barnett Explorer 400 (XP 400)
The latest addition to this list (replacing Barnett Whitetail Hunter II as an all-round better option).
Just like its predecessor on this list, the Barnett Expedition 400 II is a US-made crossbow capable of shooting at 400 fps with a 380 grain bolt (compared to 350 fps with the Whitetail). It generates 135 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy (compared to 103 on the Whitetail) and its draw weight is 200 lbs (compared to 150).
It weighs 6.2 lbs and measures 31.25″ long and 19″ wide. It sights in almost instantly and you’ll be getting bullseyes at 30 yards in your first go — hell, you can even go for the 60 and it’ll still shoot good on the first try. The only adjustments you’ll have to make with this one are with the scope but those are only minor and you just need to follow the instructions.
It uses industry-standard bolts, so no fancy mumbo jumbo here, as a total budget-friendly option for beginners and advanced users alike.
What I like about it, and why I’m putting it as the #1 option in this under $500 category is the accuracy out of the box, the adjustable butt stock and cheek rest (switch hands easily if need be), and amazing power for this price.
2) CenterPoint Sniper 370
The CenterPoint Sniper 370 was Outdoor Life’s 2016 “Great Buy” and is superior to many competitor xbows in both performance and features.
Here’s why it’s the best cheap crossbow for deer hunting:
- Fires bolts up to mind-blowing 370 fps, generating 110 ft lbs of kinetic energy
- Shoots up to 50 yards with high accuracy
- High performance for big game
- Fully adjustable tactical stock and forearm
- At $299, it’s the cheapest crossbow on this list
The 370 has quad limbs, a CNC-machined cam system and a CNC-machined rail. It also packs integrated string suppressors which will tone down the noise levels to a tolerable degree.
Its draw weight is 185 lbs and is 36.5” long and 21.5” wide (18” cocked). It’s a bit on the heavy side, weighing in at 8 lbs (and up to 9 lbs with accessories).
Speaking of accessories, it comes with a 4×32 mm scope with etched glass reticle, three 20” carbon bolts, quiver, a rope cocker and a shoulder sling so you can carry it around.
The scope is very easy to sight-in. After that, it hits exactly where you aim it with high consistency.
At this price, you’re not wrong thinking there has to be a tradeoff and in this case the tradeoff is the trigger. It’s pretty gritty and firm, and definitely has a hard pull, but you can always upgrade it later down the line.
3) Centerpoint Sniper Elite Whisper Crossbow
Everyone knows just how much in love I am with Centerpoint products. It even goes as far as me sometimes screaming out “Centerpoint” when climaxing with Bonnie.
Depending on how much involved you are with the crossbow industry, Centerpoint might either be irrelevant to you (for example as Jeff Bush is to the world), or is the center of your universe.
For me, it’s the latter.
When I originally wrote this article, this #1 spot in the best crossbow under $500 category was held by the Grizzly 2, a recurve crossbow which fires bolts at 305 feet per second (fps).
It’s been some time since then and your Uncle Ferret here did some shopping around in the meantime.
What I found out is that there’s an even better option for you: the one that’s cheaper, stronger, lighter and more accurate.
The crossbow I’m talking about is the Centerpoint Sniper Elite Whisper Crossbow:
- Shoots at 370 fps (!!!)
- CNC-machined cams
- AR-style butt stock (adjustable to the point of absurdity)
Now, I got this one myself at Cabela’s and I can tell you that it’s the best spent money on a bow ever.
It’s reasonably well-built for the price, well balanced and weighs just 8 lbs.
I got it with the “Package” deal which includes the crossbow, 3 20″ carbon bolts, some dampeners, string stoppers, lube (Bonnie loved this one) and a rope cocker.
The scope I got with it is a 4x32mm Centerpoint Optics scope which is a one piece tube scope with aim points up to 50 yards. It also has red/green illumination with a bunch of settings to play around with.
Where the Grizzly 2 was accurate to up to 40ft, I was able to make tight groups at 55ft with the Whisper and was even able to achieve full penetration at 25 yards.
When you sight it in and start shooting, the first thing you’ll notice is the noise, however you will also quickly realize that it’s so fast that it doesn’t matter much.
4) Wicked Ridge Warrior UltraLite
With a string thinner than J Lo’s underwear, the Wicked Ridge Warrior UltraLite is a beautiful compound crossbow that fires bolts up to 350 fps.
Wicked Ridge is affiliated with Ten Point (probably the most respected crossbow manufacturer in the world) so it goes through similar quality assurance. You’ll love the Warrior for its open back design, its weight of just 6 lbs and the fact that it folds in nicely when cocked allowing for clandestine movement.
The Warrior UltraLite is a tad heavy on the front, but that shouldn’t worry you too much because you’ll probably want to get an ACUdraw on the side–it will balance out the bow and also enable you to crank your crossbow in 20 seconds with nearly no draw weight.
The package this crossbow comes with also contains a TenPoint multi line scope (which is actually great), an instant-detach quiver and three aluminum arrows.
I’ve shot this bow on numerous occasions and the biggest takeaway is that it has annihilating penetration. With a 430 grain bolt, you’ll be able to shoot at over 340 fps and with that speed and power you generally won’t have to worry about the noise scaring away the prey.
The Warrior is an American-made crossbow and the camo pattern will keep you stealthy. Its power stroke is 13.5″ and it’s capable of generating 101 ft. lbs of kinetic energy which is more than enough for ethical hunting–in case you’re not familiar with kinetic energy, 65 ft lbs is generally recommended for toughest game like buffalo and grizzly.
And yeah, it also comes with lifetime warranty. Just sayin’.
5) Wicked Ridge Invader G3
Being a successor to the famous Invader HP, the Invader G3 had lots to prove. And it came through.
The Invader G3 is another Wicked Ridge xbow that’s great value for money and here’s why: it’s made in the USA, accurate as hell, well balanced, the 3x scope glass is high quality and it shoots at 330 fps.
This xbow is 37.75″ long, 22.6″ wide and weighs just 6.6 lbs. The draw weight is 165 lbs and the power stroke is 13.5”.
I consider this bow a balanced choice for the money, especially with it being powerful enough to take out even the largest of bucks with relative ease. It’s extremely comfortable and shoulders nicely but I believe its upside here is the ACU-52, an integrated cocking device that cuts the draw weight by 50%.
Quick note: this bow pairs really well with Ten Point Pro Muzzy MX3 broadhead arrows, which further increase its lethal range.
The Invader G3 is a sturdy weapon that will allow you to hunt in all weather conditions.Out of the box, it shoots 400-grain bolts at 330 fps, achieving 96 ft lbs which is more than enough for any game.
The downside (at least for me) is that it doesn’t come with a dampener so you might wanna grab some String Dampening Rods (SDR), which are pretty easy to set up.
Best crossbows under $1000
Here we enter the “TenPoint territory”. Products listed here come with a variety of high-tech accessories and are of a much higher quality than the ones in the previous chapter. Top crossbows in this category are characterized by plenty of power, some weight-reducing cutouts, integrated cocking mechanisms and high-quality scopes and bolts.
1) Wicked Ridge Invader X4
With Ten Point, you’re paying extra for the prestige. With Wicked Ridge, you get similar quality (Ten Point owns them) but a lot more features.
For example, this xbow is faster, more powerful and lighter than the Renegade, however it comes with slightly worse scope and bolts.
It also has an ACUdraw mechanism and weighs just 6.3 lbs. The Invader X4 is 36.5″ long and 15” wide when cocked. It generates 360 fps and as much as 112 ft. lbs of kinetic energy which is enough to take down a smaller tank, not to mention wild game.
This bow comes with a Ten Point multi line scope, a 3-arrow quiver, ACUdraw and 3 aluminum practice bolts.
It has smaller limbs, so you might want to consider it if stealth movement is at the top of your list. The bow sights in after just 1-2 shots and is incredibly easy to use from there on out. It blew me away how well-balanced it is, especially considering the price.
It shoots dead on the target, but the bolts it comes with are known to have some issues with tips and inserts, so I suggest upgrading to some 370-grain Ten Point Pro Lite bolts. This xbow can more than handle them.
This is currently among the top selling crossbows in USA and Canada and Wicked Ridge is trying to keep up with the demand by upgrading their customer service, which is now closing the distance to Ten Point’s.
2) Parker Tornado XXT
The Tornado is one of latest additions to the Parker lineup.
It shoots at a whopping 365 fps and generates 118 ft. lbs of kinetic energy. It’s super narrow at just 20” axle-to-axle.
It has a G2 bull-pup trigger, which is sturdy and flexible, and an ambidextrous safety, alongside the anti-dry fire dock. It’s made in the USA and Parker is one of the most reputable crossbows companies out there.
The draw is 165 lbs, however the weight of the crossbow is 9.2 lbs fully equipped which might be too much for people with hand and shoulder issues. Its sturdiness reduces vibrations and increases accuracy—it’s just great to shoot.
There are many other good things about this bow: It’s quiet and comes with four 407-grain Parker Red Hot crossbow bolts and a Red Hot scope that has graduations down to 60 yards. The comb will help you get a good cheek weld and a great sight down the scope.
It fits great and sights in after just two shots, which is what you would expect from a $1000 bow. The build quality is exceptional and you’ll realize immediately that this xbow is put together with care.
[yellow] Parker Tornado XXT is spot-on accurate up to 60 yards and, coupled with the lifetime warranty it comes with, is an obvious choice for the money. It’s made in the USA and it will easily be one of your most trusted hunting companions. [/yellow]
3) TenPoint Turbo GT
The first place in this category best under $1000 used to belong to the TenPoint Renagade. In December 2020, I’ve shot the Turbo GT and decided to feature it up front, due to its amazing cocking mechanism and the amazing groupings I managed to achieve with it.
Even though the Renegade is still a great choice, I just couldn’t help to notice how easier to live with I found the Turbo GT — it’s similar but feels younger, which is probably just about me fantasizing about having a younger girlfriend. That’s what 30 years of marriage do to ya.
The Turbo GT is stronger than the Renegade (340 fps and 109 ft. lbs vs Renegade’s 335 fps and 94 ft. lbs)
The Turbo wins in other specs as well — it’s a 175 lbs bow, 36” long and 17” wide when uncocked. Best of all, it weighs just 6.5 lbs.
Just like the one it replaced, it’s equipped with a 3x Pro View scope, a dry fire inhibitor and an auto-safety trigger. It comes with the buttstock-integrated ACUdraw 50, quiver, and 3 Pro Elite carbon arrows. Once you’re done cocking it, you can tuck the ropes into the housing.
At 40 yards the groupings you get with it are unbelievable. I was William Telling my arrows like it was nothing, and it has more than enough energy to kill a deer at that distance.
The 4-dotted aluminum scope is the same as on the Renegade and it sights in quickly, in just a couple of shots.
I love that scope, I’ve been using that scope on many other crossbows for years, I love the fact the the floating dot is spot on at over 40 yards and, since it has a lighted reticle, you’ll be able to use it both at dusk and dawn.
4) TenPoint Titan SS
Ten Point Titan SS is an obvious choice in this price range and is among the highest rated crossbows as well. It sells like crazy and people are loving it.
This xbow fires bolts at 320 fps and up to 340 fps with Ten Point Pro Lite bolts. It weighs 6.7 lbs and the draw weight is 175 lbs.
If you buy it as a package you’ll also get Ten Point’s 3x Pro View scope (not illuminated), an ACUdraw 50 cocking mechanism, a 3-arrow quiver and 3 Pro Elite carbon bolts.
This is a step up from the Renegade. The Titan SS has a Fusion S stock and an adjustable comb height. Also, the buttplate has two positions so you can customize pull length.
The scope is not illuminated but it has calibrated dots at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards which is just about its lethal range for larger game. It’s made in the USA (cue the bald eagle).
The Mossy Oak Treestand pattern is really stealthy, as is the size of this bow: It measures 35” long and 18.5” wide when cocked.
This bow takes about 3 shots to sight in, after which you’ll be hitting consistent 1-inch groups at 40+ yards with no issues. Now, one thing you need to prepare for is that this one shoots a bit loud, so I suggest getting a dampening system.
The ACUdraw 50 is quiet and easy to cock, so if you’re a veteran hunter with bad shoulders you will find that the Ten Point Titan SS is among the top crossbows you can get.
5) Horton Storm RDX
As a subsidiary of Ten Point, Horton’s slogan is “performance runs in the family”. The same couldn’t be said for my family because my son can’t even hit a water bottle from 10 feet away.
Horton Storm is a reverse draw crossbow and a good one at that: It’s short, narrow and shoots at 370 fps, generating upwards of 115 ft. lbs of kinetic energy. The slotted barrel helps it stay light at 7.7 lbs.
Just to expand a bit on its maneuverability—it’s 35” long and just 15” wide when fully cocked, so you’ll love the stealthiness. The draw is 165 lbs.
The bow is extremely well built and has an adjustable comb (7 settings) and buttplate(3 positions in quarter inch increments). Playing around with this will enable you to fully tailor the pull length to your liking. It’s equipped with a trigger safety and a DFI.
It’s super easy to use out-of-the-box and comes with an ACUdraw cocking device, three 400-grain Victory Carbon arrows and a quiver.
I suggest you upgrade the scope on it right away, as the one it comes with slightly bottlenecks the performance. One of the best scopes for the Horton Storm is the Hawke XB1 which has illuminated crosshairs for up to 60 yards and a 100 yard aimpoint—it will make your Storm deadly accurate at even around 60-70 yards.
Horton Storm is well balanced and extremely comfortable when shouldered. The retention brush on it reduces the noise and centers the arrow on the middle of the barrel. It comes pre-built so the only thing you have to do is put on the scope and you’re good to go.
Best crossbows over $1000
All crossbows listed below have built in cranks and are powerful, sturdy, reliable and dead-on accurate—which is exactly what you should get if you’re shelling out the big bucks. Simply put, these are the best crossbows in the world right now and they will instantly make you a deer hunting machine.
1) Excalibur Assassin
The Excalibur Assassin is the best recurve crossbow on the market.
It goes for $1,600 and comes fully loaded with illuminated scope, REDS suppressors, ambidextrous cranking system, air brakes, four bolt quiver and four Quill bolts.
The Assassin shoots at 360 fps and with the 100-grain field point arrows included in the box generates 100 ft. lbs of kinetic energy. The draw weight is 285 lbs (with the cranking system this goes down to 12 lbs) and the bow weighs 8.9 lbs with all accessories.
Another cool feature is the adjustable Tru-Fit stock which, coupled with an adjustable cheek piece, allows for a fully custom fit—this bow is comfortable regardless of your size.
However, what separates it from others on this list is not its power but how silent it is. The guys from Excalibur really outdid themselves when it comes to stealth because once you put all the sound-deadening accessories on it, the Assassin is extremely quiet and vibration-free.
Excalibur users often replace the triggers on their bows, as that has been Excalibur’s weak point over the years but with this bow they’ve launched a new trigger which works great. It’s a frictionless, super-crisp 2-stage trigger and is a real joy to shoot.
The scope has 20, 30, 40, 60 yard marks and it’s a shooters delight. In its essence, Assassin is looking to end the reign of compound crossbows and with this bow they are pretty close to achieving that.
2) Ravin R20
The Ravin R20 is the most badass crossbow I’ve ever seen. You do not want to cross paths with someone carrying this as, in theory, it has enough power to achieve full penetration of two bucks placed side by side.
The R20 is the most powerful crossbow on the market: It shoots at an incredible 430 fps and generates 164 ft. lbs of kinetic energy.
It does all that at just 34.5” long and 6.5” wide when cocked. The R20 weighs 7.1 lbs stock and 9.4 lbs fully loaded with a draw weight of 270 lbs.
Speaking of it being loaded, the package it comes with is also insane. Besides the bow you get a 100-yard illuminated scope, six 400-grain bolts, six 100-grain practice field points and a cocking system which reduces the draw weight down to 12 lbs.
And this bow can shoot, make no mistake about it.
With some practice, you can get full penetration at 100 yards which is really as much as you can ask for in a bow. Needless to say, the accuracy at anything less than that is mind blowing—a friend of mine owns this bow and I have seen him get 5 bolt 1-inch groups at 60 yards.
This crossbow sights in quickly and is pre-tuned, so you won’t have to mess around setting it up too much, as you shouldn’t have to do if you’re shelling out over $2,000. It does not require any modifications (at least not in the short-term) and the scope is illuminated so you can hunt any time of day.
3) TenPoint Carbon Nitro RDX
We’re starting the countdown with what I believe is the best hunting crossbow─Ten Point’s Carbon Nitro RDX bow shoots at a whopping 385 fps and is just 10” long from axle to axle.
It’s a reverse draw so that partly accounts for its good maneuverability but it’s mind boggling how they managed to make it so damn powerful—my guess is that the 13” limbs are brilliantly paired with a custom RDX cam system.
At 7.8 lbs, this bow is super light and easy to lug around the field. Because it’s so narrow you can freely move it around the bushes and trees and even in the tree and ground blinds. The low weight is due to the fully carbon stock and barrel.
The bow comes with an ambidextrous 3-arrow quiver, an ACUdraw cocking mechanism, 6 Pro Elite carbon bolts and an RDX string-stop system which reduces the noise and vibration.
Both the cheek piece and the buttplate are adjustable so you can get a perfectly straight line down the Ten Point’s RangeMaster Pro scope, which is included as standard. And what a scope it is.
We’re talking about a 8.25” aluminum scope featuring variable speed and arrow-drop compensation settings which does not require you to input the distance. It’s calibrated for 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards and the glass is a fully coated 5x optics.
Logically, a Ten Point bow with these features has to be a killing machine, which the Carbon Nitro is.
It’s known as a quiet, freakishly strong and dependable bow. The cheek weld you’ll get with it is good and the scope will ensure 60-yard kills and consistent 40 yard pass-throughs. Once you fire the bolt, the ACUdraw can take care of the cocking for you in just a few seconds.
4) Ten Point Carbon Phantom
Ten Point Carbon Phantom’s narrative is all about building up the speed with low poundages, which makes it the best tactical crossbow on the market.
The Carbon Phantom shoots at 385 fps with Ten Point Pro Lite arrows (which you’ll have to get on the side), generating 126 ft. lbs of kinetic energy—it does that with just 160 pounds of draw weight and the total weight of the bow at 6.9 lbs. Just take a second and let those numbers sink in.
Even more impressive than the numbers is the engineering on this bow: Due to its reverse cam system, the string comes from the front of the cam (instead of the back) which means that the distance between two cam insides is just 8.75”, which ensures maximum speed and minimal draw weight.
It comes with an illuminated RangeMaster Pro scope, an ACUdraw cocking device, six Pro Elite carbon arrows, String Dampening Rods and, of course, a quiver.
This is one of the best bows you can get if you’re looking to shoot at 40-60 yard range with high accuracy, where it groups bolts like crazy. The accuracy increases even further once you set up the adjustable stock and cheek plate to your liking—get a snuggle fit and it’s game over (pun not intended).
Just like with any other Ten Point, the build quality is bar none. As soon as you pick it up you will realize just how well this is put together and you will soon be wanting to take it out on the field every day.
5) Scorpyd Aculeus
Scorpyd crossbows have always had a custom feel to them and so I wanted to include one on this list. Their flagship crossbow—Aculeus— earned its place in this round-up with its sophisticated design, power and accuracy.
It comes in several packages, varying in draw weight options and accessories. The 180 lbs version of the Scorpyd Aculeus is the fastest crossbow money can buy—it shoots bolts up to 460 fps and comes with either Hawke XB30 or HHA Sports L4-SO scope.
The most expensive package also features an ACUdraw system, 6 custom bolts, a quiver, a sling and a silencing kit.
Just like Excalibur, Scorpyd also struggled to develop a high-end trigger. This is something they’re trying to correct with Aculeus, whose trigger has 3 settings so you can tailor it to your preferences. They call this trigger the Kempf and it is now one of the nicest triggers on the market.
Fully loaded, this bow can stack bolts in one spot like nothing and can take down game from distances of over 60 yards. Full penetration is ensured with this amount of force and speed.
The Aculeus is most likely a better choice than any similarly-fast Ravin, just for the fact that the company is not so much in the spotlight. Scorpyd bows have the nicest feel to them and they are growing in user base by the year.
Crossbow beginner FAQ
In this section, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions pertaining hunting and tactical crossbows. If you have additional questions, feel free to post them in the comments below.
How to shoot a crossbow?
Crossbows are extremely easy to use out-of-the-box. The first thing you should do when you get a crossbow is put it together: This involves mounting the scope, the foot stirrup, attaching the quiver and adjusting the buttplate. Make it fit comfortably and try to get a good cheek weld.
Next you will need to cock the bow. This is either done with the cocking rope or a cocking mechanism like ACUdraw which comes with many mid to high-end bows. The rope is more difficult as you’ll essentially have to deadlift 160+ lbs, but a cocking mechanism reduces the draw weight to around 12 lbs, so it’s a much better option for people with mobility issues.
Once you cock the bow, the safety mechanism will automatically engage. Lift up the bow and be sure to keep the lead hand below the rail as you do not want your limbs to be in the line of fire. Just hold it on the underside like a rifle.
Before you can hunt with your crossbow, you’ll need to sight in the scope. Most of the scopes are preset to 20 yards so that’s the first shot you’ll have to take–adjust the focus on the scope (a dial located on the front bell) and take a shot.
Assess the accuracy and adjust the scope until the impact and aiming points match. Remember the game here is to get your crossbow to hit consistently where you aim it. Take a look at this guide for more detailed info on sighting in a crossbow scope.
Next, insert the bolt in the center rail by sliding it all the way to the back. Your crossbow is now ready to shoot. Go into a shooting stance, aim and just squeeze the trigger. Repeat the sequence for some 150 bolts before you go out hunting, just so you’re extremely familiar with your bow.
What’s the difference between recurve and a compound crossbow?
The power of the bow comes from it storing the energy when the string is pulled backwards. Recurve and compound bows do this differently.
Recurve crossbows are just like traditional hand-drawn bows. You pull the string back and it causes the two limbs of the bow to bend, which generates energy. Once you release the string, the energy is propelled forward, shooting the arrow.
Instead of a linear force, compound crossbows use a system of strings and wheels (cam system) to pull the string back and bend the limbs. By using this system they are able to generate more force and fire arrows at a greater speed than recurve bows. Their downside is that they are more difficult to maintain compared to recurve crossbows which have just several moving parts.
In the end, it’s a personal choice between traditional and low-maintenance and modern and high-maintenance. However, if you’re looking for maximum power and speed, compound bows are the better choice.
What are the best crossbow brands?
Ten Point is most likely the number one crossbow brand in the world, especially for compound crossbows: They consistently make top quality bows with unmatched fit and finish and they offer lifetime warranty on all of their products. Excalibur comes in at a close second and is the best manufacturer of recurve crossbows in the world.
What are the best crossbow bolts for hunting?
Every crossbow that you buy comes with bolts, and some high-end crossbows even come with 6 bolts. However, once your shooting advances you’re going to want to upgrade your bow and that includes the bolts. In my opinion, the best crossbow bolts are Black Eagle Executioners, just because they won the most 3D archery championships in the last 4 years and I find them extremely well balanced.
However, I would also add that the question of the best bolts is largely subjective and you should definitely choose the bolt that your bow likes the best. For every crossbow there is a perfect bolt somewhere out there.
What’s the best crossbow trigger?
Crossbow triggers are one of the most underestimated parts of the bow. They have a difficult task of holding the entire draw weight and plus they need to feel both light and sturdy. For example, Excalibur bows all have good factory triggers. In my experience Scorpyd produces the best triggers on all crossbows with their 2.5 lbs triggers being extremely similar to top triggers found on rifles, such as the Accutrigger found on Savage weapons.
What is the best crossbow scope on the market?
Crossbow scopes are chosen based on the speed of the bow, so there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution.
For bows that shoot up to 420 fps, the best scope is the Hawke Illuminated Reticle XB1 scope, as it has multi-coated optics and an illuminated reticle for low-light conditions with points in red or green from 20 to 100 yards.
What are the best crossbows targets?
Hunting with a crossbow requires practice and there is no better way to practice than to get some targets that you can lay around in your backyard and shoot at all day long. Usually what you would do is use field-points for practicing and broadheads for hunting.
Choosing the best target also depends on the power of your bow and the distance you’re shooting from: For bows that shoot up to 370 fps, I would recommend RedHead’s Crossbow Field-Point Target, which shouldn’t have any pass-throughs and is great value for money.
For faster bolts, the Black Field Logic Block is a good choice however don’t be surprised if it gets difficult to pull the bolts out.
The best target for unloading a bow is Morell’s Yellow Jacket Discharge Bag, as it weighs just 6 lbs and you can easily carry it with you.
What are some essential crossbow hunting accessories?
One of the best crossbow hunting investments you can make is to get a shooting stick which will allow you to stabilize the bow either standing or kneeling in order to get a perfect shot every single time.
Also, you’ll want a good hunting backpack which can fit your knife, snacks and MREs, water, GPS and anything else you might be carrying around. I would also suggest applying some wax and lube to your strings after every 10 shots so you keep them in a good condition.
If your bow is not equipped with it and you’re not feeling like cocking the bow with a rope, I suggest getting a rope cocking mechanism which reduces the draw weight. ACUdraw is one of the best around and it can be mounted to your bow.
A shoulder strap is also an essential accessory, especially because heavier bows can tire out your arms pretty quickly.
I love to hunt with a crossbow but they are expensive. Thank you for this guide of good crossbows under 500 dollars.
You’re welcome son
Great article. Do you think the TenPoint Nitro XRT or the Scorpyd Nemesis 480 is a better crossbow overall where power, speed and accuracy is concerned?
Listen son, I think the difference is in the details. I couldn’t point my finger at one and say it’s better overall but my personal preference would be the TenPoint. Thanks, Uncle Ferret
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right.
This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how
much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
Thank you son, I see that you’ve got yourself a website as well, good luck to you and your brother
Great article. Do you think the TenPoint Nitro XRT or the Scorpyd Nemesis 480 is a better crossbow overall where power, speed and accuracy is concerned?
Tough choice but I’m going for TenPoint. Although it’ll be difficult to find either, now that the Chinese have blown up half of the world.
Thank you so much Ferret Baransky for sharing your honest review. Your Information is very accurate and helpful everyone can believe you blindly. My favorite crossbow is Barnett Whitetail Hunter II.
Thank you Alena, please don’t believe me blindly otherwise I’ll just take advantage of you! Lol
Great piece of writing.
I love to use Ravin R20 but it is quite expensive under $2000. I’m planning to buy some new one. Could you please suggest me comparatively to Ravin R20 under $1500.
Thank you Jack-O
I enjoy hunting with a crossbow, but they are costly. Thank you for providing this list of decent crossbows under $500.
Thank you very much, Ferret Baransky, for taking the time to write such a candid review. Everyone may blindly believe you because your information is so accurate and useful. Barnett Whitetail Hunter II is my favourite crossbow.
Thanks for the information you shared with us.
Really some great crossbows on this list! Looking forward to getting my hands on one of these bad boys this season. Thank you for the info! Great read!