What Are The Best Crossbows For Hunting

In the hunter vs. sport shooter divide, the Excalibur Assassin 400TD comes down firmly on the hunter’s side. This is a highly compact bow, making it fantastic option for hunting in heavily wooded areas.

At 400 feet per second (FPS), its speed is more than adequate for any type of game. It boasts Excalibur’s Quick-Loc technology, so disassembly and storage are a breeze. When it is broken down, this bow is only 25 in. x10 in. and weighs a measly 7.8 pounds., meaning it would not be out of place on an ultralight backpacking trip.

The Assassin 400TD also has a built-in silent charger crank, which allows the hunter to reload quickly and quietly without spooking any animals. This product package also comes standard with a Tact-100 illuminated scope, four Black Eagle brand Pro-Flight 16.5" arrows with 100-grain field tips, a quiver that holds four arrows, a hard case, and R.E.D.S. suppressors.

This model also contains a Pro-Shot 2-stage trigger, which has a three-pound pull like a rife trigger. This allows for greater accuracy than some of the earlier crossbow trigger designs because it does not require nearly the amount of force to activate the firing mechanism. This reduces recoil and has a huge impact on the overall accuracy of the bow. 

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The TenPoint Nitro XRT Crossbow Package is high end. It boasts a 470 FPS velocity while its ACU draw PRO cocking system all but negates the 225 pounds of force necessary to cock this machine. Its advanced T5 trigger is state-of-the-art and negates almost all trigger pull-based inaccuracies.

One of the most common reasons for a crossbow to fire inaccurately is because the arrow and the string are misaligned. Even slight misalignments as the arrow is fired can create large trajectory errors downrange. The TenPoint Nitro XRT Crossbow’s custom Alpha-Nock technology gets rid of that issue, as it keeps the string and the nock snugly aligned right up until the arrow is released. This new Alpha-Nock system increases string-to-knock engagement by 28%, leading to far fewer off-center shots.

•The is an all-inclusive system, so no pricey accessories are necessary. Included in this package are: an EVO-X Marksman Scope with dovetail mount, six EVO-X Center Punch Premium Carbon arrows, a three-arrow quiver with left-or-right-handed side-mount bracket, a STAG hard case, and a neoprene carry sling. Truly, this is everything you need. 

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The PSE Fang HD Pro Crossbow is ideal for a new crossbow enthusiast. That does not mean this is an underpowered “starter bow,” though, so do not be confused. This is a powerful weapon. It boasts a speed of 405 FPS, meaning this bow is formidable enough to successfully hunt any type of animal.

The crossbow does have a 205 lb. draw weight, meaning that this is not going to be a quick or quiet bow to reload, at least at first. However, with practice, a competent hunter can reload a 205 lb. draw in a manner of seconds. This kit also comes with a DV-425 1.5-5x32mm variable zoom scope, a fully adjustable butt stock, a foot stirrup, a five-arrow quiver, and limb dampeners and string suppressors to cut down on noise and vibration.

If you are in the market for a beginner crossbow that still has the power to get the job done, consider the PSE Fang HD Pro Crossbow. It is not flashy but it is a highly efficient, well manufactured weapon.

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BearX Constrictor   Hunt Crossbow  

This is another all-inclusive kit that is perfect for a new hunter or an experienced hunter looking to upgrade. The BearX Constrictor Ready-to-Hunt Crossbow Package is tailor-made for hunting in deep woods and tight spaces. It measures 10 in. axle to axle when cocked and 14 in. uncocked, so this is a very compact weapon that will go anywhere with you.

With a speed of 410 FPS, the BearX Constrictor is powerful enough to take down any size game animal. Weighing in at only 7.8 lbs., this weapon will not weigh down your hunt. With one of the sleekest designs on the market, the BearX Constrictor would not look out of place on the mantle or hanging above a fireplace. It is truly a beautiful machine.

This weapon does have a 190 lb. draw. While this is not the heaviest draw on the market (or even the heaviest draw on this list), it is something to keep in mind. For any shooter that has not used a cocking rope before, this 190 lb. draw will take some getting used to. However, once a shooter is comfortable with reloading the BearX Constrictor, it is the perfect bow to take with you on just about any trip.

This is a kit that includes almost everything necessary to outfit a crossbow hunt, including a reliable anti-dry fire device, three BearX TrueX arrows, an illuminated scope, rail lube, string wax, and an adjustable sling for ease of transport. 

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 Killer Instinct Swat XP 415fps Crossbow 

This is a weapon that was designed to hunt big game in close quarters. The Killer Instinct Swat XP is a compact crossbow that delivers arrows at an impressive 415 FPS. It is only 27 in. in length, meaning it has one of the tightest, most efficient designs of any hunting crossbow currently on the market. Couple that with the Killer Instinct’s “Dead Silent Crank System,” and you have a weapon that was tailor-made to creep through dense underbrush and target wary deer and elk.

This crossbow was absolutely designed for the average, blue-collar hunter in mind. It has a combination of style and function that will not break the bank. Specialized from broadhead arrows, if you are searching for a powerful, reliable weapon with which to hunt anything from deer to moose, you cannot go wrong with the Killer Instinct Swat XP. The trajectory of broadhead arrows is sometimes difficult to gauge, so for a crossbow to be designed with broadheads specifically in mind is a definite game-changer for big game hunters. The Killer Instinct Swat XP is not as flashy as some of the other bows available, but it has all the power a big game hunter could ever need. With a draw of 153 lbs., this bow has about the lightest draw available in 400+ FPS crossbow models that utilize cocking ropes. If you are looking for an easy draw that still packs a punch, you have found it with the Killer Instinct Swat XP 415fps crossbow.

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Ravin R29X  Crossbow Package

The Ravin R29X Crossbow is an elegant weapon. Its max speed of 450 FPS rivals any other crossbow design, but what really sets the Ravin R29X apart is its superior draw engineering. This crossbow has a draw weight of only 12 lbs. That is incredible! For context, a gallon of milk weighs about eight pounds, meaning if you can lift a milk jug you can pretty much load this crossbow.

Obviously, this negligible draw weight will be appreciated by hunters and sport shooters alike. However, where this lightweight draw comes into play is reloading while on a hunt. As evidenced from the rest of this list, most hunting bows have a 100-200 lb. draw, making reloading a laborious and potentially noisy process. 

If you do not hit your animal with your first arrow, a heavy draw will almost guarantee you do not get a second shot. By the time you have your weapon reloaded, there is a great chance that the animal knows exactly where you are and is charging away in the other direction. With at 12 lb. draw, reloading becomes a quick and silent maneuver, meaning the average hunter has a much higher chance of getting a second arrow off. 

As you may have guessed, this crossbow is not cheap. This is a weapon for a serious, dedicated hunter or sports shooter who is looking for the very highest quality.  

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