Buying a Crossbow? Here’s my How to Guide.

Are you thinking of buying a crossbow? Wondering how easy and quiet it would be to hunt using a modern crossbow? Modern crossbows  are easy to use and learn. They are great for beginners and experienced hunters alike, as well as for target archery.

If you are thinking of getting one for your self and are wondering what you should look out for, then read along for my recommendations when buying a crossbow.

First things first: Is it allowed?

Depending on your location crossbows may be banned for ownership and use, or you might need a special permission to use for hunting. They are very accurate and powerful and thus are considered like fire arms.

Steps to choose your crossbow

I have always said you need to follow this 9 step checklist before getting a bow. It is the same for a crossbow except I changed the order and application a bit.

1. What is the Archery style you will be practicing?
2. Decide your budget range.
3. What type of crossbow do you want?
4. What is your dominant eye?*
5. Calculate or measure your draw length*
6. Calculate or measure your draw weight.
7. Should you buy a light or heavy crossbow?
8. How long should your crossbow be?
9. What color and pattern do you prefer?

For more detail on this list head over to my beginner’s checklist of the 9 things you need to know or decide before buying any type of bow.

Step 1. Decide what you are buying a crossbow for

Decide what style of archery you will be doing most of the time. The most popular types of archery for crossbows are target archery and bow hunting. Crossbows are not always allowed for other styles. You will be able to compete or shoot at 3D Archery courses if the club allows it.

Step 2. Decide your budget

Crossbows are more complicated than bows as they have more parts. There will be an initial investment, but you should also factor in things that will be needing replacement like quills and string or cable. There is also the maintenance. As a rule of thumb the more expensive the bow is the more expensive its maintenance will be.

Step 3. Decide the type of crossbow you should get

You have decided you are buying a crossbow, but now you need to decide what type. There are 3 main types of crossbows; recurve, compound and reverse recurve crossbows. I will briefly describe them here but for more detailed information on each type read this article.

This step depends on the previous 2 decisions.

1. What activity you will be using it for
2. Your budget.

The more affordable recurve crossbows are not very maneuverable and are heavier so they are only recommended for target archery.

If you are planning on using your crossbow for bow hunting then you should get a compound crossbow and if you have the budget, go for a reverse-draw compound crossbow. And if you want to invest in a compound crossbow but you will be doing target archery then look for a heavier one.

Once you have decided which type of crossbow you want.  Continue to the next steps.

Step 4. Determine your dominant eye

*Guess what! This step is irrelevant because all crossbows are universal.  You can shoot them with either hand. There are some crossbows with cranks either on the left or right but the crank can be moved to either side, and you can just move it to your dominant hand side.

Step 5. Consider the draw length.

*For other bows your draw length( anatomically speaking) should match the bow’s draw length. For crossbows it is a little different as they are either cocked with a foot straddle, so the draw length would be from your foot to your shoulders, or they can be cocked with crank or rope cocking aid.

In terms of the crossbow draw weight is more akin to power stroke. That is the distance that the bolt is pushed by the string. The longer the bolt is in contact with the string, the more energy it will have when released, and the faster it will fly.

So it’s a balance between a very long crossbow that will be heavier and harder to maneuver that will give you more energy and speed for your bolt and shorter, easier to cock,lighter crossbow that will not be powerful enough.

If you want the highest power stroke then go for a reverse compound crossbow since the way they are designed the power stroke is much longer on the same length crossbow.

In general draw length is not something that you really need to pay attention to, since most crossbows present a good mix between maneuverability and power.

 

Step 6 Consider the draw weight

As with other bows, draw weight should be strong enough to achieve your needs like ethically and legally hunt different game, but not too heavy that it will cause strain and injury to your body. Remember that the lower the draw weight the easier it will be to cock , the faster you will be able to re-shoot and the more enjoyment you will have, especially for beginners.

If you are going to get a manually cocked crossbow then what I recommend is that you go for a middle of the road 100 lbs to 120 lbs draw weight because you get a good balance between ease of draw and power and accuracy. There are some 175 lb crossbows that would be the maximum draw weight I would get, but I would think of using a cocking assist like a rope cocking device or a crossbow cocking string.  Most crossbows that have a heavy draw weight already come with mechanical crank that greatly reduces the strength needed to cock very high draw weights. The only draw back to the cocking assists would be reduced speed at which you can re-shoot.

Step 7. Decide the dimensions and weight of the crossbow

Dimensions

To choose the size of the crossbow you must consider your experience, strength and your archery or hunting style.

• Small crossbows are a perfect fit for bow hunting and field archery because they are lighter to handle and more portable.
• For target archery, larger crossbows are a better option. They ensure speed and accuracy due to their weight and size (more stability), unless you are buying a reverse-draw compound crossbow.
• Lighter, and thus easier-to-cock crossbows and compound crossbows are better for beginners and young archers, that way cocking over and over will not heavily detract from the fun that is modern crossbow archery.

You can decide the weight and size of the crossbow to be compatible with your own strength and capabilities. It is okay to sacrifice some speed so that you can hold the crossbow for a longer time, making your hunting experience that much more enjoyable. For bow hunters I have compiled my top 7 modern crossbows here (LINK).

Consider the length of the crossbow

The crossbow needs to fit you. If the crossbow is too long for your body and specially if it is a recurve of compound crossbow then the front end of the crossbow will feel like it is pulling down and it will strain your body to keep it level. The stance should feel natural and the crossbow level. The good news is that many crossbows come with an adjustable stock (length-wise) and adjutable fore grip (position-wise).

If you buy a reverse-draw compound crossbow this problem will diminish as the center of balance of the crossbow will be closer to you.

Step 8.Your skill level

This step is for you to consider what type of crossbow, what quality/ price point you should go for considering your archery journey. Sometimes its best to buy a cheaper or used crossbow to learn and start, or if you are still growing up. Then you can buy a new one that will have better technology once you have more experience and more about your preferences.

Step 9.  Aesthetics

What is the look you are going for? There are so many options as crossbow can come in different colors and patterns. If you are going to be hunting there are always camo options available.

Step 10. Buying a crossbow

You can buy crossbows in archery professional shops or you can order them directly online, from the manufacturers, or from Amazon.

Final words

Modern crossbows are fun and easy to use. Just check if they are allowed in your neck of the woods (LINK). And if they are, then what are you waiting for? They are great for practicing target archery and hunting. You will enjoy using them for their ease, efficiency, power, and accuracy. The different types and models of crossbows available nowadays give you the opportunity to tailor your experience.

 

Where to go from here:

Check out my top 7 crossbows for bow hunting