The earliest evidence of crossbows comes in the form of ancient Chinese trigger mechanisms dating back to the 6th century BC. It’s not exactly clear which of the East Asian civilizations developed the crossbow, but it is clear that by the mid 4th century BC, they had become a vital military component. Over the millennia, crossbows have taken many sizes and forms, from large siege ballista to the more common, hand-held lever and crank crossbows.
The modern crossbows of today resemble firearms to some extent, but have an obvious horizontal bow attached to them. These hybrid bows are quickly becoming one of the most popular sectors of the hunting and recreational market, and recent shows like The Walking Dead are only accelerating this crossbow craze.
Whether you’re new to bows and archery in general, or just crossbows, you may still be wondering whether or not a crossbow is right for you. While crossbows share many characteristics with conventional bows, there are some obvious and subtle differences, and there is a great debate as to which form of archery is better, more pure or easier. Both sides make valid claims, and in the end, it’s really a personal preference. We suggest trying out everything until you’ve found exactly what you like. But for now, this breakdown will help you figure out the best crossbow for you.
Anatomy of a Crossbow
First of all, crossbows come in two major types — recurve and compound — and they have many variants within those categories to fit numerous applications, from recreational use to hunting to competition target shooting. In this section, you’ll find the major parts and terminology of crossbows discussed.
- Stock: The stock of a crossbow is the main section that just about every other part attaches to, and the bit that mostly resembles modern rifles. The back-end of the stock is much like the butt of a rifle and rests up against the shooter’s shoulder. It also contains the trigger mechanism on the bottom, and the arrow track, with the sight and riser along the top.
- Stirrup: A stirrup is the metal ring attached to the front tip of the crossbow’s stock. It is used when cocking, or spanning, the crossbow by putting one’s foot through it.
- Riser: Like a traditional or vertical bow, the riser is the central part where the limbs attach. However, with a crossbow, the riser attaches directly to the front of the stock instead of serving as a grip for the shooter.
- Limbs: Limbs attach to either end of the riser, and create the power and speed of a crossbow. They are usually made of fiberglass, or some composite that is coated in fiberglass. There are also different kinds of limbs depending on the type of crossbow.
- Cams: Specific to compound crossbows, cams are round or oval wheels that make up the cam system. Cams make bows easier to draw as you pull the bowstring back further without affecting the amount of stored energy. There are also differing types of cams: round wheels, soft cams, hard cams, single (solo) cams and 1.5 hybrid cams. Different cams provide various advantages and disadvantages. For example, round wheel cams are slower but more accurate, and hard cams can shoot faster arrows but are difficult to keep tuned.
- String: The string of a crossbow attaches to either end of the two limbs and slides up and down the arrow track. The string is responsible for firing the arrow or bolt when the trigger is pulled.
- Trigger: The trigger of a crossbow functions similarly to that of a firearm—you pull the trigger, the arrow flies. Crossbows also come with a safety to help prevent premature and unsafe firing.
- Arrow Track: The arrow track (also known as the flight track or bolt channel) is a groove on top of the stock that the arrow rests in and travels down when fired. A good, clean arrow track is important for an accurate and consistent shot.
- Sights: Sights are attached to the top of the crossbow’s stock and are similar to rifle sights. Crossbows can have scopes, iron sights, red dot sights and optimal crosshair sights.
- Rail Lube: Rail lube is not a part of the crossbow, yet it’s extremely important to its function. Rail lube is applied to the arrow track to maintain its function and ensure the arrow flies as smooth and fast as possible.
- Draw Weight: Measured in pounds, the draw weight is the amount of pull a crossbow requires to cock it. A higher draw weight usually means a faster arrow.
- Power Stroke: Measured in inches, the power stroke of a crossbow is the distance between the string’s resting position and fully cocked position. A longer power stroke can help create a faster arrow, but ultimately, it’s the combination of the power stroke and the draw weight that determines the speed of a crossbow.
- Cocking Device: Cocking devices can be used to help a person draw heavier-weighted bows. They are mechanical devices used when spanning, or drawing/cocking, crossbows.
- Arrows and Bolts: In the crossbow world, either term is used interchangeably, but many will tell you that the main difference is that bolts are usually shorter (under 16 inches), while arrows are longer than 16 inches. While the term “bolt” is still commonly used, “arrow” is becoming increasingly popular among crossbow enthusiasts. The main thing to know when choosing a proper arrow for your crossbow is to pay attention to the suggested length and weight from the manufacturer. The wrong arrow (one too light or too short) can cause damage to the crossbow or the user.
- Points and Broadheads: When choosing between arrows, you’ll also be faced with a variety of field points and broadhead options to tip them. The first thing to understand is that field points (or target points) are typically used for target shooting and practice, while broadheads are designed for crossbow hunting. There are additionally three basic types of broadhead designs: fixed-blade, removable-blade and expandable-blade. Fixed-blade broadheads are one single piece, and the blades cannot be changed out, while removable-blade broadheads allow you to change out the blades when they become dull or damaged. Expandable broadheads are a bit more complicated, as the blades are hidden or compacted into the broadhead and only deploy when the arrow strikes a target. These particular broadheads tend to fly truer to your practice shots, as the hidden blades allow the arrow to face less air resistance mid-flight.
Types of Crossbows
As mentioned earlier, there are two major types to choose from: recurve and compound. There is also a third, lesser-known type, which is the reverse draw compound crossbow. Whether you’re new to archery or just crossbows, many manufacturers offer crossbow packages that include everything you need to shoot right out of the box. Crossbow packages are great for both beginners and those on a budget, and shouldn’t be overlooked when browsing crossbows for sale.
Recurve Crossbows
Modern recurve crossbows are the closest to their ancient predecessors, as the recurve style of crossbow has been around for centuries. The recurve crossbow gets its name from the limbs attached to the riser at the front of the crossbow. The limbs are more of a traditional design, curving first toward the back of the stock with the ends curving away, and the bowstring is attached directly to the limbs rather than the cable and cam system of a compound crossbow.
This tried-and-true crossbow design is hailed for its durability and easy maintenance. The simplicity of the recurve crossbow has further advantages in that it usually has a quieter shot and tends to be much lighter than compound models. Furthermore, crossbows tend to be front-heavy, as the majority of the weight is positioned toward the front end of the stock. Recurve crossbows carry an advantage here. Because recurve crossbows have fewer moving parts, they tend to have less front-end weight, resulting in a more balanced feel. Additionally, the fewer the parts, the fewer opportunities for a part to fail, which means recurve crossbows tend to have fewer mechanical issues.
Some of the disadvantages of recurve crossbows are the heavy draw weights and their wider stature. Recurve crossbows are much wider than their compound counterparts, which can make maneuverability more difficult. Also, because recurve crossbows do not have a cam system to assist in lightening the draw weight, spanning heavier draw weight models can be very difficult. This is where a cocking device can be helpful. Moreover, as recurve crossbows increase in draw weight, so does their noise, whereas compound crossbows with heavy draw weights may be quieter.
Popular recurve crossbows include the Excalibur recurve crossbow, which comes in a variety of sizes and high draw weights to suit anyone’s needs. The Excalibur Matrix Micro Suppressor Compact Recurve is a great choice for beginners and experts alike.
For a solid recurve crossbow with a lighter draw weight, check out the SA Sport Fever crossbow. This crossbow comes in under five pounds and can shoot 22” arrows at 240 FPS—enough to knock down a buck from a short distance.
Compound Crossbows
By far the most popular, compound crossbows are a great feat of modern engineering and offer many advantages to crossbowers.
What makes a compound crossbow is the addition of a cam system. The limbs on a compound crossbow have cams attached to the ends that, through a system of pulleys and cables, allow for narrower designs with higher arrow speeds. The cam systems of compound crossbows provide a higher draw weight in a more compact size, resulting in quieter shots and less vibration when compared to recurve bows with similar high draw weights. Even with all the popularity and advantages of compound crossbows, they do have disadvantages.
The addition of more parts also creates an overall heavier bow with a heavier front-end than recurve crossbows. This additional weight can cause you to fatigue faster when aiming or trudging through the woods. Additionally, more parts means more opportunity for mechanical failures, and when a part breaks on a compound bow, it takes some knowledge to know how to fix it.
Popular compound crossbows include the Barnett Raptor FX3 Crossbow Package, a solid compound crossbow package for anyone on a budget. This package includes a quiver, two 20” arrows and scope.
For a compound crossbow with more of a punch, check out the Barnett Ghost 420 Crossbow Package . This compound crossbow combines power and ultra-lightweight materials to make a crossbow worth every penny, and the package comes complete with a quiver, two 22” headhunter arrows, rope cocking device and a 1.5-5x32mm premium illuminated scope. You won’t find a better deal for a crossbow shooting 420 FPS.
Recently, a new type of compound crossbow has entered the market—the reverse draw compound crossbow. The limbs on this compound crossbow attach to the center of the stock, providing more balance, and they open up to the front. One of the most popular reverse draw models is the Barnett Buck Commander Revengeance Crossbow Package. This lightweight compound bow package includes a quick detach quiver, two 20-inch arrows and an illuminated 4×32 illuminated scope.
Types of Applications and Power Requirements
Modern crossbows can be found in the hands of more than just the casual recreational archer, bowhunter or competition target shooter—many militaries, and scientific research teams also use them. Certainly, whatever interest you have in a crossbow, you’ll find one out there to suit your needs.
For most recreational and casual target shooting, you don’t need an ultra-powerful crossbow. Something between the 150 to 200-pound range should suffice, and you should be good with any crossbow that shoots at least 250 feet per second (FPS).
If you’re looking for a hunting crossbow, you’ll have to consider your needs a bit more. Just about any modern crossbow on the market will suffice for small game, but when you’re looking to down a buck or larger game, you’ll need something with a bit more power. However, don’t get too caught up with advertisements for the most powerful crossbows on the market; because bowhunting is, in essence, a close-range sport, so you should be fine with a draw weight of at least 200 pounds and an arrow speed of at least 300 FPS.
Crossbow Accessories
Even if you’ve decided to go with an inclusive crossbow package, you will still want to browse the many crossbow accessories to find the best crossbow cases, alternate sights, arrows, broadheads and cocking devices.
When browsing arrows, broadheads and field points, make sure you stick to the manufacturers recommended arrow lengths and weights. This will ensure that the crossbow fires properly to the way it was designed. It’s also important to note that if you happen to fire an arrow that is too light, it’s the same as dry-firing your crossbow, which warrants the risk of blowing it up.
When it comes to broadheads, you have plenty of options available to you, and you’ll have to figure out what you prefer more. However, broadhead weights are very important as they help stabilize the flight of the arrow. Heavier broadheads tend to be better, and you’ll find the most recommended weight around 150 grains.
When choosing the right optic or sight for your crossbow, keep in mind that the sport is relatively close-range, so you don’t need a ton of magnification. However, a little bit can certainly help. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to scopes, but we recommend a lighted reticle for hunters as it helps when hunting during dusk and dawn.
Other accessories to consider are crossbow slings or backpacks to help distribute the weight when hiking, crossbow hangers, shooting rests and rangefinders.
Buying a Crossbow
We hope this guide has helped you make some decisions about the kind of crossbow you want. This is certainly the age of crossbows, as the sport is exploding in popularity. Because of this, crossbows are becoming more and more innovative, and the accessory combinations are endless. We are positive you’ll find something you love.
Whether you’re looking for a recreational target crossbow, a beginner crossbow package or top hunting crossbows, you’ll find everything you need with Hinterland Outfitters. Don’t hesitate to contact us via our contact form, emailing us at sales@blog.hinterlandoutfitters.com or calling us at 877-446-8370, Our industry-leading customer service representatives are happy to assist you in finding the perfect crossbow.