Crossbows are some of the most evolved pieces of sporting or hunting equipment on the market. Manufacturers have come a long way in the past 20 years. The best crossbow incorporates incredible design features and excellent functions to help you obtain top notch results no matter what your goal is.
Buying a crossbow can be a costly investment though. In order to spend your money wisely some research is in place before actually paying for a product. Fortunately for you, we’ve decided to cut your research time in half by pointing out some key elements which you will need to consider while investing in a cross bow. Our buying guide is based on the most common questions our readers have addressed us over time.
Top 3 our pick for Best Crossbows
>> First: Excalibur Axiom SMF Crossbow Kit
>> Second: Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow Package
>> Third: Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package
Table of Contents
- What types of crossbows are there?
- Advantages of Using a Crossbow
- Top 3 Best Crossbow Reviews
- 1. Excalibur Axiom SMF Crossbow Kit
- 2. Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow Package
- 3. Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package
- The Best Crossbow Buying Guide
- A Must Have Checklist When You Are Selecting One
- Things To Consider When Buying A Crossbow
- Choosing The Right Crossbow
What types of crossbows are there?
There are three types of crossbows for you to choose from.
The recurve bow which is also the most popular among amateur hunters has been around for some time. It has a basic design with the limbs facing away from the person using it. These models are low maintenance and tend to last longer even while heavily used. Compared to the other type of crossbow, the recurve bow is constructed out of lesser parts. Noise levels are also pretty low with this design. If you’ve just started looking into crossbows you should get a recurve bow as it is easier to use and less expensive.
Compound bows are your other choice. They have not been around for too long but they’ve still come a long way in terms of precision and most importantly, in terms of durability. You will recognize these types of bows by their short limbs and the strings which are connected to pulleys. The compound bow has more power and can be easier to draw. They are also smaller in size and which increases portability. We recommend the Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow Package. For more information check out the reviews below.
Reverse Limb Crossbows: Lastly, the very new Reverse Limb Crossbows are making it into our list as “much more efficient compound crossbows”. The cams, added to the reverse limb design make for even faster shooting than the above 2, while cutting the draw weight by a good bit. (e.g. from 200 lbs to 135 or 150, while shooting faster.) *Though they are on average, costlier than the compound and recurve crossbows.
Advantages of Using a Crossbow
Easier To Carry: Compare a regular crossbow, to any bow or rifle and you’ll realize how much easier it is to carry. Overall, crossbows weight much less than a rifle and carrying is quite easy using the given stirrup. Get a nice hemp, or nylon strap and you’re all set.
Cheaper To Use Than Firepower: Bullets no days are not cheap, especially high caliber ammo. Most hunters and shooters don’t reload the used bullets, and when they do it still isn’t cheap. Using a crossbow, you’ve shooting a bolt that can be reused dozens of times. Especially when used correctly, combining the bolt with a sharp broadhead makes them 2x more effective when hitting targets.
No Fatigue: When carrying a rifle, the weight can sometimes hold you back a bit. And when it comes to shooting a bow, there isn’t anywhere to rest the string while you pull it back. Crossbows not only weight on average between 5-8 lbs, but also when you cock the string, you can easily rest it and shoot when ready. No strain, no pain.
10x Quieter: This is is an obvious one, crossbows shoot quieter than regular firepower weapons. Add some nice dampening devices and you just got even quieter. (almost silent.)
Quite Easy To Find Really Good Ones: With todays new commerce sources like Amazon, by reading reviews of other buyers you can ultimately decide what that best crossbow for the money is, just by reading the crossbow reviews. If you do a good job at picking the crossbow for yourself, you can shoot it for a long, LONG time and still be satisfied.
Top 3 Best Crossbow Reviews
1. Excalibur Axiom SMF Crossbow Kit
Best Choice
Excalibur Axiom SMF Crossbow Kit
(4.8 / 5)This is a perfect crossbow. It is very high quality at an affordable price
Check Price
The Excalibur Axiom SMF Crossbow is certainly a serious contender when it comes to the standard of crossbows suitable for use in hunting big game: 30 foot/lbs is sufficient when hunting deer. Furthermore, a trajectory accomplished from arrows shot at 240 feet per second, usually written as Fps. This 240Fps attains a suitable speed at trajectories achieved from normal hunting distances, generally up to a maximum of 60 feet. By comparison, the Excalibur Axiom SMF is capable of speeds of up to 305Fps.
It is marketed as a kit consisting of the crossbow itself, together with multiplex scope and hardware on which to mount it. A rope cocking aid is included along with a set of 4 Firebolt arrows, each with field points, plus a quiver to keep them in. Despite the quality and effectiveness of the crossbow, it is a really economical crossbow to buy. Many customers are reported as being happy with this crossbow, part of their pleasure due to the reliability and accuracy of the crossbow. Most reports acknowledge the accuracy of the crossbow to 40 yards.
The overall weight of the crossbow is a very lightweight 5.8lbs which, surprisingly, requires more skill to achieve a hit than a crossbow with slightly more weight behind it. The overall length of the crossbow is 37.5 inches, with the capability of a power stroke of 14.5 inches and a draw weight of 175lbs. The Excalibur Axiom SMF Crossbow has 20 inch arrows designed to be shot from it, each arrow weighing a featherweight 350 grains. If you need to arrange shipping for the package of crossbow and arrows you need to take 11.2lbs into account.
Quality and safety are both important factors during the design and manufacture process. A manual safety mechanism has been incorporated into the crossbow. This is in the form of a patented trigger assembly. Durability and comfort is reflected in the composite material that the stock has been made from. The Excalibur Axiom SMF Crossbow is a compound design but, despite this, it lacks the increased weight often noted with other compound crossbows. It is also particularly quiet when fired, partly due to the modular Magtip recurve limb system.
2. Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow Package
Also Great!
Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow Package
(4.6 / 5)This is a great crossbow. It is fast and light, price is OK
Whether you prefer or hunting or sport, the Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow can be compared to silent shooting. You will be surprised at not only the lightweight factor of this crossbow but you will also be impressed by the quietness. If you are hunting game the last thing you want is something that is loud to scare away the prey. It will provide you with the silence that you need in order to succeed in the field. They say silence is golden and this fits the bill.
You are also going to find that the trigger system is Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and it has Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) as well. Both of these contribute to the speed of 350 FPS which makes the it excellent to own. And, not only is it extremely quiet but, it has a faster, smoother and more accurate shot as well. This can be contributed to the CROSSWIRE Strings and the Whiplash Cams. All of this in a small fit is just another reason the Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow can be the perfect fit for your hunting excursion.
CRT or Carbon Riser Technology, not only makes the crossbow completely lightweight it is also stronger than the average crossbow. This is a technology that gives you everything you are looking for in a hunting weapon. You will also find that the CRT ups the safety factor of the crossbow to 5 to 1. Safety in a bow should always be a concern and the Barnett Ghost CRT Crossbow has made sure that the safety factor and rating meet the standards it should for its customers.
Ultimately, the crossbow only weighs 14 pounds so you can imagine just how light it truly is. You will receive a scope, quiver and arrows with your purchase so you will be able to get out and experience the thrill of the hunt immediately. It is very easy to assemble and takes no time at all to get it together. Everything that you need is shipped to you in order to get out and have fun right away. The speed and accuracy that you will experience with the Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow will leave you wondering where it has been all your life.
After doing a little research on the crossbow, you are going to find that it is the ultimate choice in crossbows. It has the speed, agility, precision and quietness that you are looking for during the hunting season. The patent technology of CRT is what gives you all of this and more. If you have been looking for a bow that will better your aim skills and your shoot to kill ration than the Barnett Ghost 350 CRT Crossbow is just what you need. There is no need to look any further to get the new season of hunting started. Remember, even if you are doing archery you are going to find that your aim will improve as well.
3. Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package
Also Great!
Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package
(4.3 / 5)This is an exellent crossbow. It is nice looking, high quality and cheap price
This improved comfort is accomplished through the fore-grip being divided. Meanwhile, it is capable of shooting arrows that attain speeds of 315 feet per second, or Fps as this is usually expressed. Speeds such as this are possible due to a combination systems. This includes a cable system and high energy wheels with synthetic string plus a quad limb assembly, all of which produce an enviable efficiency and phenomenal power that can make the crossbow a devastating weapon in the hunting field.
Technical specifications of the Barnett Jackal Crossbow include 95 foot/lb ratio of kinetic energy, achievable as the result of the 150lbs draw weight, the 12 inch power stroke and the other innovations incorporated into the design of the crossbow. The overall weight of the crossbow is a lightweight 7.7lbs, one of the lightest crossbows produced by Barnett. It has stock length of 32.5 inches and width of 26.5 inches. The length of the arrows are 20 inches.
Those other newly-included innovations reflected in the modern design of the Barnett Jackal Crossbow model include the super-smooth ADF integral cam plus the MIM trigger, with trigger pull of 3.5lbs as well as the picatinny rail which is a feature of the 2010 model. The idea of adding a picatinny rail is to make it easier to attach the various add-ons such as scopes, bipods or any of the other accessories that Barnett makes for improving the performance of crossbow.
The picatinny rail attaches to the forearm QD swivel stud. Another new innovation is the AVI technology, fitted to the crossbow limbs. AVI is a soft-feel material that has been manufactured to encompass the outside of each of the Barnett Jackal Crossbow’s limbs in order to reduce noise and cut down on any vibration that could detract from the latent energy. A crossbow fitted with AVI technology can reduce the amount of noise by up to 30%.
The Best Crossbow Buying Guide
A Must Have Checklist When You Are Selecting One
Below is a must have checklist when you are shopping for the best crossbow.
Does Price Determine Which The Best Crossbow Is?
One thing you should realize when shopping for a crossbow is that you will come across many types and sizes. With all these choices out how can you come up with the right one? If you find in this dilemma here are some criteria you must factor in with the price. In these tough economic times the price of commodities has a significant impact on spending habits. The criteria you should use is
Performance
There are many choices out as to the selection of your crossbow. When you are shopping for crossbow, you should not only look at the price alone, you should also look at the performance also. You should ask yourself; how well can it serve you? Reading reviews about the different types of crossbows will give you insight into how well they perform.
Durability:
How durable is the commodity? Is the price they are quoting it at equivalent to the quality? These two questions raise the issue about durability. It is important that you put into consideration how durable the material is in your search for a good crossbow. Usually, high quality materials are very durable. At the same time, this high quality comes at price which you must take into consideration always.
What about deals
Deals and bargains: Can’t leave without them: Look for deals if you can. In this day and age, you can be able to find deals even online. You should ensure that you do your due diligence and research thoroughly. If you look hard enough you should be able to find a very good deal.
What good is a bow without arrows? A crossbow must have equally arrows. These arrows must be sharpened and well maintained. Plus you should be able to find good deal on combos: that is a crossbow and a quiver of arrows. When you go shopping, buy them both. It defeats the purpose of archery if you have only one thing to work with.
You should always be on the lookout for deals on additional equipment. This includes targets and bowstrings. How can you really know the crossbow without trying it out? And how can you try it out without a target? An apple on the head like William Tell won’t do. Keep an eye out for new and enticing deals.
Operating at maximum efficiency
A crossbow cannot function properly if not tweaked from time to time. You should always assess the quality of your crossbow. Maybe your bow string might be worn out and needs to be replaced.
Any crossbow is useless if it is not properly maintained. Proper maintenance should start from the time you use to the time you store it.
Finally, if crossbow is operating at peak efficiency, you should ensure that you always use the right materials to polish it and what not. It ensures that the bow is not exposed to elements of corrosion and abrasion that might compromise on its performance.
In your search for the top crossbow, you should always factor in the above. You also have the lee way to build upon this knowledge as you grow in archery. You will find that as time goes on, you will be attuned to knowing which equipment is the genuine article and so on and so forth.
Things To Consider When Buying A Crossbow
Expectations: Your expectations pretty much depend on the type of user you’ll be. For instance, if you intend to become a target shooter, specific aspects, such as weight, model and design, are less important than accuracy. If you’re going to use a crossbow for hunting, you might want to get a good quality weapon. Finally, you should get a lightweight and compact bow if you wish to take it along with you every time you’ll be trekking.
Models: Today you can find two basic bow models, known as re-curve and compound. While the former delivers the most simplistic bow design, commonly referred to as traditional bow, the latter proposes a new design, delivering a much lighter and smaller weapon compared to the first option. Additionally, you should know that a compound bow is expected to deliver more velocity than a re-curve model.
Advancements: The latest innovations regarding specific materials have turned this tool into a compact, light and strong weapon. Some of these innovations include cocking aids that are usually incorporated into the stock; triggers that are more reflective compared to those of previous models, offering extra strength, less pull and less weight; risers that are made of lightweight metals to increase efficiency; and safety mechanisms that are safer than ever before.
Although these points can help you understand specific differences between certain bow models and their associated improvements, you need to take into account several more aspects if you want to get the best out of you choice.
Choosing The Right Crossbow
You don’t have to search for the top brands in order to find the best bow. To get the best weapon, the only thing you have to do is to look for some practical tips that can help you find an appropriate bow. Some of the best tips are:
Don’t Get Cheap: Although you can find some splendid economic choices, most crossbows deliver what you pay for. Thus, if you choose a low-priced model, you’ll most probably get a low quality weapon. On that note, you should be prepared to spend good money to get a high-quality weapon.
Avoid Loud Bows: Although it seems hard to believe, some bows are really loud when fired. If this is acceptable for a target shooter, it can be a real disaster for a hunter. Since firing a bow in a shop to check whether it’s loud or quiet doesn’t represent a viable option, the reviews can help you find the model you need.
Opt for a model of Average Weight: Choosing a lightweight bow isn’t always a great idea. That’s because lightweight bows are quite difficult to keep steady when aiming. Furthermore, most lightweight bows are usually less durable than the models of average weight.
One more thing you should do to get a high quality bow is to avoid the models that come along with plastic parts. The best bows are the ones with metal parts simply because they can withstand the test of time.
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