There are hunting crossbows today for every budget. Most come as a package with arrows, scopes and quiver. High dollar value (say over $2000-$3000) hunting crossbows often have the best of the attributes below but do you really need this quality in a hunting crossbow? You decide.
Attributes that I believe are essential are:
- Hunting Speed/Accuracy
- Weight/Balance/Handling
- Cocking/De-cocking Features
- Scope
- Quality
- Cost
Human nature being what it is, we all want the best.
But “the best” comes at a price. Being cost conscious and practical, my first crossbow was a recurve style Grizzly from Excalibur. Cost years back was around $400 or so.
Excalibur Matrix Grizzly Review (In-Field) – Recurve Crossbow
It worked well but you had to cock/de-cock it with a rope cock device. Speed 300 fps with a 400g arrow. It was a great hunting crossbow for the cost.
But being older, and had a slight back issue, caused me to look for a crossbow with a silent cocking crank device. Yes, my TenPoint Turbo Crossbow costs more but was well worth it.
I replaced the scope with a Oracle X Laser range finding scope. I love it but it is not really needed for shots out to 40 yards if you already own a rangefinder.
It is fun to shoot out past 50 yards with the Oracle. Bench rested, it shoots 2 inch groups at 60 yards. It would be great for moose or elk hunting as neither are prone to “jump the string” and arrow energy is around 100 ft-lbs. at 60 yards. I like Swhacker broadheads on my crossbow arrows. They fly like field points and open to over 2 inches inside the game animal and exit.
Love my crossbow as an older hunter. I have built and shot longbows, recurves and owned many compounds but my older body has a tougher time with them these days. The crossbow is a blessing to keep me deer hunting in archery season.
Good Hunting!