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/decock 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 but for target shooting only. I did not need the Oracle X for bear hunting as shots were within 30 yards but used it anyway. It would be great for moose or elk hunting as neither are prone to :jump the string” and distances would be longer.

However, I am having great fun in my back yard at 50 to 75 yards with the Oracle X scope and my Ten Point Turbo.

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. Oh, I still shoot them for fun at targets but not for game.  The crossbow is a blessing to keep me deer hunting in archery season.

Good Hunting!