Hunting success mostly depends on the experience of the hunter. One may have some lucky shots to begin with but striking a few in a row requires skills and years of practice. The choice of weapon plays a role in this game as well. Deciding which weapon to use is crucial for the overall outcome of your hunting session. Many people nowadays choose crossbows over regular compound bows and here is why.
Crossbow VS Compound bow
A hunter faces many challenges in the woods where the type and quality of his weapon might decide whether he scores or not. Younger, inexperienced hunters as well as disabled hunters use crossbows for their reliability and easier usage. However, besides the many advantages a crossbow has over a compound bow, it also carries significant disadvantages.
Taking a look into the pros of using a crossbow, you will notice it is fairly easier to control than a compound bow. Reason being, a cocked crossbow stays at full draw and does not require any effort by the hunter to keep it in that position which allows the hunter to move freely and focus on aiming and shooting. This feature also makes it easier to shoot from sitting positions. The sitting or kneeling positions call for more accurate shots because having a rest of some kind makes your aim much more precise.
Crossbows feature extremely heavy draw weights where the usual weight is 100 to 200 pounds while a compound bow counts up to 50 to 80 pounds. They are significantly larger and their shape makes it difficult to carry it around. Because of its weight and size, the crossbow is more difficult to shoot on the run. Fast movements noticeably decrease accuracy and precision. Therefore, having some kind of a rest or support while shooting a crossbow will significantly increase the chances of a successful shot. However, that is not the only thing affected by its size and weight. For the same reason, crossbows are more difficult and slower to reload which, again, makes it impossible to be effective on the run.
Back to the positives, crossbows can shoot much faster than regular compound bows. Arrows shot from a compound bow can reach speeds up to 250 to 330 feet per second while bolts fired from a crossbow go up to 350 to 450 feet per second. Because of this, the shots are not only faster but harder on the target. However, the speed does not affect the range of the shot that much. Crossbows still remain short-range weapons with 40 to 50 yards being the maximum effective range. That’s where we come across another disadvantage. Short-range shooting requires minimizing all the noise in order to prevent the animal from running away. Unfortunately, crossbows are much louder than compound bows which is something a hunter would have to deal with at short-range.
What to look for in a recurve crossbow?
Searching for quality is obviously the first on the list. Since crossbows are designed simply without extra equipment such as cables and pulleys they are easier to use in different outdoor conditions. That already screams quality to begin with but there are few details to look for in order to have the best experience crossbow hunting.
Higher end recurve crossbows allow you to change the bowstrings by yourself without needing a press as well as to tune your crossbow the way you prefer it. This type of “customization” will significantly improve your experience with the chosen crossbow because of different factors. These factors include your height, weight, physical strength as well as age and physical condition. When choosing a crossbow it is important to find one that fits your needs best. If the crossbow draws more weight than you can handle, there is a possibility of injury when trying to load it. Go for one which is most comfortable for your back and shoulders because shifting and balancing weight with an unsuitable crossbow can cause serious damage to you your body. Longer crossbows are much harder to handle, especially for disabled hunters or those with upper limb issues. Choosing shorter models can easily fix this problem since they are much lighter and more comfortable to hold.
The Best Recurve Crossbow Models
Now that we got the differences between crossbows and compound bows out of the way, as well as the things to look for when purchasing a crossbow, it is time to focus on specific models and what they have to offer. On today’s market there are hundreds of models to choose from, each differing in small details and features. At first it might seem as though all the little things are irrelevant but it’s exactly those details that make a certain crossbow suitable for you. If a one hunter doesn’t find a certain model suitable it doesn’t mean that it is any lower in quality. It simply means that everyone has different needs when it comes to choosing a crossbow. So remember, look for the model that fits you best and don’t compare your choices to other hunters’ choices when it comes to this matter. Now let’s take a look at four different crossbow model reviews!
SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package
Starting off with an entry level model, the SA Sports Fever Crossbow Package is the perfect option for those who are not yet sure whether to pursue crossbow hunting. The quality of the model is extremely satisfying considering the fact that it is a low budget crossbow going for only 199.99$. Designed for beginners who are still testing the waters, this crossbow is suitable for deer hunting. It’s speed of 240 feet per second wont be enough for larger targets such as bears.
However, just because it’s cheaper does not mean you wont have a great experience hunting in the woods. This crossbow model is extremely easy to maneuver with its light weight of only 4.85 lbs. The package comes with the full set of accessories needed for a hunting session including the quiver, the scope, a padded sling and the rope cocking device as well as aluminium bolts. The whole assembling process shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes and you will quickly be ready to hunt.
One minor disadvantage is the fact that aluminium bolts are not the best choice for deer hunting so you might want to get some new ones. It is important to remember that accuracy is not 100% guaranteed and consistent with this model. After all, it is one of the cheaper ones out there and you cannot expect it to be fully professional but for those just starting out, it is more than enough to get some great practice and experience.
Excalibur Matrix 380 Xtra Crossbow Package
Jumping straight up to a high ranked model, Excalibur Matrix 380 Xtra is the perfect crossbow for the silent, pray stalking game. Highly maneuverable with its light weight of 5.9 lbs, it is one of the deadliest hunting weapons out there. Of course, this high quality comes for a higher price of 1099.99$. For those with a higher budget, Excalibur Matrix 380 is a great option and offers lots of value for the price.
Nothing on this model is made cheaply since it is equipped with the highest quality accessories. It comes with the Tact-zone scope that will improve your hunting game by up to 80%. The detachable quiver is also a great addition especially in certain hunting situations. This model is designed for experienced professionals who have been in the game long enough to know all the little hunting tricks. The experience is necessary to make the best use out of this high quality equipment.
The arrows which come in the package come with field points and are on the higher end of the market. You wont need to make any additional purchases to complete this set because everything included is made to make your hunting experience a blast. However, the assembly of this crossbow might take some time. You will have to use Allen keys for mounting the limbs as well as to string the bow. It might come stringed in some cases but it depends on where you are purchasing it. The maximum range this crossbow offers is 50 yards which is more than enough to enjoy a good hunting session. With its quality mechanism, this model is almost perfect. Other than the fact that illumination on the scope may fade a bit, there are no major disadvantages that could make you change your mind when purchasing this crossbow.
Excalibur Matrix Mega 405 Crossbow Package
At the price of 1299.99$ this might be one of the most powerful crossbows on the market today. It gives you 127 feet per lbs of kinetic energy which is powerful enough to compete in the biggest hunting games out there. The deadly velocity of the Matrix Mega 405 calls for the best hunting experience you can get, which makes it well worth the money.
The package comes with the set of quality equipment including the rope cocking device, a suppressor, a quiver and four bolts with field points. Even though the crossbow is pre-strung, the assembly process requires some time. Luckily, an instruction manual and a DVD come with the package to make the assembling easier for you.
If you have a high budget and the wish for perfect hunting experience, the Matrix Mega is the best option for you. It’s well built mechanism happens to be the fastest one out there. No other crossbow matches the features of this model which has a consistent accuracy up to 60 yards of length. However, there are a few cons among all these positive features. The package does not come with a bow stringer and the crossbow itself has a heavy cocking weight. These minor setbacks wont be a problem for professionals who know how to handle this type of equipment. As with any high end crossbow, experience is the key.
Excalibur Matrix Micro 335
Last but not least, the award winner for the best overall recurve crossbow is designed to give comfort and safety in hunting situations. The well built mechanisms are one of the most reliable ones out there, guaranteeing the best accuracy and stealth. Going for the price of 949.99$ the package includes the scope, the vibration suppressor, cocking device, the quiver and the bolts.
The assembling process is very simple with clear manual instructions included in the package. There is no additional work needed to be done, all you need to do is make sure all parts are tightened and mounted properly. Also being a light weight model, the Matrix Micro has an even accuracy up to 50 yards in distance. Its easy maneuverability allows for easier use in tight spaces which is very convenient for short-range hunting.
The only downside of this model would be the heavy cocking weight. As it is with other models mentioned above, an experience hunter would know how to deal with this matter without issues. All in all, this model is one of the higher ranked ones on the market with it’s price being somewhere in the middle. It might be the most suitable one for those looking for both good price and good quality.
Final thoughts
After reviewing the four best crossbows on the market, it is important to remind you that you need to look for the model that suits you best personally. Choosing which is the perfect crossbow for you is completely up to your personal preferences so don’t let other hunters’ opinions influence yours too much.
After purchasing your crossbow, the next thing to focus on is the maintenance. Taking good care of your equipment will make it last longer and stay in good condition. To prevent any damage make sure you wax the cable and clean the bow after using. One thing that is not included in any of the mentioned packages is the crossbow case. It is recommended to invest into a safety case to prevent your equipment being damaged during transportation or storing. Unfortunately, this accessory does not come with the crossbows but it is wise to spend some extra money on this matter and prevent possible fixing costs in the future. Finally, an occasional checking of all the parts of the bow is necessary to make sure everything runs smoothly.
