The popularity of crossbow hunting continues to grow day in day out. Modern crossbows for hunting make the best hunting tools in areas where firearms are restricted.
They are also easier to learn how to use, powerful and accurate as well. Crossbow hunting is also fascinating and suitable for both adults and kids. If you are looking for the best hunting crossbows, you are in the right place.
With the market offering a wide range of crossbows, finding a model that suits your hunting needs can be difficult. For your convenience, we have compiled a detailed list of the best hunting crossbows suitable for the modern hunter. Without wasting any more time, let’s take a look.
1) Killer Instinct MSCKI-1104 Boss 405 Dead Silent Deer Hunting Crossbow
If you are looking for a crossbow to improve your firing rate and striking power, the Killer Instinct Boss 405 crossbow suits you. As one of the best hunting crossbows, it has a tough and agile mechanism which makes it suitable for both small and large games.
It fires crossbows with a speed of up to 405fps and generates a whole 134 foot-pounds on every hit. This high striking power is deadly enough to take out the game on the first shot.
This hunting crossbow has a rough and durable aluminum frame designed to handle harsh hunting conditions. Thanks to the 6-position adjustable butt-stock, the crossbow fits many users.
Besides that, this crossbow has a built-in dead silent limb to help hide your shooting positions and string suppressors that reduce noise and prevent spooking the game.
With this hunting crossbow, you don’t have to buy a scope separately. It comes with an adjustable IR scope to bring the distant game closer and help you track small games smoothly. To top it all, a 5-bolt quiver and 3 high-quality reusable hypercarbon bolts are also included.
Features
- Durable aluminum frame
- Dead silent limb and string suppressors
- Maximum firing speed: 405fps
- 134 feet-pounds striking power
- Easy to use and beginner-friendly
- 6-position adjustable butt-stock
- Ammo included
- Adjustable IR scope for long-range hunting
2) Killer Instinct MSCKI-1000 Lethal 405 fps Crossbow
The Killer Instinct Lethal 405 crossbow manages to shoot arrows with a heart-pounding speed of up to 405fps making it one of the best hunting crossbows for the money.
It also provides a maximum striking power of 134 foots-pounds which is powerful enough for most games. It’s easy to use, comfortable to handle and beginner-friendly.
With an illuminated scope included, this crossbow delivers great accuracy in low-light hunting conditions. The ultralight frame makes it comfortable to handle and easy to carry in the field.
Thanks to the custom rubber shock absorbers, this crossbow provides quiet shooting. It absorbs noise and vibration to prevent spooking games and enhance performance.
Better yet, this crossbow has a durable aluminum barrel with an adjustable stock. The adjustable buttstock is good for different users regardless of their body physique. Overall, this is an excellent crossbow for both small and big-game hunting.
Features
- Durable and rugged aluminum barrel
- Custom rubber shock absorbers
- Maximum firing speed: 405fps
- 134 foots-pounds striking power
- One illuminated scope
- Ultralight composite stock
- Adjustable stock
- Dead silent limb and string suppressors provide quiet operation
- Easy to use
3) BARNETT Explorer XP 400 Crossbow
Durability and performance best describe the BARNETT Explorer XP 400 Crossbow. Made with avid hunters in mind, this crossbow comes with virtually every feature suitable for hunting making it score highly among the best hunting crossbows.
The crossbow has a high-performance speed of up to 400fps and it’s also highly accurate. You can also remove the cheekpiece and install the compatible crank cooking device of your choice.
Weighing about 6.2 lbs, the crossbow is fairly light and comfortable to carry in the field. The adjustable buttstock works well with multiple users, while the adjustable cheekrest provides a comfortable shooting experience. A 4×32 multi-reticle scope is also included to help improve your shooting accuracy.
On matters of safety, this crossbow features a Soft Lok floating bristle arrow retainer which helps prevent dry-firing. Above all, each BARNETT Explorer XP 400 Crossbow package includes string and rail lube wax, two 20-inch carbon arrows and a lightweight side mount quiver.
Features
- User-friendly
- Adjustable buttstock
- Crack-coking device compatible
- Fairly light and portable
- Great accuracy
- 4×32 multi-reticle scope
- Adjustable cheek rest
- Three Picatinny rails
- Soft Lok floating bristle arrow retainer
4) Centerpoint AXCS185BK Sniper 370 Crossbow
If you are looking for an excellent hunting crossbow for the money, Centerpoint AXCS185BK Sniper 370 Crossbow suits you. This is a well-designed hunting crossbow that’s powerful enough to take down both small and big deer-like games. It delivers a striking 375fps firing speed and comes with a 4x32mm scope to improve your long-range shooting accuracy.
This crossbow is made to handle anything you throw at it. It features a durable CNC-machined rail with a see-through riser and rail. The lightweight design makes it comfortable to handle and easy to maneuver around with.
Conquer in the mountains with this crossbow. Stellar performance and flexibility make Centerpoint Sniper 370 crossbow a front-runner among the best hunting crossbows.
Furthermore, this crossbow features an ambidextrous stock, an aluminum camo pattern that camouflages your hunting position, and an auto-safety trigger mechanism that helps prevent ill-intentioned shots. To top it all, the crossbow comes with a built-in string dampener which keeps shots noise and vibration-free.
Features
- Ambidextrous stock
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver with
- Anti-dry fire and auto-safety trigger mechanisms
- Aluminum camo pattern
- 375fps firing speed
- Easy assembly
- Built-in string dampener
- 4x32mm crossbow scope
- Durable CNC-machined rail
- The fully adjustable tactical stock and forearm
- Three 20-inch carbon bolts
5) TenPoint Titan M1 Crossbow Package
Hunting gets better with this high-quality Titan M1 Crossbow from TenPoint. It comes in a package that includes one crossbow, pro-view 3 scopes, 3 arrows and a quiver.
The rugged construction makes it the ideal crossbow for all hunting situations. Its unmatched performance in the woods augments its position among the best hunting crossbows.
This crossbow is designed to provide excellent maneuverability. Thanks to the lightweight and narrow design, you get to maneuver through the tightest hunting conditions, so you never get to miss a shot of a lifetime. This crossbow will revolutionize your big game hunting courtesy of its outstanding speeds.
Powered by the VX-5 inverted cams which lengthen the power stroke and increase rotation, this crossbow delivers unparalleled accuracy shot after shot. The 3x pro-view scope has fully-coated optics to help you spot small targets easily and also improve your accuracy in long-range hunting.
Other than that, the 3-arrow instant detaches quiver comes with an ultra-durable spine and a flexible rubber loop which you can use to hang it on a tree.
Features
- Easy assembly
- ProView II illuminated 3x scope
- Lightweight and compact design
- 5-inches length and 9-inches width
- Easy to cock and highly accurate
- 370fps firing velocity
- Integrated cocking device
- Consistent lethal accuracy
- Durable construction
- Ultra-maneuverable
6) Bear X Intense CD Ready to Shoot Crossbow Package
The Bear X Intense CD crossbow comes with everything a hunter needs to get into the woods making it one of the best hunting crossbows under $500. The crossbow is compact but very powerful and a top contender among the best hunting crossbows.
It has a 12.7-inch power stroke which delivers excellent speeds up to 400fps. With such speeds, you’ll have an easy time taking out both small and medium games in close to medium ranges.
When cocked, the crossbow measures 10” wide and 14” wide when not cocked. These narrow dimensions paired with the lightweight design make the crossbow easy to handle and carry around.
For added safety, the crossbow features an anti-dry fire mechanism that helps prevent dry firing. You also get an illuminated scope which helps you identify targets smoothly in low-light situations.
Features
- 7-inch power stroke
- 400fps firing speed
- Compact, lethal performance
- Anti-dry fire mechanism
- Narrow dimensions for easy portability
- Illuminated scope
- 4-arrow quiver, cocking rope and rail lube/string wax
7) BARNETT Whitetail Hunter II Crossbow
Last but certainly not least is the BARNETT Whitetail Hunter II Crossbow. This crossbow is made with the highest quality materials to ensure that you get many years out of it.
It’s ideal for all hunting applications and an excellent mid-level crossbow for anyone looking to step up their hunting game. It also shoots arrows with a maximum firing velocity of 350fps.
This ambidextrous crossbow features frictionless release technology which makes it lighter and easy to shoot. With a whopping 103ft. lbs of kinetic energy, this crossbow will help you take down any animal that you want. You also get a 4×32 scope that you can mount on top and enhance your accuracy.
The crossbow comes with an s rope cocking device which not only makes the cocking process simple but also helps increase the accuracy by replicating the draw with each draw.
This bow is also designed to accept a mechanical crack cooker and take the cocking to the next big level. Lastly, the crossbow features an anti-dry fire and auto-safety system to keep both you and your crossbow safe.
Features
- 350fps speed
- 150 pounds draw weight
- 4x32mm multi-reticle scope
- Rope cocking device
- Quick and straightforward assembly
- Compatible with a mechanical crank cocker
- 3 arrow quick detach quiver
- 3 20-inch carbon headhunter arrows
- Anti-dry fire and auto-safety system
- Adjustable butt pad
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Best Hunting Crossbows Buying Guide & FAQ
Choosing the Best Hunting Crossbows
When it comes to the best hunting crossbows, everyone has their unique requirements that they want in a crossbow for hunting. A crossbow that works well for your neighbor’s hunting needs might not work for you as well. With that in mind, here are some of the important factors you should consider when shopping for the best hunting crossbow.
Price
Crossbows, just like any other hunting tool come at different prices. How much you spend will largely depend on your needs and hunting budget. If you are a seasoned hunter looking to step up your hunting game, there are excellent, top-notch crossbows you can choose from. However, be prepared to pay more for any such model.
If you are a beginner, you probably looking for a budget crossbow. Luckily, some brands make excellent quality crossbows that are beginner-friendly and budget-friendly too. So, take your time and look for the crossbow that falls under your budget range.
Weight
Weight is another important factor you should consider. How heavy the crossbow is can either make or break your hunting experience. You’ll want a lightweight crossbow that’s comfortable to handle and easy to carry in the field. Avoid heavy crossbows as they are not only difficult to shoot but also cumbersome to carry and maneuver around with.
Draw Weight
Draw weight is the main specification that distinguishes a hunting crossbow from a target model. Typically, the average draw weight in hunting crossbows ranges from 75 to 125 pounds.
With the minute exception, any crossbow with a draw weight in this range should be powerful enough to kill small or medium deer-like games at medium ranges. If you are into long-range hunting, try to look for a crossbow whose draw weight ranges from 150 to 175 pounds or more.
Durability
Durability is also very important. No one wants to get a crossbow that breaks down after a few hunting excursions. Go for a crossbow that’s made with high-quality and rugged materials.
The frame should be made from high-strength materials preferably aluminum. Avoid any crossbow with cracked or split limbs as they can inflict serious injuries. Also, make sure that the strings or cables are well-made to prevent snapping.
Safety
Safety is another important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked. The last thing you would want is to get injured by an arrow that was fired accidentally. Look for a crossbow that comes with finger guards, anti-dry fire exhibitors and automatic engaging safety switches.
Speed and Accuracy
Speed is the other factor you should consider when looking for a hunting crossbow. Different crossbows have different firing speeds. In most cases, a crossbow with about 375fps speed or more will suffice. With such a crossbow, you’ll be able to take down most games in moderate ranges.
When it comes to accuracy, a crossbow will be of no help if it doesn’t provide the accuracy required. To get a humane kill of a close or mid-range game, you’ll need to make an accurate shot placement on the vital parts. So, make sure that the crossbow you are eyeing offers excellent accuracy.
Read: Vortex Solo 10×36 Monocular Review
Best Hunting Crossbows FAQs
Q: How Much Should I Spend on a Crossbow?
It depends on your budget. You can either choose to buy across alone or choose a crossbow package that comes with everything you need to get out and start hunting and shooting. A crossbow package will come with the crossbow, several arrows, a quiver, arrow points and a scope.
Q: Do I Need to Wax my Crossbow Strings?
Yes. You are recommended to wax your crossbow strings and cables regularly after about 75 shots. It’s also important that you wax the strings every time you use the crossbow in wet weather conditions. Waxing the strings not only makes the crossbow more efficient but also increases its durability.
Q: Can You Reuse Crossbow Bolts?
Yes. It’s not a bad idea to reuse your crossbow bolts. You can also reuse the broadhead. Just make sure that you check if there is any wobble present. Sometimes the head can have a small bend that’s too minute to see with your eyes, but your crossbow will.
Q: Is Crossbow Hunting Legal?
Yes. Possession of a crossbow for hunting requires no license. In areas where people are restricted to use firearms for hunting, crossbows are used in place of the firearms.
Q: Can You Hunt in The Rain with a Crossbow?
It depends. Too heavy rain and you’ll have a difficult time identifying your targets. However, you can use the crossbow in light rain, snow, or ice, but then make sure that you lube the rails and wax the strings after use. Proper maintenance of your crossbow will help keep it in the best shape.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have found this post insightful. Today, modern crossbows are excellent and reliable hunting tools used for both small and big-game hunting. They are easy to use and fun to shoot as well. Use our buying guide above and get a quality crossbow that will make your hunting more competitive and successful this season.