If you’d like to expand your hunting-related options and draw in a broader customer base, consider adding crossbows to your store shelves. Crossbows are a great option for hunters who traditionally use firearms but want to try something new, and they’re a nice starting point for newcomers to the hunting world who want to try archery. They’re also ideal for archery hunters who find they can no longer maintain full draw due to injury or age. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top crossbows designed to appeal to your customers while also drawing in newcomers.

 

Excalibur Hybrid X

The Excalibur Hybrid X is thought by many hunters to be perhaps the hottest crossbow currently on the market. Customers with some familiarity with the archery world will recognize the Excalibur name, while those who are completely new will appreciate its ease of use and overall performance. The Hybrid X is a recurve compound system with an integral cocking and de-cocking system. It features recurve limbs for improved durability and anchored cams for stability and speed. And thanks to its design, this is a crossbow that can be more easily strung and maintained with no need for a bow press. That’s a big bonus for any archery hunter but an especially important detail for rifle hunters trying out archery for the first time.

This is the crossbow to show customers who are interested in a high-quality system that remains relatively straightforward in operation. The Hybrid X uses an integrated crank for the draw, making cocking and de-cocking quieter while also reducing draw weight. Excalibur lists draw effort at 14 pounds, which is manageable for beginners and also workable for many kids getting into hunting. This crossbow has an overall length of 29.6 inches for improved balance and a tip-to-tip cocked width of 10.8 inches. Without accessories, it weighs just over 8 pounds; with accessories, the crossbow weighs 10.3 pounds. It ships with a ChargerX Integrated Crank, Overwatch Illuminated Scope, Rebolt Quiver, 30mm scope rings, and an assortment of field points. Four V-Flight Pro 18-inch arrows are included as well.

The Excalibur Hybrid X ships with a Mossy Oak Country DNA finish so it’s ready to blend into the fields and woods. Average speed is listed at 435 feet per second, which is a fantastic speed that delivers a flatter trajectory and greater range. It’s also an accurate crossbow, something that’s sometimes lost with increased velocities.

MSRP $2,199.99

Visit www.excaliburcrossbow.com to learn more.

     

Ravin R470

For customers specifically focused on high velocities, there’s the Ravin R470, a model that boasts a speed of 470 feet per second. Kinetic energy is listed as 196 ft.lbs. Just remember to remind customers that exact velocity and energy results depend on a variety of factors, including the arrow and broadhead being used. The R470 is a high-performance crossbow created for accuracy the company states is comparable to that of rifles — and that will appeal to gun hunters making the move into archery (as will the grip that’s reminiscent of an AR-15 pistol grip).

Features of the Ravin R470 include a VersaDrive cocking system, Hexcoil cam system, Trac-Trigger firing system, and Frictionless flight system. The Hexcoil cam system is proprietary and allows the cams to rotate 300 degrees. Also make sure to point out the ambidextrous cocking system with a 17-pound draw force and built-in trigger designed to facilitate straight-line nock travel. Ravin also included an anti-dry fire/auto safety and built-in sling mounts. These features and others make the R470 a good option for serious hunters who demand the best from their crossbow.

The Ravin R470 comes with a removable draw handle, quiver and mounting bracket, and an illuminated scope. A trio of Ravin .003 R500 Series arrows with field points are also included. The crossbow is available in flat black or XK7 camo.

MSRP $2,549.99

Visit www.ravincrossbows.com to learn more.

 

CenterPoint AXE 400

It’s important to stock a crossbow that’s a good fit for those who want an entry-level crossbow — and that’s where the CenterPoint AXE 400 comes in. The AXE 400 is a reliable, accurate crossbow that’s affordably priced. This crossbow does have a draw weight of 200 pounds, which is considered at the high end of moderate-to-substantial. It’s important to communicate to customers that the various measurements given by manufacturers have different meanings. Draw force and draw weight are not the same measurement. Even so, the AXE 400 does have a draw weight more suitable to reasonably strong adults, meaning it’s not an ideal starter crossbow for kids or those of small stature. It does ship with a Quiet Crank cocking device to make the process more manageable.

The listed velocity of this system is 400 feet per second, which is, of course, dependent on the arrow and broadhead being used. At 35 inches in length, this isn’t exactly a compact model, but it also isn’t massive. Cocked width measures 14.25 inches, and uncocked, it’s  17.75 inches wide. Free of accessories, the AXE 400 weighs 7.2 pounds; with included accessories, it weighs 8.4 pounds. It comes with a Quiet Crank cocking device, a rope cocker, three PileDriver bolts, three field points, a quiver, and a 2-7x36mm AXE optic.

CenterPoint’s AXE 400 is loaded with features that will appeal to hunters, such as an adjustable stock, ergonomically designed pistol grip, and a well-made factory trigger. All those things are details a rifle hunter will understand and likely demand in their crossbow.

MSRP $699.99

Visit www.feradyne.com to learn more.

 

Killer Instinct LogiX 435

Hunters who struggle with the draw weight of many bows will find the rope cocking mechanism of the Killer Instinct LogiX 435 to be helpful. Your customer might notice that this crossbow’s draw weight is 210 pounds and believe that’s entirely prohibitive, but the X-Cam cocking system simplifies things. According to the manufacturer, the system delivers approximately 56% let-off when using the rope cocker. So while this crossbow requires some strength, it’s made easier thanks to the way the cocking system is designed. This is a well-priced crossbow with a good rope cocker system that will appeal to many hunters.

Another feature that enhances this crossbow’s user-friendliness is the patent-pending Let-Down triggerbox that makes de-cocking a lot easier. There’s also an anti-dry-fire safety that stops the crossbow from being accidentally fired when there’s no bolt loaded. This is important, because unlike firearms, which can be dry-fired, dry-firing a crossbow can result in catastrophic damage to the limbs and cams (not to mention the risk of injury to the hunter). Make sure new bow hunters understand their crossbow cannot be dry-fired.

Ease of use for the LogiX 435 is dead-on, and it’s accurate, too. Velocity is reported at an average of 435 feet per second and kinetic energy at 155 ft./lbs. It’s 32.25 inches long without the foot stirrup and weighs 8.4 pounds. Cocked width is 6.75 inches and uncocked is 10.75 inches, making it a beautifully slim crossbow. 

The Killer Instinct LogiX 435’s Tact-Finish camo pattern coating helps it blend into the trees while promising greater longevity than standard film-dip patterns. It ships with an illuminated, glass-etched 4x32 Lumix scope, a sled rope cocker, a five-arrow quiver, and three 20-inch 390 grain Hypr bolts with V-Track nocks. This is a rugged crossbow with a lifetime warranty that’s made for top performance.

MSRP $729.99

Visit kicrossbows.com to learn more.

 

CenterPoint Sniper G4D

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a sub-$500 model suitable to get hunters started with crossbows without a significant investment. This model comes from CenterPoint, a trusted manufacturer known for producing great value and reliably performing products. The CenterPoint Sniper G4D is a freshly enhanced crossbow with a narrow width and a host of handy features. It’s a good model to show to hunters who aren’t quite sure if they want to get into crossbows yet as well as those who are sure but might be put off by higher price points.

The CenterPoint Sniper G4D has a four-position buttstock that makes it easy to adjust the crossbow to the hunter. An included 4x32 illuminated scope makes it usable right out of the box and, perhaps best of all, the illumination can be switched between red and green. Shots are quieted by the Whisper Silencing System, and the silent crank is detachable. There’s also an integral de-cocker to make that process easier and an anti-dry-fire safety.

This crossbow is 27.95 inches long and measures a scant 6.75 inches when cocked. It weighs 8 pounds. Draw weight is 220 pounds, so let customers know a certain amount of strength will be required to cock it. Velocities of 400 feet per second are possible with this crossbow, making it a solid choice for dedicated hunters.

MSRP $499.99

Visit www.centerpointarchery.com to learn more.

 

Crossbow Broadheads

Choosing broadheads is task-specific, but some are better than others for multi-purpose use. Rage Hypo 2 broadheads are made for superior aerodynamics and perform well for use on whitetails and similarly sized animals. This is a mechanical broadhead, meaning it features folding cutting blades that open on impact. The design also facilitates the creation of a large, more devastating wound cavity, and that translates to less blood trailing being necessary.

The Hypo 2 is available in either a 100- or 125-grain broadhead with a two-inch cutting diameter. These broadheads feature a pair of fantastically sharp 0.35-inch blades and a hybrid hypodermic tip for a clean, quick entrance wound. A keyed Shock Collar blade locking system keeps the blades closed until they strike the target. Rage also improved the Shock Collar so it can only be installed one way, eliminating incorrect installation issues.

In the past there have been concerns about the reliable deployment of mechanical broadheads, but technology constantly advances, and the proof is in the hunting results. Use the 100-grain model for whitetails but consider increasing to the 125-grain version for tougher animals like feral hogs.

MSRP $54.99 for a four-pack.

Visit www.feradyne.com to learn more.

For hunters who prefer a fixed blade, stock the Muzzy MX-3. Unlike mechanical broadheads, fixed-blade designs begin in the same form they end in. That tends to mean smaller cutting diameter — the Muzzy MX-3’s cutting diameter is 1.25 inches — but it also means no concerns over whether it’s going to open on impact. The Muzzy MX-3 is a three-blade broadhead known for reliable performance and great results. Features include an anodized aluminum ferrule, Trocar tip, and 100-grain weight. The Trocar tip is known for superior strength, up to and including the power to break bones. That’s a useful detail when you might otherwise have a broadhead that sticks or skips off bone.

The trio of cutting blades are 0.25-inch thick, and the broadhead’s overall design is compact. This fixed broadhead is accurate and delivers consistent groups, making it a winner for filling tags for deer season. If you’re faced with a hunter who either dislikes mechanical broadheads or simply prefers a traditional blade, the Muzzy MX-3 is the way to go.

MSRP $29.99 for a three-pack.

Visit www.feradyne.com to learn more.