Choosing The Ideal Crossbow

For those who want to get into crossbow target shooting or hunting but are not entirely sure what to look out for, this guide is for you. In this short read, we will have a look at some of the most vital factors to consider when purchasing a crossbow and delve into the different styles available to you. Additionally, we will explore the key components of these modern projectile weapons and explain the essential functions they perform.

Nowadays, crossbows are extremely powerful, and it is crucial to remain clued up on how they work to ensure safety and optimal use. At Futurama, we have one of the most varied and comprehensive crossbow selections anywhere in SA – for beginners and experts alike. Read on to find out more!

Buying Your First Crossbow: Important Considerations

Not all crossbows are created equally, so it helps to factor in a few things when deciding on the ideal option for you. Let’s have a look at some of these crucial considerations:

1. Physical Size And Strength:

   One of the main reasons why crossbows rose to prevalence in the past was because, regardless of sex, age, size, and strength, almost anyone was able to use one. With that being said, some require more physical strength to load than others. Additionally, some options are heftier, therefore requiring a bit more physical strength to hold and shoot accurately.

For these reasons, it helps to do some research and pick out a crossbow that is user-friendly and will suit your stature and strength. There is a plethora of choices designed for children or small-framed archers, and these could be the way to go if you find it challenging to cock or hold your crossbow.

If you decide that you are not interested in purchasing a lighter option, there are a few ways to work around it. There are many cocking aids on the market that can make the loading process about 50% easier – some are clamp-on and others utilise leverage and ropes. There are also a multitude of unique stock options that allow for greater versatility when it comes to length-of-pull and eye relief – making it easier to adjust the crossbow to fit your proportions.

2. Speed, Power, Noise, And Recoil:

   As you can imagine, this is an essential factor when deciding on the perfect option for you. If you intend to use your equipment for hunting or target shooting, it might make more sense to purchase a crossbow that offers greater speed and power. Most options on the market fall between 220 – 400 fps, with those closer to 400 fps providing immense power.

The higher the Feet Per Second, the harder it will hit, and the flatter the trajectory of the bolt will be – this negates the need for meticulous distance judging, as there is substantially less drop-off on each shot. However, greater speed is often accompanied by a louder shot, increased cocking difficulty, and more recoil.

For some archers, especially hunters, noise can be quite an important thing to consider. While there have been major advancements in noise-dampening technology over the last decades, as we mentioned earlier, more powerful crossbows are still going to create a considerable amount of noise when fired.

Ultimately, you will need to decide if you want to trade off some speed for a quieter shot, as this may suit your needs better. Otherwise, certain accessories can assist in this endeavour, like noise-dampening kits, which can make a huge difference.

3. Weight:

   The weight of a crossbow does not only have an impact on the cocking and aiming but it does affect a few other aspects that are worth thinking about. For example, if you plan to take your equipment on long hunting excursions that will likely involve lengthy hikes and traversing challenging terrain, a heavy crossbow will slow you down and tire you out.

If mobility is a primary concern for you, it might make more sense to invest in a lightweight option that allows for this kind of activity. On the other hand, if target shooting is your cup of tea, then heavier choices come with significantly fewer drawbacks. At the end of the day, it is most important to find a happy medium that enables you to use your crossbow in the way you want to.

Two Recommendations From Our Online Store

Now that you know what to consider when seeking out the perfect crossbow, let’s have a look at two high-quality options from our Futurama online store.

Man Kung MK-XB58FC Kraken Compound Crossbow

The Man Kung MK-XB58FC Kraken might just be one of the best value-for-money crossbows on the market. Despite being comparatively inexpensive for a great quality option, it offers an incredible speed of 405fps, which is about as quick as you will find anywhere! This impressive speed and power are facilitated by the advanced drawing system and CNC machined cams. With fibreglass limbs, an aluminium barrel, an anti-dry fire system, and pin-point accuracy up to 100 metres, this crossbow could help you take your shooting prowess to the next level.

Ravin R26 Crossbow

For more advanced archers, the Ravin R26 comes with all the bells and whistles you could ever want – featuring an ergonomic grip, HeliCoil technology, built-in sling mounts, illuminated scope, and more. Despite offering a remarkably quick 400 fps, this ingenious design only weighs 2.94 kg, providing the best of both worlds. For hunters and target shooters alike, the Ravin R26 is about as good as it gets.

Components Of A Crossbow

Crossbows are made up of four main parts, namely the string, limbs, riser, and stock, with a few minor parts to round out these modern projectile weapons.

Let’s have a brief look at each of these and explain their purpose:

1. String –

   Strings can be created using man-made or natural fibres, including synthetic fibre and polyester fibre. You could say that the string is the most crucial component of a crossbow, as without it, the bolt cannot be propelled forward. The quality of the string plays a large role in deciding the fps that the crossbow can achieve, and many companies make their decision based on the breaking strength, weight, and stretch capacity of the given material. Ideally, a string should be both lightweight and durable, as this aids in the efficient transfer of energy from the limbs to the bolt.

2. Limbs –

   The limbs of a crossbow comprise the crosswise bow mounted horizontally over the stock. Limbs on a recurve bow are substantially longer than those on a crossbow, as more traditional counterparts require the additional length to achieve a similar amount of power. The string attaches to each end of the limbs, and it is the combination of these two components that creates the immense power being transferred to the bolt.

3. Risers –

   The risers are the part of a crossbow that attaches the limbs to the stock, and they can come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the desired effect. Usually, they are manufactured using machined aluminium, cast aluminium, or magnesium, and they also serve the purpose of ensuring that the limbs remain at a specific angle – this angle is crucial to the functioning of the crossbow.

4. Stock –

   This is the part of the crossbow that you grip and hold into your shoulder. Oftentimes, stocks are created using injection moulded plastic, composite materials, or wood. The stock is what binds everything together, holding the barrel, trigger, and sight bridge securely in place. Many stocks are adjustable and can be extended or shortened to suit the archer’s preferences. Ideally, a stock should be formed in such a way that it feels comfortable to hold and effectively distributes recoil.

These are the most essential components of a crossbow, but there are a few more worth noting, including:

• Foregrip
• Trigger and safety
• Barrel
• Cams
• Cable
• Serving
• Flight groove
• Arrow retention spring
• Latch
• Sight
• Sight Bridge
• Cocking stirrup
• Quiver

The Advantages Of Using A Crossbow

Let’s get into a few major upsides of using crossbows, especially when compared to traditional bows, like longbows and recurve bows. In recent years, the crossbow target shooting and hunting community has grown substantially. Crossbows are undeniably satisfying to use, and they are infinitely more consistent than their more-traditional counterparts.

Allow us to walk you through a few specific areas where crossbows excel:

1. Unlimited Aim Time:

   One of the biggest advantages of crossbows is that you have a much larger window to acquire your target, ensure your aim is on point, and fire your bolt. Compound bows are a step ahead of traditional bows in this regard as well, due to the let-off technology which allows individuals to hold the bow in a fully drawn position for longer periods. While this is hugely beneficial, crossbows take it a step further, as they are spanned (loaded) beforehand and can remain in this ready-to-shoot position indefinitely.

This is especially useful when hunting, as the movement involved in drawing a bow can quite easily startle an animal – with a crossbow, this is a non-issue. Another benefit of this is that you are significantly less likely to become fatigued when shooting for extended periods, as holding a bow at full draw can be strenuous. You are afforded the ability to take your time when shooting, which ultimately will result in tighter grouping and generally more accurate shooting.

2. Shoot From A Range Of Positions:

   One factor that people often overlook when comparing bows and crossbows is that the lack of a drawing motion allows you to shoot from whatever position is most comfortable. When using a bow, it simply isn’t possible to shoot from a crouched or prone position, as you need room to get the bow into full draw. On the flip side, once your crossbow is loaded, you can rest it on a stump, shooting sticks, branches, or just about anything that might aid in your shot accuracy.

Generally, crossbows are about twice as heavy as most traditional bows, however, the ability to shoot from a range of positions makes up for this extra weight. You won’t need to be standing completely upright to take the shot, and this results in greater precision and versatility.

To add to this, you are able to fire bolts in cramped situations, like in a hunting tent or hide, in between trees, and through small gaps. If you have any experience shooting firearms, you will already understand how much of a difference it makes to have a shooting rest when it comes to shot accuracy.