How to Choose a Crossbow

FPS measures how fast the bolt leaves the crossbow. It affects trajectory flatness, downrange energy, and how forgiving the bow is when you misjudge a distance.

For deer and turkey hunting at typical distances (20–50 yards), anything above 320 FPS is adequate. Most modern crossbows in the $300–$500 range hit 350–430 FPS, which is more than enough for ethical kills on medium game.

Where FPS starts to matter more: long-range shots, elk hunting (where more energy on impact is valuable), and situations where you routinely shoot past 60 yards. At that point, a bow in the 400–450+ FPS range gives you a meaningful advantage.

The trap to avoid: chasing FPS at the expense of everything else. A 430 FPS bow that's heavy, wide, and noisy may perform worse in the field than a 360 FPS bow that's light and easy to handle.

Draw weight is how hard you have to pull to cock the crossbow. Unlike vertical bows, you don't hold the draw weight — the crossbow does. What you feel is the effort required to cock it, which is typically done with a rope crank or mechanical crank system.

Most modern crossbows fall in the 150–200 lb draw weight range. Higher draw weight generally produces more speed, but the cocking experience matters too. A bow with 185 lbs of draw weight and a built-in silent crank (like the CenterPoint Wrath 430X) can be easier to cock than a 150 lb bow with only a rope cocking aid.

If you have limited upper-body strength, look specifically for bows with integrated crank systems rather than just rope aids. Premium bows like the Ravin R10X Pro use a smooth HeliCoil system with only 100 lbs of draw weight while still hitting 400 FPS.

Cocked width is how wide the crossbow is once it's loaded and ready to fire. This is one of the most practically important specs for hunting, and one of the most overlooked by first-time buyers.

Wide crossbows (17"+ cocked) are harder to maneuver in a treestand, more likely to snag a blind when swinging on a bird, and generally less comfortable to carry in thick cover. Narrow crossbows (10–14") feel more like a rifle and fit in tighter shooting windows.

If you hunt from a box blind or ground blind: aim for under 14" cocked width. If you hunt from a treestand: under 12" is noticeably better. If you hunt in open terrain from the ground, width matters less.

Budget crossbows tend to be wider (15–18"). Getting a genuinely narrow bow usually means moving up in price — the Ravin lineup at 10.5" is the benchmark.

Crossbow weight affects how long you can hold it steady at full draw and how tiring it is to carry in the field. It matters more on hunts that involve a lot of walking or holding position for extended periods.

Most hunting crossbows fall in the 6–8 lb range without accessories. Add a scope, bolts, and a quiver and you're looking at 8–10 lbs. That's manageable for most adults, but hunters with physical limitations or those doing serious backcountry miles will want to prioritize lighter builds.

The lightest option in our lineup is the Ballista BAT at 3.5 lbs — purpose-built for mobility. The Barnett Whitetail Hunter II at 6.4 lbs is a good middle ground.

Crossbow pricing has two distinct value tiers. The $300–$500 range has genuinely strong options — reliable, accurate, and fully capable for deer and turkey hunting. The $1,500–$3,000 range is where the premium brands like Ravin live, with meaningfully better width, accuracy systems, and build quality.

The $500–$1,500 range is thinner on standout value. Most hunters end up better served by either committing to a quality budget bow or saving up for a true premium option rather than landing in the middle.

Our recommendation: if your budget is under $500, buy the best bow in that range and put the leftover money toward quality bolts, broadheads, a rangefinder, and practice. If your budget is flexible, define what you actually need — compactness for blinds, elk capability, lifetime value — and price backwards from there.

Crossbows are more forgiving than vertical bows, but there's still a learning curve. For first-time hunters, simplicity is worth more than peak specs.

Look for bows that come in a complete package (scope, bolts, quiver included) so you can start shooting without extra purchases. Avoid bows with complex cocking systems that add steps before every shot. Prioritize lightweight builds that are easy to handle while you're still developing your form.

Once you've put a season or two behind you, you'll have a much better sense of what you actually need — whether that's more compactness, more speed, or a quieter shot. That's the right time to invest in a premium upgrade.