Last Updated on May 13, 2023 by
Are you looking for the best crossbow for deer hunting? Crossbows have become the weapon of choice for many hunters, and we’ll tell you exactly why with this review of our top favorite crossbow finds. We’ve also added a few interesting facts, so dig right in!
What to consider before buying the best crossbow for deer hunting
Recurve or Compound bows
Crossbows are categorized into recurve and compound crossbows. Recurve crossbows are traditional and feature a more fundamental and simplistic design.
On the other hand, compound bows are more sophisticated and feature shorter limbs with strings attached to pulleys. Besides, compound crossbows have cam systems for easy draw.
Recurve bows are easy to maintain and cheaper to buy. Therefore, they are ideal for first-time users.
Compound bows, on the other hand, possess more power because of their cam systems. They do not need increased draw weight. Also, thanks to their short limbs, compound bows are easily maneuverable.
TLDR
If you are going deer hunting with a crossbow, we usually recommend choosing a compound bow.
Speed
The general misconception is that the greater the speed, the better is the crossbow. However, this is not always true. A typical deer hunting crossbow should produce a rate that falls between 260 FPS and 400 FPS.
If you want to get the best out of a crossbow, we recommend that you go for one with a speed of 200 FPS. For, bows with high rates tend to be noisier due to the vibrations emitted by the shot.
Apart from this, faster speed means more chances of wear and tear. Proper arrow and broadhead tuning can be more challenging with faster crossbows.
Weight
Choosing a crossbow based on weight is never an easy thing. For one thing, heavy crossbows offer more stability, while lighter crossbows offer improved maneuverability.
If you are new to crossbows, a moderately-priced, easy-to-use crossbow is what you should be looking for. Many crossbows will serve your needs as a beginner. However, none will offer a better price and power combination than the Barnett Jackal Crossbow. And you will find out below why you should get this crossbow package.
Draw weight
The average draw weight of a good deer hunting crossbow ranges from 75 pounds to 125 pounds. However, some crossbows offer draw weights of up to 200 pounds.
While more draw is better, it is essential to note that some states do not allow bows with draw weights that exceed 175 pounds.
Others States like Ohio allow bows with a draw weight of up to 200 pounds.
Other Considerations
The best bow for crossbow deer hunting will have several additional features, which are also part of your crossbow hunting gear.
Cocking aids are used to make the cocking of crossbows easier. There are two types, rope cocking device and crank cocking device. For deer hunting, we recommend that you use rope cocking devices.
Apart from cocking aids, the best crossbow deer hunting comes with a powerful scope.
A noise dampening device is a must, for it lessens a crossbow’s noise level can also improve a crossbow performance.
Best Crossbow For Deer Hunting
Now let us say a few words about the best three crossbows we have selected for deer hunting. However, the choice may vary according to the taste of the individual.
If you are just a beginner, we recommend that you try out Barnett Jackal Crossbow Package. Here is our Barnett Jackal crossbow review.
We have discovered that the Barnett is quite easy to cock. We don’t require a rope device to cock this crossbow as our hands are sufficient.
Nevertheless, you will be astonished to find that the Barnett Jackal is a powerful crossbow (read review). It is capable of firing 20-inch bolts at a velocity of 315 FPS. With its firepower, the Barnett has a draw weight of 150 pounds. And this is pretty sufficient to go for deer hunting.
It is worth noting that the Barnett Jackal is not the quietest crossbow, and it is rather noisy. However, this is to be expected from a powerful crossbow like Barnett Jackal.
Pros
✓ It is affordable, though it is a powerful crossbow
✓ Has enough power to take down any legal game in the country
✓ Features automated safety device that prevents misfiring
✓ The military-like stock looks cool and comfortable
Cons
✗ The package comes without a rope cocking device
Verdict
Based on our analysis, the Barnett Jackal Crossbow is a perfect choice for the beginner. It is powerful enough to be used for target practice as well as for hunting. Although you can cock it with your hands, we suggest that you should get a rope -cocking mechanism.
Best crossbow for Deer Hunting
Excalibur Matrix 355 Crossbow Package
Hunting a big game requires you to equip yourself with a powerful crossbow that can take them down. Suppose you want a crossbow that is good enough for hunting big game, including a deer. In that case, there is only one crossbow you can hardly ignore: the Excalibur Matrix 355 Crossbow package.
Not many hunters use recurve crossbows for deer hunting as compared to compound bows. However, crossbows are still a great option, especially the Excalibur Matrix 360 Crossbow.
This crossbow is as good-looking as it is powerful.
As its name suggests, this Excalibur can deliver arrows into targets at an incredible velocity of 380 FPS. This is equivalent to an impressive 109 pounds of kinetic energy.
The draw speed of this crossbow stands at a great 260 pounds, meaning that you would have to cock it by hand. Thankfully, the package is inclusive of a rope-cocking device.
For safety, the crossbow features an anti-dry-fire system that prevents the bow from misfiring if it does not have an arrow nocked. Lastly, this crossbow arrives with a set of Diablo 18 inch arrows.
Pros
✓ Features a compact recurve design
✓ The crossbow comes with four quality Diablo arrows
✓ There is a rope-cocking device included in the package
✓ There is a scope attached to it
Cons
✗ The scope, some experts say, is not as powerful as it ought to be
Verdict
The Excalibur Matrix 355 Crossbow (read review) is ideal for professional crossbow deer hunting. As is evident from the above Excalibur crossbow review, this crossbow is a high-performance machine. Therefore, we recommend this only to hunters who have been in the hunting game for quite some time.
Best crossbow for deer hunting
Barnett Outdoors Brotherhood Crossbow
You can also try out the Barnett Outdoors Brotherhood crossbow (read review). I have to confess that I was pretty impressed with the performance of the Barnett Brotherhood Crossbow.
What is outstanding about this crossbow is its firing velocity.
This Barnett fires arrows at 350 FPS, which is enough to penetrate through an engine block, let alone pierce a deer’s skin.
However, we were not too pleased with its 21-inch width, but since it uses a Crosswire String and Cable system, it is pretty easy to cock by hand.
It is also compatible with a crank-cocking device.
The trigger has a pull weight of 3.5 pounds, which means it is relatively smooth. Lastly, attached to the crossbow is a 4X32 multi-reticle scope.
Pros
✓ The crossbow is fairly lightweight
✓ This bow is powerful enough to take down almost all with any game in the country
✓ Features automated safety device that prevents misfiring
✓ The military-like stock looks cool and comfortable
Cons
✗ This crossbow is rather loud, and you will have to invest in sound suppressors
Verdict
Since it is a loud shooter, you should be careful when taking it out to hunt. If you lack suppressors, we recommend using them for target practice. On the other hand, if you procure sound suppressors, this becomes one of the best crossbows for deer hunting.
Best Crossbow For Deer Hunting
If you are looking for a combo of accuracy and power, you will have to go for the Barnett Quad 400 crossbow.
Barnett Quad 400 Crossbow Package
The Barnett Quad 400 Crossbow (read review) is one of Barnett’s bestselling crossbows, and for good reasons. Like all other crossbows mentioned in this list, this Barnett is quite powerful.
It can produce up to 106 pounds of kinetic energy, thanks to its 345 FPS of firing velocity.
With a draw weight of 150 pounds, this is a crossbow that requires a rope-cocking device to cock.
In the quiver that comes as part of the package, you get three 22-inch arrows.
Also added to this package is a 4X32 scope that significantly enhances the accuracy of this bow.
Pros
✓ Comes with an insert where you can install a hand- cocking device
✓ The crossbow comes with either a red dot or a 4X32 scope
✓ Comes with a five-year unlimited manufacturer’s warranty
✓ Includes a quiver with three 22-inch arrows
Cons
✗ This crossbow package does not include a cocking device
Verdict
This Barnett Quad400 Crossbow has all that a hunter requires. Taking every other aspect into considerations, this is one of the best crossbows for deer hunting. It also makes a good bow for target practice.
Conclusion
There are many other crossbows that you can use on your next crossbow deer hunt. However, not all will give you the desired results. You will have to get the best crossbow for the money that will fulfill your requirements. Fortunately, all the crossbows we have reviewed for you are fantastic deer hunting crossbows. We sincerely hope that these reviews and the crossbow hunting tips given above will be of immense help, for you would now be able to buy the best crossbow for deer hunting.
