Unlike the ancient crossbows or Chinese crossbows, modern crossbows are primarily designed for hunting or target shooting, but not for the war. So when it comes to hunting, they have more to offer. But before buying the best crossbow, there are a few things to consider. If you want to buy a high-quality crossbow then you need to follow these factors.
Draw Weight Of The Crossbow
The average draw weight of a good crossbow is between 75 and 125 pounds. However, some are bidding up to pounds.
While the more you draw the better, it’s important to note that some states do not allow bows heavier than 175 pounds to be drawn. Other states like Ohio allow bows with tow weights up to 200 pounds. So check out the crossbow laws by state.
Speed
A common misconception is that faster is better. However, this is not always true. For example, a typical crossbow provides 260 FPS to 400 FPS.
If you want to get the best out of your crossbow, then I suggest you choose a crossbow with a speed of 250-300 FPS. High-speed bows tend to make noise due to the vibrations from the projectile.
Additionally, faster speeds increase the chances of wear and tear. So choosing the correct arrows and broadheads is really important for hunting, especially mechanical broadhead tuning, can be a challenge for the fastest crossbows.
That said, don’t buy a faster arrow just because the manufacturer says it’s better.
Arrow Track
Also known as the barrel or flight track, this is the part of the crossbow that is responsible for firing arrows. Aluminum and polymers are the two materials from which crossbow barrels are made. Most high-quality crossbows have aluminum arrow track.
Noise And Vibrations
One of the main advantages of a crossbow over a firearm is that the former is quieter than the latter. However, noise is something to consider when purchasing a bow.
There are many tools that can be used to reduce the noise and vibration of a hunting crossbow. Some of them employ string vibration damping technology. The latter uses rubber shock absorbers to reduce the vibration of the rope when the bow is fired.
The quietest unit is the best recurve crossbow with parallel limb. However, these recurve bows do not have the same range as compound crossbows. For compound crossbows used in shooting ranges, noise is not a consideration.
Recommended FPS Of The Hunting Crossbow
Choose your crossbow to fire your hunting arrows at an initial velocity of at least 250 to 300 FPS (feet per second). By generating this speed, the arrow will gain enough kinetic energy to kill any large prey cleanly, while also eliminating the arrow’s long-range ballistic issues.
Weight
Choosing a crossbow based on weight has never been easier. This is because the heavy crossbows provide more stability, while light crossbows provide better maneuverability.
So if you’re strong enough to carry a heavy crossbow and don’t move a lot while hunting, a heavier bow can be used.
However, if you move a lot or are not strong enough, a lighter bow would be ideal.
Materials
If you want the best out of your crossbow for deer hunting, consider a part that is metal. Some crossbows have plastic parts. The problem with these types of parts is that they break easily. Metal is a more durable material.
