Crossbow Buying Guide
Picking a crossbow comes down to five questions: what you want to spend, where you hunt, how much speed you really need, how you'll cock and uncock it, and what comes in the box. Answer those and you'll be down to two or three crossbows in a few minutes. This guide is written by the full-time techs at Whale-Tales Archery in Dousman, who set up, sight in and service crossbows every day.
If you'd rather talk it through, call us at (262) 965-2825 or stop by!
1. What do you want to spend?
Set your budget first, and include about $150–$300 for extra arrows, broadheads, a case and a target. Every crossbow in our shop will kill a deer cleanly at normal hunting ranges. Spending more mostly buys you a narrower, lighter, quieter crossbow and a better scope, not a deader deer.
|
Budget |
What you get |
Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
|
Under $1,000 |
Proven, accurate crossbows around 390 fps. Usually wider and a bit heavier, with a basic lighted scope. |
First crossbow, gun hunters extending the season, youth or occasional use |
|
$1,000–$2,000 |
The sweet spot. 410–450 fps, narrow cocked widths around 6.5", quieter cocking and better scopes. |
Most whitetail hunters, especially anyone switching from a compound |
|
$2,000+ |
The shortest, lightest and fastest crossbows, premium 100-yard scopes and the best triggers. |
Tight blinds and saddles, serious hunters who want the best |
2. Where and how do you hunt?
This matters more than speed. The size and weight of the crossbow decide how easy it is to swing on a deer in tight quarters and carry to the stand.
- Ground blinds: Width and length are everything. Look for a cocked width under 7" and an overall length under 30" so you can swing on a deer without hitting the blind wall.
- Treestands and saddles: Weight and length matter most. A short, light crossbow is easier to pull up, hang and shoot around the tree. Aim for under 7 lbs bare if you can.
- Shooting houses and box blinds: Size matters less, so you can put more of your budget into the scope and trigger.
- Walking in a long way: Every pound counts. Add a sling and consider a lighter model.
A quick rule: if you hunt mostly from a ground blind or saddle, spend for a compact crossbow. If you sit in a box blind, almost any crossbow will work.
3. How much speed do you actually need?
Less than the box suggests. Every crossbow we carry shoots 390 fps or faster, which is plenty for whitetails at the 20–40 yard shots most Wisconsin hunters take.
What extra speed does buy you:
- Flatter trajectory. Less drop between 20 and 50 yards, so a misjudged range costs you less.
- More forgiveness on longer shots, if you practice at those distances.
What it can cost you:
- More noise and more wear on strings and cables, so service intervals come sooner.
- Higher price for the last 20–40 fps.
4. How will you cock it, and uncock it?
This is the question most buyers skip and later wish they hadn't. Cocking a modern crossbow by hand takes well over 100 lbs of pull, so nearly every hunting crossbow now comes with a built-in aid.
|
System |
How it works |
Pros |
Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rope cocker |
A rope and pulleys halve the pull |
Cheap, light, simple |
Still takes real strength; no safe way to uncock |
|
Built-in crank (TenPoint ACUdraw / ACUslide) |
A crank or slide in the stock pulls the string back |
Low effort, consistent, most can de-cock |
Adds some weight; cranking takes a few seconds |
|
Built-in silent cocking (Ravin) |
A handle-driven system in the stock |
Very quiet, very low effort (about 12 lbs on the R10X Pro), de-cocks without firing |
Costs more; keep the cocking handle with you in the stand |
Why de-cocking matters: at the end of a hunt you have to unload. Without a de-cock system, the usual answer is to shoot the arrow into the ground or a target, which is a hassle in the dark. Models with built-in de-cocking (every Ravin and TenPoint ACUslide model we stock, plus the Wicked Ridge Invader M1 De-Cock) let you safely let the string down without firing.
If you have shoulder trouble or limited strength, start with a built-in crank or silent-cocking model and try it in the shop before you buy.
5. What comes in the box, and what doesn't?
Most crossbows come as a package with a scope, a quiver and three arrows. That's enough to sight in, but not enough to hunt and practice with. Plan on buying:
- More arrows. Three disappear fast. Get at least six, and only use the arrow weight and nock type your crossbow's maker specifies.
- Broadheads. Pick a broadhead built for crossbow speeds, and a practice head that flies the same.
- A case. A soft case is fine for the truck; a hard case if you travel.
- A target rated for crossbow speeds. Regular bag targets wear out quickly.
- Rail lube and string wax for basic upkeep.
About the scope: entry packages usually include a lighted scope good to about 70 yards; higher-end packages come with 100-yard scopes with speed adjustment. Either way, the scope has to be mounted, leveled and zeroed with your arrows and broadheads before you hunt. We do that on our range (see below).
Our picks by budget
These are the crossbows our techs recommend most, all available at Whale-Tales. Prices and specs are from our product pages as of Oct 14, 2026.
|
Crossbow |
Price |
Speed (fps) |
Weight (lbs) |
Length (in) |
Cocked width (in) |
Cocking |
Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$349.99 |
400 |
7.5 |
|
14.5 |
Detachable crank |
Lowest-cost way to start; open ground and box blinds |
|
|
$699 |
390 |
|
|
|
ACUdraw crank, de-cock |
First crossbow on a budget |
|
|
From $999.99 |
390 |
6.9 |
32.5 |
9.75 |
ACUslide, de-cock |
Easy cocking under $1,000 |
|
|
$1,199.99 |
420 |
7.55 |
32.5 |
6.5 |
Ravin built-in, de-cock |
Narrow and fast for the money |
|
|
$1,299 |
415 |
6.8 |
33.25 |
9.5 |
ACUslide, de-cock |
Light, easy, all-around |
|
|
$1,549.99 (sale) |
410 |
|
28 |
6.5 |
ACUslide MAXX, de-cock |
Compact for blinds, best value now |
|
|
$1,599 |
450 |
|
|
6.5 |
ACUslide, de-cock |
Speed and de-cock in the mid range |
|
|
$1,999.99 |
420 |
7.95 |
32.5 |
6.5 |
Silent cocking, de-cock |
Quiet cocking, adjustable stock |
|
|
$2,199 |
400 |
6.5 |
26 |
5.75 |
Built-in silent cocking, de-cock |
Ultra-compact Ravin for saddles and blinds |
|
|
$2,499 |
450 |
6.75 |
29 |
|
Integrated silent cocking, de-cock |
Light, short, fast |
|
|
$2,499 |
450 |
8.1 |
34 |
6 |
Built-in silent cocking, de-cock |
Longer shots, with a 1-8x adjustable scope |
|
|
From $2,499 |
460 |
|
29.5 |
6.5 |
ACUslide MAXX, de-cock |
Top-end TenPoint |
|
|
$2,799 |
400 |
6.5 |
26 |
5.75 |
Built-in silent cocking, de-cock |
Smallest and lightest for saddles and tight blinds |
Why buy from a pro shop
A crossbow isn't done when it leaves the box. It needs a scope mounted and zeroed, arrows and broadheads matched to it, and string and cable service over its life. That's what we do every day.
- Try before you buy. Pick them up, shoulder them and feel the difference.
- Scope mount and sight-in. We mount, level and zero your scope so it's ready to hunt.
- Matched arrows and broadheads. We'll set you up with what your crossbow is built to shoot.
- Service for life. Inspections, string and cable replacement, and repairs by full-time techs, on crossbows bought here or anywhere else.
Ready to pick one? Shop crossbows, call a tech at (262) 965-2825, or stop by 109 N. Main Street in Dousman. Service counter hours are Tuesday–Friday 10am–6pm and Saturday 10am–3pm; walk-ins welcome.
FAQ
Can anyone hunt deer with a crossbow in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin opened crossbow hunting to all hunters in 2014, and crossbows now take more deer than vertical bows here. You need the right license, so check the Wisconsin DNR for current license and season rules before you hunt.
Ravin or TenPoint? Both are excellent. Ravin is known for very narrow, quiet, low-effort silent cocking. TenPoint's ACUslide crank is easy to use and lets you de-cock without firing. Come see both on our range and see which feels right.
Do you sight in crossbows? Yes. We mount, level and zero your scope on our indoor range. Shipped bows do not get sighted in unless requested.
Do you ship crossbows? Yes. Order online with free shipping on orders over $150, or order online and pick up in our Dousman shop.
How often should I service my crossbow? Have it inspected before every season. Replace strings and cables when they show wear or on your maker's schedule, sooner if you shoot a lot or hunt at full draw alot.
Do you work on crossbows bought somewhere else? Yes. We service all major brands, no matter where you bought it.
