When buying a crossbow, big-game hunting enthusiasts face a vast selection of models. Choosing one takes care: it’s important to find a crossbow that suits your activity. Are you planning to hunt in the woods, practice on targets in your backyard, or find an effective, compact option for survival? Here’s how to choose your crossbow.
Why buy a crossbow?
Today, more and more hunters are showing a clear preference for crossbows. They can also be used in competitions or simply for target shooting with friends. Crossbows offer several advantages: they are quiet, making it easier to catch prey by surprise; they are affordable; and their bolts can be reused. Many people have come to favor crossbows over bows.
For those practicing in their backyard, a crossbow is a precision weapon for learning to hit targets from 10 to 100 meters away, depending on the shooter’s skill level. For survivalists, a camouflaged crossbow makes it easier to move through a hostile environment. Quiet and easy to assemble and disassemble, it lets you travel without being weighed down.
Looking for a weapon that could deter an attacker? A crossbow may fit the bill, especially since it can be purchased in France without authorization or a declaration to the prefecture. You simply need to be an adult to own one. Bear in mind, however, that hunting with a crossbow is prohibited in France, although many people still use one to hunt game.
What to know when choosing a crossbow
Buying a projectile weapon isn’t always easy. Between draw weight, intended use, and the type of crossbow, it can be hard to know what to choose. Remember, though, that your build or experience level should not determine your choice. Choose your equipment based on the activity you plan to pursue. The higher a crossbow’s draw weight, the faster its bolt travels, allowing it to hit a target with considerable force. Depending on your target, make sure your bolts have suitable tips, using hunting broadheads if necessary.
Compound or traditional recurve crossbow?
When choosing a crossbow, you’ll need to decide between a compound crossbow and a traditional recurve crossbow. A compound crossbow can be difficult to adjust initially, although it is by far the more powerful option. Its limbs are very stiff and generate a great deal of energy. Compound crossbows are also easier to cock and less sensitive to the trigger mechanism. They are generally used for hunting or target shooting. One advantage of a compound crossbow is its size: it is short and narrow, making it easier to move through dense environments. On the downside, it is harder to maintain. If the string breaks, replacing it yourself is difficult without specialized equipment such as a bow press.
Also known as a recurve crossbow, the traditional crossbow is much easier to maintain. It is lightweight, easy to care for, and equipped with a reliable safety mechanism. Pistol crossbows also fall into this category. Its main drawback is its lower power compared with a compound crossbow. That said, technological advances mean that some recurve models, such as those from Excalibur, can now rival compound crossbows.
Materials
To choose a crossbow that meets your needs, you should also consider its materials. The days when crossbow limbs were made of steel are long gone. Today, they are made from much lighter composite materials. Some manufacturers even offer crossbows with stocks made from wood or reinforced plastic. The aim is to give the crossbow good stability and, in turn, improve shooting accuracy.
The best crossbows at Kodiak Store
Even if you’re completely new to crossbows, you’ve probably heard of Kodiak Store. Anyone who has researched them has likely come across the site. This online outdoor store carries essential survival gear. If you’re choosing a crossbow, here are the products you’ll find there:
Mini crossbow or pistol crossbow
Pistol crossbows are designed for recreational shooting. They are highly portable and very easy to handle, with draw weights generally between 50 and 80 pounds. On the site, you can buy an 80-pound pistol crossbow for 49.90 euros. You can use it for recreational activities or to get started with target shooting. If you have children, a mini crossbow can help introduce them to the activity. Just remember: a crossbow is not a toy!
Traditional crossbows for adults starting target shooting
These highly accurate crossbows are ideal for adults starting recreational target shooting. They usually have draw weights between 120 and 150 pounds and are very affordable. They also feature striking designs and are comfortable to handle. A black Skorpion crossbow available on the site costs 164.00 euros. Made from fiberglass and aluminum, this model is very lightweight. EK Archery crossbows are also excellent for recreational shooting.
Heavy crossbows
Heavy crossbows can be used for various purposes, including hunting, competitive shooting, survival, and target practice. Their draw weights range from 175 to 200 pounds, and they can shoot from 50 meters to more than 100 meters, depending on the model. At Kodiak Store, some are also available as complete packages.
This design also makes recurve crossbows easier to store than compound crossbows, whose pulleys are more fragile. In terms of appearance, a recurve crossbow is longer than a compound crossbow, and some models can be taken apart with the string still in place, as with Excalibur’s TD range.
Compound crossbows
At Kodiak Store, you’ll find top-quality compound crossbows for hunting or target shooting. The 175-pound crossbow starts at 399.00 euros, while the 200-pound Missile crossbow starts at 590.00 euros. These crossbows are highly accurate and easy to recock. BARNETT is another excellent brand to consider, as is the BEAR X range.
A wide variety of crossbows for different users
Kodiak Store offers a wide variety of products to suit everyone. These include pistol crossbows with draw weights between 50 and 80 pounds. They are lightweight, easy to handle, and suitable for beginners. Even children and people interested in recreational target shooting can find something for them in the store. Children must, however, be at least 8 years old.
Target-shooting enthusiasts may prefer traditional recurve crossbows with draw weights between 120 and 150 pounds. Their power and accuracy make it possible to practice shooting at targets several dozen yards away. Heavy crossbows are intended primarily for serious target shooters, hunters, and survivalists. These heavy crossbows, whether compound or recurve, have draw weights of 175 pounds or more.
The legal status of crossbows in France
In France, a crossbow is considered a bladed weapon that can be owned without a permit. It is not subject to strict controls, and you do not need a target-shooting license, a hunting license, or an archery permit. As a result, Decree No. 2013-700 of July 30, 2013, concerning the control of modern weapons places few requirements on crossbow ownership or storage. However, a crossbow must not be transported loaded and ready to use. When transporting it, it is important to disassemble it and put it in a bag.
