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Best Excalibur Crossbows Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Ease of Use
One of our team's top criteria in this Excalibur crossbow list was ease of use. Whether hunting or participating in target practice, a crossbow user needs to be able to cock and reload the weapon as quickly and safely as possible. That is one reason why many of the crossbows on our top ten list are micro and recurves, both of which are lightweight and easier to cock. These qualities are especially helpful for older shooters, beginning shooters, and hunters who need to be able to load and reload the crossbow quickly if game appears.
Features
Features are another critical criterion we focused on when rating these Excalibur crossbows. Many of the features we looked for play essential roles in the overall performance of these weapons. Safety systems such as anti-dry-fire are vital to shooter safety, and we measured those components in each bow we rated. Other important features we noted were sound suppressor systems, crossbow weight, launch speed, scopes, type of arrows, and rope cocking aids where applicable.
Value
Buyers want the most value for their money, so our research team found the ten best Excalibur crossbows that offered the most regarding performance, features, and effectiveness. Many of these weapons include excellent features, from sound suppressors to safety systems to high-quality scopes, that need to be factored into the crossbow's price. Many of the bows on this list are reasonably priced and come with many added extras, so there are plenty of options here for any shooter's budget.
10 Best Excalibur Crossbows
1. Micro Suppressor
The Micro Suppressor delivers classic brand performance wrapped up in a compact, micro package. This is designed to be quick and maneuverable all while staying as quiet as possible. Hunters in tight cover, a stand, or coming out of a blind will want to take a closer look at this effective and silent weapon.
Deadly, Quiet Performance
The Micro Suppressor’s sound deadening system keeps every shot quiet thanks to its hold down spring and rubberized stirrup. The recoil anti-vibration system silencers reduce all vibration and noise, making this both silent and deadly. The suppressed sounds are ideal for hunters in close quarters who need to keep sound to a minimum.
Extra Features
Aside from its noise-suppressing features, the Micro Suppressor also sports a solid riser with Gen 2 CRT limbs that launch bolts from power strokes of 10.2 inches. A ready rest stock is equipped with an ambidextrous cheek piece, rubber grip inserts, and oversized finger guards for feel and control. An anti-dry-fire system is included for safety along with a Picatinny rail for attachments and a quick-detach quiver system for fast reloads. This comes with an illuminated scope, three Quill arrows, a rope cocking aid, and a three arrow x-hanger quiver and bracket.
Cost and Value
The Micro Suppressor is pricey, but the value for the price is more than worth the money. This package comes with just about everything a hunter could want: a quiet, accurate weapon that is powerful and excels in a range of environments. From that perspective, the Micro Suppressor is tops on our list.
2. Assassin
Hunters looking for quality power and performance need look no further than the Assassin. With durable recurve design, this is ideal for hunters who want some power behind their arrows when launched. Customizable and adjustable, the Assassin is everything you want.
Quality Recurve Performance
The recurve design on the Assassin allows it to launch arrows with immense energy and power with each shot. The recurve is easy to maintain and retains proper string alignment for greater accuracy. The ten-point sound suppressing system combined with the recurve design results in a top-performing crossbow.
Extra Features
The Assassin includes a multitude of additional features, including a built-in cranking aid that reduces the draw weight to 12 pounds of force and a silent, click-free system that allows hunters to safely de-cock the crossbow. The match grade trigger provides consistent, crisp breaks with a light pull and a fully adjustable stock lets the user determine cheekpiece and length of pull. This crossbow package also includes an illuminated scope with 30mm rings, four Diablo arrows, and a four-arrow quiver and bracket.
Cost and Value
The priciest crossbow on our list, the Assassin is a full-sized, modernized weapon that comes fully loaded with extra features. For hunters or bow enthusiasts who want the complete deal in a crossbow package, the Assassin is the bow for you.
3. Matrix Bulldog 400
Users who want speed, speed, and more speed on arrow delivery need to check out the Matrix Bulldog 400. With incredible range, speed, and power, this can do it all. Consistency and accuracy is the name of the game with this model.
Devastating Speed and Power
The Matrix Bulldog 400’s claim to fame is the manner in which it delivers bolts at a blistering speed of 400 fps. It’s incredibly flat shooting trajectory and excellent range results in a high-quality and highly-accurate weapon. Due to its design, this weapon is capable of handling large game.
Extra Features
The Matrix Bulldog 400 has an anti-dry-fire system for safety purposes, an illuminated scope with 30mm rings, and string suppressors to reduce vibration, shock, and noise. The string itself is premium material that increases speed and lifespan while reducing creep. This crossbow package also includes a bull-pup stock, finger guards, a thumbhole pistol grip, and non-slip rubber-grip inserts for close range and better balance. An ambidextrous cheek piece, four-bolt quiver, four Diablo arrows, and a rope cocking aid round out the package.
Cost and Value
While at the higher end of the market, the Matrix Bulldog 400 is a fully packaged option that houses an immense amount of power and speed in an easy to operate weapon. For archery or hunting, this is a perfect choice and worth the money spent.
4. Assassin 360 Strata
Performance, stealth, and strength characterize the Assassin 360 Strata. Its recurve design and high accuracy mimic its fuller-throated, original version in the traditional Assassin model. Easy to maintain and fun to shoot, the 360 Strata is a top competitive option from the Excalibur company.
Fully Adjustable and Stealthy
With its recurve design, the Strata can achieve a high performance of up to 360 fps with 100 ft.-lbs. of energy. The crank system reduces the draw weight to just twelve pounds, and the silent, click-free safety system makes it easy for users to decock the weapon. The fully adjustable stock allows the user to adjust the length of pull and the cheek piece.
Extra Features
The Assassin 360 Strata includes a built-in cranking aid for easy loading and a match-grade trigger that feels like a modern match-grade rifle trigger. This package offers an illuminated scope with 30mm rings, four Diablo arrows, and a four-bolt quiver and bracket.
Cost and Value
The Assassin 360 Strata is one of the more pricey models on our list. It differs only slightly from the original Assassin model at a price that is just shy of what the original is offered for on the market. Either will provide the user with a high-quality and accurate weapon.
5. Micro 315
Combine intense power with high performance and balance in an ultra-compact package and you have the Micro 315. Perfect for hunters working in tight spaces like treestands or ground blinds, the Micro 315 excels in small quarters without sacrificing performance or accuracy.
Ultra Compact and Proven Performance
The Micro 315, based on the popular Micro 335 model, is unparalleled in maneuverability and balance. Its compact structure means hunters can dedicate less cocking effort in small hunting spaces. Although it is a compact weapon, the Micro 315 delivers big accuracy and performance.
Extra Features
This compact option includes a riser with Gen 2 CRT limbs that allow bolt launches downrange of up to 315 fps from a 10-inch powerstroke. The stock has rubber grip inserts that ensure a firm, comfortable hold. An ambidextrous cheek piece is part of the package as well as an oversized trigger guard for hunting in cold temperatures. An anti-dry-fire safety system keeps the user safe when operating the crossbow. Rounding out the package is a multi-reticle scope with 1-inch rings, four Quill arrows, a rope cocking aid, and a four-arrow camo quiver with bracket.
Cost and Value
The Micro 315 is reasonably priced considering its power, accuracy, and full package with amenities. If you are looking for a compact crossbow and don’t want to max out your credit card, this crossbow is worth your time to consider.
6. 308 Short
Hunters looking for a lightweight and compact weapon for small spaces may find the 308 Short perfect for their needs. Ideal for treestands and tight ground blinds, the 308 Short is an excellent weapon for smaller-framed hunters who need a product with a shorter length of pull.
Lightweight and Maneuverable
At a mere 5.4 pounds, the 308 Short is a lightweight recurve crossbow that is mighty even though it is small. With a shorter 12.5-inch length of pull, this offers reliable and durable performance with arrows that can be launched up to 308 fps.
Extra Features
The 308 Short comes with a Dead Zone scope with 1-inch rings, three Quill arrows, a rope cocking aid, and a three arrow x-hanger quiver with a bracket.
Cost and Value
This product is available at a fair price. If you are looking for a powerful yet small weapon for practice or hunting, the 308 Short is a good choice. No matter the circumstances, this will have you covered.
7. Micro 335
If you want big game performance out of a smaller recurve crossbow, then look more closely at the Micro 335. Perfect for tight hunting spaces, the Micro 335 provides easy handling and smooth operation, resulting in a high-performance weapon.
Compact Style, Big Hunting Results
At 25-inches wide, the Micro 335’s limbs can fire bolts up to 335 fps all from a power stroke of 10-inches. The stock allows for surety in feel and control with rubber grips, and for the user’s benefit, an ambidextrous cheek piece and cold weather trigger guard are included to help the shooter bring down the biggest game possible. At a weight of 5.2 pounds, the Micro 335 is ideal for small hunting spots and significant hunting results.
Extra Features
The Micro 335 package includes a standard Matrix string and a Dead Zone scope with 1-inch rings. For the shooter’s safety, an anti-dry-fire system is available. The bow is also fitted with sound suppressors for quiet shooting and comes with four Quill arrows, a four-arrow quiver and bracket, and a rope cocking aid.
Cost and Value
This is reasonably priced, although a bit on the higher end of the market prices on our list. It is a quality crossbow for hunters who want a compact recurve with enough power to take down large game.
8. Grizz 2
The Grizz 2 is an excellent tool for hunters who want a light weapon that still delivers on strong performance and reliable accuracy. With its compact design, this weapon works well for hunters in treestands and ground blinds and other tight hunting spaces.
Incredibly Light and Accurate
This compact weapon weighs in at 5.5 pounds before added accessories. Its lightness does not belie its power as the Grizz 2 can fire bolts up to 305 fps. It is constructed with PowerLoad limbs, which are sixty percent stronger than average crossbow limbs. The added risers with limbs on all four sides enhance the consistency and accuracy of this weapon.
Extra Features
The Grizz 2 includes a light skeletonized stock for easy handling and a fixed-power scope with a multi-range reticle with multi-coated lenses; the mounting hardware for the scope is included as well. A Matrix string increases the speed of the shots and reduces creep. Also part of the package is three Diablo bolts, three 150-gr. field points, a rope cocking aid, and a four-bolt quiver.
Cost and Value
The Grizz 2 is an exceptionally priced compact crossbow that is perfect for hunters and archers on a budget or for someone who is a crossbow beginner. There is a lot of power available in this crossbow for a steal of a price.
9. Micro 355
Built on the popular Micro 335 platform, the Micro 355 offers top-notch hunting performance wrapped in a compact weapon thanks to its immense speed and power. With its maneuverability and reliability, the Micro 355 is fast, accurate, and lethal when used in tight hunting spaces.
Tremendous Speed and Power
With its riser and limbs, the Micro 355 crossbow can launch arrows up to 355 fps with a short 10-inch power stroke. The power delivers exceptional speed from tight spaces such as a stand, blind, or in tight cover. At only 5.2 pounds without accessories, the Micro 355 is ideal for tiny areas and quick shooting.
Extra Features
The Micro 355 package includes a skeletonized stock with rubber grips for confident control and feel, a cold weather trigger guard, and an ambidextrous cheek piece. Also featured are an anti-dry-fire system for the shooter’s safety, a micro string, and a shock absorbing recoil dissipation system. The package is rounded out with an illuminated scope with 30mm rings, a sound suppressor system, four Quill arrows, a four-arrow quiver with a bracket, and a rope cocking aid.
Cost and Value
The Excalibur Micro 355 is amongst the most expensive options on this list, but the price may be worthwhile for hunters who want a light weapon capable of speed and power in tight hunting spaces. The weapon’s accuracy and illuminated scope may tip the scales for buyers who are on the fence about this crossbow.
10. Matrix G340
Value and speed is the hallmark of the Matrix G340, a weapon that provides quality performance in a lightweight package. One of the most powerful options, the Matrix G340 is an ideal weapon for hunters on a budget or for beginners.
Big Speed at a Value
The Matrix G340 shoots arrows at speeds up to 340 fps. This speed originates in the quality construction of this piece, including a weatherproof, lightweight, fiber-reinforced frame. With a weight of 5.5 pounds, this has a draw weight of 230 pounds and a power stroke of 15 ½-inches.
Extra Features
This comes with a Dead-Zone scope, three Diablo arrows, a rope cocking aid, and a four-arrow quiver with a bracket.
Cost and Value
The Matrix G340 offers a big crossbow experience in a lightweight, compact, high-quality recurve. Better yet, it is provided at a highly reasonable price perfect for hunters looking for a deal or for those shooters on a budget.
Sources
- , Selecting the Right Crossbow, web article
- , 10 Things That Affect Your Crossbow's Accuracy, web article
- , Winter Storage Tips for your Excalibur Crossbow, blog article
- , How to Choose a Hunting Crossbow, web article
