Crossbows have served as an excellent tool for hunters since ancient times. Even after centuries, this weapon still plays a pivotal role while hunting deer and other similar animals.
Although modern crossbows work on the same principle, their design and construction have changed a lot.
Besides, different features make these tools more efficient and accurate. At present, the materials used for crossbow construction are lightweight and robust, giving you the highest level of maneuverability and control.
If you are thinking of buying a crossbow for deer hunting, just take a look at our comprehensive review selection below.
Here, we have lined up five of the best crossbows for deer hunting. So let’s see what these products have to offer you.
Comparison Chart
Best Crossbow for Deer Hunting Reviews
Barnett Whitetail Pro STR Crossbow
Barnett is one of the undisputed leaders in the industry of crossbow manufacturing. The company has been producing innovative and performance-oriented crossbows for more than 50 years. These crossbows are accurate and reliable, giving you a fantastic hunting experience.
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The whitetail Pro features STR (Step-Through Riser) technology, which was once available with some high-end models. This amazing technology and outstanding design give more balanced and stable shots. As a result, you get high speed and unbelievable accuracy.
The Barnett Whitetail Pro STR crossbow is an ideal option for both experienced and amateur hunters. The adjustable stock and Picatinny mounting system is another unique and handy feature that makes the crossbow suitable for short-armed hunters.
You will feel only a small amount of recoil; hence, it won’t cause any issue if you place your eyebrow close to the eyepiece. When it comes to speed, you would be surprised to know that it can reach up to 400 feet per second.
Even with this power, the Whitetail Pro STR has a reasonable weight of 165 pounds. This makes it the professional hunting crossbow for all types of hunters. The Whitetail comes with a pair of 22-inch arrows, rope cocking device lubrication wax, and streamlined side-mount quiver.
Some other unique features of this crossbow include Soft-Lock Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer, string dampeners for reduced sound and vibration, 4x32 mm multi-reticle scope, crank-cocking capability, and self-adjusting three Picatinny rails.
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CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper AXCTW185CK Compound Crossbow
If you want to take your hunting experience to a new level and enjoy the perks of best accuracy, the CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper has the power to do so. Constructed with quad fiberglass, it takes its strength from CNC-machined cams. This crossbow is capable of launching the arrows at a fantastic speed of 380 fps.
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The CenterPoint Tormentor Whisper has a rigid aluminum riser and rail, which give it the required strength and power. Furthermore, its integrated Picatinny rail offers a suitable platform for mounting all kinds of optics. The auto-safety trigger mechanisms and anti-dry-fire ensure the utmost safety while handling.
The padded rubber handles offer secure and excellent grip during all weather conditions. Moreover, its Whisper Silencing System reduces the noise to an extremely low level, making it an ideal crossbow for all types of hunting expeditions.
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Barnett Whitetail Hunter II Crossbow
This particular crossbow comes from the house of a well-reputed manufacturer. Barnett is the brand that has been producing some outstanding crossbows for more than half a century.
The Whitetail Hunter II isn’t an exception, as it is capable of pumping fast arrows with loads of kinetic energy. Even with such power and strength, the crossbow is exceptionally lightweight and compact.
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The Barnett Whitetail Hunter II is one of those well-rounded crossbows which offers excellent performance without draining your budget. Most of the crossbows launched by Barnett are usually affordable and provide unsurpassable build quality.
The frame and rail are constructed with solid aluminum, which presents maximum kinetic energy whenever needed. The draw weight and balance provide the required level of accuracy to make a perfect shot. Although the power isn’t that impressive, it serves the purpose well in most conditions.
The best part of this crossbow is it has an easy to assemble approach. In fact, it takes just a few minutes to assemble it. It is compact and lightweight, offering the best possible maneuverability and handling. The most astonishing thing that separates this product from its counterparts is the price range.
This crossbow is extremely affordable, even though it offers all the features that you could only think of in other expensive options. The axle-to-axle measurement is 16.125″, which makes it more compact as compared to other choices.
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Excalibur Crossbow Null Matrix SMF Grizzly Crossbow
Generally, the crossbows manufactured by Excalibur are popular for their durability and performance. However, they fall under an expensive range, which tends to keep them from the low budget customers. However, if you know how the crossbows manufactured by Excalibur perform, price won’t matter a lot.
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The Matrix SMF Grizzly has all the features that you can find in other expensive crossbows. However, this crossbow isn’t that expensive that you can’t think of buying it. Excalibur launched this particular model to meet the needs of those customers who want performance, accuracy, and quality, all in one product.
The construction is also sturdy, as the frame and limbs are capable of supporting the draw weight and still keeps the crossbow lightweight. You can carry it without any extra effort or discomfort. The compact and lightweight construction also offers the utmost accuracy and precision.
The Matrix Grizzly is durable enough to bear the job site abuse, adding more fun to your hunting experience. It weighs only 5.5 pounds, which makes it a perfect crossbow for the hunters of different age groups. The SMF composite materials give the required strength to the crossbow and offer a lot of power.
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Barnett 78131 Wildcat C7 Crossbow
Just like any other Barnett product, there is no doubt regarding the durability and build quality of this particular crossbow. The Barnett Wildcat C7 features the “Trigger-tech” technology, which works on an ADF (anti-dry fire) mechanism. The speed of its bolts is 350 feet per second, which isn’t bad for an entry-level crossbow like this.
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It is a popular option for beginners and amateur hunters. In fact, it has remained a top seller for quite some time. The sturdy build quality and durable materials provide powerful draw. However, this crossbow is somewhat heavier than its competitors.
The 6.9 pounds weight may cause some trouble for a few consumers, but after using it for a while, most people get used to it. It ensures a great shot with its quad style limbs. The grip is comfortable, and thumbhole placement is also at the perfect place.
When it comes to performance, the Barnett Wildcat C7 appears to be quite impressive in almost every field. It offers a reasonable speed of 350 FPS and tends to generate 91FP of kinetic energy. It has an adjustable scope, which makes it easy to measure the distance and take accurate aim.
The crossbow comes with a quiver and three 20-inch arrows. Apart from its amazing features, there are some downsides too. First, you have to make some compromises with the noise level. The dampening system is absent, which makes some noise while firing a shot. Secondly, it doesn’t come with a rope cocking device.
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FINAL VERDICT
Almost all the products reviewed above ensure quality, reliability, and the highest level of performance. However, some elements make them slightly different from each other. For instance, a few of these crossbows are incredibly lightweight, while others are a bit heavy.
Having said that, buying a perfect crossbow for deer hunting isn’t a decision that you can make without any consideration. If you need a crossbow that performs well and fits within your budget, make sure to look for the features that a particular crossbow is offering.
When looking for a crossbow under a reasonable budget, the Barnett Whitetail Pro STR stands out among the rest. It can shoot arrows at superfast speed, allowing you to hit the target with more accuracy.
On the other hand, the Barnett Wildcat C7 tends to be more appropriate for the beginners. It is one of the cleanest, and well build models launched by Barnett. It is powerful, smooth, and graceful, which is capable of serving the purpose well in almost any weather condition.
So, when buying a crossbow, make sure to pay attention to the material, construction, design, speed, weight, and price of such a product. If you keep all these aspects in mind, it will make it possible for you to buy the best crossbow for deer hunting.