Best Crossbow Parts & Accessories For Sale In 2022 Reviews
If you’re new to the hunting world, it’s very important to get familiar with the most important crossbow parts since your bow will become your new best friend. Also, quite often you will get some crossbow accessories in your package and in this article, you will find out everything you need to know for successful first steps in the hunting game.
Most common crossbow parts are arrow retention spring, crossbow string, optics, limbs, stock, and scope. Crossbow accessories include crossbow arrows, bolts, broadheads, target, quiver, cocking device, sling, and case.
Why Is It Important To Know Your Crossbow Parts
Parts are the most important part of your crossbow, and if one of them is missing, you will certainly experience some problems. On the other hand, accessories aren’t a must-have, but some of them most certainly are (bolts, quiver and cocking device) since they’re going to make your hunting trips much easier. Some companies make their own parts and accessories (like the Barnett brand) which fit on their crossbows, but some of them can be suitable for other brands as well.
Get To Know Your Crossbow
One very important thing to do is to get to know your crossbow model well in order to make the right purchase. You need to know the use of each crossbow part as well as each crossbow accessories. This can all be a bit confusing, but luckily for you, we are here to help.
Most Common Crossbow Parts
Arrow Retention Springlimbs
This crossbow part holds the arrow in place until the crossbow trigger releases the latch mechanism and therefore it’s one of the most important parts. It’s designed to hold the arrow or bolt down on the barrel or a flight rail. The important thing is to ensure correct arrow flight and to keep the arrow in the correct position when aiming down at a target from a treestand because you don’t want any accidents happening.
Crossbow String
The crossbow string or a bowstring is a piece that joins the two ends of the bow together and launches the arrow. It should be kept waxed on the average every 5 to 10 shots because that will ensure its longer life. There is a lot of friction created as the string slides down the barrel to propel the bolt or arrow.
This friction will cause a breakdown in the center serving of the string if not properly waxed. The serving on the string is usually the first part to break down. The more you wax your crossbow string and apply lube to the barrel, the longer the string will last. So this is important to do every once in a while and the best crossbow string will definitely be made of quality material.
Crossbow Limbs
They are either compound or recurve, limbs around the front of the crossbow. They also include riser, where the limbs attach. Limbs can weigh from 125 pounds up to 225 pounds. The draw weight will typically affect the speed and kinetic energy of the crossbow. If you’re smaller than you shouldn’t be looking at the draw weight above 170 pounds, because you could really hurt yourself. Also, the main thing to know before purchasing it, are the dimensions and is it for a recurve or a compound bow.
Crossbow Stock
Crossbow stock is made of wood or composite materials and available in many configurations. There are many styles of stocks in the market, some have accommodating stock and some allow for crank cocking devices to be added to the stock. That is great because it makes it easier to cock the bow and hold it on your shoulder. The best thing to do is to choose a model that will accept a cocking device if you will eventually need it because some of them don’t have this option.
Crossbow Scopes
This crossbow part is designed for your better aiming and seeing your target at a long distance.Also, it is known as crossbow sights and it is the most common part of the crossbow optics. The main two scopes you will see in a package are powered Multi-dot or Multi-Line scopes and Red Dot scopes. The benefit of a powered Multi-Line scope is that it will allow you to magnify your target and make a 50 yard shot much easier. They will have multiple aiming points to assist in your visibility of the yard.
The Red Dot or Triple dot scope offers a wider field of view and it is made for a 40-yard shot, so if you don’t need wider yardage then this is also a great choice. Some scopes are made of poor material and they tend to break at some point, so definitely look for a scope which is made of a harder material.
Most Common Crossbow Accessories
Crossbow Arrows
Most crossbow arrows can be found in the range of 16’’ to 22’’ inches, while most of them are 20’’ inches long. When choosing a new crossbow arrow, you should keep in mind that you should choose the one which length is recommended for your crossbow model. The reason is that the shorter ones could interfere with the crossbow rail. Every crossbow arrow is made up of the shaft (the ‘body’ of an arrow), nock (it’s attached to the back of the shaft), fletchings (little ‘wings’ at the back of the bolt), field points and broadheads.
Crossbow Bolts
These crossbow accessories are the arrow shaft hunters used to shoot at their game. They have a similar design like arrows but much shorter, often made of aluminium or carbon fiber. They can also have vanes or fletchings like arrows but a bolt doesn’t have to have stabilizing vanes. The only thing that is an issue here is that bolts break much easier than arrows. But broadheads other than that they’re great for using in hunting game.
Crossbow Broadheads
This is a type of tip to cut through your target which is located at the end of the bolt. These crossbow accessories are used to make sure that your prey will stay down after being hit by your bolt. They’re specially made to take down a larger animal. They come in two different styles, fixed and mechanical.
Fixed are very sharp blades that always stay the same size, while mechanical open up during flight which allows great speed and amazing penetration. But an issue can be with blades breaking, so choose the ones which have better quality material.
Cocking Device
This is an absolute must-have accessory from all the crossbow accessories. Of course, you can manually cock your bow, but most hunters use this device because then it’s easier to cock your bow with it. This is a hand-operated winch mounted on your bow.
If you don’t know what the winch is, the winch is a type of hand crank which ensures you to cock your bow no matter the draw weight. There is also a rope cocking device, which allows you to cock your bow only half of the draw weight. But it is preferable to have a cocking device which can pull on full weight.
Crossbow Quiver
This is also a must-have accessory for your crossbow. This is a bag that allows you to carry your bolts, arrows, and broadheads with you at all time. You can carry it on your shoulders, belt, and even your crossbow.
You have all types of quivers and the best one to purchase is the one made of harder material so you can carry broadheads in it and it will last a long time. Other types can be low-quality, and you want the best for your arrows and bolts.
Crossbow Case
This is a bag which protects your crossbow from any kind of conditions. The best way to preserve your bow is with either a soft case or a hard case. It would be preferable to purchase a hard one because then you know your bow is definitely safe, and with a soft case, there is always some risk. You should also choose the one which has easy access to your bow. Also, a good case will always have a room for any extras you need to carry with you.
Practice Crossbow Targets
This crossbow accessory is a great choice for anyone who wants to practice their hunting skill or anyone who is just starting. The main thing to know about crossbow target is that you want to purchase the ones who can withstand any arrow or bolt penetration. There are three types of target choices with of course various designs, and these are bag targets, block targets and 3-D targets.
Bag targets are definitely the cheapest but they’re not designed to endure higher penetration. Block targets with layered foam in them are usually used with broadhead targets so they can endure great penetration. The 3-D targets are made in the shape of some animal, which is great if you really want to improve your hunting skill, and they are made of harder material so they can withstand bolts, arrows, and broadheads.
