Who knows crossbows and what would you recommend without breaking the bank? Accurate out to 50 yards or so
Thank you.

SA sports probably has something in the lower price range
I have a few friends that shoot them

Ten Point is the one WITHOUT ISSUES though
And it only hurts once when you buy the best

Bought my wife a used Excalibur Vixen off eBay a decade or more ago, was $125-150 ish.
Very simple, recurve design, very quiet, as far as X bows go.
Not super fast, but great to 40.



LOL, I hunt with it way more than her.

This poor feller died from embarrassment after being shot by a cheap, used crossbow

Around here you can find a nice Barnett used for under $200. I sure like mine

I have had a mission for probably 13 years. All the kids have shot deer with it and we're hiting 5 inch circles off a bi-pod at 50 yards when they were 7 and 8 years old. Bought a 10 point a few years ago. The mission is 16 or 18 inches wide* (small back when it was new). It shoots around 320fps. The ten point is faster and shorter limbs. Has a crank to pull it back with that can also let it off without having to shoot it. ( a great feature) but it was a little over 1000.

Not knowing what breaking the bank is its hard to say. You can get thwm new from 4 to 500 up to 3 or 4 k. About any will do the job and some good ones can be found cheap. Decide what you think you would like and what models have it and look at the price range you want. Deer seasion is over and Christmas bill will be rolling in some deals may be able to be found now. But you need to know what your looking for.

I like them to be light and narrow. Being able to unload them without shooting them is really nice after years of having to shoot them off.

Strings are recommended to be changed out more often thy you would thin some every year others 2 years. Cheapest strings are probably the Excalibur.

Viet Cong made some pretty good ones
South East Asia Military Surplus

Stay away from the hyper speed ones they seem to have a short limb life I see lots of complaints on the Barnett page. I use a Barnett whitetail hunter it will pass through an elk so the hyper speed stuff seems unnecessary just more issues.

I remember a few years ago looking at crossbows.. some were $4000.00.. I swear I thought I would pass out… no telling how many deer I’ve killed with a old Horton I paid $99 dollars for on eBay years ago… remember.. it’s the Indian.. not the arrow..

I'm using an Excalibur Phoenix that's probably around 15 years old. Bought it new. I like it and I'm looking at getting another preferably an Excalibur but they've went up in price and you don't see a lot of used Excaliburs for sale on Craigslist around here compared to others. I know Ravin seems to be a big deal to some people but I can't justify spending $1700 to 2K on a crossbow. Another thing a guy where I work along with his Dad both got new Ravins in 2024. Both had the limbs crack when they shot them just before season. They had to send them in and Ravin replaced the limbs under warranty but I'd expect better out of a cross bow that cost that much.

Pawn shop would save you money I’d call around and save some driving to find a good one. I use a Barnett Whitetail Hunter that I use and like it, crossbows are like hauling around an accordion around in the woods. LOL

Barnett has some very good X-bows. I had a very nice one, fully loaded, (I replaced the factory scope), for around $400.00. I had to stop shooting at the same spot on a target out to about 50 yards, as Robinhoods were common.

I have 2 barnetts and a ravin. In my opinion there is no difference in accuracy out to 50 yds. I have had zero issues with the barnetts.

You might look at a air bow.. I have one and love it

I caught a good sale at BPS several years ago on a Wicked Ridge cross bow. I ended up spending about $600 IIRC.

It has the integrated ratchet cocking mechanism that works great.

Shoots great, I don't shoot beyond 50 yards with it.

One of these days I might upgrade the glass on it, but I really don't have a solid reason to at this time.

Never heard of it but I like the concept!

Just make sure the air bows are legal in your state if you plan on hunting with it.

If you dont want to spend on 10 point, they also make the Wicked Ridge line....less money, but still backed by the best company...

I have a Baer Intense I paid around $400. Shoots great, no issues.

Paid 125 for a centerpoint i think its called. Niece shoots it, 370fps blows through deer like a piece of paper. Local classifieds have a bunch listed