Big game

To choose, you need to understand what we're talking about. If you already know the difference between recurve crossbows and compound crossbows, then skip directly to the next paragraph.

Recurve crossbows are equipped with a bow that will bend under the traction of the string, these crossbows are generally much slower in bolt speed than compound crossbows at equivalent power, with the exception of Excalibur crossbows which are the only crossbows in the world to be as fast as huge compound crossbows! Plus, they are guaranteed for life!

If compound crossbows are generally faster in projection speed, it's thanks to the shape of the cams that will give a greater acceleration to the bolts, but also to the fact that some crossbows like reverse limb models will benefit from a longer string travel since the string will push the bolts up to the front of the cams, thus transmitting more speed to the projectile.

However... compound crossbows are less easy to maintain than a classic crossbow since you'll need a shop press to compress the limbs of the compound crossbow and replace the string, while with a recurve crossbow you just need to have a false string.
This is important to consider if you want to go hunting abroad or in remote territories, you'll only need to take a false string and 2-3 spare strings to be set.

Let's start by citing the four largest brands in the world, the very high-end brands that give no chance to the game since they are very accurate and capable of grouping shots up to 100 meters with ease:

• Barnett: The very famous brand that keeps innovating and offering models that are always more powerful and lighter while remaining affordable. Count up to 1000-1200€ for the most advanced models.
• Excalibur: The Canadian brand that guarantees its crossbows for life, and offers the only recurve crossbows in the world to be as "powerful" as compound crossbows! Budget of 500 to 1500€
• Ravin: Excellent very compact and powerful crossbows, they have the particularity of not letting the bolt rest on a rail, so less string wear and more speed. The scopes provided are incredible. Budget of 1500 to 3500€
• TenPoint: Surely the most high-end brand that is the only one to offer packs including scopes with laser rangefinder and automatic reticle adjustment... a magnificent partnership with Garmin. Budget of 1000 to 6000€

Note that the Garmin Xero X1i scope can be purchased separately and mounted on any crossbow.

Next, we have brands that are already much more accessible but also, perhaps paradoxically, the most robust. Their shooting range, depending on the power, will vary between 60 and 80 meters for accurate shooting and proper grouping:

• EK Archery: The Accelerator and Guillotine models are the most powerful models of the brand. Budget of 350 to 450€
• ManKung: The Chester and Hector models are among the most powerful models of the brand. Budget of 300 to 450€
• Hori-Zone: This brand is experiencing great popularity with its RedBack crossbow pistols but in compound models, it's the Kornet 405 that stands out (it's named after a missile, that's saying something). Budget of 200 to 600€
• CenterPoint: This is an American brand that has models very similar to ManKung crossbows. The budget is a bit higher, ranging from 350 to 1300€
• Killer Instinct: It is to Rocky Mountain what Lexus is to Toyota, a more sophisticated and better finished version, it comes out of the same factory but not the same quality charts. The budget ranges from 400 to 800€ (and up to 1300€ for the SWAT)
• Bear: A very famous brand in the USA for its powerful and affordable compound bows, the crossbow models are quite classic, no innovation compared to others but they are very good crossbows. Budget of 300 to 900€

Please keep in mind that we don't sell just anything at Hattila! If we offer you these crossbows, it's because we know them and we trust these brands.

What do power and speed mean for a hunting crossbow?

It's simpler than it seems... Power is the string applied to the limbs to push the bolt using the string.
We tend to talk about the power of a crossbow but at Hattila we think that speed is more important, because depending on the length of the string's travel and the friction of the bolt on the rail, we will obtain different speeds between brands and models of crossbows with similar powers.

Speed is expressed in feet per second (FPS) and the higher it is, the more accurate your shot will be and the further your bolt will go.

A crossbow between 340 and 370 FPS will generally have an accurate range between 50 and 60 meters, while a crossbow with a bolt speed of more than 370 FPS, we're mostly interested in models that are around 400 FPS, can be accurate and group up to 70-80 meters for mainstream brands, while we can group at 100 meters and more with high-end models (Barnett, Excalibur, Ravin and TenPoint).

What accessories for crossbow hunting?

The crossbows on this page are normally all delivered with a range of accessories directly in the box (to be checked in the description of each model), you will therefore find:

• A scope adapted to your crossbow
• A set of bolts to train with (continue with the same model to maintain the same performance)
• A quiver to carry bolts on the crossbow
• A cocking rope, it reduces the effort required for cocking
• a wax tube to lubricate the string and rail

There are other accessories that are not included with the crossbow:

• The crank cocking device (some models come with it originally)
• A special crossbow target, we recommend fabric-filled models for the most powerful crossbows
• Broadheads, there are many specific models for crossbows, we recommend 3 or 4 blade models of the same weight as your practice points
• Lighted nocks to see where your bolt has gone and thus find it more easily

What are the regulations on crossbow hunting?

It is forbidden to hunt with a crossbow in France, regardless of the location, conditions, or what your friend told you... However, it's allowed in other countries like Spain or the USA, and it's not for nothing that the four largest crossbow brands come from the American continent!

At first glance, it may seem surprising that bow hunting is allowed and not crossbow hunting, this is simply because the two weapons are not in the same federation... quite simply. Bows are governed by the French Archery Federation while crossbows are part of the FFTir (like firearms) so the decree that was voted to regulate bow hunting could not also govern crossbows.

Even if crossbows are not weapons in the sense of the Internal Security Code (CSI) and therefore even freer to purchase than an air rifle between 2 and 20 joules... we will still act as if they were weapons when it comes to purchase, transport, and use.

Thus, Hattila has the right to ask you for an ID to prove your age. The crossbow will need to be disassembled or made impossible to use immediately (disassembled, string removed, or a trigger lock installed). As for usage, you will make sure not to endanger passersby, animals, or your companions during your shooting sessions.

The good news is that you can practice in your garden (as long as your bolts are not at risk of leaving it and injuring someone...). If you don't have a garden, you can use private land with the simple permission of its owner.

If you have other questions, don't hesitate to contact our customer service who will respond to your emails very quickly and with the greatest expertise! You can also check out our YouTube channel on crossbows which is full of tutorials and presentations.