Nothing frustrates a hunter more than watching a game for a long time, scouting the area, and when he finally gets the chance to shoot, his gear completely fails him.

One of the woes of big game hunting like elk hunting is having to hunt without the suitable and appropriate hunting gear, and it is in a bid to save every hunter from this woe that this review of the best crossbow for elk hunting in 2023 is here.

Come aboard this hunting gear review cruise and find the perfect crossbow to serve you just right in your next big game hunting expedition.

Top 9 Best Crossbow for Elk Hunting of 2023

1. BearX Intense Ready to Shoot

Hunters that are well-versed in hunting gears know that products from BearX are always top-notch, providing quality, high-level functionality, versatility, and overall, it’s a product manufacturer that delivers precisely what you need without holding back.

The BearX crossbow is one of the best-suited crossbows available in the market; this makes it perfect as the best beginner crossbow for those who are just starting their hunting adventures and a good fit for expert hunters who have been in the business for a long time. It offers easy to use and comprehensive assembly manuals to guide beginners to set it up and a step-by-step guide on using the crossbow.

This easy on eyes and hand crossbow comes ready with a shooting capability and speed of about 405 feet per second, with a significant draw weight of 210 lbs, making it a perfect fit for hunting both big prey like the mighty elk and small game alike. For a more successful kill, the entire mechanism comes fitted with an adjustable fore-end grip and a flexible rear stock. And for safety purposes, it has ambidextrous safety.

To prevent dry firing, it comes with an excellent anti-dry firing system, a dual-mount string recoil suppressor system that reduces noise and vibration when hunting, allows a stealthy hunt, and finally, a Picatinny style scope mount rail.

As the name implies, it’s a ready-to-go hunting gear packed 14 inches wide when cocked and 18 inches wide when uncocked. It comes with a multi crosshair reticle with a functioning eye piece, a sling, three carbon bolts with field points, 4-bolt quivers, rail lube/string lube for comfortable shooting, and cocking rope. All in a single package.

Pros

  • It is easy to set-up and comes with a complimentary assembly manual
  • It is potent in terms of discharge power
  • It has an excellent camo design that allows user to disguise effortlessly while hunting
  • Excellent noise and vibration suppression mechanism
  • Great for big and small games alike
  • Excellent quality with very affordable pricing
  • It comes with an anti-dry firing system
  • It comes with a unique ambidextrous safety system

Cons

  • It is heavy due to the many components available
  • The weight slows down hunters
  • Manufacturers can improve on the cocking and reloading mechanism

Takeway

The BearX Intense ready to shoot crossbow is an excellent choice for elk hunting considering many factors such as the mechanisms built into it, its capability, quality, and it’s very affordable price. As a manufacturer of crossbows and other hunting gear, BearX always delivers, and with its ready to shoot crossbow package, it sure offers for all, be you a beginner or a pro.

2. BearX Constrictor CDX

Hunters that know their hunting gear well know that products from BearX are always top-notch with quality, consideration for hunters in terms of flexibility of usage, and overall delivery.

The BearX crossbow is one of the best-suited crossbows; this makes it perfect as the best beginner crossbow and a good fit for expert hunters in the business. It offers easy to use and comprehensive assembly manuals to guide beginners to set it up and a step-by-step guide on using the crossbow.

This versatile and handy crossbow comes ready with a shooting capability and speed of about 410 feet per second, with a significant draw weight of 190 lbs, making it a perfect gear for hunting both big and small prey like turkey. For a more successful kill, the entire mechanism comes fitted with a dual-mount string recoil suppressor system that reduces noise and vibration when hunting. To curb dry firing, it also has an anti-dry firing mechanism.

As the name implies, it’s a ready-to-go hunting gear packed 10 inches wide when cocked and 14 inches wide when uncocked. It comes with 4-arrow quivers, 3 BearX TrueX bolts, rail lube/string wax for comfortable shooting, an illuminated scope, and cocking rope. All in one single package.

Pros

  • It is easy to set-up and comes with a complimentary assembly manual
  • It is potent in terms of discharge power
  • Excellent noise and vibration suppression mechanism
  • Great for big and small games alike
  • Excellent quality with very affordable pricing

Cons

  • With its composition, it’s heavy
  • The weight slows down
  • Manufacturers can improve on the cocking and reloading mechanism

Takeway

The BearX constrictor CDX ready to shoot crossbow is an excellent choice for turkey hunting considering the mechanisms built into it, its capability, quality, and of course, it’s very affordable pocket value. As a manufacturer of crossbows, BearX always delivers, and with its ready to shoot crossbow package, it sure has for all who acquire it.

3. Bear Archery Cruzer G2

Are you searching for functional, excellent quality, affordable, and great for hunting big and small games like elk hunting gear? Well, you are in luck as Bear Archery offers you the perfect crossbow for elk hunting that will leave you satisfied.

Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Adult compound bow is the crossbow for big game hunting that offers any hunter insight, vigor, and high speed. Perfect for all skill levels of hunters as its features make it easy to use at all times and by all hunters.

The Cruzer G2 Adult compound bow is super-fast, attaining close to 315 feet per second. It has adjustable features that allow users to adjust the draw length from 12 inches, the minimum to a maximum length of 30 inches, and an adjustable draw weight that you can change from 50 lbs to 70 lbs comfortably with the help of an Allen wrench and without needing a bow press. It also features a versatility cam system that allows for easy draw cycle and letdown, EnduraFiber Limbs for easy control. It also features RockStops offset string suppressor to eliminate noise and vibration and an advanced grip design for better gripping and maneuvering.

As an added, the ready-to-use compound hunting bow package comes with six Trophy Ridge accessories, which include a four-pin sight, a Whisker Biscuit, a 5-arrow quiver, a stabilizer and sling, a peep sight, and a nock loop

Pros

  • It is easy to set-up
  • It is easily adjustable
  • It is potent and efficient, with the capacity to attain 315 feet per second
  • It is excellent for both beginners and experienced hunters alike
  • It’s very affordable
  • It’s multifunctional, allowing or hunting expeditions, target practice, and so on

Cons

  • It’s relatively heavy compared to other crossbows due to its many components
  • The weight slows down users
  • It does not include arrows in the overall package

Takeway

As an affordable ready to go compound hunting package, Bear Archery Cruzer G2 Adult compound bow put in a great deal of effort in its production and composition. There is an assurance of quality, and there is an assurance of a great and successful hunting expedition when heading out with such capable hunting gear. Its no age usage restriction makes it an excellent choice for all who are keen on enjoying a good hunt.

4. CenterPoint Archery CP400

Crosman Corporation incorporates innovation, quality, beauty, and high performance into the world of crossbows with this super-functional and highly efficient hunting gear. The CenterPoint archery CP400 is a crossbow that makes hunting fun and challenging all at once.

It features and incorporates licensed HeliCoil technology and a custom-designed riser to give hunters the best hunting experience. Its speed is up to 400 feet per second, and when fully engaged, it’s impacting force produces close to 142 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. This is due to its very narrow axle-to-axle width of 6 inches when fully drawn, making the overall impact deadly. Its overall weight weighs almost nothing, making it a perfect lightweight crossbow, easy to carry around and easy to use.

To prevent dry firing, it comes with an anti-dry firing feature and an auto-safety feature for assured safety at all times. It also comes with an illuminated scope, a rope choker, a quick-detach quiver, a dual-purpose folding stirrup/bipod, three 20-inch carbon arrows, and features a CNC-machined cam system and an adjustable stock. Not to forget its blending in features, too, thanks to the camo design it comes coated with.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to transport around
  • Great optic components
  • It has excellent power potential
  • It has an outstanding accuracy feature
  • It comes with useful safety features of anti-dry firing and auto-safety
  • It offers excellent disguise features thanks to the camo look
  • A suitable crossbow or hunting both big and small games
  • A perfectly balanced tool mixing technology and functionality

Cons

  • Maintenance might be difficult
  • It may not be the best gear choice for beginners
  • Set-up may be a bit complex and challenging

Takeway

Asides from being highly innovative surpassing any expectations on 3D range and hunting, it is of excellent quality with an extended guarantee backing it up. The CenterPoint archery CP400 is also very affordable and readily available. Not to mention its technologically advanced capabilities and versatility.

5. Excalibur Crossbows Micro MAG 340

For hunters who know hunting gear manufacturing companies, they know that Excalibur is one of the long-standing names in the market that guarantees both quality and reasonable pricing in one single product.

The Excalibur crossbow Micro MAG 340 is amongst the best crossbow for elk hunting in 2023, with super cool features that will make your hunting expedition memorable and fruitful. This super-efficient compound hunting crossbow is a combination of speed, lightweight, weighing a simple 5.5lbs, and efficiency as it comes with a speed capability that reaches about 340 feet per second. Its draw length is approximately 13 inches, and its draw weight is around 270 lbs. It adjusts from 22 inches wide when cocked to 25 inches wide when uncocked, making it a powerful compact hunting machine.

Asides from its dimension and capacity, this hunting beauty is fit for all ages from young to old and all skill levels from beginner to expert with its anti-dry firing mechanism, TACT 100 scope, R.E.D. Suppressors all balancing nicely on an aluminum frame. In the overall hunting kit, you’ll find a three field points rope, 1-inch scope ring, 4 – arrow quiver, 3- quill arrows.

Pros

  • It is easy to set-up and comes with a complimentary assembly manual
  • It is potent and efficient
  • It allows users to blend in well with its camo design
  • It is lightweight and super easy to carry around
  • It is designed with superb accuracy when hunting
  • It is a perfect hunting gear for small and big games
  • It is excellent for both young hunters and old hunters alike
  • It is super affordable
  • It’s multifunctional
  • It’s very durable

Cons

  • The manufacturers can improve on the optic feature of the crossbow
  • It does not come with a noise suppression mechanism
  • It does not include arrows in the overall package

Takeway

Excalibur is a leading manufacturer of quality hunting gear and accessories. Thanks to Excalibur’s excellent warranty policy and program, there is a quality assurance with the Excalibur crossbow Micro MAG 340. Not to forget it’s overall usefulness and, of course, its very proportional pocket strength with relations to its price.

6. Ravin R29 Sniper Crossbow

In the leagues of top rated crossbows that have exceedingly comfortable, functional, compact, and lightweight for all kinds of hunting, particularly the big games, the Ravin R29 sniper crossbow is one example of the top contenders.

This potent and functional hunting gear is a perfect match for experienced hunters out there hoping to savor every single bit of the hunt with the right equipment. It is a sleek-looking and lightweight crossbow weighing 6.75 pounds with an axle-to-axle length of 6 inches when fully drawn. It can deliver arrows at a top speed of 430 feet per second and comes with an impacting force that produces close to 164 foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

This wonder of hunting gear is built with Helicoid technology, which places it way ahead of others in its category. It comes with an anti-dry firing system to prevent dry-firing and an in-built auto-safety system for extra protection. It also has level cams that give you a 360 degrees view, a Built-In Versa-Draw Cocking Mechanism, which allows for silent cocking, a tactical scope and quiver, built-in Jack plates, adjustable elevated sling mounts.

The Ravin R29 sniper crossbow also features a quiver/mounting bracket, a removable cocking handle, six Ravin .001 premium arrows that come with field tips, and nocks. It comes in camo style for easy disguising.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to transport around
  • Excellent optic components with its level cam giving a 360-degrees view
  • It has incredible power potential
  • It comes fully assembled
  • Great hunting gear for small and big games
  • It comes with useful safety features of anti-dry firing and auto-safety
  • It offers excellent disguise features thanks to the camo look
  • It makes cranking and cocking easy
  • Provides superior accuracy when shooting

Cons

  • Maintenance might be difficult
  • It may not be the best gear choice for beginners

Takeway

Lightweight, compact, potent, accurate, perfectly designed, multifunctional and beautiful. These are the words that describe the Ravin R29 Sniper crossbow. This crossbow is a powerful hunting gear, the perfect fit for the big games as it’s a hybrid packed for the most extraordinary hunting experience you can ever imagine.

7. Ravin R29X Predator Crossbow

In the leagues of exceedingly comfortable, functional, compact, and lightweight crossbows for turkey hunting, the Ravin R29X predator crossbow is one of the top contenders.

This potent and functional hunting gear is a perfect match for experienced hunters out there hoping to enjoy the hunt with the right equipment. It is a sleek-looking and lightweight crossbow weighing 6.5 pounds with an axle-to-axle length of 6 inches when fully drawn. It can deliver arrows at a top speed of 450 feet per second and comes with an impacting force that produces close to 180 foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

This wonder of hunting gear is built with Helicoil technology, which places it way ahead of others in its category. It comes with an anti-dry firing system to prevent dry-firing and an in-built auto-safety system for extra protection. It also has level cams that give you a 360 degrees view, a Built-In Versa-Draw Cocking Mechanism, a 100 yards illuminated scope, built-in sling mounts.

The Ravin R29X predator crossbow also features a quiver/mounting bracket, a removable cocking handle, six Ravin .003 branded arrows with field tips, and nocks. It comes in camo style for a stealthy hunting experience.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to transport around
  • Excellent optic components with its level cam giving a 360-degrees view
  • It has incredible power potential
  • It comes fully assembled
  • Great hunting gear for small and big games
  • It comes with useful safety features of anti-dry firing and auto-safety
  • It offers excellent disguise features thanks to the camo look
  • A perfectly balanced tool mixing technology and functionality
  • Provides superior accuracy when shooting

Cons

  • Maintenance might be difficult
  • It may not be the best gear choice for beginners

Takeway

Lightweight, compact, potent, accurate, perfectly designed, multifunctional and sleek. These are the words that describe the Ravin R29X Predator crossbow. This crossbow is a powerful hunting gear and a hybrid compared to others in its category—an improved version with more perks on any excellent hunter to explore and enjoy.

8. TenPoint Vapor RS470

In the category of high power crossbows that are highly functional, compact, and lightweight, efficient, safe, and durable for all kinds of hunting, particularly the big games, TenPoint Vapor RS470 hunting crossbow is the super machine of crossbows.

This super accurate and functional hunting gear is a perfect match for experienced hunters hoping to show their long learned skills using the right equipment. It is a sleek-looking and lightweight crossbow weighing 8 pounds with an axle-to-axle length of 6 inches when fully drawn. It can deliver arrows at a surprising top speed of 470 feet per second and with an impacting force that produces a hefty 225 foot-pounds of kinetic energy.

TenPoint Vapor RS470 is built with a MICRO-TRAC BARREL that allows for a longer string life span and more accuracy, and which undoubtedly places it way ahead of others in its category. It comes with an anti-dry firing system to prevent dry-firing and an in-built auto-safety system for extra protection. It also has an optional ACUdraw PRO silent cocking device, which allows for silent and effortless cocking. It has an additional safe de-cocking structure and an EVO-X Marksman scope.

The TenPoint Vapor RS470 also features six lighted Evo-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows, 6-Arrow Tech quiver, TenPoint Neoprene Sling, Six Evo-X CenterPunch premium carbon arrows, an integrated string stop system, STAG hard crossbow case, and 3 EVO-X CenterPunch Broadheads.

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to transport around
  • Excellent optic components
  • It has incredible power potential
  • It comes fully assembled
  • It allows for easy and silent cocking
  • It comes with a unique safe de-cocking structure
  • Great hunting gear for small and big games
  • It comes with useful safety features of anti-dry firing and auto-safety
  • It offers excellent disguise features thanks to the camo look
  • It makes cranking and cocking easy
  • Provides superior accuracy when shooting
  • It has a longer string lifespan of 50%

Cons

  • Maintenance might be difficult
  • It may not be the best gear choice for beginners

Takeway

Lightweight, compact, potent, highly accurate, perfectly designed, multifunctional, and unique. These are the words that describe the TenPoint Vapor RS470 crossbow. This crossbow is a powerful hunting gear that emphasizes the need for accuracy and skill when hunting. Although it weighs more in the pocket than others, it is a longer lifespan and high quality in its come-back effect.

9. Killer Instinct Ripper 415

Looking for the superpower, super-capable knock-out crossbow that can tackle the big games, including a massive elk with a single stroke from the arrow, well, look no further as the Killer Instinct Crossbows Ripper 415 is the perfect machine for the job.

This super accurate, functional, and powerful hunting gear is a perfect match for experienced hunters out there who have been longing for the ideal hunting gear that can bring down just about anything, irrespective of the game’s size. It is a sleek-looking and lightweight crossbow weighing 3.5 pounds with an axle-to-axle length of 6 inches when fully drawn. It can deliver arrows at a surprising top speed of 415 Feet Per Second Bolt Shooting Speed, and with an impacting force that produces a hefty 149 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, just about enough to knock anything down.

Killer Instinct Ripper 415 is built with a CNC-Enhanced aluminum flight rail that allows for calculated and sufficient precision and accuracy when shooting. There is also the fact that this killer baby has the unique ability to pump out arrows within a 1-inch area up to around 80 yards in a fast consecutive sequence without failing. It comes with fully adjustable stocks and forearm grips, and custom rubber shock absorbers for ultimate performance and comfort.

Killer Instinct Ripper 15 also features 3 – arrow quiver, 3- quill arrows, barrel lube, an excellent camo design for stealth hunting, and many other parts.   

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to transport around
  • It has incredible power potential
  • It comes fully assembled
  • It is incredibly fast
  • It is equipped for outstanding performance and comfort
  • It is the perfect killer gear for hunting big games
  • It offers excellent disguise features thanks to the camo look
  • It comes with great adjustment features
  • Provides superior accuracy when shooting

Cons

  • Maintenance might be difficult
  • It does not come with useful safety features of anti-dry firing and auto-safety
  • Cranking and cocking might not be necessary as it utilizes Lithium Metal batteries
  • Manufacturers can improve on the optic features
  • It’s too advanced for beginners in the hunting business

Takeway

Lightweight, compact, potent, highly accurate, perfectly designed, comfortable, and high performing are the words that describe the Killer Instinct Ripper 415. This crossbow is a powerful and potent hunting gear that emphasizes the need for accuracy and high performance when hunting. Lifespan-wise, it is also an excellent choice for hunters as it lasts long.

Buying Guide

Price

Crossbows come in various types, with a wider variety of functions and features that affect the overall crossbow’s price. When considering a crossbow, the notion that the most expensive are the most appropriate or the most functional does not fully apply due to the endless variety that is available in the market.

Once you decide to purchase a crossbow for elk hunting, look out for crossbows that fit your desired specifications and then check if it matches within your price range. Always work within your budget and save yourself the stress of buying an overly advanced crossbow that does not fit your necessities and eventually drains your financial strength.

Power force

Elks in size are giant animals, a factor of their strong covering hide, their natural sizes, and the immediate environment they find themselves in. This, therefore, means that you’ll need a crossbow that can pierce through the fur and tough skin that it is made of.

When searching for the perfect crossbow, look out for crossbows that can impact powerfully with a single shot and that the powerful force can adjust depending on your need.

Accuracy

Elks may not look like fast creatures, but they are superfast and swift when they decide to move; to get them, you need to be as fast as their sturdy feet are and carry a hunting gear that responds just as fast. Look out for crossbows that have great accuracy features. There are crossbows in the market that have technologically enhanced the accuracy rate to an almost perfect rate.

Finding a crossbow that limits your chances of making errors when shooting is a great way to go. Do not forget that you have to factor in other things such as wind strength and distance to your target when dealing with accuracy.

FAQs

What is the best crossbow for elk hunting?

To consider the best type of crossbow for elk hunting, you need to consider certain factors and specifications such as power strength, accuracy, weight, size, and so on. This is because there are countless crossbows out in the market for elk hunting, and the best would be the one that genuinely meets your specifications in the appropriate ratio and that will serve you well in and will last.

What factors should an elk hunter put into consideration when looking out for a crossbow?

Any good hunter be it a beginner or a pro, should look out for the accuracy strength of the crossbow, the power it discharges, the speed of reloading, the weight of the crossbow, the size, the price, of course, and other specifications like the type of crossbow broadheads the crossbow can use and so on.

Parting Thoughts

Whatever season it may be, hunting big games like elks is a big deal that requires the right and capable hunting gears like crossbows to carry out the job effectively. For hunters out there with no idea of the kinds of crossbows necessary, we decided to give them the above quick and descriptive review of the best crossbow for elk hunting in 2023.

Based on the necessary specifications, the items listed above are a few of what hunters can get, but remember that they are a starting point to guide you when you eventually choose your perfect crossbow for elk hunting.