Crossbow mass weight is one of the most important features that most shooters look at, but what most look at is advertised weight. But the manufacturers of crossbows are testing most of their advertised weight is found without accessories which is not realistic when trying to find your hunting setup and comparisons from one brand to the next. In this article, I will be setting out to show you some of the best “lightweight” crossbow options on the market. I will differentiate between the advertised weight and the full set up actual weight loaded with the scope and quiver full setup like you are ready to hunt. Whether you are a backcountry hunter, small, framed shooter, woman, child or just looking for the most maneuverable option weight of the crossbow is very important. There are many benefits to the lightweight crossbow such as comfort and ease of maneuverability and the ability to hold as steady as possible will help achieve the pinnacle of your shooting capabilities.
Excalibur MAG Air
The first crossbow we are going to look at is quite possibly the lightest crossbow ever made, the Excalibur Mag Air. The Excalibur Mag Air is designed specifically utilizing the recurve design for simplicity and lightweight. Excalibur’s advertised weight is a featherlight 4.9lbs, but just as impressive add the scope, and quiver assembly, and load it up with the arrows included with the factory package you are only dealing with 6.5lbs! With this extreme lightweight paired with the Micro design, you have an extremely maneuverable packable crossbow starting at an affordable $549.99. Along with the weight this crossbow offers a low cost of ownership with one string to maintain and the ability to change the string on your own with Excalibur’s Stringing Tool in a couple of short minutes.
Excalibur Mag 340
The next bow we are looking at the big brother of the Excalibur Mag Air, it’s the Excalibur Mag 340. The Excalibur Mag 340 keeps the Micro recurve design adding speed and a machined rail for improved accuracy. The Excalibur Mag 340 is advertised at 8lbs. in the bare bow setup, then add the scope, quiver assembly, and load it up with the arrows you are at just only 7.8lbs. The Mag 340 has been one of the most popular Excalibur crossbows with the lightweight design and all the features of the high-end Excalibur Crossbows, also being one of the few options from Excalibur that most can still cock using the Rope Cocker keeping it as simple as possible.
Wicked Ridge Raider 400
If American-made is important to you this option is a great one! The Wicked Ridge Raider 400 Decock starts at $749.99 being one of the cheapest options for a compound crossbow that can be easily decocked with our firing arrow extending the life of your string and cables. The Raider 400 Decock comes in options of a Rope Sled system with an adjustable stock or with the integrated ACUdraw Decock Crank system. The Raider with the rope sled’s advertised weight is only 5.8 lbs, add the scope and a full quiver you’re still sub 8 lbs coming in at 7.5 lbs. For those that prefer a crank, there aren’t many options out there with an integrated crank sub 10 lbs. But the Raider is advertised at only 6.5lbs and when you’re ready to hunt with your full quiver and the scope mounted, you’re at only 9lbs. The Raider 400 Decock offers high speeds up to 400 FPS by TENPOINT Crossbow Technologies including their Limited Lifetime warranty protecting your crossbow for years to come!
Wicked Ridge Rampage XS
The last bow we are going to look at in this blog is the Wicked Rampage XS. The Rampage XS is built into the lineup as an entry-level or value crossbow. Most crossbows in or near this price point are coming from overseas and the quality and reliability just aren’t the same. The Rampage XS is American-made Made featuring TenPoint Crossbows’ limited lifetime warranty designed to last for years. The Rampage XS has both offerings of a Rope Cocking Sled or the integrated ACUdraw crank system. Along with all the features, the Rampage XS is lightweight for ease of use. The Rampage XS is advertised with the Rope Sled and adjustable stock at a mere 5.8 lbs and when you fully load your quiver and mount your scope to hit the woods you are looking at only 7.5lbs. For the shooters that need or prefer a crank, it is hard to come by under 10 lbs but not the Rampage XS. The Rampage XS is advertised at 6.5 lbs and fully set up you are looking at only 9lbs.
This article highlights four of CrossbowExpert.com’s favorite lightweight crossbow options currently available while trying to show you the consumer that there is more than meets the eye when shopping for your crossbow based on weight. Check out all the options we carry at CrossbowExpert and give us a call with any questions or more information!
