Scopes for Crossbows....

Many, many years ago I was an avid bowhunter. The new crossbow craze, spawned by looser regulations on their use, have perked my interest. Seems like an old guy like me could use one & get a little more "woods time" & use some of my old bowhunting skills without killing myself!...LOL

All I know about crossbows is what I've been reading. I noticed many packages throw in a scope. At the price point, the scopes have to be junk (or are they)? I don't see Leupold, Weaver or anyone else advertising their new "line of crossbow scopes". Do crossbow scopes suffer the same "reverse-recoil" problem just like air rifles? Is a red dot hologram type of sight a better solution?

TIA for your comments...

Many come with a good enough scope to get you done

Leupold and vortex make dedicated scopes as well as eotech. I may be mistaken but I think some use a Hawke brand.
I have no reason to change the scope that came with my 1o point

Remember you are using a crossbow scope inside 50 yards almost all the time so a lot of magnification is not needed. Most of the package scopes work but some are lots better than others. Tenpoint, Wicked Ridge, Hoton, Excalibur and Parker all come with scopes that are good enough to get the job done. With those lines of crossbows the higher end crossbows have the higher end scopes those companies offer.

In addition to the ones BIL mentioned Zeiss, Vortex and Nikon also make good crossbow scopes.


After using the little 3x that came with the Parker bow I have, decided to switch it out to the Excalibut Tac Zone. Like this scope better but the Parker scope was still functional. The scopes like the Tac Zone are variable power but not really used for zooming in on your target. Instead they use the second focal plane retical and power setting to set the aiming lines 10 yards apart for different velocities. With these zero the scope top line at 20 yards, set the dial to your bow's velocity and the other lines will be on at 30, 40, 50... as far out as the lines go. Played a few weeks ago that went to 100 yards.

I have tried the "red-dot" scopes and I do not like them. When it gets pretty dark, you cannot see clear and the "red" glow over powers your sight window. And, the magnification is very bad.
I purchased a crossbow scope from Academy (they only had one style)a few years ago and I love it. The magnification at 20 or 30 yards is great and clear.
I can see clearly when its almost dark and the 20/30/40 yard lines are still clear to line up on a deer or hog.
Just be sure that the scope you have is clear when its almost dark and that it magnifies at least 4x.

I just bought a Barnett that came with a multi reticle scope on it.
Trying to get it zeroed at 20 yards and it ran out of windage.
Got 6 clicks out of it before the turret stopped.
Pulled it off and looked, sure enough made in China.

Bought a Nikon for it and what a difference.
Calibrated for 1/4 at 20 yards, it took three shots to get it zeroed.
Using the center crosshair I'm 1 inch low at 30, haven't shot it any further yet.
It's got the Nikon BDC reticle in it.
I'm sure if I tried I could hit a target out at 70-80 yards with it.

My Excalibur still wears the factory Tact Zone scope, it works well. I hear the Hawke scopes are good too (in addition to the Nikon).

My Mission crossbow came with a Hawke 3x scope. It has multiple cross-hairs for distances, that is really all that you need. You have to be careful to shoot at different spots on the target or you will put bolts through each other, even at 30-40 yards.

My PSE Toxic came with a cheap Chinese scope, just like the majority of package deals. I just swapped it out for a Redfield Revenge 2-7x34 and the difference is night and day.
https://www.redfield.com/_media/downloads/redfield_2-7x34_Revenge_w_crossbow.pdf

I have a Tenpoint Titan Xtreme crossbow and it came with a 3X ZOOM illuminated scope red or green dots battery powered and 4 dots set at 20 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards and 50 yards that are black when not using the illuminated dots. it came factory sighted in at 20 yards, I have practiced at 50 yards and its good to go. If you need more light gathering or zoom they do make a Viper Vortex crossbow scope my friend has on on his to 1 up me lol but your not gonna take 100 yard shots anyways with a crossbow, 30-40 yards max for a clean kill maybe 50 if the wind and deer are calm.

Hawke is the way to go when buying crossbow scope. It will allow you to see a more clear picture of your target right before dark than a cheaper scope. It makes a huge difference. I had a buddy call me out of the Stand while hunting due to his scope no longer allowing him to see. I still had a clear picture.
The Hawke 3x is perfect and the reticle allows for shots at any distance to be pinpoint accurate.
I currently have the Hawke on an mxb 360 and am very pleased

Hawke is definitely the best bang for your buck at the ranges you would typically shoot a crossbow. If you want to to pay twice as much you could move up to the Vortex Viper XBR crossbow scope. Better glass and light gathering for sure but depending on how you use it probably not worth the extra money. If you want to hunt hogs at night the vortex reticle with illuminated dots and its superior light gathering would allow you to do that on a clear night with a decent moon. If you want the absolute best for a crossbow you could go with the Zeiss Duralyt. The Zeiss is another step up from the vortex but not worth the $$ IMO.