Different Types of Crossbow: Recurve, Compound, Reverse Draw, Pistol, and Repeating Explained

Walk into any crossbow shop and the wall of bows looks like five different machines wearing the same name. Some have wide limbs and one plain string. Some have cams and cables and fold down to the width of a rifle. Some cock with a rope, some with a crank you never take off, and some load the next bolt with a lever. They are five different designs, and the design decides how fast the bow shoots, how wide it is in a treestand, how hard it is to cock, how you fix it when something wears out, and whether it is a deer hunting tool at all. This guide sorts them out with real product examples at real prices.

The Short Answer

There are five real types of crossbow: recurve, forward draw compound, reverse draw compound, pistol or mini, and repeating. Most deer hunters should choose a forward draw compound or a reverse draw compound. A recurve is the simple and serviceable choice, and it is the easiest type to maintain at home. A pistol crossbow and a repeating crossbow are for backyard target shooting and fun, not for deer, because they are too weak and too short ranged for an ethical deer shot in most states. There is no recognized type called a rifle crossbow, even though sellers use the label, and hunting and youth are uses, not types. Buy a full size hunting crossbow you can cock comfortably every time, with a crank if your strength or your stand demands it, and spend the money you save on bolts and practice. The tested picks for every budget guide compares full size hunting models.

How a Crossbow Type Is Defined

A crossbow type is defined by its mechanism, not by what it is sold for. Three things decide the type: the shape of the limbs, whether the bow has cams and cables, and which way the limbs point.

Limbs, cams, and draw direction

Limbs store the energy. Cocking bends them, and the trigger lets them snap back and drive the string forward. A recurve has limbs that curve away from the shooter at the tips, with one string tied straight to the limb tips. A compound adds cams, eccentric wheels, and cables at the limb tips, which give a mechanical advantage, so the bow stores more energy in a shorter pull. In a forward draw bow, the limbs sit at the front of the stock. In a reverse draw bow, the limb assembly sits further back. For the full firing cycle, read how a crossbow works inside.

Power stroke, the number that explains the speed

Power stroke is the distance the string travels from rest to fully cocked, the length of rail where the string pushes the bolt. A longer stroke gives the string more distance to accelerate the bolt, so the bow can shoot faster without a heavier draw weight. Typical strokes run about 11 to 15 inches, but the figure varies by model. The Ravin R29X, a reverse draw bow, has a 12.5 inch power stroke, while the Ravin R26X, also reverse draw, has a 9.5 inch stroke, so no single number can be quoted for all reverse draw bows. Draw weight alone does not equal power either. Stroke length, bolt weight, and limb efficiency all matter.

Advertised speed versus real speed

Every speed in this guide is a manufacturer advertised figure unless labeled tested. Advertised speed is measured with a light bolt, usually 350 to 400 grains, so a real hunting bolt leaves the rail slower, roughly 20 to 40 fps below the advertised number. That is normal, not a defect.

The Five Types at a Glance

Read the table as typical ranges, not exact figures for every model. Widths are cocked axle to axle, weights are bare bow unless labeled otherwise, and prices were checked November 8, 2026.

Two rows need a plain note. The pistol price band of $50 to $200 is a market estimate, not a site verified figure. The repeating row has no verified US dollar price and no verified weight, because the only price found was a 365.95 EUR listing for the EK Cobra RX Adder 2.0.

1. Recurve Crossbows, the Simple Classic

The recurve is the oldest crossbow design still in production, and it is still the simplest. There is one string, two limbs, and nothing hidden inside the mechanism. That simplicity is also the reason a recurve looks wider and shoots a little slower than a compound of the same price.

How a recurve works

The limbs curve away from the shooter at the tips, and the string attaches directly to the limb tips. Cocking pulls the full draw weight through the whole pull, with no cams to ease the effort near the end. When you pull the trigger, the limbs snap straight and drive the string forward. There are no cables to time and no pulleys to wear out.

What is good about a recurve

Simplicity pays off in ownership. A recurve has the fewest moving parts of any hunting crossbow, so there is less to break and less to pay a shop to fix. The string can usually be changed in the field with a stringing aid and without a bow press, which is the key ownership difference from a compound.

What is not so good

The trade is width and speed. To reach a given speed, a recurve needs wider limbs and a heavier draw weight than a compound, because it has no cams to multiply the energy. Typical modern hunting recurves shoot about 330 to 400 fps advertised, with the fastest models reaching about 400 to 435 fps, and their cocked width often runs about 18 to 25 inches. That width matters in a treestand and in a ground blind, where a limb tip can catch a branch or a blind wall. Cocking also feels heavier, because there is no easing near full draw.

One claim about recurves needs correcting, because the old article on this site made it and it is not true. A recurve is not ideal for long range shooting, and it is not specially favored by professional hunters. It is a capable deer bow at normal hunting ranges, but long range is not its selling point.

Who a recurve suits

A recurve suits a beginner who wants simplicity, a hunter who wants field serviceability and durability, and a shooter on a budget. It also suits takedown and travel hunters, because a recurve takedown packs down small and goes back together without a press. It does not suit a treestand hunter who needs the narrowest bow, or a shooter who struggles to cock a heavy straight pull without a crank.

Example: Excalibur Rev X TD and Micro MAG 340

The Excalibur Rev X TD, about $1,900, shoots 400 fps advertised, with independent tests recording 390 fps with a 352 grain bolt and 386 fps with short bolts, both below the advertised figure, which is normal. Its power stroke is 10.5 inches. It weighs 7.5 lb bare and 9.6 lb accessorized. Its trigger is 3.5 lb listed versus 1.6 lb tested. It has a Quick-Loc takedown system that returns to zero, a CeaseFire anti dry fire system, and a Charger X integrated crank with a cocking effort of 16 lb. The Charger X is built into the bow, while the Charger EXT is a separate detachable 12 lb accessory at about $250.

The Excalibur Micro MAG 340, about $800, is the budget end of the same idea. It is rated in the 340 fps class, with a 270 lb draw weight, and it is not a takedown bow, so do not call it one.

2. Compound Crossbows, the Modern Workhorse

The compound is the bow most deer hunters end up buying. It squeezes the most speed and the narrowest width out of a bow you can still carry all day, and it does that by adding parts, which are the price you pay in maintenance.

How cams and cables work

A compound crossbow has cams, eccentric wheels, and cables on the limb tips. The cams give the bow a mechanical advantage, so it stores more energy in a shorter power stroke than a recurve of the same size. That is why a compound can be shorter and narrower while shooting faster. Cocking effort peaks partway through the pull and then eases near full draw. This guide states no let-off percentage for crossbow cams, because published sources disagree sharply on the figure. What matters is the cocking effort in pounds, given for the examples below, and whether the bow has a crank.

What is good about a compound

A compound gives the fastest speed for a given size, the narrowest cocked width, and the most compact bow for a treestand or a blind. Mainstream hunting compounds shoot about 350 to 450 fps advertised, with flagship forward draw models reaching about 500 fps, and modern narrow models run about 6 to 12 inches cocked. The model choice is the widest of any type.

What is not so good

A compound has more moving parts to wear and to time. String and cable changes usually need a bow press, which means a shop visit and a shop bill. If you buy a compound, budget for a shop relationship, not just for the bow. One practical note: Weaver accessories fit Picatinny rails while Picatinny accessories often do not fit Weaver rails, so check the rail type before you buy an accessory. The what to look for in a scope guide covers scope choice for these bows.

Who a compound suits

A compound suits most deer hunters, treestand and blind hunters, and buyers who want the best speed and compactness for the money. It does not suit buyers who want to service everything at home with basic tools, or buyers who want the lowest long term upkeep. Forward draw is the standard compound layout, limbs at the front of the stock and cams at the front, and it is not an outdated design. Many hunters never need anything else.

Examples: Titan X, Whitetail Hunter II, Boss 405, T-Rex, and TX Ultra

The TenPoint Titan X, about $800, weighs 7.3 lb, and its trigger is 3.5 lb listed versus 4.4 lb tested. An independent test recorded 400 fps with a 410 grain bolt, and its cocking effort is 5 lb.

The Barnett Whitetail Hunter II, about $370, is the budget entry point. It shoots 350 fps with a 150 lb draw weight. Do not use a 13.25 inch cocked width for this bow, because that figure belongs to the Lady Whitetail Hunter II, a different model. The Barnett Boss 405, about $330, is the other budget name to know, with a 220 lb draw weight.

The Barnett Hyper Raptor T-Rex, about $1,200, shoots 440 fps advertised, with a verified tested figure of 423 fps with a 399 grain arrow, and it weighs 8.2 lb bare versus 9.2 lb as tested. Always say which weight you mean.

The TenPoint TX Ultra, about $2,300, belongs in this section, not in the reverse draw section. The TX Ultra is a forward draw bow, even though the manufacturer page for it has described it as reverse draw, and this guide follows the mechanism, not the marketing label. Its $2,300 figure is a sale price, not the MSRP, with a MAP of $2,499.99. Its ACUslide MAXX cocking system was tested at 13.3 lb of effort, and no 5 lb figure should ever be stated for a MAXX bow.

3. Reverse Draw Compound Crossbows, the Balanced Flagship

The reverse draw bow is a compound with its geometry turned around. It moves the weight back toward the shooter, stretches the power stroke inside a short bow, and produces the fastest and best balanced crossbows on the market today. It also produces the most expensive ones.

How reverse draw works

In a reverse draw bow, the limbs are anchored near the center or rear of the stock and point forward, with the cams at the front. The string runs from the cams back to the latch, so the power stroke is longer inside a short overall bow than a forward draw bow of the same length. The trigger sits further forward, the riser sits further back, and the center of gravity falls closer to the shooter. Same length, longer push, weight in your hands instead of out front.

Why the longer power stroke matters, and why balance matters more

A longer power stroke gives the string more distance to accelerate the bolt, which is how reverse draw bows reach the top speeds in the market, about 400 to 515 fps advertised at the top end, with mid range models about 380 to 430 fps. No universal reverse draw power stroke figure can be stated. The Ravin R29X has a 12.5 inch stroke and the Ravin R26X has a 9.5 inch stroke, and both are reverse draw bows, so judge each model on its own figures.

The balance benefit is the most defensible reverse draw claim, and for a hunter who holds the bow for a long sit, it matters more than the last 20 fps. A front heavy bow tires your arms and makes a steady hold harder as the hours pass. A reverse draw bow sits with its weight near your hands, so it feels lighter than the scale says and holds steadier. That is the real reason to pay for reverse draw, not the headline speed.

What is good and what is not so good

The good list is short and strong: the longest power stroke for the bow length, the highest speeds in the market, the best balance, and generally quieter and lower vibration than a forward draw bow of the same speed. The bad list is the price of all that: the highest prices, the most complex cable and cam systems, and shop service for most string and cable work.

Who a reverse draw suits, and who should save the money

A reverse draw suits a serious deer hunter, a treestand hunter who sits for hours, and a shooter with limited strength who needs a built in crank. It does not suit a budget buyer, a beginner who does not need 400 plus fps, or a buyer who wants home serviceability. If you are new, a mid price forward draw compound does the job.

Examples: R500, R10X Pro, R29X, R26X, TRX Ultra, and Turbo X

The Ravin R500, about $2,650, is the flagship reverse draw example. Note: Ravin recalled the R500 in March 2024 (about 13,300 in the US plus 425 in Canada, serials R050-R057); Ravin offers a free repair, 888-769-7287. Its cocked width is 3.6 inches, its length is 28 inches, and its VersaDrive screw drive cocking system takes 17 lb of effort. Do not confuse VersaDrive with the Versa-Draw system on the R10X Pro, a different mechanism.

The Ravin R10X Pro, about $1,850, weighs 7.95 lb bare versus 8.9 lb as tested rigged, so always say which weight you mean. Its cocked width is 6.5 inches, its length is 32.5 inches, and its Versa-Draw cocking effort is 12 lb.

The Ravin R29X, about $2,300, is 29 inches long with a 12.5 inch power stroke. The Ravin R26X, about $2,000, is 26 inches long with a 9.5 inch power stroke, and it shoots 400 fps. One search result claims 500 fps advertised and 480 to 490 fps in the real world for the R26X, which is wrong, and this guide does not repeat it.

The TenPoint TRX Ultra, about $3,500, is the top end of the TenPoint reverse draw line. No usable cocking effort figure in pounds exists for its MAXX system, and no tested speed range is quoted here, because the tested range that circulated for this bow was dropped for lack of a solid source. Search results mix up the TRX 26, in the 460 fps class, with the TRX 515 and Ultra class, in the 515 fps class. They are different bows.

The TenPoint Turbo X, about $1,300, is the value entry into reverse draw. Its cocked width is 9.5 inches, its trigger is 3.5 lb, its cocking effort is 5 lb, and an independent test recorded 415 fps. The arrow weight behind that test is not stated here, because the test table and the test text disagree on it.

One boundary case belongs here, not as a sixth type but as proof that the lines blur. The Excalibur Hybrid X, released in 2025, pairs recurve limbs with rail mounted cams in a reverse draw layout and reaches over 400 fps. It does not need a type of its own.

4. Pistol and Mini Crossbows

A pistol crossbow looks like a toy version of a hunting crossbow, and in some ways it is. It is small, cheap, light, and fun at short range. It is also, in almost every case, not a deer hunting bow, and the reason is physics and law.

How a pistol crossbow works

A pistol crossbow is a small, usually recurve limb design at small scale. The smallest models have no shoulder stock and are held in one hand, while mini models have a very short stock. The bolts are short, usually 6 to 8 inches, versus 16 to 22 inches for a full size crossbow. Cocking is by a small lever, a pull handle, or a break action. Some models shoot steel balls as well as bolts. There is no axle to axle width to quote for a handheld model, which is why the comparison table says not applicable.

What it is good for

A pistol crossbow is good for backyard target shooting, for introducing a new shooter to crossbow safety and aiming at very short range and low cost, and for small game and pest control where it is legal and where the energy is enough. It is cheap, typically $50 to $200 as a market estimate, and light at about 1 to 3 lb. If you want a dedicated guide to these models, read the mini crossbows compared for backyard shooting guide.

Why it is not a deer hunting bow

Most pistol crossbows run about 50 to 80 lb of draw weight and shoot about 150 to 200 fps. A full size hunting crossbow shoots a 16 to 22 inch bolt at 330 fps or more, and the short 6 to 8 inch bolt from a pistol crossbow carries far less kinetic energy, which is the energy the bolt delivers on impact. A pistol bolt simply does not carry enough of it for a deer sized animal.

The law agrees. Most US states set a minimum draw weight for deer, commonly 125 lb, and North Carolina sets 100 lb for deer. A 50 to 80 lb pistol crossbow falls below those minimums, and some states also set a minimum power stroke or a minimum overall length, or restrict short crossbows outright. A pistol crossbow is not a cheap substitute for a hunting crossbow.

Who it suits

A pistol crossbow suits a backyard target shooter, a beginner learning basic safety and aiming at very short range, and a casual plinker. It does not suit a deer hunter, anyone who needs an ethical kill on medium or large game, or a buyer who wants a first hunting crossbow. If deer is the goal, buy a full size hunting bow and keep the pistol crossbow for the backyard.

5. Repeating Crossbows

A repeating crossbow is the fastest shooting crossbow you can buy, and the weakest hunting crossbow you can buy. The second fact decides what it is for.

How a repeating crossbow works, magazine and lever

A top mounted magazine holds several short bolts, usually 5, and 7 in the RX Adder version 2.0. A lever action cocks the string and loads the next bolt in one motion, so the follow up shots come faster than with any other crossbow type. The bolts are short, 7.5 inches on the modern EK Cobra RX Adder.

A short history note

The repeating crossbow is ancient. The Chinese chu-ko-nu, also called the zhuge nu, dates to China in the Warring States period, and modern repeaters are novelties descended from that design, not a new hunting breakthrough.

The modern Adder, speed and bolt limits

The modern example is the EK Archery Cobra RX Adder family. The standard Adder limbs are 130 lb, with 180 lb limbs available, and the speed runs 240 to 270 fps depending on the source and the bolt. Do not use a 300 fps claim for the Adder, because that figure comes from an Adder TX upgrade kit claim, not from a verified specification for the standard Adder.

Range needs the same care. The effective range, the distance where the bow shoots accurately enough and hits hard enough to matter, is about 50 to 70 meters. The maximum range, the distance a bolt can travel, is up to 180 meters. The old article on this site mixed them into one claim of 70 to 180 meters, which reads as if the bow were effective out to 180 meters. It is not.

Why it is not a hunting tool for deer

A repeating crossbow is not a hunting tool for deer, and the rate of fire does not fix that. The short 7.5 inch bolt at 240 to 270 fps carries too little energy for an ethical deer shot, and accuracy falls off past 30 to 50 meters. The magazine on top makes the bow heavy and awkward, the bolt choice is limited to proprietary short bolts, and in some places repeaters are legally restricted. It suits a recreational target shooter who values fast follow up shots, a collector, and backyard fun.

Terms That Are Not Types

Half the confusion in crossbow shopping comes from labels that sound like types and are not. This section retires them.

Rifle crossbow is a label, not a type

There is no recognized crossbow type called a rifle crossbow. The old article on this site used Rifle Crossbows as a heading, and the body under it described a pistol crossbow, not a rifle crossbow at all. That was an error, and this rewrite corrects it. When sellers use the label today, they usually mean a narrow, rifle like compound crossbow with a rifle style stock and a scope. The mechanism is still a compound, so if a listing uses the label, ask which of the five real types the bow actually is.

Tactical, hunting, and youth are uses or styles, not mechanisms

A tactical crossbow is usually a compound with rails, black furniture, and accessory mounts. A hunting crossbow is any full size bow built for deer. A youth crossbow is usually a lighter, shorter compound or recurve with a lower draw weight and a shorter stock. None of those words describes a mechanism. If a label does not tell you about the limbs, the cams, and the draw direction, it is not a type.

How to Choose Your Type in Five Questions

Answer these five questions in order, and the type picks itself.

1. What will you do with it?

Deer hunting needs a full size hunting crossbow, not a pistol or a repeater. Target shooting only can be a pistol, a youth model, or a budget recurve. If your answer is deer, cross the pistol and the repeating rows off the table and do not look back.

2. Where will you hunt?

A tight treestand or a ground blind needs a narrow cocked width, under about 10 inches, which points to a compound or a reverse draw compound. Open ground is more forgiving, and a wider recurve works fine there. Measure your stand and your blind before you buy, not after.

3. Can you cock it comfortably, every time?

Try the cocking system, not just the draw weight number. A crank or a built in system changes everything for smaller framed, youth, and limited strength shooters.

4. Who will service it?

If you want home service, pick a recurve, because you can change the string yourself with a stringing aid and no bow press. If you are happy with a shop, a compound or a reverse draw compound is fine. Be honest about which group you are in before you buy.

5. What is your real budget?

Include bolts, a scope if one is not included, a cocking aid if one is not built in, and a case. The cheapest bow with no crank can cost more in the end than a package with one built in. A first deer bow on a budget is a forward draw compound or a recurve package with a crank, in the $330 to $800 range. Limited strength, prioritize the built in cocking system over fps, every time.

Cocking Effort in Plain Language

Cocking effort is the force you must apply to draw the bow, and it decides whether you can actually use the bow you buy. Three systems do the work, and they feel very different.

A rope cocker is a rope with two hooks that clips to the string. It roughly halves the felt effort, it is cheap, and it works on most bows. A detachable crank is a handle and gear set that winds the string back. It is the slowest method and the easiest, and it is the right choice for a heavy draw weight bow or a shooter with limited strength. A built in crank is integrated into the stock, so it cannot be forgotten at home, and it is the one to prioritize if you hunt from a stand.

The ACUdraw name needs care, because it is four different systems, not one. Plain ACUdraw takes 5 lb of effort and has no safe de-cock. ACUdraw De-Cock also takes 5 lb and adds safe de-cocking. ACUdraw Silent takes 5 lb. ACUdraw Pro takes 8.5 lb. State which one a bow has, and never write just ACUdraw as if the four were the same. The TenPoint ACUslide MAXX on the TX Ultra was tested at 13.3 lb, and no 5 lb figure should ever be stated for a MAXX bow. The Ravin R500 VersaDrive takes 17 lb, the Ravin R10X Pro Versa-Draw takes 12 lb, the Titan X takes 5 lb, the Turbo X takes 5 lb, and the Rev X TD Charger X takes 16 lb. If you have never cocked a bow, read step-by-step cocking walkthrough first, and compare cocking aids in the rope vs crank vs built-in cocking options compared guide.

What to Avoid

Do not buy a pistol crossbow as a deer hunting bow. Do not buy a repeating crossbow as a deer hunting bow. Do not buy on advertised fps alone, because a 400 fps bow you cannot cock or hold steady is worse than a 350 fps bow you shoot well. Do not buy a bow that is too wide for your blind or your stand. Do not dry fire, which means never fire without a bolt loaded, unless the maker says the model is safe to do so for a specific purpose. Do not use bolts shorter than the maker minimum for your model.

Safety and Legality Basics

Treat a cocked crossbow like a loaded firearm. Keep your fingers below the rail at all times, never point the bow at anything you do not intend to shoot, and keep the safety on until you are on target. Test the safety and the anti dry fire system before every hunt. Read the safety rules for handling every bow before your first hunt.

On legality, check your state wildlife agency before you buy and before you hunt. Crossbow hunting rules vary by state and change often. Minimum draw weights for deer differ across states, with North Carolina setting 100 lb for deer and 125 lb common in many states, and some states also set a minimum power stroke or a minimum overall length, or restrict short crossbows. Crossbow hunting is illegal in the UK and several other countries. Check the agency, not a retailer summary, and check again each season.

Frequently Asked Questions