Properly, fall is lastly right here, and there’s that crispness within the air that solely northern Michigan can ship. We’re up north engaged on the lease, getting every little thing prepared for our conventional deer camp earlier than opening day. Bow season is in full swing, and the pre-rut is beginning to warmth up. We’re seeing extra exercise on the cameras day by day, and between organising stands and checking trails, I’ve been placing time in with a brand new piece of drugs that deserves a more in-depth look the Excalibur Hybrid X crossbow.
If Excalibur, they’ve all the time stood by their recurve limb design. No cams, no cables, simply strong, easy, reliable efficiency. The type of setup you possibly can service your self within the subject with out a journey to the store. The Hybrid X adjustments that playbook a little bit. It is a hybrid system that brings in a cam-assisted chassis whereas maintaining that acquainted Excalibur recurve limb model. The cams are hard-mounted to the body itself, so you continue to get that simple upkeep and subject serviceability that Excalibur shooters love, however now with a serious bump in velocity and energy.
I’ve been capturing 150-grain heads, identical to Excalibur recommends, and I’m nonetheless getting over 400 toes per second. Out of the field, the bow was almost dead-on, and inside two photographs I spotted how a lot punch it has I blew proper by means of my goal at 20 yards. That’s how a lot kinetic vitality this factor is sending downrange. As soon as I moved again to 50 yards, the Hybrid X actually began to point out what it could possibly do. Teams had been tight, and arrow flight was constant. I used to be holding MOA-level accuracy at 50 yards, which is saying one thing for a crossbow capturing broadheads.
At simply over eight kilos, it’s compact and simple to deal with. The Overwatch scope that comes with it’s a strong match, illuminated reticle with each pink and inexperienced choices, and clear, easy drop markers for fast ranging. I choose the inexperienced illumination in low gentle, particularly in these grey northern Michigan afternoons when the woods go dim. The anti-dry-fire system can be an awesome security contact. You possibly can’t ship a shot with out a correctly seated arrow, and that peace of thoughts goes a good distance if you’re drained on the finish of a protracted sit.
Certainly one of my favourite components about this bow is how simple it’s to cock and decock. The built-in crank system slides proper into the inventory, and it solely takes a number of kilos of stress to attract. You possibly can safely decock it with out capturing an arrow or worrying a few free-spinning crank deal with. It’s one of the vital user-friendly programs I’ve ever used, easy, protected, and easy.
After spending time with the Hybrid X, it’s clear that Excalibur has stepped into the following chapter with out shedding what made their bows so trusted within the first place. You continue to get that rugged, self-serviceable design, however with fashionable engineering that pushes efficiency into the 400+ FPS vary. Whether or not you’re sitting in a blind, climbing a stand, or mountaineering in along with your setup, this crossbow is compact, highly effective, and constructed to final.
Excalibur Hybrid X Specs
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Pace: As much as 435 toes per second; round 400+ FPS when capturing 150-grain heads
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Energy System: Hybrid cam-assisted recurve design (cams mounted to the chassis, conventional Excalibur limbs)
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Draw Weight: Roughly 325 kilos
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Cocking System: Built-in crank deal with constructed into the inventory; just a few kilos of stress wanted to attract
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Weight: Simply over 8 kilos total
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Scope: Overwatch illuminated scope with pink and inexperienced reticle choices and pre-set drop markers
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Arrows: Consists of 4 18-inch VFlight Professional arrows (Excalibur recommends 150-grain heads for finest flight)
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Security Options: Anti-dry-fire system, mechanical security, and protected decocking functionality
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Decocking: Built-in system permits managed decocking with out capturing an arrow or decocking bolt
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Foot Brace: Adjustable mounting positions for entrance or backside placement (ultimate for blind or bench relaxation capturing)
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Upkeep: Discipline-serviceable strings and cables; no bow press required
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General Impression: Compact, quick, correct, and simple to keep up; a contemporary improve to Excalibur’s conventional design
I’ll be taking it into the woods this afternoon because the temps drop and the deer begin shifting. In case you’re curious to be taught extra or try the complete Excalibur lineup, head over to ExcaliburCrossbow.com.
Excalibur Hybrid X FAQ
Can I service the Hybrid X myself like different Excalibur bows?
Sure. Regardless that it makes use of a cam-assisted system, the cams are hard-mounted to the chassis and the recurve limbs nonetheless permit for self-service. You possibly can change strings and cables within the subject with minimal instruments.
What sort of arrows ought to I shoot?
Excalibur recommends 150-grain broadheads or subject factors for finest flight and correct tuning. I’ve been capturing the 18-inch VFlight Professional arrows that include it and so they’ve been constant and sturdy.
How arduous is it to cock and decock?
Not arduous in any respect. The built-in crank deal with shops within the inventory and takes just some kilos of stress to show. Decocking is simply as simple, no have to shoot into the bottom or use a decocking bolt. You merely reverse the crank, and the slide system handles the stress safely.
What scope comes with the Hybrid X?
The Overwatch scope. It’s an illuminated optic with each pink and inexperienced reticle choices. I choose inexperienced on cloudy days or in low gentle as a result of it stands out higher in opposition to grey or shadowed backgrounds.
Is it good for searching from a blind?
Sure. The compact dimension and adjustable foot brace make it simple to shoot from a blind or relaxation on a capturing rail. You possibly can mount the foot brace on the underside as a substitute of the entrance if you wish to relaxation it extra like a bench rifle.
What sort of accuracy can I anticipate?
At 50 yards, I used to be holding tight teams round an inch to an inch and a half, which is spectacular for archery gear. That’s simply deadly and correct sufficient for searching out to typical crossbow distances.
Does it include security options?
Sure. It consists of an anti-dry-fire system that bodily prevents the bow from firing except an arrow is correctly seated, plus a easy mechanical security and a dependable decocking system.
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