The Reverse Draw Advantage

Over the past two years reverse draw crossbows have become much more popular, and for good reason. There are currently five companies that manufacture reverse draw crossbows. This is more than at any other time in the sport's history. Let's take a look at why reverse draw crossbows are gaining a substantial market share in the crossbow industry.

When you look at the benefits of the reverse draw crossbow, it becomes apparent why the sum of these individual characteristics results in a highly efficient and practical crossbow. Let's start with weight. The average crossbow weighs seven to eight pounds with many pushing upwards of ten pounds when fully accessorized.

Making matters worse with crossbows is that the weight is biased toward the front of the bow. The need for risers and limbs that are capable of handling the stresses of high draw weights necessitates a certain amount of up front bulk. This weight can be lessened with modern, lightweight materials, but that comes with additional cost.

One of the major benefits of the reverse draw crossbow is that it places the riser at or slightly behind the mid-point of the bow with the limbs facing forward toward the end of the rail. This radically alters the balance and weight distribution of the bow when it's shouldered. Reverse draw crossbows are the best balanced and lightest feeling crossbows on the market.

Other advantages gained with the reverse draw design is that with the riser moved rearward, the overall length of a crossbow is shortened by several inches. But the power stroke of the bow remains the same or can actually be increased. This allows for maintained or increased arrow speeds out of a more compact crossbow.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the reverse draw design is its inherent ability to negate noise and vibration. With its parallel limb facing forward design and narrow axle to axle width, it is nearly vibration free at the shot.

All of these features combined become significant with the fit, feel, and function of the bow. That same level of crossbow performance that we're so accustomed to can now be achieved in a much more compact dynamic package.

There's a lot to like about reverse draw crossbows. I believe they will continue to increase in popularity with both hunters and manufacturers and become the mainstay of the crossbow industry. However, the perfect crossbow design will vary from individual to individual. It's important to familiarize yourself with each design and choose the one that best fits your own individual hunting and shooting needs.