Equipment & Supplies
Arrows, targets and the accessories that actually matter. Gear I own says so; the rest is researched and says so too.
// Overview
The gear I actually use, and what can wait
After the bow, a handful of gear decides how much you enjoy shooting. Most of it is cheap. Some of it is the stuff people skip and regret, like a bow stringer.
Arrows matter most. I compare carbon and aluminum for a first dozen, and explain how to read a spine chart so your arrows actually fly straight off your bow.
Then the comfort gear: a finger tab or glove, an armguard, and a target that stops arrows safely in your backyard.
Free printable
Beginner gear checklist
Everything I would buy for a first season, with rough costs, and what can wait until year two. It’s a page of the free range log.
// All posts
Everything in Equipment & Supplies
Showing all 5 posts, newest firstShowing 5 posts for crossbow shooters, newest first
- A Crossbow for Home Defense? 10 Reasons People Consider OneA crossbow is quiet and not a federal firearm, but makers say not to leave one cocked for more than 24 hours. Here are the 10 reasons people give for crossbow home defense, each fact-checked, plus the storage and legal points to know first.
- The 3 Best Crossbow Quivers That Hold Your Bolts TightA loose bolt or rattling quiver can cost you the only shot of the season. Compare 3 crossbow quivers by capacity, broadhead hood and mount, plus the 5 checks that tell you whether a quiver will fit your crossbow and bolts.
- The 3 Best Crossbow Targets for 400+ FPS Bolts in Your BackyardA cheap foam block can let a fast crossbow bolt punch straight through. These 3 crossbow targets are rated for 400 fps and up, from a layered field-point target to a life-size 3D buck, with what each one stops and how to set it up safely.
- The 3 Best Crossbow Cases to Protect Your Scope and LimbsOne bumpy drive with a loose crossbow can knock your scope off zero. Compare 3 crossbow cases (hard, soft and budget backpack style), see what each one fits, and run the 6 checks that stop you from buying a case your bow won’t fit.
- The 3 Best Crossbow Scopes for Deer, From Budget to ThermalA scope that doesn’t match your crossbow’s speed puts every shot past 30 yards high or low. Here are 3 crossbow scopes worth a look, from a 1.5–5× budget pick to a thermal, plus how to set the speed ring and sight it in at the right zero.
// FAQ
Questions I get a lot
Short answers to what beginners ask me about equipment & supplies.
What target is best for a backyard?
A layered foam block or a quality bag target. Make sure it is rated for your draw weight and has a safe backstop behind it.
Do I need a bow stringer?
Yes, for any recurve or longbow. Stringing by hand can twist the limbs permanently.
How much should I spend on my first setup?
A good beginner recurve, a dozen arrows, a tab, an armguard and a target run about $300–450 if you buy carefully.
Do I need a sight or stabilizer?
Not to start. Learn form barebow first. You can add a sight later without changing anything you’ve learned.
How many arrows should I buy?
A dozen. You will lose and break a few in the first month.
What arrow spine do I need?
It depends on your draw weight and arrow length. Use a spine chart, then bare-shaft tune one arrow.
Finger tab or glove?
A glove for most beginners: it’s easy to put on and works for target, 3D and hunting. I liked mine enough to buy the same one twice. A tab gives a slightly cleaner release if you chase target scores.
// Free printable
Get the range log I actually use.
Seventeen printable pages: session log, score tracker, a 30-day drill challenge, a bow maintenance card, a first-season checklist and more. Join the monthly email and it lands right away.
