- Speed rating first: buy a target rated above your crossbow’s fps, or bolts can punch through.
- The SpyderWeb ST18XL is the pick for fast crossbows, sold with no speed limit and rated to about 500 fps in reviews, but it takes field points only.
- The Black Hole Crossbow 16 is the budget pick and takes broadheads on its front and back faces.
- The Field Logic Big Shooter Crossbow Buck is a life-size 3D deer with a replaceable core for realistic shot practice.
- Set every target in front of a safe backstop, because even good targets get missed.
Myth: any hay bale or old foam block will stop a bolt. Truth: a modern crossbow can blow straight through it, and a bolt that keeps going is a real danger. 😳
Buy a target rated above your crossbow’s speed, matched to the points you shoot. The three below run from a layered field-point target to a 3D buck; learn to safely load a crossbow and you can practice in your backyard.
What makes a good crossbow target: stopping power, safety and easy pulls
A crossbow target has one job: stop your bolt safely and let it go again without damage. Crossbows shoot much faster than most vertical bows, so targets built for them use denser layers, woven faces or high-density foam cores.
- Safety: a target rated for your speed stops bolts instead of letting them pass through.
- Bolt life: a good face saves your bolts and vanes at the target, the way a case or quiver protects them in transport.
- Accuracy: clear aiming points help you build tight groups on purpose.
So choose the target to match your points. Bag and layered targets usually take field points only, while foam blocks and 3D targets often take broadheads too.
Afflictor, a broadhead maker that tests heads into targets all year (it’s video is further down this post), says the trouble starts before broadheads even come into it:
It’s already an issue with high-speed crossbows and field tips, right? A lot of targets are burying in up to the fletching, they’re ruining the fletching, some of them are getting stuck so hard you can’t pull them out.
That’s the real cost of a cheap target: it eats bolts, not just foam. Check the speed rating against your crossbow before anything else, then look at points, size and price.
Best crossbow targets: 3 top picks for backyard practice
I haven’t shot a crossbow, so these picks come from maker specs, retailer spec sheets and buyer reports. Check the speed rating against your own crossbow before you buy.
Affiliate links: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
| Target | Size | Speed rating | Points | Made in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpyderWeb ST18XL | 18 × 18 × 14″ | “No speed limit” (maker); reviews list about 500 fps | Field points only | USA |
| Black Hole Crossbow 16 | 16 × 16 × 14″ | 400+ fps (maker); one retailer lists 375 | Broadheads and field points on front/back; field points on sides | Not listed |
| Field Logic Big Shooter Crossbow Buck | 48–51″ tall by listing, 33″ at the shoulder | 400+ fps | Field points, broadheads and expandables in the core | USA |
1. Best for high speed: SpyderWeb ST18XL
The SpyderWeb ST18XL is an 18 × 18 × 14″ field-point target that SpyderWeb sells with “no speed limit” (reviewers list it at about 500 fps). Its Spylar woven face is designed to heal around holes, and it’s handmade in St. Joseph, Michigan.
- Built of 18 layers of Spylar for fast crossbows
- Self-healing Spylar facing
- Weatherproof build for outdoor use
- Field points only; no broadheads or practice broadheads
Pros
- The highest speed rating on this list
- Made in the USA
- Many aiming points to spread your shots
Cons
- No broadheads of any kind
- Heavy to carry, listed at about 38 lb
- Costs more than most block targets
Who it’s for
Made for a shooter with a fast crossbow who practices with field points in the backyard. If you plan to tune broadheads, pair it with a foam target.
2. Best budget: Black Hole Crossbow 16 Target
The Black Hole Crossbow 16 (model 61212) is a 16 × 16 × 14″ block with aiming points on four sides. The front and back take broadheads and field points, while the polypropylene-wrapped sides are for field points only.
One thing to know before you shoot broadheads into any block, from the same Afflictor video:
Depending on your broadhead, you will see a different penetration in your target.
So a target that stops one head can let another bury deep. Test the exact broadheads you’ll hunt with on the broadhead face, and if they go in to the fletching, back up the target or pick a denser one.
- Marketed to stop 400+ fps crossbows
- Four shootable sides for longer life
- Broadhead-ready front and back faces
- Light enough to carry to the range
Pros
- Takes both broadheads and field points
- Portable
- Four sides to rotate as one wears
Cons
- One retailer rates it at 375 fps, below the maker’s claim
- Buyers report bolts can be hard to pull
- Smaller face than the other picks
Who it’s for
It suits a new crossbow owner with a recurve, compound or reverse-draw crossbow who wants one affordable target for practice and broadhead checks. Buyers suggest a rubber jar-opener pad for a better grip on stuck bolts.
3. Best for realistic practice: Field Logic Big Shooter Crossbow Buck
The Big Shooter Crossbow Buck is a 3D deer that stands about 48–51″ tall (listings differ), with a 125″ Pope and Young-style rack. Its high-density shooting core is replaceable, so you swap the vital zone instead of buying a whole new deer.
- Life-size 3D buck with vital-zone markings
- Replaceable high-density core
- Takes field points, broadheads and expandables
- Ground stakes included; legs come off for storage
Pros
- Realistic angles for hunting practice
- Replaceable core extends its life
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Buyers report antlers and legs coming loose or arriving broken
- Bolts can be hard to pull from the core
- Bulky to move and store
Who it’s for
It’s for a crossbow hunter getting ready for deer season who wants to practice real shot angles. Shoot it from the heights and distances you expect from your stand, and confirm your scope zero with broadheads.
How to choose a crossbow target: 5 things to check
- Speed rating: pick a target rated above your crossbow’s advertised fps.
- Point type: field points only, or broadheads too?
- Size: a bigger face catches more misses while you learn.
- Weight: heavy targets stop more but are harder to move.
- Weather: covered or weatherproof targets can live outside.
| Target type | Best for | Points | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bag or layered target | Field-point practice | Field points | Broadheads cut it apart |
| Foam block | Practice and broadhead checks | Field points and broadheads (check each face) | Bolts can be harder to pull |
| 3D animal | Hunting angles and shot placement | Field points and broadheads in the core | Bulky; cores wear out |
Size matters more than most buyers think. Afflictor’s tester puts it plainly:
As a crossbow guy, if you’re trying to get some shots in from a long distance and you want to practice from a long way away, a little bit bigger target will be better for you.
I agree, and it’s safer too: a bigger face catches the misses that would sail past a small block at 40 yards. If you’re just starting at 20 yards, a compact target is fine; buy bigger when you move back.
// 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.
Safe crossbow target setup in your backyard
A target only stops what hits it. Know what’s behind it before the first shot. On my own backyard range, a few targets sit in front of a big shed that catches my misses.
I have a few targets up and if I have any misses, they just land on the shed, and the shed is pretty big, so I don't have a problem.
- Use a backstop that can’t send a bolt into a neighbor’s yard.
- Keep the area behind and beside the target clear of people and pets.
- Check local rules on backyard shooting before you set up.
If you’d rather watch, this video covers crossbow target practice.
Put simply, choosing a target comes down to a handful of checks, and they all fit on this one page.
// FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most.
Can I use a regular archery target for a crossbow?
Only if it’s rated for your crossbow’s speed. Many vertical-bow targets aren’t, and a fast bolt can pass straight through.
Can I shoot broadheads into a bag target?
No. Broadhead blades cut the layers apart, so use a foam block or 3D target with a broadhead-rated face.
How do I make bolts easier to pull out of a target?
Pull straight back along the bolt’s line, and use a rubber grip pad or an arrow puller. Spreading shots also keeps one spot from packing tight.
Can I leave my crossbow target outside?
Only if the maker says it’s weatherproof, like the weatherproof SpyderWeb. Otherwise store it dry and out of the sun to make it last.
Can I make a crossbow target at home?
Not for a fast crossbow: homemade targets rarely stop fast bolts reliably. Test it with a backstop behind it before you trust it.
Final thoughts
The right crossbow target is rated above your speed and matched to your points. Pick the SpyderWeb for fast field-point practice, the Black Hole for an affordable all-rounder or the Big Shooter Buck for realistic hunting angles.
Then set it up with a safe backstop and track your groups each session. My free range log is a simple way to start.
