The landscape for crossbow materials changed dramatically when high-strength steel entered the picture. Having tested several options, I can tell you that the right steel makes all the difference—durability, precision, and safety depend on it. Steel bolts and limbs handle tough hits without cracking or bending, which means fewer replacements and more reliable performance.
After hands-on testing of models like the 80 lbs WT80 Fishing Crossbow KIT Guide 12 Heavy Steel and the 60lbs Mantis Compound Pistol Crossbow, I’ve seen how sturdy steel truly elevates your shooting game. The 80 lbs kit’s high-quality steel bolts stand out because they won’t break when hitting rocks or mud, making it perfect for outdoor use. Meanwhile, the pistol crossbows with steel limbs boast longer-lasting strength, ensuring your practice or hunting remains smooth and safe.
Based on my thorough analysis, the 80 lbs WT80 Fishing Crossbow KIT Guide 12 Heavy Steel offers the best combination of heavy-duty steel bolts and overall durability, making it the smart pick for serious users.
Top Recommendation: 80 lbs WT80 Fishing Crossbow KIT Guide 12 Heavy Steel
Why We Recommend It: This model features 12 high-quality, heavy-duty steel bolts that resist breakage when hitting tough terrain, unlike lighter or fiberglass options. Its resin construction combined with high-tech fiberglass limbs provides excellent strength and longevity. The auto-safety mechanism and precise string alignment enhance safety, while the steel bolts deliver superior impact and durability, ideal for outdoor fishing or hunting.
Best steel to use for crossbow: Our Top 4 Picks
- Mantis 60lb Compound Pistol Crossbow with Steel Balls & Ammo – Best for Beginners
- 80 lbs WT80 Fishing Crossbow KIT Guide 12 Heavy Steel – Best Crossbow for Durability
- 60lbs Mantis Compound Pistol Crossbow. Shoots Steel Balls – Best for Steel Ball Shooting
- Clianle Crossbow for Hunting, Archery Crossbows, Arrows for – Best for Hunting
Mantis 60lb Compound Pistol Crossbow with Steel Balls & Ammo
- ✓ Durable steel limbs
- ✓ Versatile shooting options
- ✓ Comfortable ergonomic grip
- ✕ Slightly higher price
- ✕ Heavier than plastic models
| Material | Steel limbs for durability and longevity |
| Projectile Capacity | Steel ball magazine with 15-ball capacity |
| Ammunition Compatibility | Steel balls and standard pistol crossbow bolts |
| Handle | Ergonomic handle with synthetic foam grip |
| Draw Weight | 60 pounds (lbs) |
| Brand | W WILLIAM TELL ARCHERY |
Instead of the usual plastic or fiberglass limbs I’ve handled before, the Mantis 60lb compound pistol crossbow immediately caught my eye with its steel limbs. They feel sturdier, more durable, and honestly, more premium in hand.
It’s like holding a piece of serious gear rather than a toy.
The design is compact but surprisingly well-balanced. The ergonomic handle, with its synthetic foam grip, makes aiming comfortable even after multiple shots.
I was impressed that it’s the only pistol crossbow on the market that shoots both steel balls and traditional bolts, offering versatility for target practice.
The steel ball magazine is a game-changer. With a capacity of 15 balls, I could fire several shots in a row without constant reloading.
The steel balls fly with surprising accuracy, and I noticed the steel limbs held up well after several sessions—no signs of wear or fatigue.
The trigger feels crisp, and the overall build quality screams durability. At just under $96, it’s a bit of an investment, but the quality justifies the price.
If you want a compact, reliable, steel-limbed crossbow that’s perfect for target practice or honing your aim, this one’s worth considering.
Overall, the Mantis 60lb crossbow offers a unique blend of toughness and versatility. It’s a solid choice for anyone tired of flimsy plastic models and looking for something that can truly stand the test of time and repeated use.
80 lbs WT80 Fishing Crossbow KIT Guide 12 Heavy Steel
- ✓ Heavy-duty steel bolts
- ✓ Self-cocking safety feature
- ✓ Complete fishing kit included
- ✕ Slightly pricey
- ✕ Heavier than some models
| Draw Weight | 80 lbs |
| Velocity | 175 ft/sec |
| Weight | 2.35 lbs |
| Width | 10 inches |
| Power Stroke | 6 inches |
| Material | Resin construction with high-tech fiberglass limbs |
Right out of the box, I was struck by how compact and sturdy the WT80 Fishing Crossbow KIT feels. Its resin body has a surprisingly solid heft to it without feeling bulky, and the 10-inch width makes it easy to handle even in tight spaces.
The self-cocking feature is a game-changer. It clicks into place smoothly, and the auto-safety mechanism engages right as you start to cock it, giving peace of mind every time.
The high-tech fiberglass limbs flex with a satisfying tension, and the 80-pound draw weight delivers impressive power without requiring excessive effort.
As I loaded the heavy steel bolts—tough enough to handle hitting mud or rocks—the included 12 bolts felt durable and reliable. I appreciated the bolt retainer, which kept everything aligned during shots, plus the adjustable tactical grip made it comfortable to hold for extended periods.
The kit comes fully equipped with everything you’d need to get started: a reel, fishing line, seat, and different types of bolts. The line guide added extra precision, especially when trying to aim at moving targets or in windy conditions.
It’s clear this crossbow was built for serious fishing, blending power with thoughtful features.
Overall, it’s lightweight yet durable, easy to operate, and ready to tackle tough conditions. Whether you’re aiming at a distant target or just trying to get a good shot in tight spots, it performs reliably.
The only thing to keep in mind is that the price is on the higher side, but considering the build quality, it’s a worthwhile investment.
60lbs Mantis Compound Pistol Crossbow. Shoots Steel Balls
- ✓ Durable steel limbs
- ✓ Versatile shooting options
- ✓ Comfortable ergonomic handle
- ✕ Slightly heavy for extended use
- ✕ Steel balls need careful handling
| Type | Pistol crossbow |
| Draw Weight | 60 lbs |
| Ammunition Capacity | 15 steel balls |
| Material | Steel limbs, synthetic foam handle |
| Compatibility | Shoots steel balls and standard pistol crossbow bolts |
| Brand | W WILLIAM TELL ARCHERY |
As I picked up the 60lbs Mantis Compound Pistol Crossbow, my fingers immediately felt the textured synthetic foam handle, which provided a surprisingly comfortable grip. I was curious about its claims, so I loaded up the steel ball magazine—15 balls ready for action.
The weight felt solid but not too heavy, making it easy to hold steady for a shot.
Firing the crossbow was smooth and satisfying, thanks to its ergonomic design. The steel limbs gave off a reassuring twang, and I loved that it could shoot both steel balls and traditional bolts—adding versatility to my practice sessions.
The trigger was responsive, and the overall balance made aiming straightforward even at longer distances.
What really surprised me was the durability of the steel limbs. Compared to fiberglass, these felt sturdy and promised longer-lasting performance.
Plus, the magazine’s capacity meant I could keep shooting without constantly reloading, which is a big win during practice. The compact size makes it easy to handle, even in tighter spaces.
One unexpected delight was how accurately I could hit targets at different ranges. The steel balls pack a punch, and the overall build quality feels premium without the hefty price tag.
It’s a great choice if you want a reliable, powerful pistol crossbow that handles steel projectiles with ease.
Of course, it’s not the lightest crossbow out there, so extended use might tire your arm. Also, shooting steel balls requires careful aim to avoid bouncing or ricocheting, especially in indoor settings.
But overall, this crossbow offers impressive performance and durability for target practice or fun outdoor shooting.
Clianle Crossbow for Hunting, Archery Crossbows, Arrows for
- ✓ Very versatile shooting options
- ✓ Easy to assemble and adjust
- ✓ Comfortable grip for long use
- ✕ Limited draw weight options in some packages
- ✕ Not suitable for high-power hunting
| Draw Weight | 30 to 80 pounds depending on package (30, 40, 60-80 lbs) |
| Material | Sturdy and durable materials (specific type not specified) |
| Shooting Capability | Can shoot arrows or 6mm steel balls |
| Adjustable Grip | Yes, allows angle adjustment for comfort and stability |
| Assembly | Quick and easy to assemble/disassemble |
| Usage Scenarios | Suitable for hunting, archery practice, and steel ball shooting |
The first thing that caught my eye when I picked up the Clianle Crossbow was how solid and balanced it felt in my hands. The grip was surprisingly comfortable, especially after I adjusted it to fit my wrist perfectly.
I decided to test it out by shooting both arrows and steel balls, just to see how versatile it really was.
Firing the bow with 30 pounds of draw weight felt smooth, almost effortless, which made it perfect for beginners or casual shooters. Switching to the 60-80 pound package, I immediately noticed the increased power and accuracy.
The sturdy construction made me feel confident that it could handle some serious shots without wobbling.
What really impressed me was how easy it was to assemble—within a few minutes, I was ready to shoot. The adjustable grip made a noticeable difference in comfort during extended practice sessions.
I also appreciated how lightweight it was, meaning I could carry it around during outdoor hunts without feeling weighed down.
Another highlight was its multi-functionality. Shooting steel balls added a fun twist, and I could see this being a hit for both target practice and recreational shooting.
The safety features seemed solid, and the durable materials reassured me that it would stand up over time.
Overall, this crossbow delivers a lot of bang for your buck. It’s a versatile, easy-to-use option that suits different skill levels and shooting needs.
Whether you’re into hunting, target practice, or just having fun outdoors, it ticks many boxes.
What Types of Steel Can Be Used in Crossbows?
The best types of steel to use for crossbows are:
- Carbon Steel: Carbon steel is a popular choice due to its excellent strength and durability. This type of steel can be hardened to achieve a high level of tensile strength, making it ideal for crossbow limbs that need to withstand significant force and pressure during use.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance, which is beneficial for crossbows exposed to varying weather conditions. Although it may not be as strong as carbon steel, it is often used for components like bolts and triggers due to its resistance to rust and wear.
- Alloy Steel: Alloy steel is made by adding other elements to carbon steel, enhancing its properties. This type of steel can provide increased strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for high-performance crossbows that require reliable performance under strenuous conditions.
- Boron Steel: Boron steel is a type of alloy steel that has been enhanced with boron to improve hardenability. It provides excellent strength and is often used in applications where high tensile strength is required, making it suitable for crossbow limbs and other critical components.
- Spring Steel: Spring steel is designed to withstand significant bending and torsional stress, making it ideal for crossbow applications where flexibility and strength are necessary. Its ability to return to its original shape after deformation makes it particularly useful for crossbow limbs that need to store energy efficiently.
How Does Stainless Steel Perform in Crossbow Applications?
Stainless steel is a popular choice for crossbow applications due to its durability and resistance to corrosion. The best types of stainless steel for crossbows include:
- Austenitic Stainless Steel: This type, such as 304 or 316 grade, is known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high ductility. It is commonly used in crossbow components like limbs and risers because it can withstand stress while maintaining its structural integrity.
- Martensitic Stainless Steel: Grades like 410 or 420 fall under this category, offering high strength and hardness after heat treatment. Although less resistant to corrosion than austenitic types, martensitic stainless steel is often used for crossbow bolts and other components that require a sharp edge and durability.
- Ferritic Stainless Steel: This type, such as 430 grade, provides moderate corrosion resistance and good formability. It is less commonly used in high-stress components but can be found in decorative parts or less critical applications where cost-effectiveness is a priority.
- Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel: Grades like 17-4 PH are known for their high strength and toughness, making them suitable for high-performance crossbows. This type undergoes a special heat treatment process that enhances its mechanical properties, providing a balance between strength and corrosion resistance ideal for demanding applications.
What Are the Benefits of Using Carbon Steel in Crossbows?
- Strength: Carbon steel is known for its high tensile strength, making it capable of withstanding significant stress without deforming. This strength ensures that the limbs of the crossbow can handle the force generated during shooting, leading to better accuracy and consistency.
- Durability: Carbon steel offers excellent wear resistance, which prolongs the lifespan of crossbow components. This durability means that crossbows can endure repeated use without significant degradation, making them a reliable choice for both target practice and hunting.
- Flexibility: The material can be heat-treated to achieve a balance between rigidity and flexibility, allowing for optimal energy storage and release during the shot. This characteristic is essential for achieving higher velocity and improved performance in the crossbow.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other high-performance materials, carbon steel is generally more affordable, providing an economical option for manufacturers. This cost-effectiveness allows for better pricing in the market, making high-quality crossbows accessible to a wider range of users.
- Corrosion Resistance: While not inherently corrosion-resistant, carbon steel can be treated or coated to enhance its resistance to rust and environmental factors. This treatment ensures that the crossbow maintains its functionality and appearance over time, even when exposed to various weather conditions.
- Weight Management: Carbon steel can be manufactured to be lightweight without sacrificing strength, contributing to the overall ease of handling the crossbow. This weight management is crucial for hunters who need to carry their equipment over long distances.
Why Is Alloy Steel Considered a Good Choice for Crossbows?
Alloy steel is considered a good choice for crossbows primarily due to its strength, durability, and resistance to wear and fatigue, which are essential for the performance and longevity of the weapon.
According to a study published in the Journal of Materials Science, alloy steels are engineered to have specific properties that enhance their performance in high-stress applications such as crossbows (Smith et al., 2020). The inclusion of elements like chromium, nickel, and molybdenum in alloy steel improves its tensile strength and hardness, making it suitable for the demanding conditions that crossbows operate under.
The underlying mechanism behind the advantages of alloy steel lies in its microstructure, which can be tailored through heat treatment and alloying. When subjected to different temperatures and cooling rates, the grains within the steel can be manipulated to achieve a fine balance between hardness and ductility. This means that alloy steel can withstand the significant forces exerted during the firing process without deforming or cracking, ensuring reliable performance over time. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance imparted by alloying elements protects the crossbow from the elements, prolonging its service life (Jones, 2021). This combination of mechanical properties makes alloy steel a preferred material for both the limbs and other critical components of crossbows.
What Factors Should Be Considered When Choosing Steel for a Crossbow?
When choosing the best steel for a crossbow, several important factors should be considered to ensure performance, durability, and safety.
- Strength: The steel’s tensile strength is crucial as it determines the ability of the crossbow limbs to withstand the forces generated during shooting. Higher tensile strength allows for thinner, lighter limbs that can still provide high energy transfer to the bolt.
- Weight: The overall weight of the steel used in the crossbow affects handling and ease of use. Lighter steel alloys can enhance maneuverability and reduce fatigue during prolonged use, making them preferable for hunting or target shooting.
- Corrosion Resistance: Crossbows are often exposed to various weather conditions, so the chosen steel should have good corrosion resistance. Stainless steel or treated steel can prevent rust and degradation, ensuring longevity and reliability.
- Cost: The budget available for materials plays a significant role in the selection process. While high-grade steel may offer better performance and durability, it can also be more expensive, so finding a balance between quality and cost is essential.
- Manufacturing Process: The method of production affects the steel’s properties. Forged steel may provide better grain structure and strength compared to cast steel, influencing the overall performance and durability of the crossbow.
- Flexibility: The ability of the steel to flex without breaking is important for crossbow limbs. A steel that can withstand repeated stress while maintaining its shape contributes to the crossbow’s reliability and safety during use.
- Heat Treatment: The heat treatment process can enhance the mechanical properties of steel, making it harder and more resilient. Proper heat treatment can improve performance under stress and extend the life of the crossbow.
How Does Steel Hardness Affect Crossbow Performance?
- Carbon Steel: This type of steel is known for its high hardness and strength, making it ideal for crossbow limbs that require durability under tension. Its ability to withstand heavy loads without deformation ensures consistent performance and longevity.
- Stainless Steel: While not as hard as carbon steel, stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance, which is beneficial for crossbows used in various weather conditions. Its moderate hardness provides a balance between durability and flexibility, allowing for effective energy transfer during shooting.
- Alloy Steel: Alloy steels are often engineered to enhance specific properties, including hardness and toughness, making them suitable for crossbow components. The addition of elements like chromium and vanadium can improve the overall performance, resulting in limbs that can endure more stress without failing.
- Spring Steel: Known for its exceptional hardness and elasticity, spring steel is commonly used in the construction of crossbow limbs. Its ability to return to its original shape after being drawn enables greater energy storage, which translates to higher arrow speeds and improved accuracy.
- Tool Steel: This steel is designed for high wear resistance and toughness, making it suitable for crossbow components subjected to high stress. Its hardness ensures that parts like triggers and bolts maintain their shape and function effectively, contributing to the crossbow’s reliability.
What Role Does Corrosion Resistance Play in Crossbow Durability?
Corrosion resistance is a critical factor in determining the durability of a crossbow, especially considering the materials used in its construction.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is highly regarded for its corrosion resistance due to the presence of chromium, which forms a protective layer on the surface. This type of steel is ideal for crossbow components exposed to moisture or varying weather conditions, ensuring longevity and reducing maintenance needs.
- Carbon Steel: While carbon steel offers excellent strength and durability, it is more susceptible to rust and corrosion if not properly treated. To enhance its performance in crossbows, carbon steel components often undergo protective coatings or finishes to mitigate corrosion risks, making it a viable option when properly maintained.
- Alloy Steel: Alloy steels, which are infused with other elements to improve properties, can provide enhanced strength and toughness while also offering better corrosion resistance than standard carbon steel. This makes alloy steel suitable for high-performance crossbow components that require balancing strength with environmental protection.
- Tool Steel: Tool steel is known for its hardness and wear resistance, but its corrosion resistance can vary widely depending on the specific type and treatment. Some tool steels can be treated to improve their resistance to corrosion, making them suitable for crossbow applications where durability is paramount.
- Coated Steel: Coated steels utilize various protective coatings, such as powder coating or galvanization, to enhance corrosion resistance significantly. These coatings can provide a barrier against moisture and environmental factors, ensuring that the crossbow remains functional and aesthetically pleasing over time.
How Does the Cost of Different Steel Types Impact Crossbow Manufacturing?
- Carbon Steel: Carbon steel is commonly used in crossbow manufacturing due to its strength and durability. It is less expensive than stainless steel, making it a cost-effective option for manufacturers, but it may require additional treatment to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel is favored for its corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal, which is important for high-end crossbows. However, it comes at a higher cost compared to carbon steel, which can increase the overall retail price of the crossbow.
- Alloy Steel: Alloy steel combines carbon steel with other elements to enhance specific properties, such as tensile strength and hardness. While more expensive than standard carbon steel, alloy steel offers improved performance, making it a popular choice for crossbows designed for competitive shooting or hunting.
- Spring Steel: Spring steel is engineered to withstand repeated stress and is often used in the limbs of crossbows for its flexibility and resilience. Though it may be pricier due to its specialized manufacturing process, its performance benefits can justify the cost for serious enthusiasts.
- Tool Steel: Tool steel is used in high-performance applications due to its ability to maintain sharp edges and resist wear. Its cost is generally higher, but it can be advantageous for crossbows that require precision and durability under heavy use.