Howdy, I’m Jedain.
Crossbows for beginners, explained plainly.
What to buy, how to cock, load and shoot safely, and what to skip: researched and sourced, with one email a month.
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// Start here
New to crossbows? Start right here.
The order I’d hand a friend who just bought a bow. Three short guides that take you from “where do I even begin?” to shooting your first arrows with confidence.
Go in order. Each guide picks up where the last one left off, so there’s nothing to figure out on your own.
Begin with guide #1- Bows & PartsHow to Choose Your First Crossbow: 7 Checks Before You BuyMost first crossbows are bought on speed, and that’s the spec that matters least inside 35 yards. Run these 7 checks instead, from your state’s rules and how you’ll cock it to the width and weight, and see which crossbow type fits your hunt.6 min →
- Bows & PartsThe 12 Parts of a Crossbow, Explained for First-Time OwnersRail, latch, retainer, prod: crossbow manuals assume you know 12 parts by name. Learn what each one does, the old names you’ll still see, and the 6-step maintenance check that keeps your first crossbow safe and accurate all season.9 min →
- Archery & TechniquesHow to Load a Crossbow Bolt Safely in 8 Steps and Unload It RightOne thumb above the rail is all it takes to get hurt by a crossbow string. Load a crossbow bolt safely in 8 steps, from cocking and seating the nock to where your fingers go, plus how to unload without a dry fire that can crack a limb.7 min →
// What’s new
Latest posts
Latest post · Archery & TechniquesHow to Improve Your Crossbow Accuracy: 10 Causes and Their FixesOct 26· 8 min readRead the post →
Archery & Techniques5 Crossbow Shooting Positions, Ranked From Bench to StandingOct 26· Updated Oct 2026· 8 min read
Maintenance & RepairsHow to Lube Your Crossbow Rail in 5 Steps, and What Never to UseOct 26· Updated Oct 2026· 7 min read
Maintenance & RepairsHow to Sight In a Crossbow Scope in 7 Steps, Zeroed at 20 YardsOct 26· Updated Oct 2026· 9 min read
Bows & PartsCarbon or Aluminum Crossbow Bolts? 5 Differences and the Better PickOct 26· Updated Oct 2026· 5 min read
meet the author
Start light.
Get fitted.
I shoot a traditional recurve on a backyard range in Washington. My first bow was 45 lb, and the first time I got maybe three shots in before I was done. So start lighter than you think, and get fitted at a shop before you buy.
Gear I own gets a review from my own shooting. Everything else is researched and says so. No sponsors, no freebies.
// Free printable
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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.
