Need advice on crossbow for 8 year old boy

Hey guys I am looking a to buy a new crossbow for my 8 year old grandson. I have read numerous reviews and have lots of ideas, but I would value your opinion on a bow you currently have or have used. Thanks in advance!

I know there are way better and some way worse, but I have a Quad 400. It's a good crossbow for not that much money. I'm very confident with it and would not think twice shooting it at anything 50 yards away. It actually has really good groupings with 100 grain broadheads and carbon express maxima blue streaks. I've been having it for a while. My daughter has been hunting with it for a few years now and she's 10. Of course I cock it and hand it to her ready when 'it's time', but she handles it and is pretty accurate with it too. It is pretty heavy, but shouldn't be a problem if he'll have a place to rest it on. Not trying to influence you one way or the other, but this is a cheaper option. Good luck!

Thanks for the input Scooter.

The quad 400 does shoot VERY well for its price range. The cons are that it is large, heavy, and loud. A friend of mine has one and has taken a few deer at over 60yds. I shoot a Stryker 380 and I'm confident with it out to 85 yds, and it is compact and light. With a dampening kit the noise isn't bad, but it is a little expensive. One bow that I have some experience with is the Barnett Raptor. It shoots almost as well as mine, very cost effective, and is compact and light. It is, however, quite loud.

If I were you, I'd consider a model that offers a cocking crank. Even as an adult capable of cocking the crossbow with my bare hands, there have been instances where I'd like to have had a crank.

Guess I'm not up with today's slang. What is '1 hour ago price range'? Don't worry, you didn't hurt my feelings or anything. Just wondering what you meant. You're right though. It does make some noise, especially compared to my bows! But, between me, my wife, and daughter...we've yet had a deer or hog jump the bolt. You're right about the Stryker and Raptors. Very nice crossbows. Guess it all gonna depend on how much he wants to spend.

I believe '1hour ago' is just when I posted the comment... I didn't write that.

If you're looking for one in the $300 range for a youth, I'd go with the raptor for it's smaller size and less weight, because it shoots as well as the quad 400

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I bought a Barnett Wildcat couple years ago for my kids. At the time they were 8 and 13. Came with a scope and once sighted in both kids were drilling targets out to 50 yards with no problems. Kids are now 11 and 16 and still enjoy shooting it. It’s louder than my bow but not too loud. Never had anything jump the string on it. Got it on sale for under $300 at Dicks in Slidell. You can add a crank to it which I did but it’s very noisy so took it off. Good luck choosing one and let us know what you go with

Yea get him a compound and teach him to be a man