You might recall that I reviewed two different Excalibur crossbows in 2023: the Assassin Extreme, and the 40th Anniversary Wolverine. Both had similarities and differences, but the main thing is they were “Excalibur” through and through. Excalibur stays in its own unique lane and has since its genesis. That’s cool because, in the crossbow category, most manufacturers chase more radical designs and higher velocities. Excalibur, on the other hand, preserves its simplistic heritage while simultaneously moving the technology needle forward.

Because of that, Excalibur doesn’t need to be the fastest crossbow in order to compete with the rest. A lot of crossbow hunters just want an affordable crossbow that will deliver a deadly accurate pass-through shot while being simple to understand and easy to operate. Excalibur crossbows check those boxes.

Along those lines, “simplicity” and “performance” resonate in my mind as I look at and shoot the new REVX, which I’ve recently been testing. It’s simple enough for a woman of my stature to load and maneuver, yet it possesses the power and performance to effectively succeed on any hunt. Plus, it’s tough enough to withstand practically anything — the torture testing in the REVX’s promo video on Excalibur’s website proves that. 

Excalibur sticks with what works, and it has the time and experience to back that up. So, without further ado, let’s discuss Excalibur’s new flagship model, the REVX.

Test Crossbow Specs

• Make/Model: Excalibur REVX
• Available Finishes: Mossy Oak Country DNA
• Mass Weight: 7 pounds (bare bow); 9 pounds (accessorized)
• Axle-to-Axle Width:  20.625 inches (cocked); 25.375 inches (uncocked)
• Overall Length: 33 inches
• Draw Effort: 16 pounds (with integrated crank)
• Power Stroke: 10.375 inches
• Bolt Length and Weight: 16.5 inches; 350 grains
• Manufacturer Listed Velocity: 400 fps
• Actual Velocity: 396 fps
• Trigger Pull: 3.5 pounds
• Cocking Device: ChargerX Integrated Crank
• Scope: OverWatch Illuminated Scope
• MSRP: Starting at $1,599.99
• Contact: www.excaliburcrossbow.com 

First Impressions

The main thing that sets Excalibur apart is, of course, a recurve design. The benefit? Fewer moving parts. I said it last year and I’ll say it again: Up front, there are no cams, axles, cables or cable slide — just limbs and a bowstring. Fewer moving parts equal fewer potential problems, plus the user feels like they can use and understand everything without getting a Ph.D. in crossbow science.

I’m sure that most of your crossbow buyers rely on you to service their crossbows because most models require a bow press in order to replace strings and/or cables. Excalibur crossbows don’t require a bow press to change the bowstring. With Excalibur’s Standard Excalibur Crossbow Stringing Aid, your customers can replace the bowstring on their own in a pinch when calamity strikes during a dream hunting trip. By the way, a spare bowstring and the Stringing Aid make nice add-on sales while giving the consumer the ability to service their own crossbow. 

Although a recurve design can’t touch the velocities of today’s fastest compound crossbows, the REVX delivers all of the power needed. At 400 fps with a 350-grain bolt, it produces a walloping 124.38 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. For perspective, my husband’s current vertical hunting bow produces 85.13 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, and he got a pass-through on a buck that he shot last December from 55 yards. In other words, the bone-crushing REVX should smoke right through just about any big game animal.

ChargerX Integrated Crank

The REVX’s ChargerX Integrated Crank not only makes cocking the crossbow incredibly easy — it requires only 16 pounds of draw effort — but it’s so streamlined that re-cocking and loading up for a second shot is unbelievably fast. The mechanism into which the bowstring latches is connected to the crank. Simply push the tabs behind the safety to release the mechanism and then slide it toward the bowstring while winding the crank handle counterclockwise until you hear it click onto the bowstring. Then, wind the crank handle clockwise until the mechanism locks into place when the bowstring reaches its power stroke.  

The ChargerX Integrated Crank ensures consistent string alignment to enhance accuracy, and it operates silently so you can cock and load the REVX in the stand or blind without alerting the entire forest. The system is fully integrated and completely contained to keep out debris and dust, and the crank handle conveniently stows in the stock, fully accessible for right- or left-handed shooters. Of course, the ChargerX also enables the user to de-cock the crossbow following each hunt without firing it. When cocking or de-cocking, the handle stops when you stop cranking, meaning it won’t spin out of control and inflict harm on the user. Further, the stock butt is labeled with clear instructions for cocking and de-cocking.  

On the Range

The sleek and balanced REVX is a dream to handle given its pass-through stock, and at 9 pounds (accessorized), it’s similar to carrying a typical scoped deer rifle. I also like how the rubberized pistol and fore-end grips boost comfort and control. The rubberized cheekpiece also adds comfort while acquiring the target, especially in cold temperatures. 

In last year’s report on the Assassin Extreme, I noted that it shoots rather loudly. It has a hollow stock, which makes the shot vibrations echo throughout; it was almost necessary to wear hearing protection. Contrarily, the REVX’s stock is more solid, allowing a somewhat quieter shot. The rubberized features on both grips and the cheekpiece probably help with that, too, as do the R.E.D.S. Suppressors. Even at that, it still isn’t the quietest crossbow out there.     

The REVX is pinpoint accurate. My husband, Darron, and I took turns shooting it from various distances. Darron shot very tight groups at 70 yards. Executing a clean, precise shot is a slam-dunk with the REVX’s premium trigger, which breaks smoothly at 3.5 pounds. As a side note, the CeaseFire Anti Dry-Fire System inhibits the bow from shooting when the trigger is pulled without a bolt loaded to ensure safety. 

The included OverWatch Illuminated Scope provides dead-on holding dots for 20-100 yards in 10-yard increments. Beside each dot is the corresponding yardage for fast and easy reference. Red and green illumination gives the user options and helps with identifying your target in low-light conditions. Overall, the REVX epitomizes the shootability and accuracy that intense hunting situations demand.

As far as cons, one of the Ex-act Fit Suppressors — part of the Sound Deadening System — fell off within the first few shots. Apparently, the adhesive just wasn’t strong enough. One other thing is the bowstring hook re-engaged immediately at the shot, so Darron had to load a bolt while the bowstring was at rest and pull the trigger to release the hook, otherwise, it wouldn’t latch onto the bowstring when we went to cock it. This didn’t happen until we’d shot it for a while. We know Excalibur’s commitment to customer satisfaction, and a minor issue like this is something the company would certainly resolve for a customer.

Excalibur rigs the REVX with a sweet accessory package, which includes nearly everything needed to go hunting besides broadheads and a hunting license. Besides the OverWatch Illuminated scope and ChargerX Integrated Crank that I noted earlier, it comes with 30mm scope rings, R.E.D.S. Suppressors, Sound Deadening System, Rebolt quiver, four ProFlight bolts and practice points. All accessories align with the quality of the crossbow itself and perform to expectation.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, the REVX is lightweight for easy carrying and balanced for off-hand shooting stability. It’s accurate right out of the gate. It’s dependable, and it hits plenty hard. If I’ve done my math, I believe I just described the type of crossbow that would surpass the needs of most crossbow hunters. Yes, some crossbows shoot more than 100 fps faster than the REVX, but I believe that simplicity (remember, fewer moving parts), accuracy and reliability make this crossbow a true contender in the ultra-competitive crossbow space.

Photos by Darron and Becca McDougal