For crossbow enthusiasts, finding the perfect blend of accuracy, power, and reliability can feel like chasing a moving target. Enter the Excalibur Assassin Extreme, a flagship model designed to redefine hunting precision. Known for its durable design, ease of use, and unparalleled accuracy, this crossbow caters to serious hunters who demand top-tier performance.
In this review, we’ll dive deep into its features, performance in the field, and what sets it apart from the competition. Whether you’re upgrading your gear or stepping into the world of crossbows for the first time, the Assassin Extreme promises to deliver an exceptional shooting experience. Let’s find out if it lives up to the hype.
Table of Contents
Excalibur Assassin Extreme Crossbow Specs
Excalibur Assassin Extreme  | |
Speed | 400 FPS |
Overall Length | 32″ |
Width (Axle to Axle) cocked/uncocked | 20.5″/25″ |
Weight | 7.4 / 9.2 LBS |
Draw Weight | 19 LBS |
Our Rating | |
Price |
First Impressions
The Excalibur Assassin Extreme commands attention from the moment you unbox it. Its rugged yet refined design exudes quality, and the craftsmanship is immediately apparent. The sturdy aluminum frame, sleek camouflage finish, and precision-machined components suggest this crossbow was built with serious hunters in mind.
One of the first things you’ll notice is its size. It’s compact yet feels substantial, striking a perfect balance between portability and power. The TAC Trigger system is smooth and crisp, offering a premium feel that hints at the precision this crossbow can deliver. Meanwhile, Whisper-quiet Charger Crank system ensures effortless cocking, a feature that will be appreciated on long days in the field.
Another standout is the Quick-Loc technology, allowing for tool-free assembly and takedown. This level of convenience is rare and a testament to Excalibur’s focus on practicality. Paired with the included high-performance ProFlight 16.5″ carbon arrows and Overwatch Crossbow scope, the Assassin Extreme looks ready to perform right out of the box.
Overall, the first impression is that the Excalibur Assassin Extreme isn’t just another crossbow, it’s a meticulously designed tool for serious hunters who value durability, accuracy, and innovation.
Design and Durability
The Excalibur Assassin Extreme showcases a tactical yet practical design, engineered for serious hunters. Its sleek camo finish not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also ensures effective concealment in various terrains. The Quick-Loc Technology allows for tool-free assembly and disassembly, making it convenient for transport and storage, while the ergonomic stock and adjustable cheekpiece provide a comfortable and custom shooting experience.
Its overall length of 32 inches makes it one of the most portable options on the market, perfect for navigating tight hunting setups like tree stands or ground blinds. Despite its compact size, the crossbow remains exceptionally stable, thanks to its precise engineering.
Measuring 25 inches wide when uncocked and narrowing to 20.5 inches when cocked, it offers excellent maneuverability without compromising power or accuracy. The weight, which is 7.4 pounds without accessories and 9.2 pounds with all accessories mounted, provides a sturdy, well-balanced feel. While heavier than some, its ergonomic design ensures the weight is distributed evenly, reducing strain during extended use.
Durability is a standout feature of the Assassin Extreme. Its recurve limb system is crafted for reliability, requiring minimal maintenance and delivering consistent performance over time. Built with a reinforced aluminum rail and a weather-resistant finish, it’s designed to withstand harsh conditions, whether you’re hunting in rain, snow, or rugged terrain. The thoughtful combination of compactness, stability, and toughness ensures the Assassin Extreme is not just a tool but a long-term investment for dedicated hunters.
Optics
One of the standout features of the Excalibur Assassin Extreme is its Overwatch Illuminated Scope, a premium optic that elevates the crossbow’s precision and performance. Paired with the Assassin Extreme, this scope is engineered to ensure accuracy and reliability in every shot, whether you’re at the range fine-tuning your aim or in the field lining up a critical shot. Its compact, durable design and cutting-edge features perfectly complement the power and versatility of the Assassin Extreme.
The illuminated multi-reticle is a game-changer, offering both red and green options to accommodate various lighting conditions. Whether you’re in the shadows of dawn or the bright light of day, the scope ensures a clear and accurate point of aim. With a magnification range of 2X-5X, it offers the versatility to excel at both close-range and long-range shots, making it as effective on the practice range as it is in the field.
One of the most impressive features is the Fast Point 100-Yard Reticle, allowing hunters to take precise shots even at extended distances. The adjustable speed dial, calibrated for arrow velocities from 300 to 475 FPS, ensures seamless compatibility with a wide range of setups, including the Assassin Extreme’s high-speed performance.
The scope’s multi-coated lenses deliver crisp, bright visuals, enhancing target clarity even in low-light situations. Its robust construction is waterproof, shockproof, and fog-proof, ensuring consistent performance regardless of weather conditions. This all-weather reliability makes it a trustworthy companion for demanding hunts.
A 30mm tube further enhances light transmission, providing a superior sight picture compared to smaller diameter scopes. The inclusion of flip-up lens caps is a thoughtful touch, offering protection for the lenses during transport or in adverse conditions.
In the field, the Overwatch scope performs admirably, offering the precision and reliability needed for ethical hunting. Whether stalking game in dense woods or lining up a long shot in open terrain, this scope provides the confidence to make every shot count. Its premium features and rugged build quality align perfectly with the high standards of the Excalibur Assassin Extreme, making it a must-have upgrade for crossbow enthusiasts.
Noise Reducing Features
The Excalibur Assassin Extreme is engineered with several innovative features designed to minimize noise and vibration, ensuring a quieter and more effective hunting experience. This focus on noise reduction is crucial for staying undetected, especially when hunting wary game. Here’s how the Assassin Extreme achieves its low-noise performance:
Unlike compound crossbows, the Assassin Extreme features a recurve limb design that naturally generates less noise and vibration. The simplicity of this system eliminates the mechanical noise often associated with cams and cables, making it quieter with every shot.
The Assassin Extreme is equipped with an integrated sound deadening system that includes limb dampeners and string suppressors. These components absorb vibration and reduce the “twang” sound of the string and limbs upon release, significantly lowering the noise signature.
Strategically placed rubberized components, such as vibration-dampening pads and stirrup covers, help absorb additional shock and vibrations during the shot cycle. This ensures a quieter operation while enhancing durability.
The Assassin Extreme is meticulously constructed with precision-fit parts to minimize movement and rattling during operation. The tight tolerances between components further contribute to its silent performance.
Overall, the Excalibur Assassin Extreme’s thoughtful noise-reducing features make it an excellent choice for hunters who require stealth in the field. By combining its recurve design, sound deadening system, and vibration-dampening components, it ensures that each shot is as quiet as possible, giving hunters a better chance of remaining undetected by game.
Cocking
The Excalibur Assassin Extreme redefines convenience and stealth with its Whisper-Quiet Charger Crank System, the world’s first dead-silent integrated crank aid. This innovative feature allows hunters to cock the crossbow effortlessly and without noise, a critical advantage in scenarios where silence is paramount.
What sets the Charger Crank apart is its seamless integration and safety. The system ensures flawless string alignment for every shot, which directly enhances accuracy and consistency. Additionally, it eliminates the strain of manual cocking, making it accessible to hunters of all skill levels and physical capabilities.
Perhaps most impressive is its de-cocking capability, offering the safest method to unload the crossbow without firing it. This level of control, paired with its whisper-quiet operation, makes the Charger Crank System an indispensable feature that sets the Assassin Extreme apart from the competition.
Performance
I set out to test the performance of the Excalibur Assassin Extreme on the range. The goal was to evaluate its accuracy, consistency, and handling at distances of 20, 40, and 60 yards, replicating real-world hunting scenarios.
The Assassin Extreme was paired with the Overwatch Illuminated Scope, which I had carefully sighted in using the speed dial adjusted for the crossbow’s 400 FPS velocity. A set of ProFlight 16.5″ arrows tipped with field points were used for the test. Targets were set at the specified distances, and I took three shots at each distance to gauge consistency and accuracy.
Performance at 20 Yards
The first shots were fired at 20 yards, a typical hunting distance for many scenarios. The Assassin Extreme performed flawlessly, with each arrow landing in the bullseye or within an inch of it. The crossbow’s TAC Trigger delivered a crisp, smooth pull, ensuring precise release. The illuminated reticle in the Overwatch Scope provided excellent visibility, even as the afternoon light began to fade.
Performance at 40 Yards
At 40 yards, the Assassin Extreme continued to impress. The arrows consistently grouped within a 2-inch diameter of the target’s center. The recurve limb system maintained a steady power output, and the sound-deadening features kept the crossbow remarkably quiet. Adjusting my aim was seamless, and the scope’s clarity made target acquisition easy.
Performance at 60 Yards
At 60 yards, a distance often considered challenging for many crossbows, the Assassin Extreme showed its capability. The arrows grouped tightly within a 3-inch diameter, a testament to the crossbow’s power and the precision of its design. The Whisper-Quiet Charger Crank System ensured perfect string alignment, which likely contributed to the consistent accuracy even at this extended range. While slight adjustments for wind and drop were necessary, the Overwatch Scope’s adjustable speed dial made these calculations straightforward.
Recommended Accessories
To maximize the performance and convenience of the Excalibur Assassin Extreme, investing in high-quality accessories is essential. The right accessories not only enhance the performance of a crossbow but also ensure its longevity and ease of use. From precision arrows and broadheads to protective cases and maintenance kits, these additions will help you get the most out of your crossbow, whether in the field or at the range!
Arrows & Broadheads
For optimal accuracy and performance, use Excalibur Proflight 16.5″ Carbon Arrows. These arrows are specifically designed for Excalibur crossbows, providing the perfect balance of speed, durability, and consistency. Their straightness tolerance and weight make them ideal for the Assassin Extreme’s high speeds.
Pair your arrows with fixed-blade broadheads for reliability or mechanical broadheads for greater cutting diameter, depending on your hunting needs.
- Fixed-Blade Broadheads: Excalibur Boltcutter Broadheads are an excellent choice. These are specifically engineered for recurve crossbows, offering precise flight and devastating penetration.
- Mechanical Broadheads: Rage Crossbow X broadheads are great for maximizing wound channels, ensuring quick, ethical harvests.
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Excalibur Boltcutter Broadheads | Rage Crossbow X Broadheads |
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Storage and Transportation
Protecting the Assassin Extreme during transport and storage is crucial to maintain its performance. The Excalibur Tomb Case is tailor-made for this crossbow, offering a snug fit and comprehensive protection.
 | Excalibur Tomb Case
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Alternatively, consider the Plano Manta Crossbow Case, which provides a hard-shell design for even greater protection during travel.
Additional Accessories:
- String Maintenance Kit: Excalibur’s wax and rail lube help keep the crossbow string and rail in optimal condition, extending their lifespan.
- Target: For practice, consider a high-density crossbow target like the Rinehart 18-1 Broadhead Target, capable of stopping high-speed bolts and allowing for easy removal.
Excalibur Assassin Extreme Review
Summary
The Excalibur Assassin Extreme, designed for both seasoned hunters and beginners, combines power and accuracy in a sleek and compact package. The Assassin Extreme offers a smooth and quiet shooting experience, making it an ideal choice for stealthy hunting sessions. Its innovative technology and reliable performance ensure that every shot counts. With the Excalibur Assassin Extreme, hunters can confidently take on any target, knowing they have a high-quality crossbow by their side.
