n this guide, we will take a look at the steps on how to string a crossbow. This process is something you’ll be doing throughout the life of your crossbow assuming you have a good one which will last for a long time. That’s because crossbow strings only last for a certain number of shots and after that they’ll begin fraying.
You’ll want to change the string before it gets to the point when it can break when your taking the shot or cocking the bow since that will be dangerous.
The crossbow stringing and re-stringing processes are similar, the only difference is when you’re re-stringing, you’ll need to remove the current string before being able to put the new one in.
Contents
What You’ll Need
Here are the things you’ll need for this process:
1. Your Crossbow
2. A Crossbow stringer
3. New string that’s made to fit your crossbow
Make sure that your new string fits the make and model of what you have. This will ensure that you have the proper length, and type of string. Refer to your owners manual which will have this information.
Steps on How to String a Crossbow
1. Find a clean flat surface where you can lay out all the things you need (the x-bow, new string and stringer) neatly. Just as importantly, the space should be big enough to let you cock the crossbow since you’ll need to do that to get the new string in.
Now that you’re ready and all the tools are there.
2. Take the crossbow stringer and insert the loop at the end of the string into the secondary shelf at the end of each limb tip. Don’t put them in the string grooves since that’s where the string will go in later. Make sure the stringer’s loops are in there securely since you’ll cock the the bow using the stringer.
3. Pull the stringer back and cock the crossbow by placing your foot in the stirrup and pulling each side of the stringer to the trigger box (see our cocking your crossbow guide for step by step detail).
If your crossbow doesn’t automatically engage the safety when cocked, place the trigger safety on safe.
4. If you’re re-stringing your bow, remove the loops of your current string from the grooves on the limb tips, before going to the next step to insert the new string. If your stringing your crossbow, skip this step and go to the next one.
5. Take your string and insert one end on the string groove. There will be a hole in the stringer where you can slip the new string through to get to the groove. After you’ve placed one end, do the same for the other limb. When you have both ends of the string in the grooves you have your new string in place.
6. Uncock you crossbow by either firing it with an arrow to the ground or safe target, or pull on the stringer and slowly let it down (while your foot is in the stirrup). When you’ve done this, all the tension will be one the bow and you’ve successfully strung or re-strung your crossbow.
7. Remove the stringer from your crossbow.
Some Additional Notes
This process only works for recurve crossbows not for compound ones. See our recurve vs. compound comparison for more information between the two. If you have a compound crossbow, you’ll need to take it to the shop to get it strung, re-strung since they’ll need to use a press to do that.
The stringer will be longer than the regular string. The reason for this is so you can easily insert it into the limb tips without bending the limbs.
Congratulations You’re Ready to Shoot
That concludes our tutorial on how to string a crossbow. And now it’s ready to be taken out to shoot.
