How to Prep Your Crossbow Before Sighting in for Hunting Season
June 01, 2023Hunting season is around the corner and now is the time for crossbow care and prep. Ideally you’ve kept your crossbow in a cool, dry place. Take it out of its case, and follow these crossbow maintenance tips before sighting in your bow.
Step 1: Check Your Crossbow's Condition
Check the crossbow thoroughly for worn, damaged, loose, or missing parts. If you find any damage or wear, contact customer support before using it again.
If your bow strings, cables, or serving are worn or frayed, they should be changed by an archery shop professional. Before making any changes, check your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t void your warranty.
Step 2: Apply Rail Lube
Using the supplied tube of rail lube, rub a thin coat of rail lube on each side of the flight rail. Starting at the string stops, apply rail lube halfway up the rail towards the trigger mechanism. As the string runs along the rail while the bow is being cocked it will naturally lubricate the remaining portion of the rail. Avoid getting rail lube directly into the trigger mechanism itself. This should be done ONLY when the crossbow is uncocked. This helps reduce bowstring friction and wear. For proper crossbow care, CenterPoint Archery recommends you apply rail lube after every 12 to 15 shots.
Step 3: Wax the Bowstring
Our next crossbow maintenance tip is to re-lubricate the unserved portion of the bowstring wax, being careful not to wax the cam servings or the center serving. The center serving comes in contact with the flight rail, and waxing it may cause wax buildup in the trigger mechanism. Once you’ve applied bowstring wax to the unserved portion of the bowstring, rub it in gently, first with your fingers and then with a clean cloth.
Never attempt to apply bowstring wax while the crossbow is in the cocked or loaded position.
Step 4: Remove Any External Dirt From the Scope
Almost all CenterPoint crossbows come with a scope. This is a precision instrument that deserves the utmost care alongside your crossbow. Do not attempt to disassemble or clean the inside of your scope. Remove any external dirt with a soft brush to avoid scratching the lens. Next, use a lens cloth or an optical quality lens paper to gently clean the external lens coating. Unnecessary rubbing or use of a coarse cloth may cause permanent damage to lens coatings.
Step 5: Inspect Each Arrow's Condition
Visually inspect each arrow for damage before each use. Look for damage to the nock and vanes. Check for any splintering or cracking to the carbon shaft by flexing the arrow back and forth in your hand. Rotate and repeat this inspection process four to five times around the entire circumference of the shaft. If you find an arrow to be damaged in any way, discard it immediately. Firing a damaged arrow can cause serious personal injury and damage to your crossbow. Check out this information on arrow safety.
Need to order replacement arrows for crossbow hunting season? Check out CenterPoint Archery’s carbon arrows.
Step 6: Sight in Your Crossbow
Once you've completed these crossbow care steps, you can load an approved arrow with half-moon nock and confirm that your scope is on target within the maximum effective range for your crossbow, skill set, and environment.
Always check your owner’s manual to make sure you don’t miss anything pertaining to the care of your particular crossbow model.
