Best Cocking Devices for Crossbow

Only people who have used a crossbow for a period realize the importance of crossbow cocking devices.

They make it easier, convenient, and less tiring to cock a crossbow, shoot and then cock again.

Without a cocking device, you might get tired after making just a few shots because of the labor that goes into cocking a crossbow.

But let’s first understand what a crossbow cocking device is!

What’s a Crossbow Cocking Device?

If you are to shoot an arrow, crossbow cocking devices help you cock the bow so that it can receive an arrow. You cannot insert a bolt or arrow into the crossbow if it’s not cocked.

The task of the cocking device here is to aid in making the cocking mechanism easier and less tiring.

A cocking device works in a similar manner as a pulley system. It has hooks and a rope to pull the bowstring back.

You have to attach the hooks to the bowstring and use the rope found around the cocking string groove. Once you have everything in order, you pull to bring the string back.

However, since you are using a cocking device, the crossbow’s draw weight is brought down by half of the actual weight.

Top 10 Best Crossbow Cocking Devices

No matter how big or strong you are, it’s no fun to cock your crossbow with only brute strength. Also, if you are shooting a lot, it can become a hassle.

To save yourself the trouble, you must choose from some of the best crossbow cocking devices out there. For your convenience, I have created a list of the top ten with their features.

Before getting to the features, you must know that crossbow cocking devices come in two different types.

You can either get a rope cocking device or a mechanical cocking device. Both have their own benefits and drawbacks.

However, both have also proved to be extremely useful to professional crossbow hunters. It is up to you and your personal preference to go for the one that suits you more.

Once you have chosen the right device, you will dread going back to the normal cocking mechanism.

TenPoint ACURope Retractable Cord

The first in line is a standalone rope cocking device by TenPoint. You cannot attach the device to the crossbow.

However, the rope on this one is retractable. With only 7.4 ounces of weight, you can easily carry it anywhere.

The drawcords are quite slender, made from Spectra 1000 fiber that easily surpasses steel in strength.

In addition, TenPoint has added a mechanism to grip dovetail tidily together to avoid dangling ropes, making it convenient to slip it inside a belt-mounted holster or pouch.

Since this is a rope cocking device, it will reduce the draw weight by 50%.

It is made in the USA and is compatible with most crossbows currently available on the market.

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K.I. Magtek DCS Crank System

The best thing about the K.I. Magtek DCS Crank System is the dead silent cocking it offers. The quick and silent quick allows you to avoid scaring away the game.

It also has an extremely efficient and quick installing and de-installing mechanism, taking only seconds.

Since it is a mechanical crossbow cocking device, it takes away the draw weight since the crank does all the work.

You will find it a pleasure to cock it again and again with this device. It also has quite a sleek and compact design, made from premium-grade aluminum alloys.

The cocking device works with all Killer Instinct Crossbows.

You will also find weatherproof and quite rubber over molds on it, allowing for non-cumbersome and convenient handling.

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Barnett Rope Cocking Device

This rope cocking by Barnett allows you to pull more with less strength. The draw weight, as with all rope cocking devices, is reduced by half.

You can use it with most standard crossbows, but it does not work with Reverse Crossbows by Barnett. You should check compatibility before making a purchase.

It is one of the most accurate crossbow rope cocking devices on the market and comes with a limited five years warranty by the manufacturer.

In addition, the design is compact, the color is sleek, and the device is highly portable.

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TenPoint ACUDraw 50 Sled

TenPoint’s ACUDraw 50 Sled is among some of the popular crossbow rope cocking devices. It can be fully integrated into the stock thanks to the detachable handles on the newly designed sled.

As a result, you can easily expect it to reduce the draw weight by half, allowing you to cock conveniently.

It only weighs a pound and comes equipped with a sleek cover for the heavy-duty drawcord. The overall weight is minimal, making it highly portable and convenient to use on the field.

You can use it with all Horton and TenPoint crossbows, which have FSB Stocks.

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CenterPoint Power Draw

The highlights about the Center Point Power Draw are the unique mounting system and the ambidextrous design.

So, no matter what your dominant hand is, you can easily make use of it.

More importantly, the crank pulling system reduces the draw weight by 70%, which is more than rope cocking and lesser than usual crank cocking.

If you are a young hunter or only do seasonal crossbow hunting, this is the crossbow device for you. It is compatible with most CenterPoint crossbows.

However, you should check out the compatibility list before making the purchase.

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Barnett Archery Crank Cocking Device

Barnett Archery Crank Cocking Device is universal, premium, and convenient. The company has focused on reducing physical strain without any compromise on speed and shooting experience.

You just have to use a minimal amount of strength to pull back the string using the crank.

Both left and right-handers can use the device with ease. It effortlessly attaches to the crossbow and reduces the draw weight up to 93%, which is incredible.

So the maximum amount of force you would need to turn the crank is just 13 pounds.

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Archery Rope Cocker

The Archery Rope Cocker has double handle strings that reduce draw weight by 50%.

Also, the handles on this rope cocker are oversized and made to use with three fingers. This not only provides you a better grip but more control over the whole cocking process.

The rope is also crafted from heavy-duty materials allowing for long-term use. The string is also equipped with a roller, reducing friction and enhancing performance.

You don’t have to worry about the molded string hooks damaging the rail either. You can use this crossbow cocking device with most standard draw crossbows.

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TenPoint ACUSled Retractable Cord

The TenPoint ACUSled Retractable Cord is designed with portability in mind.

It works with most wicked ridge, Horton, and TenPoint Crossbows, including acute string and reverse-draw crossbows.

Since it is a rope cocking crossbow device, it reduces the draw weight by half. The best thing about this device is the high accuracy it offers.

As a result, your shooting accuracy is not compromised at all.

You can retract the drawcord in one of the two grips attached to it. It neatly assembles in a compact unit that you can easily carry around.

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K.I. Crank Cocker

This K.I. Crank Cocker stands out from the rest due to its premium and sturdy construction.

This makes it suitable for some heavy-duty crossbows as it is durable enough to withstand some of the greatest impacts produced by shooting.

It also comes in handy in instant kill situations thanks to the quick attach and detach socket.

You can quickly put it on to make the shot in time. Especially when you are after a running hunt, you can make quick consecutive shots.

More importantly, since it is a crank cocker, the draw weight is reduced by a significant amount, so anyone from an amateur to a pro can use it with ease.

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Parker Deluxe Roller Cocker

The Parker Deluxe Roller Cocker has a distinctive design with unique roller glide hooks.

They allow for effortless, smooth, and easy cocking. It is compatible with all Parker crossbows, thanks to the extra-long drawcord.

It is also among those cocking crossbow devices which offer top-tier accuracy with perfect limb load and timing. You will benefit from the T-handles with a greater pull and solid grip.

The device is also crossbow friendly, so you don’t have to worry about any damages or scratches to the finish.

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Different Types of Crossbow Cocking Devices

As mentioned earlier, there is more than one type of crossbow cocking device. The most popular and useful are the rope cocker and crank cocker.

Rope cocking devices are being used for a long time. They are more traditional in design and use; however, many crossbow hunters still prefer them.

On the other hand, are crank cocking devices which are also known as mechanical cocking devices. These require less physical strength and are more efficient.

However, there are drawbacks and benefits of both.

Rope Cocking Devices

A rope cocking device is made up of handles, hooks, and a rope. It is non-mechanical and brings down the draw weight by 50%.

There are two types of rock cocking crossbow devices; one cannot be mounted in the stock, and one can be.

In either case, the amount draws weight reduced is the same, i.e., 50% as well as the process.

The only difference is that one has to be carried in a separate bag or storage space, whereas the other can be attached to the stock.

To work with a rope cocker, you have to leverage the cord in the back of the trigger box or stock and put the hooks on the crossbow string.

Then you have to anchor the front of the crossbow on the ground and pull the cord using the handles. You stop once you hear the cocking sound.

Anyone with no physical impairments can easily use a rope cocker.

The benefit of a rope cocker is its lightweight, high portability, and ease of use. However, it sometimes becomes a hassle to find it in your equipment bag.

More importantly, if the cord gets tangled up, then you are stuck for good. However, for this, you can always find rope cockers with retractable cords.

Crank Cocking Devices

Crank cocking crossbow devices are more modern and compact. In fact, some of the best crossbows use this type of device.

It is extremely easy to use as it reduces the draw weight by 90% and sometimes even more, depending on the make and model.

Crank-style cockers are stock-integrated and have to attach to the crossbow. It uses a rope-mounted sled or a crank handle to pull the string up.

In addition, the gear mechanism inside the cocker allows it to reduce the draw weight significantly.

The benefit of a crank cocker is its efficiency, high speeds, and stock integration. More importantly, since it is always on the crossbow, you never really have to look for it.

The same is the case with the cord that never gets tangled up as it has its own storage space.

However, a major drawback of a crank cocker is its heavyweight. It increases the overall weight of the crossbow and can make it less portable.

Moreover, crank cockers are also noisy unless they have some silencing mechanism, which can wary away the target.

Anyone with physical impairments or weaknesses can easily use the crank cocker.

How to Use Crossbow Cocking Devices

Here are the steps you need to follow to use a crossbow cocking device:

1. Make sure there are no crossbow bolts or arrows stuck to the bowstring or in the flight groove. If there is, remove it.
2. Get in position by holding the crossbow face down horizontally.
3. Put your dominant foot in the foot claw for more stability. Make sure to read the instructions manual before doing this. Some models don’t require you to do this. However, most do.
4. Put the safety on to avoid any accident or misfires.
5. Now place the cocker’s clips, hooks, or claws on the crossbow string. Make sure to put each hook on either side of the crossbow.
6. Make sure the hooks are flush with the stock. To ensure this, pull the crossbow string up by 0.5 inches.
7. If the hooks are gone before you pull the string by half an inch, then the rope is long. If they are gone after half an inch, then the rope is short.
8. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended method to draw the crossbow until it cocks.
9. Remove the hooks from the bowstring and separate the cocking device from the crossbow.
10. Put it off the safety and get ready to load.

Other Crossbow Cocking Device Usage Tips

Now that you know everything about a crossbow cocking device and how to use it, here are some useful tips that you must keep in mind.

Remember, you cannot get it perfect the first few times, but it gets better with practice. Especially if you keep the following tips in mind:

Adjusting the Strings of Cocking Devices

Cocking devices come with a standard length of cord. However, this standard length is not compatible with all crossbow types.

You would have to shorten the length for it to perform optimally with your crossbow.

If you fail to do so, you put yourself at risk of suffering from a shoulder injury or cocking your crossbow crooked. This is neither good for you nor for the crossbow.

Mark Cocking String Evenly

A crossbow that is non-uniformly cocked performs highly inefficiently.

Non-uniform cocking happens when the rope is unevenly distributed on either side of the arrow. This can seriously impact the uniformity of the arrow flight and lead to poor aim.

To avoid this non-uniformity, mark the cocking string evenly when the crossbow is idle. Then when you have cocked the crossbow, ensure that the string is equally distanced on both sides.

If it is not even on both sides, the crossbow is evenly cocked. You must cock it again for better aim and shot precision.

Minimizing Crooked Cocking

Crooked cocking is one of the major reasons behind bad arrow flights and inaccurate aims.

The best way to avoid crooked cocking is to mark the center of the crossbow and the cocking cord.

This helps in eliminating crooking by ensuring both the crossbow and the rope centers are aligned properly.

Reducing the Crossbow Draw Weight

It is vital for you to keep in mind that cocking crossbow devices are made to help reduce crossbow draw weights.

Therefore, you must take into account your own capacity to handle draw weights. If you are physically strong with no impairments, a rope cocker will be more than enough for you.

However, if you want the mechanical efficiency of a crank cocker, or if you have physical impairments, you can always go for it.

Keep in mind that other people also have to use the same crossbow for reducing the crossbow’s draw weight.