Excalibur Crossbow Scopes
The Dead Zone scope covers 300-410 FPS, while the Tact Hunter's wider 300-475 FPS range and 2x-7x magnification suit faster current packages - match the speed dial to your crossbow's velocity first.
Excalibur builds its own line of crossbow scopes, matched with speed-adjustable dials tuned to Excalibur's recurve velocities rather than a generic riflescope reticle. This page covers the current scope options plus the add-ons - levels and covers - that go with them.
If you're trying to figure out who makes Excalibur crossbow scopes: Excalibur designs and sells its scopes under its own name as part of the accessory lineup, and older packages have used names like Tact-100, Vari-Zone, Twilight DLX, and Shadow-Zone in past production.
Pros
- Speed-adjustable dials matched to Excalibur's actual arrow velocities
- Dead Zone and Tact Hunter cover different FPS ranges for different packages
- Add-on level and waterproof cover extend the life of the optic
Cons
- Older scope names (Tact-100, Vari-Zone) are not all in current production
- Speed dial must be matched to your specific crossbow before sighting in
Dead Zone: the mid-range compact scope
The Dead Zone is a 1-inch tube scope with a 32mm objective and multi-coated lenses, built with an adjustable speed dial covering 300 to 410 FPS arrow velocities and Excalibur's custom chevron reticle out to 60 yards. It's a common upgrade or replacement pick for hunters comparing excalibur crossbow scopes for sale.
Tact Hunter: wider magnification range
The Tact Hunter scope adds 2x-7x magnification with an illuminated Multi-Plex reticle and a speed dial covering 300 to 475 FPS, giving it a wider velocity range than the Dead Zone. That wider range makes it a fit for hunters pairing it with faster current packages like the Hybrid X.
Popular options on Amazon
Prices change often - check the current price on Amazon.
Sighting in an Excalibur crossbow scope
Sighting in an Excalibur crossbow scope means matching the scope's speed dial to your crossbow's actual arrow speed, then confirming zero at a known distance before adjusting for longer yardage marks on the reticle. Because the reticles are chevron or Multi-Plex designs calibrated for specific FPS ranges, getting the speed dial right is the first step before any windage or elevation adjustment.
Leveling and protecting your scope
The Insight scope level attaches to most Excalibur scopes (fitting a 38-41.5mm diameter range that covers Overwatch, Tact-100, Tact-Zone, Dead-Zone, and other Excalibur scope bodies) and gives a visible reference through the optic to keep the crossbow level shot to shot. The EX-Over scope cover is a separate accessory - a waterproof neoprene cover sized for scopes up to 8.5 inches long - for protecting the optic during transport.
For how scopes fit into a full Excalibur setup, start from our Excalibur crossbow guide.
Shadow-Zone: the older illuminated multi-range scope
The Shadow-Zone is an earlier Excalibur scope that still turns up on used packages and drives excalibur shadow searches. It is a 2-4x32 optic with a dual-colour (red and green) illuminated Multiplex reticle and multi-range aiming points for 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards. Its adjustable crosshair system sets the spacing in 10-yard increments to match arrow velocities between 250 and 350 FPS, which is why it suited slower legacy recurve bows rather than today's faster packages. The optics are fully multi-coated and the scope weighs about 7.2 ounces. Because its speed range tops out around 350 FPS, it covers a lower band than the current Dead Zone (300-410 FPS) and Tact Hunter (300-475 FPS) - check your crossbow's actual arrow speed before pairing a Shadow-Zone with a current model.
Dead Zone vs Tact Hunter at a glance
Both current Excalibur scopes share a speed-adjustable dial, but differ on magnification and FPS range - here's the comparison side by side.
| Scope | Magnification | Speed Dial Range | Reticle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Zone | Fixed, no zoom | 300-410 FPS | Chevron, out to 60 yards |
| Tact Hunter | 2x-7x | 300-475 FPS | Illuminated Multi-Plex |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Excalibur crossbow scopes?
Excalibur designs and sells its own line of crossbow scopes as part of its accessory lineup.
How do I sight in an Excalibur crossbow scope?
Set the scope's speed dial to match your crossbow's arrow velocity first, then confirm zero at a known distance before relying on the reticle's longer-range aim points.
What is the best scope for an Excalibur crossbow?
It depends on your crossbow's speed: the Dead Zone covers 300-410 FPS, while the Tact Hunter's wider 300-475 FPS range and 2x-7x magnification suit faster current packages.
Does an Excalibur crossbow scope need a battery?
Illuminated models like the Tact Hunter use an illuminated reticle, which typically requires a small battery; check the specific scope's listing for its power source.
Are Excalibur crossbow scopes available in Canada?
Yes - Excalibur is a Canadian manufacturer based in Kitchener, Ontario, and its scopes are sold through Amazon and authorized dealers across Canada.
What is the Excalibur Twilight DLX scope?
Twilight DLX is one of Excalibur's older scope names from past production, alongside Tact-100, Vari-Zone, and Shadow-Zone; current packages use the Dead Zone or Tact Hunter lineup instead.
What is the Excalibur Shadow-Zone scope?
The Shadow-Zone is an older Excalibur 2-4x32 scope with a dual-colour illuminated Multiplex reticle and aiming points for 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards. Its adjustable crosshairs are calibrated for 250-350 FPS, so it was paired with slower legacy recurve packages before the current Dead Zone and Tact Hunter lineup.
What FPS range does the Shadow-Zone cover?
The Shadow-Zone's speed dial covers roughly 250-350 FPS, a lower band than the current Dead Zone (300-410 FPS) and Tact Hunter (300-475 FPS), which makes it a better match for slower legacy recurve crossbows than for today's faster packages.
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Check the Dead Zone scope on Amazon