How to Safely Decock an Excalibur Crossbow
Decocking an Excalibur crossbow safely, without dry firing it, is one of the most important habits for any owner. This page explains why dry fire is dangerous and how to unload a crossbow the right way.
Current Excalibur packages include CeaseFire anti-dry-fire technology, which is designed to prevent the crossbow from firing unless an arrow is properly loaded - but that protection doesn't replace safe decocking habits, especially on older models without CeaseFire.
Why dry fire is dangerous
Dry firing - releasing the string with no arrow loaded - sends all of the crossbow's stored energy into the limbs, string, and rail instead of into an arrow, which can crack limbs, snap a string, or damage the rail. It's one of the most common causes of serious crossbow damage and a safety hazard to the shooter.
How CeaseFire helps prevent dry fire
CeaseFire is Excalibur's anti-dry-fire mechanism built into current packages like the Rev X, Hybrid X, and Mag Max - it's designed so the crossbow won't fire unless an arrow is properly seated. This is a meaningful safety upgrade over older Excalibur models built before CeaseFire was introduced, which relied entirely on the shooter's own diligence.
The safe way to decock
Always decock using a cocking device in reverse (see Cocking Devices) or by firing a properly loaded arrow into an appropriate target - never attempt to let the string down by hand without a device or a loaded arrow, since that's functionally the same risk as a dry fire.
Unloading at the end of a hunt
At the end of a hunting day, decock rather than storing the crossbow cocked overnight - either fire the loaded arrow into a target on the way out, or use your cocking device to safely reverse the draw. This protects the limbs and string from unnecessary sustained tension between hunts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decock an Excalibur crossbow?
Use a cocking device in reverse, or fire a properly loaded arrow into an appropriate target. Never let the string down by hand without a device or a loaded arrow.
What happens if you dry fire an Excalibur crossbow?
Dry firing sends the crossbow's stored energy into the limbs, string, and rail instead of an arrow, which can cause cracked limbs, a snapped string, or rail damage.
Does CeaseFire stop all dry fires?
CeaseFire is designed to prevent firing unless an arrow is properly loaded on current Excalibur packages, but safe decocking habits are still important, especially on older models without CeaseFire.
Ready to check the latest price?
Browse current Excalibur crossbow packages on Amazon