Crossbow Review: Excalibur Hybrid X

New technology merges with a proven platform.

October 13, 2025 By Jon E. Silks

In the archery world, there are a handful of companies that produce such unique equipment it brings instant and unmistakable brand recognition. One such company is Excalibur Crossbow with its recurve limbs and no-cams platform. So, when Excalibur introduced the Hybrid X with its InnerDrive Cam System earlier this year, it absolutely shocked the bowhunting community! As you might expect, however, Excalibur still managed to maintain its brand recognition and certainly its no-nonsense approach to making durable hunting rigs.

Excalibur’s Hybrid X is built with stationary cams anchored to, and protected by, a secondary riser. A set of solid HO Extreme Recurve Compound Limbs, limb dampeners, primary riser, Mercury 2 string and cables and pivoting pockets round out the bow assembly. A two-piece, injection-molded, polymer stock features a rubber-wrapped pistol grip, flared foregrip, safety wings, raised cheek piece and Charger X crank cocking mechanism. A floating trigger box with manual trigger safety is home to a scope rail and two-stage trigger.

Breaking New Ground

The all-new InnerDrive Cam System featured on the Hybrid X is Excalibur’s first venture into the world of cams. While most cam systems sit at the end of the limbs and move with those limbs during the draw and shot cycles, InnerDrive cams are anchored in a fixed position to a secondary caged riser. Along with the reverse-draw limb orientation, resultant longer power stroke, and stout recurve limbs, the new InnerDrive is advertised to generate 435 fps speeds with a 400-grain bolt. A special stringing aid, sold separately, allows users to change string and cables or adjust cam timing without the use of a bow press.

crossbow hunter shooting Excalibur Hybrid X on shooting range — A reverse-draw limb configuration enhances the Hybrid X’s balance and maneuverability.

InnerDrive cams are designed to reduce downward string pressure during shot cycles to extend string life and minimize failure risk. The position of the recurve limbs and secondary caged riser serve to protect the cams from damage, while a set of four small cables anchor to the split limb tips and on either side of the cams. HO Extreme Recurve Compound limbs are 12.5 inches long and made from fiberglass through a glass lay-up process. Limbs are outfitted with Limbsaver dampeners, and both primary and secondary aluminum risers are black anodized.

Launch Platform

The Hybrid X uses a black-anodized, machined-aluminum rail that serves as the hub for most of its components. It supports the two-piece stock, both risers and includes a track that guides the Trigger Carriage. The Carriage is home to a premium, 3-pound, two-stage trigger that is built to produce fluid travel with a crisp, clean break. It also houses the Ceasefire Anti-Dry-Fire System that works with Excalibur’s Rhino V-nock with its nock detent to ensure the crossbow will not fire unless a bolt is properly loaded. The Carriage is linked to the Charger X Crank System that moves it up and down the rail track in complete silence and with total control. Integrated into the stock, the Charger X features a two-way bearing that allows the user to cock and de-cock the unit simply by turning the handle clockwise or counter clockwise. The user can let go of the handle at any point in the process and it will not freewheel. An audible click is heard when the Carriage is locked onto the string and again when the carriage reaches full draw.

Shooter Interface

A two-piece, molded-polymer stock reaches from the butt plate to within inches of the cam system and is hydro dipped in Mossy Oak DNA camo. A contoured grip and flared foregrip both have rubber inserts to increase comfort and control, while the rubber raised cheek piece aligns the shooter’s eye to the scope. An oversized trigger guard welcomes gloved fingers, while a specialized pocket stores the crank handle.

Range Notes

The Hybrid X is well balanced and holds steady on the target for freehanded aiming. The Hybrid X is also undeniably fast, and our testing found it is able to tightly stack bolts at our 35-yard target.

Recorded shot noise from the Hybrid X is above average, and the scope’s reticle size is small. The stout limbs are easily brought to full draw position with the Charger X crank, and an easy trigger pull sends the bolt down range. We hope Excalibur adds an auto-engaging trigger safety to the next version, as well as to the company’s entire lineup.

What's In The Box?

The Excalibur Hybrid X comes as a complete package that includes an Overwatch illuminated scope, 4 V-Flight Pro bolts with 150-grain fieldpoints, a Rebolt quiver and owner’s manual.

The Specs

Manufacturer: Excalibur Crossbow, 888-689-1289; excaliburcrossbow.com
Model: Hybrid X
Safety Features: Ceasefire Anti-Dry-Fire, Safety Wings, Flared Foregrip
Riser: Caged, shoot-through
Cam System: InnerDrive, riser-based, aluminum
Axle-to-Axle Width: 5 inches (static)
Weight (crossbow only): 8.3 pounds (advertised and as tested)
String: Mercury 2, 30.875 inches
Cables: Mercury 2, 16.625 inches
Limbs: HO Extreme Recurve
Draw Weight: 336 pounds, reduced to 14-pound cocking effort via integrated Charger X crank mechanism
Power Stroke: 11.3 inches
Stock/Forearm: Two-piece, injection-molded polymer
Finish: Mossy Oak DNA Advertised Speed: 435 fps w/400-grain bolt
Retail Price: $2,199.99
Comments: Unique, balanced, fast and accurate — a user-friendly bolt stacker.

Speed & Energy

Velocity: 421.6 fps (420-grain bolt); 394.3 fps (500-grain bolt); 429 fps (400-grain mfr. bolt)
Kinetic Energy: 165.8 ft./lbs. (420-grain bolt); 172.7 ft./lbs. (500-grain bolt); 163.5 fps (400-grain mfr. bolt)