Repeating Crossbow: More Shooting, Less Fuss in 2026

A repeating crossbow keeps the next bolt ready. Explore magazine-fed shooting, compatible gear, and a simpler way to enjoy your time at the range.

See the magazine configuration up close in BALLISTA's operating video, including its five-bolt loading limit.

A repeating crossbow puts some fun back into practice

You set out to shoot a few groups. An hour later, the coffee is cold and you are still saying, “One more.” That is a good afternoon.

Not every session needs to be a serious rehearsal for opening day. Sometimes you want to work on a steady hold. Sometimes a friend wants to try your crossbow. Sometimes you simply enjoy watching a well-placed bolt land where you meant it to. A magazine-fed setup fits that kind of shooting beautifully: less handling of individual bolts between shots, more time enjoying the bow.

For a hunter, that enjoyment matters. Gear you look forward to shooting gets used between seasons, too. Familiarity grows through those ordinary afternoons, long before a deer ever steps into view.

What a crossbow with a magazine actually does

A crossbow with a magazine carries several compatible bolts and feeds the next one into position as you cycle the cocking mechanism. You still cock the crossbow for each shot. The magazine takes care of feeding; it does not take over the whole shooting cycle.

On the BALLISTA BAT with Magazine and BAT Reverse with Magazine, each magazine holds five bolts. Once those are used, you reload the magazine. BALLISTA's operating video above specifically explains why you should not force in a sixth.

The built-in, self-retracting cocking aid is another part of the appeal. The assistance is already on the crossbow, rather than being another loose piece of equipment to keep track of. Together, assisted cocking and magazine feeding make for a compact setup with a satisfying rhythm.

“Repeating” describes that repeatable cycle. It does not mean the crossbow fires continuously, or that you can keep pulling the trigger without cocking it again. Once you understand that distinction, the shopping jargon gets a lot less confusing.

Choose the version you will enjoy picking up

The BAT with Magazine brings the magazine format to the original BAT platform. It is an appealing place to start if you want a compact crossbow for regular range visits, recreational shooting, and a kit that does not become a project just to carry around.

The BAT Reverse with Magazine pairs the reverse-draw design with speeds of up to 340 fps. If you already like the BAT Reverse's compact character, this is its magazine-equipped counterpart.

You do not need to turn the decision into a contest over every number on a specification sheet. Think about the whole afternoon: carrying the bow out, settling into your shooting position, using the cocking aid, and seeing the target through your chosen sight. A setup that feels right through that whole routine is one you are likely to keep enjoying.

Buy the magazine version as a complete crossbow. The magazine is not a bolt-on upgrade for a standard BAT or BAT Reverse; the configuration uses its own trigger and rail arrangement. Choosing it at the start saves the disappointment of ordering a standard model with a conversion in mind.

Get the bolts and sight right, then go enjoy it

Magazine models use dedicated 10.5-inch bolts. Keep their ammunition separate from the longer bolts for non-magazine crossbows. It is a small bit of organization that makes a mixed gear bag much easier to live with.

For recreational shooting, use the compatible practice bolts. For hunting, BALLISTA also offers 10.5-inch carbon broadhead bolts made specifically for the magazine versions. These are not the hunting bolts for the standard BAT or BAT Reverse. They are designed for small game and medium game at close range, with dimensions made to feed properly through the magazine.

The sight is the other purchase worth getting right. The magazine configuration has a short rail for a compact, open-reflex red dot, such as the BALLISTA 1x23x34mm Red Dot Sight. A long tube-style sight or magnified scope is not the fit for this version. A small open sight also suits the bow's character: straightforward, compact, and easy to carry.

Before your first outing, work through the manual for your exact configuration and the operating video. Start with the handling routine, not a stopwatch. Keep hands clear of the string path, use a suitable crossbow target and backstop, and make each shot its own deliberate shot.

And what about hunting?

Some hunters want the simplest possible setup. Others enjoy trying a different format and getting to know it well. Neither needs an apology. A magazine crossbow can be part of that second kind of enjoyment: a compact bow with its own feel and a different way of feeding the next bolt.

The magazine does not change the part of hunting that belongs to you. Reading the animal, recognizing a clear opportunity, and deciding when to leave the trigger alone are still the hunter's work. Having another bolt available is a convenience, not a reason to hurry.

For a hunting purchase, make the equipment rules part of the choice. Short magazine bolts and compact crossbows do not meet every state's requirements for every species. Our state-by-state crossbow regulations guide points you to the relevant equipment and season rules. Settle that once for the hunt you are planning, then spend your attention on getting comfortable with your gear.

Repeating crossbow questions, answered plainly

Do I still have to cock a repeating crossbow?

Yes. On these BALLISTA models, you manually cock the crossbow for every shot. The magazine feeds the next bolt; it does not recock the crossbow for you.

How many bolts do the BAT magazines hold?

Five bolts, for both the BAT with Magazine and BAT Reverse with Magazine. Follow the five-bolt limit shown in BALLISTA's operating video.

Can I add the magazine to a standard BAT later?

No. Choose the complete magazine-equipped version. The standard BAT and BAT Reverse are not designed to accept it as a simple add-on.

Can I use hunting bolts in a magazine crossbow?

Use only hunting bolts specifically made for that magazine configuration, such as BALLISTA's dedicated 10.5-inch broadhead bolts. Ordinary longer hunting bolts are not interchangeable, and the equipment must meet the rules for your particular hunt.

Make room for an afternoon of shooting

There is nothing wrong with choosing a crossbow because it makes you want to get outside and use it. The quiet satisfaction of a good group, the friendly argument over whose shot was closer, the decision to stay for one more round — those are reasons enough.

Ready to try it yourself? Explore the BALLISTA crossbow lineup and look for the complete magazine configurations. If you want a hand matching the bow, bolts, and sight, talk with the BALLISTA team. We will help you put together a setup you can look forward to shooting.