Hawke XB30 Crossbow Scope Review: A Hunter’s Perspective

by Dave Chesson

February 7, 2024

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3.6
(7)

I was looking for a compact scope for my Barnett XP 380 crossbow. My friend told me about the Hawke XB30 compact scope, so I gave it a try. It has now become one of my favorites. In this Hawke XB30 crossbow scope review, I’ll share my experience with the scope and its performance.

A dedicated, compact crossbow scope with 1.5-6x magnification and a reticle system from 20-100 yards based on speeds from 250-450fps.

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Hawke XB30 Specs

  • Magnification 1.5-6x
  • Objective Lens Diameter 36 mm
  • Field of View 87.9 – 21.9 ft @ 100 yds
  • Eye Relief 3 in
  • Weight 15.1 oz

Specifications and Background of the Hawke XB30 Crossbow Scope

Hawke Sport Optics is a UK-based business and a worldwide leader in sport optics. They’re known for producing high-quality optics at budget-friendly rates, covering a range of products like rifle scopes, binoculars, and spotting scopes tailored for activities such as hunting, target shooting, and bird watching. Having tested out the Hawke XB30 crossbow scope and a few other models from them, I’ve got to hand it to Hawke for consistently meeting my expectations and proving to be a reliable choice.

Before we dive into my personal experience, let’s take a look at the specifications and background of the Hawke XB30.

The Hawke XB30 crossbow scope has a magnification range of 1.5 – 6x and an objective lens diameter of 36mm. It features a wide-angle optical system with a multi-line reticle with aim points out to 100 yards incorporating windage bars. The scope is nitrogen purged, making it shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof.

The reticle of Hawke XB30 is glass etched with red and green illumination with five intensity levels. The scope has a 1/2 MOA low profile “no-snag” fingertip turrets. This scope also has a second focal plane with capped low profile turrets.

Now that we’ve discussed the specs of the Hawke XB30 Crossbow Scope, let’s move to the review of it.

Hawke XB30 Features

Hawke XB30 Features
1 Multi-coated lenses

14 layer multi coated lenses promote clear imaging and the scope is nitrogen purged, shock, water, and fog proof.

2 Capped Turrets

Capped turrets keep your zero safe.

3 Magnification Ring

The magnification ring is where you will adjust the scope for your bolt speed to have the reticle hold overs match your setup.

4 Reticle

Reticle shows bolt drop based on crossbow speed and shows wind adjustments for 10 and 20 mph winds.

Review of the Hawke XB30 Crossbow Scope

I really liked the ergonomics of the Hawke XB30 scope because it has all that I need for my hunts. The fast focus eyebell helped me quickly adjust my focus on my targets. This scope comes with a sunshade or flash hider, which helps you cut down glare and reflections that can give away your position during hunts. I also liked the level accessory for the Picatinny rail, as it helped me in maintaining the level of my crossbow during sighting.

I really like the 6x zoom of the Hawke XB30. It lets me see things up close and I could also dial it back for a wider field of view to see more around me. The high torque zoom ring gave me smooth and precise adjustments. It’s little things like this that make me enjoy my hunts.

I’ve had a few other Hawke scopes, and they’ve all proven to be durable. This scope has a 30mm mono tube chassis, so its superior strength did not surprise me. The scope’s nitrogen purged and is shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof. It withstood rain and held up well.One of the best features of this scope is its lightweight design. It weighs only 429g and made it easy to carry on my crossbow all-day.

What makes the Hawke XB30 one of my favorites is its features that fit the needs of crossbow hunters like me. The speed selector ring, ranging from 250 to 450 FPS, gave me precise calibration to take perfect shots. The illuminated reticle on this scope comes with five intensity levels. This feature gave me added visibility during my dusk hunts.

The tool-less adjustable turrets on this scope provided clear resistance and audible clicks, making adjustments easy in high-pressure hunting situations, like taking shots at a moving target. The XB30 also has an SR reticle with aim points from 20 to 100 yards in 10-yard increments. I think it’s excellent. It gives you the accuracy and flexibility that you need in different hunting situations. 

I liked the fully multi-coated optics on the Hawke XB30. It gave me exceptional clarity, helping me spot targets even in low-light conditions. It had some internal lenses showing cleaning marks, but this was more of an aesthetic concern to me.

The only issue I have with this scope is the eye relief. It’s not as short as the CV life, but it’s not as long as I would like it to be.

For the value of the Hawke XB30, looking at the features and performance, I think it could’ve been priced a bit lower. However, it competes with scopes in the same price ranges, giving hunters like me a reliable and feature-rich option.

Hawke XB30 Pros and Cons 

  • Compact scope size
  • Light weight
  • Great scope clarity
  • Magnification only at crossbow speed

Report Card

Reliability

A
Glass

B-
Reticle

A
Ergonomics

B-
Value

B-
Hawke XB30 Final Grade

Our Grade

B+

Reviewed by Dave Chesson

Reader’s Grade

TBD

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Final Thoughts on Hawke XB30 Crossbow Scope

In conclusion, the Hawke XB30 Compact Crossbow Scope has earned its place as one of my favorite optics for crossbow hunting. The clear glass, useful features, and compactness make it a reliable choice for the outdoors. That’s why I have ranked it as the best for smaller builds in my best crossbow scopes article. If you’re in the market for a compact crossbow scope that delivers on its promises, the Hawke XB30 is undoubtedly worth considering.

FAQs on Hawke XB30

Can the Hawke XB30 handle varying weather conditions?

Absolutely, the Hawke XB30 is tough. It’s filled with nitrogen, so it can handle shocks, stay waterproof in the rain, and won’t fog up on you.

How does the illuminated reticle in the Hawke XB30 contribute to hunting in low-light conditions?

The illuminated reticle with five brightness levels makes a real difference for low-light hunting. It improves the visibility of the reticle against dark backgrounds, making it easier for you to aim accurately at targets.

Does the Hawke XB30 come with a warranty?

Yes, the Hawke XB30 comes with a Hawke no-fault lifetime warranty. 

Can the Hawke XB30 handle varying weather conditions?

Yes, the Hawke XB30 is nitrogen-purged, making it shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. It can withstand rain and adverse weather conditions, ensuring reliability in the field.

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About Dave Chesson

Dave Chesson is prior Navy with a specialty in international arms dealing for the US government across multiple countries. Having traveled the world and abided by ATF and ITAR, Roy has a unique background in legal as well as practical capabilities of weapons deployment and use.

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