Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Tactical Crossbow Field Test Review
The Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Tactical Crossbow offers a unique and entertaining option for target shooting. In this field test review, I tested the Steambow B08, a .68 caliber launcher that is designed to shoot paintballs, rubber balls, or foam balls. I wanted to test this 35-pound bow to see how it performs in terms of velocity and real-world accuracy at 30 feet downrange.
For ammunition, I tested two different types of projectiles: black rubber balls and soft yellow foam balls. These projectiles are very light, which means firing them feels almost like you are dry-firing the bow all the time. However, using them makes for a cheap way to have some fun plinking around, and you can easily collect and reuse the ammo.
Velocity testing through the chronograph produced some incredibly consistent, albeit unusual, numbers. I fired six shots in total, using three rubber balls followed by three foam balls. The Steambow B08 delivered readings of exactly 129 FPS for all six shots. Seeing six duplicate velocity readings in a row across two different types of ammo is something I don't think I've ever seen before! This suggests that the projectile weight is less important here, as the bow string only moves so fast. For those looking to get more energy downrange, you will definitely want to use heavier projectiles, like a steel ball, and swap out for a heavier limb. (The Steambow B08 comes with a 35 pound limb for reference).
Accuracy testing was performed from 30 feet downrange on a fresh paper target. I loaded the eight-round magazine with four black rubber balls and four soft foam balls. The Steambow B08 .68 Caliber Tactical Crossbow was hitting quite low at this 30-foot distance, forcing me to aim up at the top of the target just to get the shots on paper. The grouping was somewhat scattered all over the place, indicating that this is a launcher you probably want to be working with a little closer in, at around 20 feet would be better in terms of accuracy. Aiming is done using a built-in little green dot at the front, but there is no real sight adjustment to dial it in or change it. Optimally I would sugest putting a simple red dot sight on the picatinny rail.
Overall, the 35-pound Steambow B08 is built primarily for target shooting and is a great way to have fun with your buddies outside or even inside a garage. I definitely wouldn't want to shoot this for pest control unless you plan to upgrade to a heavier limb and denser ammo. For anyone looking for a cheap, fun plinker with reusable ammo, this launcher is a very entertaining choice.
You can find the Steambow B08 and other Airguns, BB guns, Airsoft guns, Pellet guns, Blank guns, and accessories at: