Barnett Hypertac 420
January 15, 2021
By Tony J. Peterson
Barnett Hypertac 420 This crossbow is on the upper end of what might be considered budget, but when you compare it to some of the other options in the market, it’s a steal. Weighing only 7.9lbs and generating arrow speeds of up to 420fps, this new-for-21 offering is an excellent choice for anyone who is serious about hunting and wants moose-killing performance in the field. The Hypertac 420 comes standard with a speed compensating scope, three picatinny rails, and is compatible with HyperFlite .204 small diameter arrows. This crossbow also features the TriggerTech 3lb Zero Creep Release Technology, which helps produce vane-shaving groups through its custom feel.
$800 | barnettcrossbows.com
Bear Archery Legit RTH Bear Archery Legit RTH Few bow manufacturers have addressed the budget bow market as well as Bear Archery has over the last five years. Their offerings not only carry a sweet price, but are designed for a one-stop shopping experience that’ll take you from the dealer to the woods. That’s definitely the case with the new Legit RTH package. The 3.6lb Legit offers 14 to 30” of draw length adjustment, a 10 to 70lbs draw-weight range, and can achieve arrow speeds of up to 315fps. The RTH part of this package means that the Legit comes standard with a D loop, peep sight, Whisker Biscuit rest, Trophy Ridge 4-pin sight, a quiver, and a whole lot more.
$520 | beararchery.com
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Bowtech Amplify Bowtech Amplify One of the best deals in the 2021 bow market is the new Amplify from Bowtech. Designed with Synchronized Binary Cams, PowerShift technology, Orbit Dampeners, and a host of other high-end goodies, you’d expect this bow to anchor a flagship line. It could, but it was built to provide a cost-effective option to folks of all shapes, sizes and experience levels, which is evidenced by the draw length and draw weight spreads. Pull anywhere from eight to 70lbs, at 21 to 30” with this 4lb rig, which is capable of giving a newbie a head start on archery or allowing a seasoned veteran to deflate the lungs of a monster bull elk.
$600 | bowtecharchery.com
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Diamond Edge 320 Diamond Edge 320 Anyone looking for a lot of bow for a little money need look no further than Diamond Archery’s offerings. Their 3.6lb Edge 320 is capable of generating arrow speeds up to 320fps, measures 32” between axles, and offers an effective letoff of 85-percent. To accommodate nearly anyone with an interest in flinging some carbon downrange, this bow is insanely adjustable. Draw lengths of 14 to 31” are possible, along with draw weights of seven to 70lbs.
$449 | diamondarchry.com
Hoyt Torrex It wasn’t that long ago that if you wanted a bow that produce chronograph readings of 327fps and that was outfitted with custom strings and a revolutionary cam system, your bill would have been well north of a grand. Today you can have that in the 3.8lb Hoyt Torrex, and still have enough money left over to buy a nonresident whitetail tag in most states. Measuring just under 31” between pins, the Torrex is offered in draw lengths of 26 to 30” and draw weights of 30 to 70lbs (in 10lb increments). One-stop shoppers can upgrade their bow to the Torrex XT package to end up with a hunt-ready rig.
$599+ | hoyt.com
PSE Drive NXT PSE Drive NXT From its swappable ComfortGrip System to the ZF QuadTrack Cam System, PSE’s Drive NXT operates like a flagship offering, but costs much less. This 4.3lb rig is capable of generating arrow speeds up to 330fps, offers a draw length range of 24 to 31”, and can be had at peak draw weight of 60 or 70lbs. It also tapes out at 33” axle-to-axle length and can be bought as a bare bow, or in the Ready To Shoot Package, which contains the Torment Quiver, Phantom Drop-Away Rest, a stabilizer, wrist sling, nocking loop, peep sight, and the Sierra Micro 5 Pin Sight.
$700 | psearchery.com
Wicked Ridge Blackhawk 360 Wicked Ridge Blackhawk 360 If you’re heavy on hunting desire but light on disposable income, check out Wicked Ridge’s latest offering, the Blackhawk 360. This American-made package deal comes standard with a quiver, Wicked Ridge XX75 bolts, and a multi-line scope. The crossbow, which measures just 15” between axles when cocked, is capable of generating bolt speeds up to 360fps (112FP KE). With a bare weight of only 6lbs, this is the perfect option for crossbow hunters of all sizes and experience levels.
$400 | tenpointcrossbows.com
Rocky Mountain RM-415 Crossbow Kit Rocky Mountain RM-415 Crossbow Kit If you have a heart condition and are frugal by nature, don’t look at the price tags on some of the crossbows hitting the market this year. Prices have blown through the $2000 mark and aren’t showing much sign of slowing down. Fortunately, not every manufacturer is pricing out the average hunter. Evidence of this can be found in Rocky Mountain’s lineup, which includes the RM-415 Crossbow Kit. This lightweight, 415fps crossbow comes with bolts, field points, a 4x32 illuminated scope, rope cocker and more.
$350 | feradyne.com
