January 08, 2021
By Mark Demko
Wreaking Havoc – TenPoint Havoc RS440 TenPoint Havoc RS440 Compact, comfortable and hard hitting, the Havoc RS440 measures 26 ½ inches long and 7½ inches wide when cocked, yet has the ability to launch bolts lightning fast. The bow’s shorter length — it is TenPoint’s shortest crossbow ever — is made possible through the 16-inch MICRO-Trac barrel and two-piece TEC-TACTICAL stock. Its reverse-draw bow assembly creates a 13 ½-inch power stroke, while the RX7-Cam system rotates 360 degrees, producing speeds of 440 fps with 400-grain bolts. The Havoc, which weighs just more than 7.5 pounds, comes with an EVO-X Marksman Elite 2-8X magnification scope, capable of precision accuracy out to 100 yards on the range, and the ACUslide cocking and decocking system that locks the handle in place for safety if you remove your hand at any point in the cocking process. Six EVO-X CenterPunch 16-inch carbon bolts, a six-bolt quiver and integrated string stop system come with the package. Crossbow hunting enthusiasts looking for a high-tech scope to go with this high-tech bow have the option of adding Garmin’s new Xero X1i laser rangefinding scope that offers 3.5X magnification and has the ability to range targets and almost instantly provide dead-on aiming points at ranges up to 80 yards.
$2,499.99 (Graphite Gray), $2,599.99 (Veil Alpine) and $3,599.99 (with Garmin Xero X1i) | tenpointcrossbows.com
Silent Assassin – CenterPoint Pulse 425 CenterPoint Pulse 425 A deadly quiet shot and blazing bolt speeds up to 425 fps are hallmarks of CenterPoint’s sleek, new Pulse 425. At only 12 inches wide from axle to axle when cocked, this 95-pound draw-weight bow is compact and easy to maneuver, even in tight spaces. It features a CNC-machined aluminum rail and cam system, folding stirrup and anti-dry fire and auto-safety trigger mechanism. The bow’s Whisper Silencer System employs string stops, limb dampeners and string silencers to greatly reduce noise and vibration, while the AR-style buttstock is adjustable for length and cheek position, making it comfortable for all shooters. A 4x32mm illuminated scope, three 20-inch bolts, a rope cocking device and side-mount quiver come with the field-ready package.
$499 | centerpointarchery.com
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Take an Axe to Them – Axe Crossbows’ AX405 Axe Crossbows’ AX405 Continuing the technological advancements that distinguished Axe Crossbows’ AX405, the new AX440 steps up the power, performance and accuracy, delivering crossbow bolts at 440 fps. The bow’s unique, shoot-through stock and riser design, coupled with its reverse-draw, split-limb bow assembly, balances the weight of the bow in your hands, making it easy to maneuver and shoot. The cam system is linked by cables that run parallel to each other, eliminating cam lean and limb torque. Accuracy and speed are also enhanced by the dual carbon guide rods that, when combined with the riser and tunable roller rest, create a free-floating bolt system that minimizes contact, friction and torque. The AX440 checks in at 30 ½ inches long and is less than 12 inches wide axle to axle. It also features a cheek rest that can be adjusted up to 1 ¼ inches and an adjustable buttstock. An Axe scope with a reticle optimized for the crossbow’s trajectory, side-mount quiver and three Axe micro-diameter bolts come with the kit.
$2,099.99 | feradyne.com/axe-crossbows
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Sharp as Tacks – Barnett HyperTac 420 Barnett HyperTac 420 It’s fast, powerful and easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Barnett’s new HyperTac 420 measures only 9.2 inches axle to axle when cocked thanks to its compact riser, yet it’s capable of delivering bolt speeds of 420 fps thanks to its 225-pound draw weight and 15 ½-inch power stroke. The crossbow comes with a tactical-style buttstock that adjusts from 35.9-38.4 inches and a pass-through foreend with pistol grip, making it comfortable for almost any shooter. Safety features include an anti-dry fire trigger system, as well as finger safety reminders that prevent you from reaching into the string’s path when readying for a shot. Taking aim at your target is easy with the Halo 1.5-5x32mm illuminated scope, which offers a built-in speed compensation function for fine-tuning accuracy. Three 22-inch HyperFlight crossbow bolts, a side-mounted quiver and rope cocking device also come with the package.
$899.99 | barnettcrossbows.com
A Bold, New Frontier – PSE Coalition Frontier PSE Coalition Frontier PSE’s newest addition to its crossbow line, the Coalition Frontier, combines the latest in crossbow technologies to deliver an affordable bow boasting accuracy and performance. Lighter and more compact than the original Coalition, the Frontier still packs plenty of energy, with a 190-pound draw weight and 13¼-inch power stroke capable of launching bolts 380 fps. The bow weighs in at 6.9 pounds and measures 335⁄8 inches long, with a 177⁄8-inch span from axle to axle at rest. It comes complete with a 1.5-5x32mm variable-zoom illuminated scope, five-bolt quiver, three 22-inch carbon bolts, limb dampers and string silencers, dual string stops and a cocking rope. The finish features Kryptek Altitude camouflage.
$299.99 | psearchery.com
NXT-Generation Technology – Wicked Ridge NXT 400 Wicked Ridge NXT 400 Measuring only 6 inches wide when cocked, the NXT 400 is Wicked Ridge’s narrowest, most accurate crossbow ever. The bow’s XR6-Cams and Vector-Quad cable technology that utilizes four cables instead of two help power 200-pound limbs, propelling bolts 400 fps when using the three Pro Elite 400-grain carbon bolts that come with the package. The NXT 400’s lightweight, machined aluminum riser and TRI-LOCK pocket system are designed to ensure perfect alignment between pocket and limbs, resulting in increased accuracy. The stock includes several strategic cutouts to help reduce weight, and it also holds the ACUdraw crank-cocking device designed to make it easy for anyone to cock the bow. Also included with the package are an illuminated 3X scope, integrated string stop system and quiver. The NXT 400, which is sighted in for 20 yards at the factory, comes in PEAK camo. It measures 33 inches long without the stirrup and weighs just more than 7 pounds.
$1,099 | wickedridgecrossbows.com
Deadly Impact – Bear Archery Impact Bear Archery Impact Compact, powerful and easy to operate, the new BearX Impact is designed for maximum impact, whether on the range or in the woods. Available in both TrueTimber Strata and Veil Stoke camo, this crossbow has a 180-pound draw weight and pushes bolts 420 fps. Weighing 7.8 pounds, the Impact is 27½ inches long and only 81⁄8 inches wide when cocked (121⁄16 inches uncocked). Highlighting its accessories are an illuminated scope, as well as a cocking crank with an anti-reverse mechanism that stops the handle if you let go, making it safe and easy to uncock the bow. Three BearX TrueX bolts, a four-bolt quiver and sling are also included.
$1,049.99 | beararchery.com
Affordable Action – Rocky Mountain RM400 Black Rocky Mountain RM400 Black With a price less than $300, the new RM400 Black offers an affordable, ready-to-shoot option for any hunter. The 195-pound limb system propels the 380-grain Carbon Express PileDriver bolts included with the package at 400 fps while producing 135 foot-pounds of kinetic energy for bone-crushing performance. The bow checks in at 18 ½ inches wide by 35 inches long, with a 14 ½-inch width when cocked. It’s built on a one-piece black stock and comes with a standard reticle 4x32mm scope, rope cocking device, RM Quiet Crank, three-bolt side quiver and three bolts. A Dry Fire Safety system engages automatically when the bow is cocked, while dual string suppressors and limb dampeners are included to reduce bow noise.
$299.99 | feradyne.com/rocky-mountain