Topic: The Best Crossbows for the Money (Read 42 times)
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Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
This crossbow uses small diameter bolts with less wind drift, which can improve penetration.
Pros
Cons
Barnett Hyper XP 405 Review
The Barnett Hyper XP 405 gives crossbow hunters a lot of value for the price. It has some cool features, like that it shoots micro-diameter bolts, and it has a TriggerTech trigger. The collapsable stock is excellent for fitting the crossbow to the shooter and reducing its size for transportation. The stock is also ergonomic and features rubber over-molding around the grip for additional co*fort. The trigger is insanely good for a crossbow in this price range. It also shoots a respectable 407 fps. It printed 3.5-inch groups at 50 yards.
The downside is that the Hyper XP 405 only co*es with two bolts, and it doesn’t include a crank. But, you can buy a crank for an extra $150. We reco*mend that upgrade because using the included rope cocker is difficult due to the Hyper XP 405’s long powerstroke. The last few inches of cocking the crossbow are especially difficult. It also can’t be decocked without firing. Another con is that the bolts are expensive; they’ll run you $90 for five.
If you’re looking for a crossbow for around $600, it’s going to be hard to beat the features you get from the Hyper XP 405.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
This is a no-frills, well-built performer that gives a lot of value for the price.
Pros
Cons
Barnett Whitetail 400 XTR Review
The Whitetail 400 XTR has many of the same features we like about the Hyper XP 405, like the TriggerTech trigger. The big difference between the two is the Whitetail Hunter shoots standard-diameter bolts. That feature will appeal to many crossbow hunters because the standard bolts are about half the price of the small-diameter ones.
The stock is ergonomic and well-balanced. The balance makes for steady shooting from field positions, and it feels much lighter than its 7.2 pounds. Barnett added nice touches like rubber over-molding on the cheek rest, grip, and stirrup. That coating adds co*fort, and deadens any noise caused by knocking the stirrup into stands or bow hangers.
It is a long crossbow at 36 inches, including the stirrup. It’s a beast to cock without a crank. You can buy a crank for the crossbow ($150), though, and it would be a wise investment.
It has a very nice TriggerTech trigger and shot a respectable average of 3.58-inch groups at 50 yards. We clocked it at its specified 400 fps, giving it .71 slug fps of momentum. That’s really good performance for a crossbow in this price range.
Key Features
Why It Made the Cut
The Raider 400 De-Cock offers a ton of premium features for under $1,000.
Pros
Cons
Wicked Ridge Raider 400 De-Cock Review
Wicked Ridge is the sister co*pany of TenPoint, and you’ll get features from the more expensive TenPoints in Wicked Ridge crossbows. A great example of that technology trickling down is the Acudraw included in the Raider 400 De-Cock. It’s a built-in cocking and de-cocking mechanism that’s smooth as butter to crank. But, it did occasionally get stuck while retracting it.
It used to be the norm that crossbow hunters carried a decocking bolt, but these days more crossbows can be decocked without shooting. It’s a really nice feature to make your crossbow co*pletely safe before climbing down from a treestand. It’s also a surprising feature to see on a crossbow under $1,000.
The Raider is a wide crossbow, which gives it some wobble when shooting unsupported and makes it less maneuverable. It shot an average 4.02-inch group at 50 yards and 367 fps with a 400-grain bolt. Wicked Ridge advertises 390 fps with a 400-grain bolt, so that’s a substantial disparity of 23 fps.
The Raider 400 was the least accurate crossbow we shot, and it didn’t hit its specified speed. But it also has premium features—features you don’t usually find on crossbows under $1,000—and it’s built in the U.S.A.
One of two Killer Instinct models to make the list, the Lethal 405 is one of the lowest-priced crossbows to hit the market. At just $299.99, it offers plenty of performance and included options that make it a real bargain. It tops the 400-fps mark, which is insane performance for a $300 crossbow. The kit includes an illuminated scope, arrows, quiver, and cocking rope. Everything you need to hit the woods. The bow has a 3.5-pound trigger and is 14.75 inches wide when cocked, making it easy to handle. It’s not the sort of bulky, unwieldy bow you might expect at this price point. It’s also fairly light at just over seven pounds.
Killer Instinct’s Ripper series has proven to be a top seller, and it’s pretty easy to see why. For $450, the Ripper 425 includes an illuminated scope, arrows, and quiver and boasts an adjustable buttstock. The bow’s are fast, well-balanced, and feature premium features at a very attractive price. It weighs in at 7.5 pounds, but that weight balances well with the 32-inch frame. The trigger co*es set at 3.5 pounds, and it’s a maneuverable package thanks to its cocked width of just more than 14 inches.
If you’re a fan of old-school, recurve-style crossbows, then you’re a fan of Excalibur. The Matrix GRZ2 is Excalibur’s most budget-friendly model, and it’s a good one. Thanks to its simple recurve-style limbs, skeletonized stock, and synthetic mainframe. It’s also rugged as hell. The bow measures just over 32 inches in length and weighs in at six pounds without accessories. The draw weight is 100 pounds, and that delivers arrows at 305 fps. For $550, you get the bow along with a standard kit that includes scope, arrows, and cocking device.
