Topic: Best Crossbows for the Money of 2023 (Read 38 times)
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Key Features
Pros
Cons
Centerpoint Wrath 430 Review
Centerpoint and Ravin are sister co*panies, and you’ll see a lot of Ravin technology in Centerpoints. The Wrath 430 is at the upper end of what I’d call a budget bow at an $800 MSRP—Cabela’s sells it for $680.
This bullpup-style crossbow is the most co*pact in the Centerpoint lineup. The polymer stock gives the crossbow a cheap feel, but it doesn’t affect performance. The trigger pull felt heavy, but it was still the fourth-most accurate crossbow we tested at the 2022 Outdoor Life Crossbow Test. We shot a 3.27-inch group average at 50 yards, and it produced speeds of 408 fps with a 400-grain bolt. The Wrath 430 has an advertised speed of up to 430 fps, but Centerpoint doesn’t provide a bolt weight to achieve that speed. So we won’t say it can’t hit its spec because a lighter bolt could reach that 430 fps mark, but we weren’t able to achieve those speeds in our test.
We liked that the forward grip keeps your support hand low and safely away from the string. The crank is quiet, but the crank handle inserts into a hole in the back of the stock and can get wedged in place. For hunting, we would prefer to use a cocking rope but found that because of the long powerstroke, it was difficult to use with the rope cocker.
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
Pros
Cons
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.
Bear Archery has been a bowhunting staple for as long as bowhunting has been a thing. It only makes sense that the pioneer of co*pound bows would build a pretty solid crossbow for the money. The Constrictor CDX is a value-packed offering that delivers speeds over 400 fps and is one of the more co*pact bows in the lineup, measuring just 10 inches across when cocked. It features dual string suppressors, which make the bow quiet and reduces vibration at the shot. It co*es in two camo options: Veil Stoke and TrueTimber Strata. This is a “ready-to-hunt” package as well that includes three arrows, an illuminated scope, cocking rope, and rail lube. It sells for about $550.
Barnett has carved out a solid niche in the crossbow market with a lineup of dependable bows at attractive prices. The Whitetail Hunter is one of the top sellers, and it’s not a mystery as to why. Delivering speeds of 375 fps and weighing in under seven pounds, the step-through riser (hence the STR designation) model does many things right. This riser design allows for the traditional foot stirrup for cocking with a reduced overall length. The bow uses a TriggerTech trigger for crisp performance, and it’s also a ready-to-hunt package with scope, quiver, arrows, and cocking device. It sells for $450.
The Ravin R10 is easily the most expensive bow on this list. However, it still earns “budget-friendly” status given that it is the lowest-priced model in the Ravin line and is the most affordable entry into the superbow category. The R10 features Ravin’s HeliCoil system that allows the bow to measure just six inches in width when cocked. It takes just 12 pounds of effort to cock, thanks to Ravin’s efficient crank system. It rockets arrows at speeds of 400 fps, and the accuracy is legendary. This is a true long-range weapon that’s a ton of fun to shoot. The package runs $1325 and includes the crank handle, scope with a 100-yard aiming system, three arrows, and a quiver.
The Killer Instinct Fierce 405 is an excellent option for hunters with a budget of $400. The Fierce 405 is $300, and it shoots 400 fps. It co*es in a kit that 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 14.5 inches wide when cocked, making it easy to handle and not the sort of bulky, unwieldy bow you might expect at this price point.
It’s not easy to find a quality crossbow for under $400. When you spend $600 or more on a crossbow, you’ll get features like a better scope, faster speeds, and improved accuracy.
New crossbow users should focus on safety features like anti-dry fire and finger guards, as well as cocking and decocking mechanisms. It’s hard to beat Ravin crossbows for safety features and ease-of-use.
Each year crossbows improve, and with that crossbow buyers get more performance for their money. A few years ago, it was hard to imagine a bow under $400 that shoots 400 fps and bows around $1,000, with similar features to bows costing twice as much. If you want to start hunting with the best crossbow this fall, any of the above models will serve you well. Choose one that best fits your budget and then spend plenty of time shooting it before the season starts.
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