The trend in crossbows? Ultimate speed, and this fine selection proves there’s a speed demon for every budget.
Excalibur Assassin 420 Takedown. Designed for the shooter who wants a high-performance crossbow with trouble- and maintenance-free technology, the Assassin 420 Takedown ($1,899.99) builds off the company’s wildly popular Assassin 360 and adds some serious speed (420 fps!) and new Quick Loc technology. Due to the simplicity of Excalibur’s recurve limb design, the Assassin 420 TD features the unique ability to quickly detach the front limb assembly from the mainframe, allowing for convenient storage and compact transportation. Using an innovative tool-less design, the limb assembly can be removed and reassembled in a matter of seconds without the slightest change in the point of impact. And like its Assassin 360 brother, the Assassin 420 TD also features a Charger built-in silent crank, a 3-pound match grade Proshot trigger, and Tru-Fit fully adjustable stock.
Mission SUB-1 XR. Last year Mission Crossbows made a huge splash with its ultra-accurate SUB-1 crossbow that remains in the line, and the company has followed up that success for 2019 with two new models including the top-of-the-line SUB-1 XR ($1,699.99) that’s designed for blistering speed and impressive accuracy. It’s designed to deliver speeds up to 410 fps with the capability of shooting 1-inch groups at 100 yards. You’ll also find exciting features like Benchmark Fire Control technology, which includes a 3-pound match-grade trigger, the Easy-Load bolt retention arm and the ability to safely de-cock with the push of a button. The compact frame is 9.1 inches axle-to-axle and just 30.5 inches long. It weighs 7.6 pounds and is available in Black or Realtree Edge camo (shown).
Bear X Crossbow Saga 405. Looking for top-of-the-line premium speed in a truly affordable package? You need to check out the new-for-2019 Saga 405 ($349.99) that is the fastest model in the Bear X lineup. Producing speeds of 405 fps with a draw weight of 210 pounds, the Saga 405 measures 14 inches wide cocked and 18 inches wide uncocked; you’ll also find an adjustable fore end grip, ambidextrous safety, and rear adjustable stock. More smart features include an anti-dry fire inhibitor, dual string suppressor system, and picatinny scope mount rail. Better yet? It comes complete with all the accessories needed including a 4×32 scope with multi cross-hair reticle and functioning eye piece, as well as a four-bolt quiver, cocking rope, three carbon bolts with field points, and rail lube/string wax.
Barnett HyperGhost 425. Speed. Power. The new-for-2019 HyperGhost 425 ($1,299.99) has plenty. Like its name suggests it delivers a blistering 425 fps and 152 foot-pounds of kinetic energy in a 7.7-pound, 36.25-inch-long package that measures 20 3/8 inches wide uncocked. The bow comes packaged with Barnett’s exclusive HyperFlite .204-inch small-diameter arrows designed to deliver ultra-deep penetration and one-shot kills. Also included is a premium 1.5-5×32 illuminated scope, CNC machined aluminum flight track, retractable counterbalance underarm support, Soft Lok floating bristle arrow retainer and anti-dry fire TriggerTech trigger.
TenPoint Nitro XRT. Get ready for the next step in crossbow evolution and performance. Tested to deliver speeds up to an industry-first 470 feet per second, and generating a jaw-dropping 190 foot-pounds of power, the Nitro XRT ($2,499.99) is touting 25-percent flatter arrow trajectory. And that means you can expect precision down-range accuracy and devastating knock-down power. The reverse-draw bow assembly features a center-mounted riser that’s designed to provide superior balance. By shifting the riser from the front of the crossbow to its center, the design eliminates the “nose-heavy” feel of traditional crossbows, making it easier to hold steady and keep the crosshairs locked on target. The bow and stock assemblies combine to create a perfectly balanced, sharp-shooting crossbow that weighs 7.4 pounds, and measures a mere 30.7 inches long.
Wicked Ridge RDX 400. Industry-leading technology starting at under $800? That’s what you can get with the reverse-draw RDX 400 ($759.99 w/Rope Sled; $859.99 w/ACUdraw) that measures just 9 inches wide and shoots up to a lightning-fast 400 feet per second. Its machined, lightweight aluminum riser is fitted with the company’s Over-the-Top limb pocket that both separates and isolates the limbs from direct contact with the riser to reduce sound and vibration. The bow and stock assemblies combine to create a balanced crossbow that weighs 7.1 pounds, and measures just 33.5 inches long (w/o stirrup). Equipped with either the ACUdraw or Rope Sled cocking device and TenPoint’s Multi-Line Scope, the RDX 400 is double-dip fluid imaged in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo. The model sells only as a complete package that includes the cocking device, scope, three arrows, string stop system, and a quiver.
CAMX A4. They’ll never hear you coming. This innovative design features a unique suspension system that uses an inboard cam with special swing-arm design that completely protects cams, reduces felt shock to nearly zero and improves accuracy, all while sending arrows at 370 fps. The Pivoting Arrow Retention (P.A.R.) system provides consistent arrow pressure so it can’t come loose or fall out, allows for manual, one-hand let-down and works in concert with the CAMX Lo-Drag Fire Control Trigger as an ADF mechanism. Patented Thumbsaver technology protects the shooter’s forehand for the full travel path of the string and the cables. And like all CAMX bows, the A4 ($1,149.99/Base Package) comes pre-sighted at the factory from 10 to 100 yards. Includes four Accuspine arrows and field points, CAMX’s Wishbone patented quiver and a rope cocking aid, in Realtree Max-1, Mossy Oak Treestand or Ninja Black.