

Best Micro-Diameter Bolt Crossbow: Barnett Hyper XP 405 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. The crank is quiet, but the crank handle inserts into a hole in the back of the stock and can get wedged in place. We liked that the forward grip keeps your support hand low and safely away from the string. 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. The Wrath 430 has an advertised speed of up to 430 fps, but Centerpoint doesn’t provide a bolt weight to achieve that speed. We shot a 3.27-inch group average at 50 yards, and it produced speeds of 408 fps with a 400-grain bolt. The trigger pull felt heavy, but it was still the fourth-most accurate crossbow we tested at the 2022 Outdoor Life Crossbow Test. The polymer stock gives the crossbow a cheap feel, but it doesn’t affect performance. This bullpup-style crossbow is the most compact in the Centerpoint lineup. 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. Centerpoint Wrath 430Ĭenterpoint Wrath 430 Review The bullpup design keeps the Wrath 430 compact The Wrath 430’s crank inserts into the stockĬenterpoint and Ravin are sister companies, and you’ll see a lot of Ravin technology in Centerpoints. The Raider certainly is a great hunting tool and meets the needs of hunters looking for the best crossbow for the money. But I recognize most crossbow owners use their bows for hunting tools rather than recreational shooting. It’s a louder-than-average crossbow, with a stinging vibration after the shot. The one thing I didn’t like about shooting the Raider was the post-shot vibration. In fact, the longest setting was even too long for my 6-foot 6-inch frame. The stock is adjustable for the length of pull from 13.25 inches to 16.25 inches, which is plenty of adjustment range to fit most shooters. The stock has a wide range of adjustment. The vertical consistency was excellent, and I saw mostly left or right inconsistency, likely due to the trigger. In the 50-yard accuracy testing, the group sizes averaged 3.5 inches. Just keep squeezing the trigger straight back, and you’ll hit the spot. The trigger is a stiff 4.5 pounds but doesn’t have any creep, and it breaks clean. The Raider’s groups were often strung horizontally. I think the Wicked Ridge Raider is in that rarified air. I’ve tested a lot of crossbows, and there are only a handful that are easy for anyone to cock and decock with a rope cocker while in a treestand. I continued to be pleasantly surprised by the Raider throughout testing. Easy to cock and de-cock with a rope cockerįirst impressions are worth a lot, and my first impressions of the Wicked Ridge Raider were that it’s very light, easy to cock-and I was surprised when my first shot hit right where I was aiming.The Best Crossbows for the Money: Reviews and Recommendations Best Value: Wicked Ridge Raider 400 De-Cock The result is a better bow at a bargain price.Įach model also includes accessories in the price, which saves you money by not purchasing additional accessories to get hunting. This creates a bow that, while lower in price, shares some measure of performance and research time. This is important because their budget models often share technologies or production processes with those top models. Best Value: Wicked Ridge Raider 400 De-CockĮvery model featured here comes from a manufacturer that either currently offers or has previously produced bows that are “top end” models.Through that testing we’ve learned what makes for a great budget crossbow and about the companies that build them. But how do you whittle down a list to the “best of the best?” Well, you start by shooting a lot of crossbows, and we’ve done that at the 2023 Outdoor Life Crossbow Test and past tests. Fortunately, there is no shortage of the best budget crossbows available. We’ve identified the best value-laden models in the crossbow world. Hunters looking for the best crossbow for their money will be pleased to find many great options. The good news is it’s never been easier to get a ton of performance for you money. It’s standard to see prices pushing $2,000 (or more) for top-end flagship models with all the bells, whistles, and mechanical cocking devices. Know what else has skyrocketed? Crossbow prices. Learn More ›Ĭrossbow use has risen exponentially over the past decade, and crossbow technology has rocketed forward as well. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
