July 10, 2012
By Doug Howlett
Horizontal shooters are gaining in popularity as are the advancements that make em' deadly. Here's a look at new crossbows for deer hunting.
Arrow Precision Inferno Hellfire The
Arrow Precision Inferno Hellfire is a quad-limb crossbow made from a machined aluminum riser and compression fiberglass limbs and features a precision trigger assembly, anti-dry fire device, Comfort Grip camo stock, a large boot-style foot stirrup and 4x32 multi-reticle illuminated scope. With a draw weight of 185 pounds, the Inferno Hellfire produces IBO speeds in excess of 300 fps. The overall length is 36 1/2 inches, the width is 27 1/2 inches and the weight is just under 7 1/2 pounds.
Barnett Vengeance The
Barnett Vengeance provides speed while minimizing noise and vibration by combining a lightweight CarbonLite riser with reverse draw technology. The Vengeance's design puts the center of gravity closer to the shooter's body, eliminating the weight-forward feeling common to crossbows. The model has an 18-inch power stroke.
Darton FireForce The FireForce combines modern crossbow and compound bow technology to bring hunters a crossbow that features larger axles, oversized sealed Quad Ball Bearings in the DualSync cams, wider and stronger split limbs, a tactical stock and a compact front riser. Shooting a 400-grain bolt, the FireForce generates speeds approaching 400 fps. The crossbow comes with an integrated string suppressor and
Darton's new Barrel Dampener.
Excalibur Eclipse XT Producing a respectable 330 fps from a 15.5-inch power stroke, the
Excalibur Eclipse XT is powered from a 200-pound draw weight. Designed with a 'tactical ' eye, the Eclipse XT features a solid thumbhole stock, a Black Carbo, or carbon fiber, finish, S5 sound and vibration control system, Shadow-Zone scope, four Firebolt arrows, target points and a quiver with mounting bracket. The Eclipse XT weighs 6.3 pounds.
Horton Havoc At 34 1/2 inches long and 17 1/2 inches wide, the Havoc is a compact crossbow that still delivers plenty of power. Technologies include
Horton's Reverse Draw system, a CNC-machined riser and cams, Viper X strings, a CNC Picatinny rail, composite limbs, an optimized MIM Talon ultra light trigger and an ergonomic stock with an ambidextrous Monte Carlo cheek rest and interchangeable recoil pads. The 8.3-pound bow is capable of IBO speeds of 325 fps. The power stroke is 14 1/4 inches.
PSE Foxfire The
PSE Foxfire tips the scales at 8.3 pounds, has a power stroke of 14 inches and is 38 1/2 inches long by 27 inches wide. Using a 425-grain bolt, it produces 330-340 fps from a 150-pound draw weight. Features include an anodized machined aluminum barrel, molded stock with thumbhole grip, 7/8-inch fixed mount metal scope rail, rubber-coated stirrup and Vibracheck Backstops. Available in two packages with four bolts, a quiver, cocking rope and either a Viper 4x32 multi-reticle scope or a Viper red dot scope.
Stryker StrykeZone 380 The StrykeZone 380 can launch arrows at a fast 380 fps, all from a draw weight of 160 pounds and a power stroke of 15 1/2 inches. Features include
Stryker's precision-engineered cams, Octane string and cables and a 3-pound Kill Switch trigger for a string release with less than .015-inch travel. The crossbow weighs in at 6.9 pounds.
TenPoint Carbon Elite XLT The
TenPoint Carbon Elite XLT is capable of generating arrow speeds of 352 fps from a draw weight of 185 pounds. It weighs 6 7/8 pounds, has an overall length of just over 38 inches and is 17 1/2 inches wide. The carbon bow comes complete with a RangeMaster Pro Scope, ACUdraw cocking mechanism, a four-arrow HX quiver and ambidextrous side-mount quiver bracket, the BowJax noise dampening kit, GripGuard safety shield, a soft carry case and six Pro Elite carbon arrows.
Wicked Ridge Raider CLS The
Wicked Ridge Raider CLS is built from 12-inch IsoTaper Limbs, MR cams, an injection-molded composite semi-skeletal Verton stock and Acra-Angle barrel assembly all with a Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity finish. It includes a detachable, lightweight, coated aluminum foot stirrup and D-75 string and cables. The Raider CLS is capable of propelling arrows at 330 fps. It is equipped with a 3X Multi-Line Scope, Tenpoint's patented DFI (dry-fire inhibitor), a 3.5-pound PowerTouch trigger and the Acu-52 integrated, self-retracting cocking system.
