Skip to main content
Subscribe to the Magazine

Get The Magazine

Subscribe & Save.

Digital Now Included!

Subscribe Now

9 New Crossbows for 2012

9 New Crossbows for 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.

Video That May Interest You



GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Sign Me Up

Recommended Articles

Kansas Hunter Perseveres Through Medical Condition to Tag Big Typical

Iowa Bowhunter Goes Stealth Mode with a Tree Saddle to Bag 194-inch Non-typical

5 Common Deer Abnormalities Caught on Camera

Adirondack Bowhunter Still-hunts His Way to a New York Giant

A Whitetail Hunter's Guide to Ballistic Reticles

How to Find Big Buck Sanctuaries in the Spring

Iowa Bowhunter Bags Amazing Non-typical Target Buck While Hunting with Son

Best Gear of 2022 for Whitetail Property Managers

Illinois Hunter Sprints to Close the Distance On 21-point Bedded Buck

Potential Kentucky State Record Crossbow Typical Shot in Hemp Field

A Look Back at No. 1 Pope and Young Bucks Before They Were Beat

Recent Videos

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Land Management

How to Move Permanent Blinds on Your Hunting Property

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Land Management

Using a Low-Till Planter for Food Plots

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Land Management

How to Properly Maintain and Fix Your Property's Roads

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Land Management

How to Plant Fruit Trees for Whitetail Deer

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Land Management

How to Properly Use a PTO Tiller for Food Plots

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Land Management

How to Turn Neglected Fields into Food Plots

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Whitetail

Wisconsin's STATE RECORD Sheds

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Land Management

Picking a Tractor for Managing Deer Land

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Gear

New Live Stream with Browning Trail Cameras

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Learn

236-inch HISTORIC Non-typical Buck

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Whitetail

2023's Biggest Typical by Bow??

Haynes Shelton and Dr. James Kroll find mature buck travel corridors by pairing boots-on-the-ground scouting with topo maps.
Learn

How to Locate a Big Buck's Travel Corridor

See All Videos
North American Whitetail Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the North American Whitetail App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

Guns & Ammo

Guns & Ammo

Subscribe
Guns & Ammo
Subscribe
Hunting

Hunting

Subscribe
Hunting
Subscribe
North American Whitetail

North American Whitetail

Subscribe
North American Whitetail
Subscribe
Bowhunter

Bowhunter

Subscribe
Bowhunter
Subscribe

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall

Buy A Copy
2023 Backcountry Hunter Fall
Buy A Copy
2023 Hound

2023 Hound

Buy A Copy
2023 Hound
Buy A Copy
2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

2023 Crossbow Revolution #2

Buy A Copy
2023 Crossbow Revolution #2
Buy A Copy
2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

2023 Tree Saddle Hunter

Buy A Copy
2023 Tree Saddle Hunter
Buy A Copy
2023 Hunting Gear Guide

2023 Hunting Gear Guide

Buy A Copy
2023 Hunting Gear Guide
Buy A Copy
2023 Public Land Hunter

2023 Public Land Hunter

Buy A Copy
2023 Public Land Hunter
Buy A Copy

See All Special Interest Magazines

More You May Be Interested In

Petersen's Hunting
Bowhunter
Wildfowl
Gun Dog Magazine
Game & Fish
Guns & Ammo
RifleShooter
Shooting Times
Handguns
Firearms News
Florida Sportsman
In-Fisherman
Fly Fisherman
BassFan

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top North American Whitetail stories delivered right to your inbox.

Sign Me Up

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top North American Whitetail stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use