New Crossbows for Deer Season

August 27, 2013 By Tracy Breen

Archery gear is always changing and always improving. In turn, archery companies are constantly striving for more speed and forgiveness and focusing on building equipment that is fun to use and hunt with. Included below are some of the best new crossbows — and enhancements in technology — for 2013. Get out the wish list. You're about to make some additions.

Barnett Vengeance

The new Barnett Vengeance comes with a CarbonLite riser, which makes this crossbow extra light and easy to aim, weighing only 7.9 pounds. The Vengeance is 24 inches wide and has an incredible 18-inch power stroke. The 140-pound-draw crossbow shoots 365 FPS.

Price: $899

Arrow Pecision Inferno Firestorm II

Arrow Precision Crossbows has a new crossbow called the Inferno Firestorm II that has a trigger that requires just 2.4 pounds of pull. The crossbow utilizes a machined cam system and compression molded limbs that are as tough as nails. The 165-pound-pull Firestorm II shoots a bolt an impressive 375 FPS and weighs 8.2 pounds.

Price: $649

Carbon Express Intercept

Carbon Express is going tactical in 2013. Their new Intercept Crossbow has a 9-inch adjustable foregrip rail to accommodate any shooting style, and it also has an adjustable 8-position Picatinny stock rail and a six-position AR-style butt-stock. The Intercept is 13.5-inches axle to axle when cocked. The draw weight of the Intercept is 185 pounds, and it shoots 360 FPS. The crossbow weighs 8.3 pounds, and its no-creep trigger requires 3.5 pounds of pull.

Price: $769

Excalibur Matrix 380 Xtra

Excalibur is among the clear leaders in recurve crossbow design. For 2013, they have raised the bar with the Matrix 380 Xtra. Excalibur made this crossbow four inches shorter and six inches narrower than their other models, improving its maneuverability and lessening its overall weight. The Matrix 380 Xtra is packed with features including an ergo-grip stock, a Quad-Loc riser and PowerLoad limbs that are said to be 60 percent stronger than other recurve limbs. The Matrix 380 Xtra throws a bolt at 380 FPS.

Price: $950

Horton TRT 175 Nitro

Horton has teamed up with Realtree to offer the Horton Team Realtree crossbow called the TRT 175 Nitro. The TRT is feather-light, weighing only 6.5 pounds. The TRT comes with an aircraft-grade aluminum riser and an efficient cam system that stores over 80 percent of the crossbow's energy. The 175-pound-draw TRT shoots a bolt at 345 FPS.

Price: $799

PSE Enigma

PSE is offering the new Enigma Crossbow that is priced to sell. This crossbow has a lightweight thumbhole stock that helps steady the crossbow for better accuracy. It also comes with PSE's split limb technology. The Enigma shoots 350 FPS and is a 150-pound-draw crossbow.

Price: $415

Scorpyd Velocity

For 2013, Scorpyd Crossbows is introducing the Velocity. Like all previous Scorpyd crossbows, the Velocity comes with Scorpyd's patented reverse draw technology. The Velocity is available in three different draw weights: 165 pounds, which shoots a blistering 425 FPS; 150 pounds, which shoots 400 FPS; and 125 pounds, which shoots 370 FPS. The Velocity comes with solid Barnsdale limbs, which are known for their strength and durability. The Velocity is easy to maneuver in the stand because it is only 15.5 inches axle-to-axle when cocked. It comes with a folding stock and tips the scales at 8.5 pounds.

Price: $1,399

TenPoint Vapor

For 2013, TenPoint has introduced the Vapor. The first thing that separates this crossbow from the pack is its weight — a mere 6.8 pounds. The Vapor is powered by a hybrid eccentric cam system that produces speeds up to 360 FPS with 165 pounds of draw weight. The Vapor comes with a wrapped carbon fiber barrel, strong isoTaper limbs and a bullpup stock that is easy to maneuver in a tight spot. Like most TenPoint crossbows, the Vapor comes with the ACUdraw cocking system.

Price: $1,999

Wicked Ridge Raider CLS

Wicked Ridge is known for making great crossbows that come with all the bells and whistles — and without the high-dollar price tag. This year, they are offering the Raider CLS. This crossbow is built with TenPoint's Compact Limb System which is tight and strong, thanks to the isoTaper limbs. The Raider tips the scales at seven pounds, thanks to an extra-light stock and Acra-Angle barrel. This bow comes with TenPoint's Acu-52 draw system. The Raider CLS shoots 330 FPS and has a draw weight of 180 pounds.

Price: $599

Mission Archery MXB360

Mission Archery dove into the crossbow market this year with a user-friendly crossbow called the MXB 360. The MXB 360 is perfect for shooters of all strengths and ages, offering an adjustable draw weight that can be dialed down to 100 pounds or cranked up as high as 160 pounds. It shoots a bolt at 360 FPS. The MXB 360 weighs only 6.55 pounds, making it easy to carry around in the woods. The axle-to-axle length is 19.5 inches.

Price: $899

Darton Viper

The Viper crossbow from Darton comes with many new features to help keep the crossbow as quiet as a mouse. The motor behind the Viper is Darton's Dualsync cam system, which produces speeds up to 340 FPS. The Viper has a trackless barrel, which produces less string wear.

Price: $999

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