Fastest Crossbows for Hunting 2022

The fastest crossbows for hunting big game reach blazing speeds while delivering bone-crushing results. Arrows and broadheads zip through hide and bone almost faster than your eyes can see them from a stand or ground blind.

The outcome is inevitable: deer, elk, pronghorn, feral pigs and other game on the ground.

Kinetic energy and speed combine for lethal results. Crossbow manufacturers continue to raise the bar with speed. It’s a flashy touchpoint for selling crossbows, no doubt, but also gives hunters a bit more advantage with each foot-per-second gained. The great thing about today’s crossbows is they’re more narrow, have superior components and continue to add speed.

For years, anything in the 400 feet-per-second range has been speedy. Now, two companies have broken the 500 fps barrier and others aren’t far behind.

What’s in the future? Who knows? For now, here are some of the fastest crossbows for hunting, including some new-for-2022 models, based on the companies’ controlled testing for IBO speeds.

TenPoint Nitro 505

TenPoint’s new Nitro 505 hit 505 fps with a 400-grain arrow, which is the company’s fastest and most powerful bow to date. The Nitro 505 is an ultra-compact 6.5 inches wide and 30.7 inches long, and has a 17-inch power stroke to help deliver 227 foot-pounds of energy. TenPoint CEO Rick Bednar said the bow went through more than 25,000 shots in testing. The reverse-draw Nitro 505 hits its number, thanks to TenPoint’s RX8-Cam system and use of four cables instead of two, helping to generate more speed, power and accuracy.

$3,049.99 – $3,149.99 | tenpointcrossbows.com

Wicked Ridge Fury 410 De-Cock




Wicked Ridge’s new Fury 410 De-Cock crossbow is loaded with some of the same features as its cousins in the TenPoint Crossbows lineup. It’s also fast, hitting 410 fps thanks to the Reaper Cam system and 11.7-inch limbs. You’ll be more than good chasing whitetails, hogs and other game with this speedy bow.

$1,099.99 | tenpointcrossbows.com

Mission Sub-1 XR

The Sub-1 XR is the fastest crossbow in Mission’s lineup, sending arrows zipping along at up to 401 fps. The bow has a unique, minimal design that eliminates a lot of unnecessary attributes of other bows. It’s basically a flight deck, cams, ample foregrip, pistol grip and tactical stock. The buttpad fits snugly into your shoulder when you’re getting settled in for a shot. There are no other fancy add-ons. But it works like a champ and that’s all that matters.

$1,699.99 | missioncrossbows.com

Scorpyd Aculeus

The Aculeus is among the fastest crossbows on the market, clocking in at a sizzling 480 fps with a 370-grain arrow. The bow is based on the Scorpyd Orion platform and has an 18.5-inch power stroke, forged riser, reverse-draw design and a Kempf-Tec Sear Lock trigger. Scorpyd is known for its fast bows, with its Tremor hitting 470 fps and ultralight carbon Deathstalker LT notching 415 fps. If speed with lighter arrows is what you want, consider these Scorpyd models for your future hunts.

Starting at $1,549.95 | scorpyd.com

Barnett HyperTac 430

Barnett Crossbows jumped into the high speed zone in 2020 with its HyperTac lineup that includes the Pro 430. As the number implies, the bow hits 430 fps and Barnett claims that 380-grain arrows have 25 percent deeper penetration than with other bows. The HyperTac Pro 430 offers completely customizable options at almost every point of the bow, from a flip-down Verti-Grip on the foregrip to an adjustable stock for specific length-of-pull and cheek fit.

$1,499 | barnettcrossbows.com

PSE Fang XD

PSE is known for its fast bows and the Fang XD is the legendary company’s speedy crossbow, nailing speeds of up to 405 fps. The Fang XD has a 14.5-inch power stroke and generates 134 foot-pounds of energy. It’s just a smidge faster than the PSE Warhammer crossbow, which hits the 400 fps mark. Both are offered in a variety of color and camo patterns, with pistol grips and adjustable stocks.

Info: psearchery.com/pse-crossbows

CenterPoint Wrath 430

Hunters who want, or need, a more compact design but want plenty of speed and knockdown power can find it in the Wrath 430 from CenterPoint. The bow blows arrows out at 430 fps and generates 164 foot-pounds of energy while housed in a bullpup design. It’s less than 28.25-inches long, only 9 inches wide when cocked. The Pulse 425 eases right behind with speeds of 425 fps along with a folding stock and stirrup for easy portability to the stand or in the backcountry.

$649.99 | centerpointarchery.com

Ravin R500E

Ravin upended the crossbow world a few years ago with its unique design, speeds and ability to consistently hit targets to 100 yards. Ravin’s R500E is the latest to break the 500 fps barrier with a 400-grain arrow. The bow has a narrow axle-to-axle width of just 3.6 inches when cocked and 7.6 inches when uncocked. A 15-inch power stroke and draw weight of 300 pounds combines with the Hex Coil Cam System to hit 222 foot-pounds of energy. The biggest whitetails, elk or moose don’t stand a chance.

$3,324.99 | ravincrossbows.com

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