Best New Crossbows for 2023: ATA Show

Crossbow technology and design continues to evolve, with faster speeds and new ideas grabbing attention each year. Some of the best new crossbows of 2023 have tweaks and updates that certainly help hunters in the field. Look for these new crossbows and other archery equipment in your favorite stores or online sites soon. (Check back for updates on this story from ATA Show 2023.)

Ballista BAT

Touted as the “world’s smallest crossbow,” the Ballista BAT pistol crossbow definitely will make you take a second look. It’s petite, at just 2.4 pounds with a 16-inch by 5-inch frame. It packs a punch, with 120-150 pounds of energy, hitting speeds of 330 fps. It can handle any scopes thanks to its 21mm mount, and can be reloaded in three seconds. The BAT Reverse has many of the same features and hits speeds up to 420 fps. Both have a folding foregrip handle. Interesting, to say the least, but the look like fun and another option in the crossbow world. $299 and $449 | ballista.co

Barnett Hyper Raptor

Barnett’s Hyper series hit the mark with hunters a couple of years ago, and the new Raptor should grab attention with updates for 2023. The Hyper Raptor features a lightweight composite riser and measures just over seven inches axle-to-axle when cocked. That pays off in stands or blinds when minimizing movement is critical. The Hyper Raptor sends small-diameter HyperFlite arrows downrange up to 410 fps with 142 foot-pounds of energy. Barnett’s new Halo system eliminates cable crossing and cam lean for better accuracy. Arrows are held secure with Barnett’s Soft-Lok bristle retainer system and the CNC machined aluminum flight track provides consistency shot after shot. The Hyper Raptor is loaded with numerous other features, as well, along with a 4x36 illuminated, multi-reticle scope with flip-up caps, quiver, three arrows, rope-style cocking device and wax. $599 | barnettcrossbows.com

Barnett XP Series

Barnett is adding three new models to its legendary Explorer (XP) Series, which is designed for veteran hunters and newcomers. The Recruit XP, XP 385 and XP 405 are built with foot stirrups mounted onto diecast magnesium risers and with machined, drop-in flight tracks. Additional features include a pass-through foregrip, three composite Picatinny rails, and a TriggerTech metal-injected molded trigger. Safety features include Trigger Tech’s Anti-dry fire (ADF) trigger and a Soft-Lok bristle retainer to keep arrows secure. The bows include a ready-to-hunt accessory package containing a lightweight quiver, rope-cocking device, lube wax, and two 20-inch Headhunter arrows. The bows measure just 13 inches axle-to-axle cocked. $299, $399 and $499 | barnettcrossbows.com

Ravin R18S

What stands out most about the Ravin R18S crossbow? It’s hard to pick just one thing, to be honest. The design is unique, to say the least, with limbs that compress vertically thanks to its VertiCoil Cam System. The small cams rotate 720 degrees, creating an axle-to-axle height of just 1.3 inches when fully cocked. The overall package is just 18 inches long (25 inches with the removable stock attached) and 4.75-inches wide. It weighs just six pounds, less than some premium hunting rifles. The three-dot Reflex sight allows for multiple “pins” for shooting. And it fires arrows up to 360 fps in testing. It’s one of the wildest designs, but nothing unexpected from Ravin as it continues to push the edges. $1,499+ | ravincrossbows.com

TenPoint Flatline 460, Flatline 460 Oracle X

TenPoint Crossbows’ new Flatline 460 and Flatline 460 Oracle X bows shoot a sizzling 460 fps from a compact 26.5-inch package loaded with features. The Flatline 460 comes with the EVO-X Marksman Elite Scope, while the Oracle X model can be equipped with the Burris Oraxle X Rangefinding Crossbow Scope. The latter features a built-in rangefinder activated by wireless remote. With the push of a button the Oracle X instantly ranges game animals up to 200 yards away. The Flatline platform has a reverse-draw bow assembly and 14-inch power stroke. Myriad advantages are gained by this design, including more speed, downrange energy, longer nock-to-string engagement for better accuracy and a smoother, quieter shot. The RX8-Cam system allows for maximum rotation to produce speeds of 460 feet-per-second with the included 400-grain arrow. The bows also include TenPoint’s ACUslide cocking/de-cocking system and a 2-stage, zero creep S1 trigger set at 3.5 pounds. $2,599 Flatline, $3,299 Flatline Oracle X | tenpointcrossbows.com

TenPoint Stealth 450, Stealth 450 Oracle X

TenPoint has introduced its fastest forward draw crossbow, the new Stealth 450 that hits speeds of 450 feet per second with a 400-grain arrow. The Stealth 450 features the ACUslide cocking/de-cocking system, RX6-Cams and new Scope Struts and 100-yard EVO-X Marksman Elite 2x8 scope. The Stealth 450 Oracle X model can be outfitted with the Burris Oracle X rangefinding crossbow scope, which delivers instant ranging to 200 yards with the push of a button. The Stealth is ultra-compact crossbow, measuring just 6.5 inches wide, 33 inches long and 7.5 pounds. A cool addition is a rail-mounted bubble level to identify and correct any canting of the crossbow while shooting. $2,099 Stealth 450, $2,799 Stealth 450 Oracle X | tenpointcrossbows.com

TenPoint Viper 430

The new Viper 430 joins the TenPoint lineup with more speed than the previous Viper model, now hitting 430 feet per second with a 400-grain arrow. But the bow shed almost an inch in width, down to 6.5 inches for better manuverability, and sports an increased power stroke now measuring 13 inches. Combined with the TenPoint RX6-Cam system, this helps create an additional 30 fps. Vector Quad technology utilizes four cables instead of two, which eliminates cam lean and produces straight-nock travel. The 2-7 variable RangeMaster 100 scope works with crossbows shooting 380-505 fps and offers premium clarity and brightness. Other features include the S1 two-stage trigger set at 3.5 pounds, Dri-Fire Inhibitor, adjustable Tec-Tactical stock and Sentry Bowhanger. $1,799 (Vektra Camo), $1,699 (Moss Green) | tenpointcrossbows.com

Wicked Ridge Raider 400 De-Cock

Wicked Ridge Crossbows has a new AR-style adjustable butt stock and lighted scope on its wildly popular Raider 400 De-Cock. The bow is available with the Wicked Ridge XS Stock with built-in ACUdraw De-Cock or the new Tactical Stock with an AR-style adjustable butt stock and Rope-Sled. The new Tactical Stock adjusts and locks in six positions, allowing for up to 2.5 inches of adjustability in 1/2-inch increments. It also decreases the weight of the bow. The Raider’s D-1 Trigger is a two-stage, zero creep design set at 3.5 pounds. The push of a button moves the trigger to “de-cock” mode and allows the user to safely de-cock the crossbow with the built-in ACUdraw De-Cock crank cocking device or manually de-cock the crossbow with the Rope-Sled. $749 with Tactical Stock and Rope Sled; $899 with XS Stock and ACUdraw De-Cock | tenpointcrossbows.com

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Scorpyd Tremor

The new Scorpyd Tremor XP combines the proven compact platform of the Tremor with the speed cams of the Aculeus, Scorpyd’d longest-running crossbow model. The reverse-draw Tremor XP measures 17 3/8-inches from tip to tip, with a draw weight of less than 200 pounds. The crossbow features Scorpyd’s Inverted Cam technology, patented Sear-LOC Trigger System and adjustable trigger, silent safety, Hogue 1911 grips, Barnsdale laminated limbs and more. Scorpyd has been around for decades, creating some of the most innovative and fastest bows available. The new Tremor XP should turn heads this year when hunters are looking for new options. $1,650 to $2,299 | scorpyd.com