For newcomers or young hunters just starting in the world of crossbows, selecting the right first bow can be daunting. For any beginner, whether a youth or adult, having an enjoyable hunting experience is vital to foster lifelong involvement in archery hunting. To ensure the hunt is fun and successful, it typically begins with a weapon that is lightweight enough to carry, easy to operate, and dependable enough to cleanly take down game without breaking the bank. I found the Barnett Wildcat CRX crossbow fits that description perfectly.
Barnett Wildcat CRX at a Glance
Lightweight & Beginner-Friendly: At just 6.1 pounds with a cocked width of 18 inches, the Barnett Wildcat CRX is easy to handle for youth hunters and new adult hunters.
Reliable Recurve Design: Simple, low-maintenance recurve crossbow platform ideal for first-time crossbow users.
Enhanced Safety Features: Includes Anti-Dry-Fire Trigger System, finger safety reminders, pass-through foregrip, and Soft-Lok Floating Bristle Retainer for secure, confident shooting.
280 FPS Hunting Performance: Delivers speeds up to 280 fps with a 195-pound draw weight — more than enough for deer and similar sized game.
Rope-Hold Technology: Barnett’s patented Rope-Hold system ensures smooth, consistent cocking and reduces user error, perfect for younger or smaller shooters.
Accurate Out to 40+ Yards: Proven tight groups at 20 to 30 yards and dependable accuracy past 40 yards during field testing.
Ready-to-Hunt Package: Includes red-dot scope, three 20-inch Headhunter bolts, rope cocking device, and quiver for instant range or woods readiness.
Affordable Entry Point: Priced at $229.99, it’s one of the best-value crossbows for new hunters and hunters new to crossbows.
Compact and Easy to Handle
At just 6.1 pounds and only 18 inches wide when cocked, the Wildcat CRX is compact and highly maneuverable, offering a significant advantage for younger hunters or anyone still learning how to navigate the woods quietly.
The recurve crossbow design keeps things simple and low maintenance, which is ideal for someone not ready to handle the extra tuning and upkeep that come with more complex xbows.
Six pounds is on the lighter side for most crossbows, making it easy for hunters of all sizes to carry this bow to and from the blind or up into a treestand or saddle.
For a youth hunter, having a crossbow that doesn’t feel overwhelming can boost confidence both in the field and at the range.
Safe, Forgiving, and Confidence-Building
Barnett built in a variety of safety features that give new hunters peace of mind. The Anti-Dry-Fire Trigger System prevents accidental firing without a bolt loaded, while finger safety reminders and a pass through foregrip help keep hands clear of danger. The Soft-Lok Floating Bristle Retainer ensures your bolt stays locked in place until the moment of the shot.
All these elements combine to make the Wildcat CRX not only safer but also less intimidating, which also goes a long way in building a beginner’s confidence.
Enough Power to Get the Job Done
Despite its youth friendly size and price, the Wildcat CRX still packs serious performance. It launches bolts at up to 280 fps with a 195-pound draw weight: more than enough power for deer and other big game at typical hunting ranges. The metal injection molded trigger is smooth and crisp, helping young hunters squeeze off accurate shots under pressure.
During testing, my very first shot turned into one of those classic “shake-your-head” moments. Even after more than 30 years of shooting bows and crossbows, there are still times when I catch myself feeling like I’m brand new to it all.
The Wildcat CRX uses Barnett’s new patented roller-ball Rope-Hold Technology, which holds the cocking rope securely in place as you draw. The Rope-Hold system even features a bright red ball that marks exactly where the rope should go.
It quickly became one of my favorite features; it makes cocking smooth and consistent, especially for younger shooters or smaller adults who might need to draw and shoot multiple times during practice.
I started shooting the Wildcat CRX. With a projected speed of 280 fps, I knew it wouldn’t have the zip effect of today’s faster crossbows. However, I was surprised by how hard-hitting this bow is.
The Wildcat CRX has more than enough power to take down big game animals, up to forty yards, all day long. In fact, in recent weeks, I have hunted with it myself, both from a box blind and from my tree saddle.
Wildcat CRX Range Test
For the range test, I shot the included 20-inch bolts over my Garmin Chronograph and achieved a speed of 275.3 fps, which is close to the advertised 280 fps.
Accuracy was also impressive, with tight groups at 20, 25, and 30 yards. I was also satisfied with the accuracy, even beyond 40 yards.
In past years, I have shot recurve style crossbows and have always been disappointed with their quality. That was not the case with the Wildcat CRX; its performance and design were well worth its extremely affordable $229.99 price tag.
Barnett Wildcat CRX: Ready to Hunt Out of the Box
Moments after taking the crossbow out of the box, I was ready to hunt with it. My first few shots were from 20 yards, and I was able to shoot a tight group after quickly zeroing the included scope.
After target shooting, I simply switched from field points to broadheads and headed to the woods to hunt. I love that any hunter, whether a beginner or a veteran, can be in the field within minutes of taking the crossbow out of the package.
Not everyone is an archery technician or professional shooter. With the simplicity and setup of the Wildcat CRX, you don’t have to be, and it comes with all this to get you started:
- A precision red-dot scope with protective cover
- Three 20-inch Headhunter bolts
- A rope cocking device to make drawing easier
- A quick-detach quiver to carry your bolts
For a newcomer, having a valid, ready-to-hunt package removes much of the guesswork and unnecessary purchases that can otherwise overwhelm a first-time buyer. This is simply a great entry-level crossbow.
A Great First, Entry-Level Crossbow
With a price tag of $229.99, the Wildcat CRX makes it easy and affordable to get started crossbow hunting. It’s safe, compact, and has plenty of power to take down game cleanly, yet it’s simple to use and maintain. After spending some time at the range and in the woods with it, I was impressed.
The Wildcat CRX is a good reminder that hunting success isn’t about having the fastest bow or the priciest gear. It’s really about feeling comfortable with your setup and keeping things simple.
Barnett Wildcat CRX Specs
Length: 33 inches
Product Weight: 6.1 pounds
Draw Weight: 195 pounds
Kinetic Energy: 66 pounds
Power Stroke: 12.5 inches
Speed: 280 fps
Trigger Type: Anti-Dry Fire (ADF)
Features:
- Rope-Hold Technology
- Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) Trigger System
- Soft-Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer
- Metal Injection Molded (MIM) Trigger
- Anti-Vibration Foot Stirrup
- Pass-Through Foregrip
- Mostly Assembled
- Three Picatinny Rails
- Finger Safety Reminders
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