Most significantly, the Wicked Ridge NXT 400 contains a world-class crossbow trigger. Its fire control system is wholly TenPoint, featuring a brush-style arrow holder, a reversible-ambidextrous safety, and an anti-dryfire system that I actually tested when I accidentally dry-fired the bow It saved my backside. The NXT 400 features an aluminum barrel that’s supported by a molded polymer frame. Finally, heavier heads are built more robustly, and therefore have a better chance of resisting damage and performing ideally upon impact. There’s less string vibration and string speed, which increases string and limb life. I chronographed it with the 100-grain broadhead just to confirm Wicked Ridge’s claims, but I suggest shooting a 125-grain broadhead, or better yet, a 150-grain broadhead for five reasons: It quiets the bow. The 450-grain bolt (including a 100-grain broadhead) delivered 159 ft.-lbs. The NXT 400 is touted to deliver a 22-inch bolt at 400 fps, and my chronograph confirmed it. The NXT 400 is likely the narrowest crossbow at its price point. This puts in the top five narrowest crossbows available, and likely the narrowest at its price point. The width-which is the most critical measurement of a crossbow, because wide bows are very gangly to hunt with-is 6 inches axle-to-axle when cocked, or, more importantly, 9 inches at its greatest overall width. This ensures consistent nock travel for enhanced accuracy potential. It sounds complicated, but what it does is simple: It pulls the limbs drastically inward toward the barrel to load them-making the bow as narrow as possible when cocked-while simultaneously mitigating the chance of cam lean because of equal pressure above and below each cam. Four cables, rather than two, are anchored by the machined aluminum riser, then wrap around a steel fulcrum pinned to the barrel before attaching to the top and bottom of both cams. Wicked Ridge NXT 400 Overview and FeaturesĪt the core of the Wicked Ridge NXT 400 is an eccentric system the company calls Vector Quad.

Accuracy (as tested): 1.5 inches group at 30 yards with 150-grain heads.

Accessories: 3 arrows, crank, quiver, illuminated 3x scope.

Weight: 7.4 pounds bare 9.3 pounds ready to shoot.

A few years ago, a strikingly similar crossbow called the TenPoint NXT Stealth was sold for about $1,600.

The Wicked Ridge NXT 400 is one such model. They’re still great quality, shoot great, and feature newer technology-just not the newest tech. I’m about to let you in on a little secret: The Ohio company’s sister brand, Wicked Ridge, basically sells TenPoint models of a couple years ago that have been rebranded and re-priced. Its Havoc RS440, which features an integrated Garmin optic is the pinnacle of crossbow tech, but it will run you nearly $4,000. Right now, I view TenPoint as the maker of the most advanced crossbows on the planet. For me it’s the same with hunting gear, which is why I like the Wicked Ridge NXT 400.

We buy used trucks with low miles so somebody else can take the hit when they drive it off the lot. But I’ll bet my hard-earned dollar that the majority of us like a bargain. Part of me wishes I was that kind of hunter. Maybe they can easily afford it, or maybe they have to save up. Some hunters demand the best gear available, regardless of cost. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Wicked ridge 10 point crossbow