In today’s day and age, my mind’s eye immediately sees dollar signs when I hear the words, “high-performance crossbow.” That’s because many models fitting that bill retail for more than $2,000 and even $3,000, in some cases. That’s way more expensive than a reliable deer rifle. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve tested several of those crossbows, and they’re awesome. But the average consumer cannot spend that much money just to deer hunt several weekends each fall.

Yes, high-performance crossbows are typically beyond the financial reach of average consumers. But then there’s Barnett, which has a reputation for overdelivering technology at modest prices. In other words, your customer gets a high-performance crossbow at half or a third of the price of some of the other options.

This makes a nice segue into my recent field test of the new T-REX, which is the latest in Barnett’s Hyper Raptor series. At a price point attractive to most hunting consumers, here are some reasons the T-REX is a strong contender in the high-performance crossbow category.

Sidebar: Test Crossbow Specs

  • Make/Model: Barnett Hyper Raptor T-REX
  • Finish: Veil Camo
  • Mass Weight: 8.2 pounds (without accessories)
  • Overall Width: 7.25 inches (axle to axle, cocked)
  • Overall Length: 32 inches
  • Power Stroke: 16 inches
  • Bolt Length and Weight: 22 inches; 401 grains including 100-grain tip (measured with Last Chance Archery Pro Grain Scale)
  • Manufacturer Listed Velocity: 440 fps
  • Test Velocity: 438 fps with 401-grain arrow (found with Caldwell Ballistic Precision chronograph)
  • Manufacturer Listed Trigger Pull: 3 pounds
  • Cocking Device: Integrated Planetary Gear De-cocking System
  • Scope: 2-7x36mm Illuminated Multi-Reticle Scope w/ Flip-up Caps and Neoprene Scope Cover
  • MSRP: Starting at $1,199.99
  • Contact: barnettcrossbows.com

First Impressions

While enjoying the convenience of single-bolt assembly, I found the T-REX aesthetically striking. Its tactical flavor and ventilated rail will absolutely stand out on a retail shelf. More importantly, it doesn’t copycat other brands. It has a look and feel all its own, giving you clear and distinctive talking points when explaining the T-REX’s ins and outs to your customers alongside other models.

Before we get to the features, let me begin by saying the T-REX includes everything your customer will need to hit the woods except for broadheads. The 2-7x36mm scope illuminates, has a 20- to 100-yard reticle, and comes equipped with flip-open caps. Three HyperFlite small-diameter arrows avert wind drift and have great FOC to maximize penetration. Those arrows fit securely into a premium side-mount quiver with a quick-detach feature, making it easy to quickly and quietly remove or replace the quiver in a treestand or blind. And the Integrated Planetary Gear Cocking System is brilliant, which we’ll dive just a bit deeper into next.

Bells and Whistles

Let’s run through the features that put the T-REX in the “high-performance” class, beginning with the killer new cocking system I just mentioned. Like other integrated cocking systems, this one is silent, and it brakes all throughout the draw so you can safely let the handle go to swat a mosquito. Cocking requires minimal effort, and the crossbow can be let down safely and silently, so it can be de-cocked before a hunter sends it down from their treestand on a tow rope. The quick-attach handle is convenient, although I’d like to see a slightly larger knob for improved control.

The Integrated Planetary Gear Cocking System works in unison with Barnett’s all-new floating TriggerTech trigger. Upon disengaging the lock that holds the trigger mechanism at full draw, simply give the trigger mechanism a gentle push with a finger, and the Planetary gear automatically slides the trigger mechanism all the way to the bowstring, meaning you don’t have to backwind the handle manually. It’s really slick and speeds the reloading process.

Now that I mentioned the TriggerTech trigger, it’s worth noting that this is an outstanding trigger comparable to one of a good rifle. It breaks both crisp and light, which minimizes shot anticipation and flinching. Overall, it makes shot execution a walk in the park. My only complaint is the trigger is positioned a little farther forward than I like. My hands are average to slightly larger than average, and the trigger was a little bit of a reach. It didn’t inhibit my accuracy, but I’d find it more comfortable if the trigger were positioned a half-inch closer to the pistol grip.

The Composite Step-Through Riser is generously sized and replaces a conventional foot stirrup. It features a rubber pad where the user’s boot or shoe rests, silencing contact and protecting the riser finish. Although the user can cock the bow without inserting a foot, it’s easier to stabilize the crossbow while cocking or decocting by utilizing the Step-Through Riser. Out front are durable rubberized feet, which protect the riser and limb pockets from dirt and grit.

Another attribute that makes the T-REX a contender in the high-performance market is the quality of the build. The ventilated, CNC-machined aluminum Flight Track, Continuous Fiber-Molded Parabolic Limbs, robust Self-timing Infinity Cams, and beefy axles all exude toughness. This crossbow is very powerful, and it’s obvious that the components are matched to withstand the power and all of the knocks and blows a hunter might subject them to.

I love the rubberized modules and inlays through the crossbow. Those include the comb for a positive cheek weld, the stock butt for solid shouldering, and the pistol grip and flip-down fore-grip for comfort and control when maneuvering and aiming. The texturing is right on point, delivering traction where it’s needed. I also love the fore-grip flare, which is designed to keep extracurriculars safely below the rail. It wasn’t a problem for me, but the stock length isn’t adjustable; it’s static at 32 inches. A couple or family that is looking to buy one crossbow and take turns using it might desire or require an adjustable length-of-pull, which this crossbow doesn’t have.

Just like past Hyper Raptor models, the T-REX features the Halo System. With it, each cam has its own dedicated cable that hooks to the top of the Halo System, feeds through the cam, and hooks to the bottom of the Halo System. Traditionally, cables attach to both cams, and they crisscross through the rail, which typically requires some type of cable slide to protect the cables from abrasions. Barnett’s Halo solves that, plus it allows for lean-free cam alignment, yielding true arrow departure.

Speaking of arrow departure, this is a great place to mention the rest system. The arrow makes zero contact with the rail, reducing friction. It works like this: The HyperFlite nock audibly “clips” onto the bowstring, and the front rollers beneath the Halo support the shaft. The combination of the nock and the Soft-Lok Bristle Retainer System captures the top of the shaft so you can address steep downward targets, assured that the arrow will remain safely on the string.

A Lethal Powerhouse

The T-REX is one powerful crossbow, and it measures up to Barnett’s listed velocity, which is “up to 440 fps.” Using my Caldwell chronograph, the 401-grain HyperFlite arrow sizzled at 438 fps — a negligible discrepancy. If you’ve tracked my crossbow reports, you know I’ve tested a few crossbows that did not measure up so beautifully to their listed velocities.

I did the math, and this setup yields 171.08 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. This is a massive amount of power; it’s double what my compound bow produces, and my arrows pass through most animals I shoot.

High-Performance Accuracy, Mid-Range MSRP

A crossbow so powerful is expected to have some noise, but the T-REX is relatively quiet, thanks to rubberized string suppression. It does jump slightly at the shot, which I noticed when shooting it from a Primos TriggerStick tripod, but it didn’t have a bearing on accuracy. This thing is capable of great groups; so great, in fact, that shooting groups is like asking for wrecked arrows. My best group was about the size of a quarter at 50 yards, and that was from the tripod, not a bench.

In summary, average customers who don’t have thousands to spend on a crossbow need not sacrifice performance. The Hyper Raptor T-REX unleashes high performance at the friendly price of $1,199.99. As I said in the beginning, Barnett is known for overdelivering features relative to its price tags, and it has done it again.

In-the-field photos by Becca McDougal