Barnett Hyper Raptor: Big Performance for Small Potatos

Barnett has packed their 2024 flagship crossbow with many features that hunters and shooters will like.  This year’s new bow will be available soon, so I field-tested last year’s model with many of the same features.  Here’s a list of the Raptor’s goodies; there is plenty to like.

Easy Assemble, Easy Travel

At a speed of 410 fps and 142 ft-lbs. of Kinetic Energy, this bow is a powerhouse which does not include the added benefit of slender Hyperflite arrows. Unpacking the bow, I hoped it came in two parts, and sure enough, the riser assembly separated from the stock, allowing the bow to be assembled with a single bolt.  This bow is destined for a South Dakota turkey hunt in April and can be disassembled and flown in a suitcase, saving nearly $100 in baggage fees.

Triggertech Option Built-In

Whether a rifle or a crossbow, one of the best ways to increase accuracy is to install a custom trigger with no creep and a light trigger pull and the Hyper Raptor has this benefit built in.  When I look for a crossbow, the Triggertech logo attracts me every time.  It has enough resistance to be safe at the moment of truth but less than “Will this thing ever go off?”  Even the most expensive crossbows now include Triggertech, so it’s a major plus on a modestly priced bow.

Righty or Leftie

The Barnett Hyper Raptor has an ambidextrous safety that allows you to shoot with your dominant eye, even if it does not coincide with your “handedness.”  The safety switch is large enough to work efficiently with gloves, and the “fire” and “safe” positions are well-marked for extra safety in low light.

Safety Features

Aside from a solid trigger and large safety switch, the Hyper Raptor has a fold-up vertical grip that can be extended for a solid grasp or folded into the stock for use with a clasping rest.  This feature is essential to youngsters or new shooters since it guarantees that no part of their hand or fingers can be harmed.  Additionally, the stock is adjustable so that shooters with short arms can hold the bow and support it in the position most likely to produce an accurate shot.

The Halo System

The Hyper Raptor has an arched bridge that creates a capture system to help keep the arrow on the rail.  To load the bow, the arrow’s nock is inserted through the “halo” and down the rail until the nock attaches to the bowstring with a distinctive snapping sound.  The Halo reinforces the riser and anchors the cables that do not cross, making for a more simplified power stroke.

Tomorrow- Part Two- “But How Does it Shoot?”