TenPoint Crossbows

TenPoint vs. Wicked Ridge: What’s the Difference?

TenPoint Crossbow Technologies produces crossbows under two brand names. The TenPoint brand represents their premium flagship line — higher arrow speeds, more advanced cocking systems, premium scope packages, and a higher price point. The Wicked Ridge brand is TenPoint’s value line, using the same Ohio manufacturing and safety engineering but with simplified cocking systems, more basic scope packages, and lower overall cost. Both brands share TenPoint’s core safety features including the DFI (Dry-Fire-Inhibitor) system that prevents the crossbow from firing without a bolt properly loaded. For hunters who want TenPoint engineering at a more accessible price, Wicked Ridge is the entry point; for hunters who want the full TenPoint performance ceiling, the flagship TenPoint models deliver it.

TenPoint Nitro Series: Flagship Performance

The TenPoint Nitro series represents the top of the TenPoint performance lineup. The Nitro 505 achieves 505 fps arrow speed, making it one of the fastest production crossbows available. The Nitro 505 uses a reverse-draw cam configuration that positions the cams toward the center of the crossbow rather than at the limb tips, creating a more balanced weight distribution and a narrower overall profile while generating extreme arrow energy. The Nitro 400 and Nitro XRT occupy the mid-flagship tier with 400+ fps speeds and the full TenPoint feature set including the ACUdraw PRO silent cocking system. All Nitro models ship with TenPoint’s RangeMaster Pro illuminated scope package.

TenPoint ACUdraw and ACUdraw PRO Cocking Systems

TenPoint’s ACUdraw and ACUdraw PRO are built-in silent cocking systems that are a key differentiator from competitors. The ACUdraw uses a retractable rope system integrated into the stock that halves the draw weight and cocks the crossbow without separate tools. The ACUdraw PRO is a crank-style system that reduces draw weight to approximately 5 pounds, making high-poundage crossbows accessible to hunters with limited upper body strength including older hunters and youth hunters. Both systems are built into the stock and fold away when not in use, adding minimal bulk. For tree stand hunters and others who need quiet cocking in the field, the silent operation of the ACUdraw system is a meaningful practical advantage over external cocking aids.

TenPoint Vapor RS470 and Stealth Series

The TenPoint Vapor RS470 is a reverse-draw crossbow delivering 470 fps in an extremely compact package, designed for hunters who need maximum speed in a maneuverable footprint. The Stealth series focuses on quiet operation and compact width for hunters who spend time in ground blinds or dense cover where a full-width crossbow is difficult to maneuver. TenPoint’s reverse-draw configuration appears across multiple series and delivers a flatter trajectory, reduced vibration, and better balance compared to traditional cam-forward designs at equivalent draw weights.

TenPoint vs. Ravin: Choosing Between Premium Crossbow Brands

TenPoint and Ravin are the two dominant premium crossbow brands, and the comparison is genuinely close at the high end. Ravin’s Helicoil system delivers exceptional accuracy and the narrowest cocked widths in the industry — as narrow as 3.6 inches. TenPoint counters with their ACUdraw PRO built-in cocking system, broader model availability, American manufacturing heritage, and the Wicked Ridge value line for budget-conscious buyers. At the flagship level, both brands deliver sub-1-inch groups at distance; the practical differences come down to cocking system preference, width priority, and price. TenPoint’s built-in cocking is a meaningful advantage for hunters who want an all-in-one package without purchasing a separate cocking device.

Frequently Asked Questions: TenPoint Crossbows

Where are TenPoint crossbows made?
TenPoint crossbows are manufactured in Mogadore, Ohio, USA. TenPoint has operated from Ohio since founding in 1994 and is one of the few major crossbow brands that manufactures domestically.

What is the fastest TenPoint crossbow?
The TenPoint Nitro 505 is currently the fastest model in the TenPoint lineup, achieving 505 fps arrow speed using a reverse-draw cam configuration.

What is the difference between TenPoint and Wicked Ridge?
Both are made by TenPoint Crossbow Technologies in Ohio. TenPoint is the premium flagship line with higher speeds and more advanced features. Wicked Ridge is the value line using the same safety engineering at a lower price point.

Does TenPoint have a built-in cocking system?
Yes. Most TenPoint models include either the ACUdraw rope-assist system or the ACUdraw PRO crank system built into the stock. The ACUdraw PRO reduces effective draw weight to approximately 5 pounds.

Browse TenPoint Crossbows
Shop all TenPoint and Wicked Ridge crossbows at Impact Guns — we ship nationwide.

See Also: All Crossbows • Ravin Crossbows • Hunting Rifles