Less Is More with Barnett’s Buck Commander Extreme

On Monday I’m posting an AmericanHunter.org round up of some of the best new compound bows for 2014 from 10 key archery manufacturers. I'm interested to see which bows get your attention and wonder how many of your top picks will match my own. In the meantime, I'm highlighting one more crossbow that got a lot of attention at last week's Professional Outdoor Media Association shooting event in Knoxville, Tenn.: Barnett's Buck Commander Extreme (BCX).

Though introduced last year, the BCX deserves a mention simply because it's quiet, accurate and easy to shoot. I made a good shot with the first bolt and maybe an even better one with bolt No. 2 as it passed through the fletchings of bolt No. 1. As I watched outdoor writers take turns shooting, it seemed everyone was on the mark.

Not only does Barnett claim the BCX clocks speeds of 365 fps, but this 7-pound model offers a 13 3/8-inch power stroke, delivers 118 ft.-pounds of kinetic energy and measures a compact 19-7/8 inches axle-to-axle. Weight won’t be an issue for most shooters as Barnett’s patented Carbon Riser Technology (CRT) ensures a 43-percent-lighter riser. The BCX features custom composite laminated limbs, a CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) aluminum flight track and a CNC-machined Picatinny rail. Last but not least, it looks good, too, thanks to its high-definition camo finish.

The BCX comes with an illuminated scope, rope cocking device, a three-arrow quiver and three 20-inch Headhunter crossbolts—everything you need to get started. For me, the less-is-more concept racked up extra points as I realized the bow’s front end is not weighty.

I’m more of a compound bow shooter so I have a lot more crossbows to try. Thanks to my husband, Phil, who has been working with our nephews and their Mission Craze and Menace compound bows, next up is the new Mission MXB-360 crossbow that just arrived. I'll let you know how it shoots now that I’m on a “mission” to shoot that Mission!