Few names carry as much weight in the crossbow world as Barnett. With over six decades of heritage, the brand has made a name for itself through continuous innovation, reliability, and its deep connection to real-world hunters. In 2025, Barnett is staying true to that legacy and continuing to push the envelope on design, technology, and user experience.
To understand where Barnett is headed, we spoke with Joe Snatchko, Executive Vice President of Brand and Sales, and a true insider who’s seen every phase of the company’s transformation. As he puts it, “We’ve been around for 63 years now… and the common thread through all of that is that we’ve always innovated.”
A Culture of Invention
At the heart of Barnett’s evolution is a hands-on, U.S.-driven approach to engineering—one that sets it apart from much of the competition. While some brands simply assemble imported parts, Barnett designs its crossbows from the ground up.
“I always kind of describe David [Barnett] as sort of like the mastermind of crossbow innovation,” said Snatchko, referring to the company’s third-generation owner and product pioneer.
The crossbow industry today is largely concentrated among a handful of significant players. Yet, even within this group, some brands rely on one or two major import manufacturers in Asia that repeatedly repackage the same core crossbow–changing only colors, camo patterns, or cosmetic features–while offering limited true innovation, performance advancement, or, in some cases, safety improvements. Manufacturing a high-quality crossbow at an ultra-low price point is extremely challenging anywhere in the world, and the old saying “you get what you pay for” is especially true when purchasing a weapon for hunting. Many low-tier or unbranded products, as well as some offerings from well-known competitors, originate from these same mass-production sources in order to hit aggressive price targets.
That easy, outsourced, hands-off process is how many budget crossbow brands get off the ground. But Barnett takes a different path. “We’re designed and engineered here in the U.S.,” said Snatchko. “David and his team of engineers truly are designing new, innovative products.”
That philosophy gives Barnett a unique foothold in the market, he explained. “We’re not the down-and-dirty price point, and we’re not the ultra-high-end either. We slide in between those extremes, and we fit that market perfectly.”
In other words, Barnett has built its model on the concept of delivering value without cutting corners. “You’re getting a crossbow that looks, feels, and performs like it should cost more,” Snatchko said. “We launched the original Hyper Raptor in 2023 at $599. A comparable crossbow to that from a competitor is $1,000+.”
It’s that balance—true engineering credibility paired with an affordable price point—that makes Barnett’s approach stand out in a crowded space.
Barnett’s Response to Where the Market’s Headed
For years, crossbow development has followed a familiar formula: shrink the footprint and increase the speed. And to a point, that chase has driven real innovation. Hunters want faster arrows; they want narrower profiles that navigate tight blinds and tree stands. And today’s top-end crossbows are definitely faster and more compact than ever before. But according to Joe Snatchko, that arms race is reaching its limit.
“The trend for the last several years has been all about getting shorter, narrower, and faster,” he said. “But that can only go so far.” Barnett has been tracking the trend, but it’s also aware of its consequences. “I’d argue that there are some out there in the marketplace that are almost too short,” Snatchko continued. “Where it just doesn’t feel right.”
That phrase—doesn’t feel right—gets to the heart of what Barnett believes the next evolution in crossbow design should focus on: the user experience. Beyond numbers on a spec sheet, what matters most to the hunter is how the bow actually handles in the field—how it shoulders, how it balances, and how easy it is to cock, decock, and shoot accurately.
“We’ve really been driving toward what we call optimal, rather than extreme,” said Snatchko. “It’s about shootability and experience.” That philosophy is clearly reflected in the 2025 lineup.
Take the new Hyper Raptor T-REX, for example. “It’s 32 inches in length, seven and a quarter axle-to-axle when cocked,” he explained. “It’s lightweight, it shoulders well… It does everything you need it to do.” But while it still fires HyperFlite arrows at a blistering 440 feet per second, Barnett didn’t push for speed at the expense of handling.
“There’s only so far you can take speed,” Snatchko added. “To get those higher numbers, you have to load more weight onto the limbs, which stresses the strings and cables.” That extra stress can lead to problems—like premature wear or even blowouts—especially when crossbows are cocked for long periods in the field. “You start hearing about cocked crossbows blowing up, or needing to change your strings and cables every year or after so many shots. That’s when you know you’ve pushed it too far.”
In Barnett’s view, the real opportunity for improvement lies not in faster specs but in smarter design—engineering crossbows that are safer, smoother to operate, easier to maintain, and more forgiving in the hands of the average user.
By stepping back a bit from the race to extremes and focusing more on balance, Barnett is building crossbows that are easier to handle, more reliable in the field, and ultimately more enjoyable to shoot. For hunters, that translates to fewer headaches, less maintenance, and more confidence when it counts.
The 2025 Lineup: Big Moves Across the Board
Barnett’s commitment to “optimal design” is fully realized in the 2025 product lineup. These new models strike a balance between power, control, and usability.
Hyper Raptor T-REX
Barnett’s flagship for 2025, the Hyper Raptor T-REX, represents the brand’s design priorities at full strength. “It’s lightweight, it shoulders well, it does everything you need it to do,” Snatchko said. This crossbow introduces a major user-friendly upgrade: a crank-operated cock/decock system built on a premium planetary gear set. “One of the hottest features in the crossbow industry right now is cock/decock with a crank,” Snatchko said. This system lets hunters to safely decock their bow without firing, offering convenience at the end of a hunt.
Improving the T-Rex’s performance are the Barnett HyperFlite arrows that come packaged with it. These small-diameter arrows have been meticulously engineered for greater accuracy, less wind drift, and deeper penetration, allowing the Hyper Raptor T-REX to reach speeds up to 440 FPS. “They just penetrate like crazy,” Snatchko said. “And especially in windy conditions, our testing shows that the accuracy is much better than with standard-diameter arrows.”
Barnett’s commitment to “optimal design” is fully realized in the 2025 product lineup. These new models strike a balance between power, control, and usability.
Hyper Raptor DC
A natural evolution of one of Barnett’s most successful models, the original Hyper Raptor, the Hyper Raptor DC introduces the same user-friendly, premium planetary gear crank-operated cock/decock system found in the T-REX. This upgrade further enhances the hunter’s experience by increasing safety and eliminating the need to draw the crossbow manually. The Hyper Raptor DC allows hunters to achieve maximum efficiency and safety with minimal effort while in the field.
DEMUN STORM and Break-Action Expansion
For shooters looking for something lightweight, intuitive, and just plain fun, Barnett’s DEMUN series continues to grow. The new DEMUN STORM builds off Barnett’s popular break-action platform with a compound-style front end that ships fully assembled thanks to its innovative SwitchLok™ rotating riser. It features a patented two-stage break-action reloading for 50% reduced cocking effort, allowing for quick and effortless reloading.
The STORM shoots 10-inch carbon bolts at 290 FPS and is ideal for small game hunting or backyard enjoyment. It rounds out a family of approachable models that includes:
- Tri Strike: A top-loading repeater with a three-bolt magazine.
- Accu Strike: A single-shot upgrade with more speed and heavier limbs.
- Accu Strike Pro: Adds a patented two-stage cocking system that lets users cock heavier draw weights with less effort, while maximizing speed.
A Note on Optics: Premium Options Without the Premium Price
While not standard on base-package models, Barnett’s growing optics lineup offers serious tech for hunters who want more from their glass. The Cycloptic-X digital scope—part of Barnett’s BUK OPS accessory line—includes features like PrimeTime Color Vision for enhanced clarity in low light, 5x zoom, multiple reticle options, and up to 4K video recording.
These optics reflect the same philosophy as Barnett’s crossbows: useful features that improve the hunt without inflating the price.
Built for All Walks of Life
Barnett’s 2025 lineup is a reflection of the brand’s broad appeal. Whether you’re buying your first crossbow, upgrading for serious hunting, or just want something fun for the backyard, Barnett has something built for your needs and your budget.
One of the brand’s defining strengths is its ability to pack high-end features into accessible price points. From the smooth crank-cocking systems on flagship models like the Hyper Raptor T-REX, to the simplicity and portability of the DEMUN STORM, Barnett is delivering real-world functionality without inflated price tags.
For recreational shooters and new archers, the Tri Strike and Accu Strike series offer intuitive controls and lightweight builds, making them ideal for target shooting or small-game hunts. Meanwhile, seasoned bowhunters will appreciate the power, precision, and ergonomics found in top-tier models like the Hyper Raptor T-REX.
And across the board, Barnett’s engineering choices—like simplified assembly, scope-ready mounting, and thoughtful safety features—ensure that no matter your skill level, you’ll spend less time fiddling with gear and more time shooting confidently.
From backyard plinkers to serious tools built for the whitetail woods, Barnett is building crossbows for everyone.
