Barnett launched its brand new Explorer crossbow series this year. The Explorer series consists of three compound crossbows, the Explorer XP370, Explorer XP380, and the Explorer XP400.
They are pre-assembled in the factory and come in an affordable ready-to-hunt package. Barnett also released the Hyperghost 425 this year, which is the flagship model of their Hyperghost series, the tactical AR-style TS380 and they released two brand-new recurve crossbows; the Blackcat and Wildcat.
Barnett’s story starts in 1962 when its founder Bernard Barnett began building crossbows in his garage as a hobby in Wolverton, England. Because people were interested in his designs Barnett slowly built up quite a reputation in the crossbow industry. Americans immediately fell in love with Barnett’s products. Barnett prices their bows at a point that is affordable. Even their high-end models have reasonable prices.
In the package, you’ll find a Barnett Explorer crossbow, 4x32mm multi-reticle scope(or sight for the XP370), lightweight side-mount 3-arrow quiver, Rope cocker, two20” carbon Arrows, and Lubrication wax.
Table of Contents
Barnett Explorer XP370/XP380/XP400 Crossbow Specs
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What we like
- Hard-hitting 370-400 FPS
- Accurate
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Adjustable and comfortable to use
- Beginner-friendly
- TriggerTech trigger
- Cheap
What we don’t like
- The XP370 has no pre installed track mounted string dampeners
Size and Weight
The Barnett Explorer series crossbows all measure a total length of 34.5 inches(including stirrup) and a width(axle-to-axle) of 16.5 inches uncocked and 13.3 inches once cocked. They’re all lightweight crossbows, the Explorer XP370 and the Explorer XP380 each weigh 6 pounds, and the Explorer XP400 has slightly more weight to it, tipping the scales at 6.2 pounds.
Design and Construction
These Explorer compound crossbows feature high energy cams that produce a lot of power, so they made sure the two laminated limbs are durable. The crosswire string and cable system are also durable.
They all feature adjustable buttstocks for a custom length-of-pull and they all have a pass-through foregrip.
All three crossbows have three Picatinny rails, so you can customize them with extra equipment, besides the 4×32 multi-reticle scope that is mounted on them you can also install quivers, bipods, lasers, other optics, vertical foregrips, etc.
Arrows and Quiver
Barnett only delivers two arrows with their crossbows, and the arrows that are delivered in the package weigh a little bit more than 380 grain, they tip our scales at 400 grain. However, they are high-quality hunting arrows.
The crossbows come with a lightweight durable side mount quiver that can hold a total of three arrows.
Speed and Arrows
According to Barnett, they speed tested the Explorer crossbows with 380-grain arrows. The Explorer XP370 has a 165 pound draw weight, the Explorer XP380 a 185 pound draw weight, and the Explorer XP400 a 200 pound draw weight. They all have a power stroke of 13.75 inches.
The Explorer XP370 shoots arrows with a velocity of 370 fps delivering up to 115 ft. lbs. of knockdown power, the Explorer XP380 380 fps with 122 ft. lbs. KE and the Explorer XP400 propels arrows at 400 fps per second delivering 122 ft. lbs. KE. With these hard-hitting speeds, you can hunt big game animals, like a big whitetail buck, elk, or bears.
Optics
The Explorer XP380 and the Explorer XP400 are both equipped with a 4x32mm multi-reticle scope. This is not a great scope by any means but it is a decent scope considering the price range, and category of these crossbows. The scope allows you to aim accurately on distances up to 60 yards. The biggest downside of the scope is that it is not illuminated.
The Explorer XP370 comes equipped with a fine Premium red/green dot sight.
Cocking
The Explorer series crossbows all come with a rope cocking device that slices their draw weight in half. Each crossbow is also compatible with Barnett’s crank cocking device, which reduces the draw weight by 90% and it allows you to silently cock your crossbow.
In my experience cocking a crossbow with a crank makes a huge difference in your hunting efficiency, as you won’t scare off the animal that you are hunting by making too much noise during cocking.
TriggerTech
The Explorer series crossbows all feature a metal injection molded trigger equipped with the groundbreaking frictionless release technology called “TriggerTech”. There is a free-floating roller between the sear and the trigger that helps with a smoother shot. The frictionless release technology also ensures a light, crisp pull, giving you more control over the shot.
Safety Features
The Explorer crossbows have all the safety features you’d want from a crossbow. The Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer holds arrows securely against the CNC Aluminum flight track and the Anti-Dry Fire (ADF) prevents the crossbow from dry firing. Also, the crossbows all feature finger safety reminders to keep your fingers and thumbs safely out of the danger zone.
Assembly and Sighting-in
The Explorer series crossbows are pre-assembled in the factory and feature a single bolt assembly, you’ll only have to install the riser with one bolt and the lightweight three-arrow side mount quiver, which can be installed with just one bolt on the Picatinny rails. Sighting in the scope is also very easy, it only took me about 10 minutes and a couple of shots.
Range test
We speed tested the Explorer crossbows with the same chronograph we use to test all crossbows that pass our review table. We used the arrows that were included in the package. On our chronograph, we measured speeds in the range of 330-348.8 fps with the Explorer XP370. With the Explorer XP380 between 340 and 362.5 fps, and with the Explorer XP400 we measured a top speed of 382.3 fps.
One of the best features of these crossbows is definitely the TriggerTech trigger. Shooting with Triggertech always feels good and it gives you full control over the shot, it is a smooth pull with zero perceivable creep and the trigger system doesn’t make too much noise and there are no annoying vibrations.
The Soft Lok Floating Bristle Arrow Retainer is also a nice feature, it holds the arrows securely against the flight track, you can hold the crossbow upside down and the arrow won’t fall off.
The Explorer XP380 and the Explorer XP400 are remarkably quiet, Barnett installed them with track-mounted string dampeners. The string dampeners also extend the life of the strings. Also, all the crossbows have an anti-vibration rubberized stir up that also reduces vibrations. The XP370 does not comes with track mounted string dampeners.
Verdict
Barnett continues to produce performance while lowering prices or staying the same. These reliable compound crossbows are hard-hitting and very accurate. The Explorer series crossbows are the perfect entry-models for beginners, they are easy to cock, they come with all the safety features you’d want from a crossbow and they are very comfortable and easy to handle. They all have a fantastic TriggerTech trigger, which is worth $200 on its own!
The crossbows are moderately quiet during shooting, only the XP370 that comes without the pre-installed track mounted string dampeners make slightly more noise.
The Explorer XP400 is a good pick, shooting up to 400 feet per second with a high-quality Barnett crossbow for under $430 really is a good deal and the Explorer XP370 definitely has the best price/quality ratio of the three models. These crossbows are great and you can’t go wrong with either one of them.
Recommended Accessories
Arrows and Broadheads
I would recommend buying an extra pack of five Headhunter arrows from Barnett. These crossbow bolts are matched with 100-grain points and also includes a 24F field point and moon nocks.
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If you want to pair the arrows with some good hunting heads then I recommend buying the Rage Crossbow X broadheads. These broadheads penetrate really well and are optimized for high-velocity crossbows. They come in a 3-pack, weigh 100 grain or 125 grain and they have a cutting diameter of 2 inches.
If you want some decent budget broadheads for some practice shooting or to hunt small to medium-sized animals then I recommend buying a 12-pack of Sinbadteck broadheads. These broadheads also weigh 100 grain and have a cutting diameter of 1.035 inches.
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Storage and Transportation
I recommend buying a crossbow case to properly store and carry your crossbow on your next hunting trip. The Supply SAS Black Deluxe Padded Soft Crossbow Case with Sling from Southland Archery is a fine affordable universal soft crossbow case that fits Barnett’s Explorer series crossbows nicely.
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If you want a crossbow sling to comfortably carry the crossbow then I recommend buying a Universal Black Padded Crossbow Sling from Southland Archery. It is a good quality sling with a non-slip design, custom swivels, and a heavy-duty adjustable strap that is reasonably priced.
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