Wicked Ridge released the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 as a top of the range model in 2019. Wicked Ridge is a brand by TenPoint and they always release top quality crossbows. The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 should be a really nice reverse draw crossbow for little money.
Wicked Ridge is an all-American crossbow manufacturer. Engineered, built, and tested right here in the United States! They produce quality crossbows but at a cheaper price than their main brand TenPoint. TenPoint’s crossbows can cost up to $3000, like the TenPoint Vapor RS470.
The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 is a reverse draw crossbow and it’s their first flagship model that has been released so far. It provides some high-end features at a really friendly price. Hopefully this Wicked Ridge RDX 400 can match TenPoint’s quality crossbows!
Table of Contents
Wicked Ridge RDX 400 Crossbow Features
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Size and Weight
Because the Wicked Ridge uses reverse draw technology, it’s a more compact model than traditional compound or recurve crossbows. The RDX 400 measures 33.25 inches in length and 15 inches wide uncocked and 9 inches when cocked.
At 7.1 lbs. this crossbow is pretty lightweight. Wicked Ridge used machined lightweight aluminum frames for the RDX 400.
Reverse draw technology moves the riser from the front of the crossbow to middle, removing the nose heavy feel of the conventional crossbow and making an elongated power stroke for faster and smoother shooting.
When first handling the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 you can instantly notice that it’s perfectly balanced and not nose heavy at all.
Speed and Arrows
As mentioned before, the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 is a reverse draw model. Reverse draw technology creates an elongated power stroke (15.5 inches) that generates more speed with less draw weight. Its elongated power stroke also increases the distance the arrow nock is engaged with the string – a critical component in performance, as the longer the nock remains engaged with the string, the more accurate the crossbow will be upon impact.
Because the RDX 400 is a reverse draw crossbow, this compact crossbow can still shoot arrows at 400 FPS, as the name might’ve already suggested. The RDX 400 is one of the cheapest and well-made reverse draw crossbows out on the market right now!
Scope
The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 comes with TenPoint’s 3x Multi-Line Scope. You can also pick the RDX 400 with a Pro-View Scope.
I opted for the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 with the TenPoint 3x Multi-Line scope. I can always switch the scope with one that I currently have mounted on one of my other crossbows.
The TenPoint 3x Multi-Line scope is pre-sighted at 20 yards and has 3 crosshairs with a partial fourth line. It does the job well and you should be able to hit your target at 50-yards quite easily.
The Pro-view scope has illumination and comes pre-sighted at 25 yards. Make sure it’s correctly sighted in and you should be able to hit your targets at 50-yards quite easily during darker periods as well.
Assembling and Disassembling
The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 is quite easy to assemble, though it’s not the easiest crossbow to assemble. The RDX 400 isn’t exactly an easy to install crossbow like the Excalibur Assassin 400 TD, so more than a couple minutes is needed to assemble the crossbow.
The RDX 400 does include a ready-to-hunt package, it’s just not as easy as easy to assemble as some other crossbows.
First install the foot stirrup and string stop with a screw and a washer. After you’ve tightened the foot stirrup, install the quiver mount and attach the scope to the frame.
It only took less than 15 minutes to assemble and assembling this crossbow is much easier than a different TenPoint or Wicked Ridge crossbow model.
Cocking
Cocking the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 is really easy. One if its unique features is the ACUdraw crank cocking device. The ACUdraw crank cocking device reduces the draw weight to only 5 lbs.! If you use the ACUdraw crank, cocking the crossbow is almost dead-silent.
Not every RDX 400 comes with the ACUdraw crank though, it’s possible that if you order your RDX 400 outside of Amazon that you’ll be getting a rope sled to cock the crossbow.
With the rope sled cocking device, the draw weight is still only about 9 lbs. but using the ACUdraw crank device will make sure that you can shoot the RDX 400 all day.
Shooting and Trigger
The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 unfortunately doesn’t have a trigger like the TenPoint Vapor RS470. The T4 trigger on the RDX 400 breaks at about 3 lbs. but had a lot of creep.
The accuracy the RDX 400 has to offer is also really good. Once again, the scope can use an upgrade, but hitting your target at 50 yards in tiny groupings isn’t hard.
The RDX 400 features an integrated String Stop System that fits into the end of the barrel to reduce noise and vibration. This makes the RDX 400 a really quiet crossbow.
The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 overall handles really well, rests nice in your hands and is perfectly balanced.
Extra Features
The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 comes equipped with an integrated string dampening system, allowing you to shoot the RDX 400 without much noise.
Wicked Ridge also equipped the RDX 400 with a T4 trigger. Even though this trigger isn’t the best, it still offers some premium features. The auto-engaging safety trigger features a Dry-Fire-Inhibitor™, preventing the crossbow from firing without an arrow.
Package Contents
- 3x Lighted Pro-View Scope
- Anti-dry fire mechanism
- Pre-Installed String Dampeners
- ACUdraw PRO crank cocking device
- 3-Arrow Instant Detach Quiver
- Three Wicked Ridge XX75 aluminum arrows with practice points
Conclusion
Final Rating of the Wicked Ridge RDX 400
Summary
With the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 crossbow you get a very nice crossbow for a competitive price. Made by TenPoint in the USA. Reverse Draw up to 400 fps! I’d recommend the RDX 400 to any beginner crossbow hunter any day!
What we like
- Relatively cheap Reverse Draw Crossbow
- ACUdraw Technology
- 400 FPS
- Beginner friendly crossbow
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Made in the USA
What we don’t like
- The scope can use an upgrade
- The trigger has a lot of creep
The Wicked Ridge RDX 400 overall is one of the best beginner reverse draw crossbows right now. It’s a lightweight, compact crossbow that doesn’t cost much at all.
If you are looking for a top-quality crossbow in a friendly price range, then look no further. This Wicked Ridge RDX 400 is one of the best options right now. The RDX 400 comes with loads of premium features.
With the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 crossbow you get a very nice crossbow for a competitive price. Made by TenPoint in the USA. Reverse Draw up to 400 fps! I’d recommend the RDX 400 to any beginner crossbow hunter any day!
Can this crosbow be converted for left handed use?
The RDX 400 is ambidextrous. Perfectly fine for left-handed use without adjustments.
Great article, Bryan! I just wanted to clarify one thing and give a little feedback based on my short time in the field with the Wicked Ridge RDX 400 for my first weekend hunting with it.
If you want to shoot left-handed, you will need to make adjustments to switch over the safety to the left side. Not a deal-breaker by any means, but it’s not going to be ambidextrous out-of-box.
I find the safety a bit awkward to get to and oddly placed. To be clear, this is my first crossbow and the safety placement might be in the standard position for these crossbows. But, as with any weapon system, practice makes perfect.
Lastly, the ACUdraw works great, though after my weekend hunt, when loading up to leave, I realized the hand crank was missing from its housing. I always use GPS tracking when in the forest and have my handheld Garmin in my pack before heading out. I was able to carefully comb the areas I traveled during my hunt by backtracking. Luckily I found it in two inches of leaves twenty minutes later.
Overall, I love this crossbow and its performance. Just be sure to find some other secondary method for securing that hand crank in its intended spot.