Have you ever walked into a home improvement store to buy a tool, but didn’t have a lot of money to spend? In the tool world, there are lots of options. For blue-collar people, some tools are way too expensive, especially if they will be used here and there. Others are dirt cheap, but lack quality and dependability. Ah, right there in between are the happy mediums; tools that will do the job but don’t cost an arm and a leg.

I think a lot of whitetail hunters shop for crossbows that same way. Oh, you’ll get the customer who doesn’t care what he/she spends, and you’ll sell them something in the $2,000-$3,500 range. Of course, there will be a few who will look for the cheapest crossbow that money can buy, regardless of where they buy it. But, most deer hunters are blue-collar folks who have modest incomes and families to support amidst their passion for whitetails. These people often seek a crossbow that blends get-it-done performance with affordability.

That’s the parking space that the Axe 400 crossbow package fits into. I’m not going to claim it outperforms the market’s highest-priced crossbows. But, I will tell you that when a deer steps out 40 yards away, your customers can count on it to deliver an accurate hit, as long as they do their part. At least that is the way I feel after testing it.

If you’re interested in diving a little bit deeper, follow along as I review the Axe 400 crossbow.

Test Crossbow Specs

• Make/Model: Axe 400
• Finish: Black
• Mass Weight: 7.2 pounds (without accessories); 8.4 pounds (accessorized)   
• Overall Width: 17.75 (uncocked) 14.25 inches (cocked)
• Overall Length: 35 inches
• Draw Effort: Not listed
• Power Stroke: 14.25 inches
• Bolt Length and Weight: 20 inches; 440 grains (including 100-grain point)
• Manufacturer Listed Velocity: 400 fps (measured with a 380-grain bolt/point)
• Test Velocity: 368 fps (w/440-grain bolt; found with Caldwell Ballistic Precision chronograph)
• Manufacturer Listed Trigger Pull: 3.5 pounds
• Cocking Device: Removable Quiet Crank and Rope Cocker 
• Scope: Axe 340-460
• MSRP: $699.99
• Contact: www.Feradyne.com 

The Nuts and Bolts

The Axe 400 flaunts a stunning, tactical style complete with an adjustable stock butt to fit various crossbow shooters. While the stock is made of lightweight composite material, the rail is made of aluminum to maximize dependability, though it is ventilated to minimize weight. The foregrip is also ventilated. By the way, the foregrip is also adjustable on a Picatinny rail that is integrated into the stock. The long scope rail allows virtually any shooter to position the scope for easy, comfortable acquisition.

As with most crossbows, the Axe 400 is up to par with an ergonomic pistol grip for advanced user control. Even when set up with a quiver and arrows, the platform balances just about perfectly. Overall, the Axe 400 is pleasing to look at and comfortable to handle once all of the adjustment features have been set to the individual shooter.

Package Details

The Axe 400 ships as a package that retails for $699.99. The 2-7X variable-power Axe scope offers crystal clarity, red and green illumination, flip-up scope caps to keep dirt, rain and debris off the lenses, and holding dots from 20 to 100 yards in 10-yard increments. It also has a feet-per-second dial that can be set and locked into place to ensure that your hold points are dead on. 

The quiver is really something to sing about. It is a minimal two-piece design that mounts extremely tight to the stock. The placement and next-to-nothing weight are why the crossbow balances so well. Additionally, it can be swapped to either side of the stock in minutes to accommodate right- or left-handed shooters. I’d rate it the best crossbow quiver I’ve tested because of how tight it mounts and how lightweight it is. 

The Axe 400 also includes three 20-inch CX PileDriver Crossbolts with half-moon nocks and 100-grain points. These bolts have excellent tolerances, laser-checked to +/- .002 inch and all weighing within 2 grains of each other. They are straight, durable and hard-hitting. 

Two devices for cocking the Axe 400 are included. The removable Quiet Crank cocking device allows the crossbow to be cranked with minimal effort. The downside is it is a little bit cumbersome, particularly in hunting situations. To re-cock for a follow-up shot, you’d have to remove it from your coat pocket, attach it to the butt pad, unwind it and loop it around the scope and onto the string. Then, you’d have the easy part of winding the crank. But, once the bow is cocked, you’d have to remove it and put it somewhere secure before loading your bolt and trying to make a shot. I guess you could leave it attached to the stock, but it’s kind of in the way. 

The crank is nice enough for shooting on the range, but because the package includes a rope cocker, I believe that is the superior option for hunting situations. I’ll note that I am spoiled after testing some of the market’s crossbows that feature integrated cranking devices. But, keep in mind the Axe 400 sells for about half the price of the least-expensive crossbow I know of that has a built-in crank. That’s all for accessories, so let’s discuss how the Axe 400 shoots.

How It Shoots

As usual, my husband, Darron, and I spent some time testing out the Axe 400 at various yardages. Darron sighted it in. The very first time I shot it was at 40 yards, and I put all three CX PileDriver bolts into the heart of a GlenDel 3-D Bear target. I’m not an expert shooter, so I think most customers who can shoot from shooting sticks and squeeze the trigger nice and easy can expect similar accuracy. 

We also stepped way back to 100 yards to test out the scope’s bottom aiming dot. Darron shot twice to get comfortable, and both were in the kill zone of a big Rinehart elk target. Then, he shot one more and felt great about how the shot broke. His bolt hit the 12-ring. He started coaxing me into taking a 100-yard shot. The farthest I’ve ever shot previously is about 70 yards, so I was a little hesitant, but he got me behind the crossbow. I got settled in and squeezed the trigger until the crossbow fired, and the sound of my bolt hitting foam was reassuring. My bolt had struck the 12-ring right next to Darron’s. I don’t believe you can get more accurate than that for $700. 

Looking beyond the accuracy, let me quickly note a few things that your customers might notice while shooting the Axe 400. First, it does have a little bit of recoil. It’s also not the quietest crossbow ever, but it is quiet enough since it is outfitted with two string cushions. Thirdly, it’s not nearly as narrow as some of the market’s latest models. And, the trigger is heavier than those of most high-end crossbows, although it has virtually no travel and breaks nicely. 

Finally, our Caldwell chronograph measured the actual velocity at 368 fps, which is 32 fps below the manufacturer rating. On closer review, Axe tests the 400 with a 380-grain bolt, but the included PileDriver bolts weigh about 440 grains apiece (checked on a Last Chance digital grain scale). That might be a huge factor for some, but it made little difference to us, as we dialed the scope to about 370 fps and found that all of the hold points were on. Just be sure your customers understand it won’t shoot 400 fps with the included bolts. Despite these critiques, let me remind you once more that it retails for $699.99.

Final Thoughts

Just like a DIY homeowner hunting for a tool that will do the job without emptying the wallet, many crossbow shoppers are seeking a model that isn’t necessarily the quietest, fastest or smoothest, but will dependably put a bolt where it needs to go. When they discover the Axe 400, most will believe they’ve found the perfect tool for the job at an unreal price point.

Photos by Becca and Darron McDougal