The Wicked Ridge M-370 is what I’d consider one of the current leaders-of-the-pack on several fronts, not the least being its industry-leading overall weight of just 5.8 pounds — feather-light when compared to most competitors, even recurve-style crossbows. 

Most serious hunters would happily pay a premium for that one feature, but there’s more where that came from. The M-370 is only 9.5 inches wide (cocked), which is a still-hunter’s dream come true. Carrying a cocked crossbow in typical whitetail, bear or hog country can be a challenge simply because all of these animals prefer the thickest habitat they can find. The M-370 is easily handled, slipping through the brush like a hot knife through butter.

Additionally, the M-370 is available with the company’s patented ACUdraw system, which makes loading the crossbow easy enough for the average 10-year-old. Hunters who are handicapped or have shoulder issues will have no problem cocking the crossbow even when inside a blind or 20 feet up in a treestand. Its power stroke is only 13.8 inches, which noticeably speeds up the cocking process. The cocking handle conveniently locks securely into the rear, lower buttstock when not in use. Arrow speeds are up to 370 fps.

Another hunter-friendly feature of the M-370 is that the 4x32, multi-line scope is factory pre-sighted at 20 yards. I have been to the Wicked Ridge factory and have observed the process in person. Based on my experience, it takes fewer than three shots to sight-in at 20 yards, with only minor tweaking necessary out to 40 yards.

I especially like that the provided scope is calibrated out to 50 yards, which is more than adequate for 99% of typical big game hunting situations. The trend has been to include crossbow scopes with reticles set for 100 yards, but shots of this length should be left to firearms, not crossbows or vertical bows. Exceptions do occur, but most deer, bears and hogs are shot at 30 yards or less, which is well within the capabilities of the M-370.

Other features of the M-370 include all-weather, flip-up scope caps, a real benefit when hunting in rain, fog or snow, and the integral foregrip flange is exceptionally wide, keeping even the longest fingers well away from the rail and string. Finally, the M-370’s safety knob can easily be converted to left-hand use.

MSRP for the M-370 with ACUdraw crossbow package, which includes the crossbow, pre-mounted scope, three arrows and quiver, is $769.99.

Assembly of the M-370 was quick and easy, requiring just one bolt to join the limb assembly with the stock. Then three Allen-type set screws to secure the stirrup and assembly bolt. The ambidextrous quiver assembly is equally easy to install with all the necessary tools and instructions provided.

 

Published Specs

• MANUFACTURER: Wicked Ridge Crossbows
• MODEL: M-370
• POWER STROKE: 13.8 inches
• ARROW LENGTH: 20 inches with Alpha-Nocks
• ARROW SPEED: 370 fps
• KINETIC ENERGY: Up to 118 foot-pounds
• TRIGGER PULL: 3.5 pounds with dry-fire inhibitor, ambidextrous safety
• SIGHTS: 4x32 multi-line scope provided
• COCKING DEVICE: Integral ACUdraw cocking system and stock-mounted hand crack                        
• OVERALL LENGTH:  35 inches
• AXLE-TO-AXLE Width: 9.5 inches cocked, 14 inches uncocked          
• WEIGHT:  5.8 pounds
• OTHER FEATURES: Factory pre-sighted at 20 yards; flip-up scope caps, extra-wide flange for finger protection.
• MSRP:  $769.99 w/ACUdraw
• CONTACT: www.tenpointcrossbows.com

 

On the Range

As is typical of TenPoint products, my initial trip to the range was short and sweet. For testing purposes, I begin field testing crossbows at 10 yards and then fine-tune them at 20, 30 and 40 yards per the manufacturer’s instructions.

For the record, all of the arrows I put through the M-370 (over 100 shots fired) registered at least 370 on the chronograph, with the majority reaching speeds of 375 and a few over 380 “at the muzzle.” Experience has shown me that no big game animal will completely drop under an arrow (i.e. jump the string) even at 40 yards when the shaft starts out at more than 300 fps. Considering that we’re talking arrow speeds more than 100 yards per second off the rail, at 30 yards, the arrow will arrive in approximately 0.3 seconds, which is pretty quick. Can a deer still react to the sound of a crossbow? Of course, but I think speed tips the odds in a hunter’s favor.

The roving range conditions were about what one would expect in 90-degree July heat featuring full foliage, spider webs and annoying insects of every stripe. Early season hunting can be aggravating for all of these reasons, but the M-370 was more than up to the challenge. I purposely left the crossbow (cocked) in the hot sun all day before heading for the range. This should have (or could have) affected accuracy to some degrees. Still, every shot was on target, in the kill zone on silhouettes ranging from 15 to 40 yards. The thick summer foliage was an issue on some targets, but a step backward or forward gave me a clear shot window. Every hit was a kill shot directly behind the “shoulder” of targets that ranged in size from bobcats to bears. I’m sure I could have scored well on smaller targets, but for practical purposes, I stick to critters I know I’m going to be hunting this fall. Shooting from a steady rest such as a bipod or tripod, the M-370 would be more than accurate enough to take on small game such as squirrels, rabbits, turkeys and similar popular species.

Not surprisingly, I noticed the M-370’s lightweight while cruising the roving range. At just under 6 pounds, the crossbow is a joy to carry, coming to the shoulder quickly and smoothly on targets to the left and right. Hunters who specialize in still-hunting or stalking will want to consider the M-370 if only for its lightweight and slim profile (9.5 inches cocked) while negotiating through heavy underbrush, saplings and overhanging limbs.

The M-370’s compact 35-inch overall length made shooting from a blind or treestand a breeze. The integral cocking system is easy to operate even from a sitting position, so hunters should have no trouble cocking and loading for follow-up shots when necessary.

The M-370 comes with a lifetime warranty on all components plus a five-year warranty on the ACUdraw system. Having owned and reviewed TenPoint products for the better part of two decades, I can say that, with routine maintenance and reasonable field care, any Wicked Ridge, Horton or TenPoint crossbow will provide many years of dependable service.

For more information on Wicked Ridge, Horton and TenPoint Technologies crossbows and accessories, visit www.tenpointcrossbows.com.

Sidebar: ACUdraw Cocking System

In the world of crossbow hunting, all things come down to how quickly and efficiently the crossbow can be cocked and re-loaded during a hunting situation. At one time, hunters were required to use brute strength (and sore fingertips!) to cock their crossbows cleanly and without moving the string from one side to the other, harming accuracy. Later, rope cocking devices came along to reduce some of the effort it took (125 pounds or more) to pull the string all the way back to the trigger mechanism — still, no easy feat, especially when hunkered down in a blind or perched on a rickety strap-on treestand 20 feet off the ground.

The ACUdraw cocking system built into the buttstock of select Wicked Ridge, TenPoint and Horton crossbow models, simplifies the process enough for a healthy fifth grader to easily cock load a crossbow. With the safety in the “fire” position, disengage the cocking sled from its stored position and slide it over the scope until the sled is hooked over the string. Begin cranking the sled to the rear (10 or 12 turns) until you see (and hear) the string latch engage the bowstring and the safety is on “safe.” Return the sled to its storage position and you are ready to shoot.

Because there are several versions of the ACUdraw cocking system, users must read and follow the original crossbow owner’s manual instructions.

NOTE: ACUdraw handles are equipped with powerful neodymium magnets to keep the handles quietly and firmly in position when stored. These magnets can interfere with the operation of pacemakers and other electronic medical devices. They can also erase data stored on electronic media. If necessary, the magnets can be removed.