Is The Horton Storm RDX Best For 2023? Our Review
When Horton Crossbows closed its doors in 2013, we thought we might cry. Known for producing high-quality crossbows with precision-engineered reverse-draw technology, the loss of Horton Crossbows seemed like a hard blow to the gut of the crossbow industry. When TenPoint bought the Horton name and the technology that goes with it, crossbow enthusiasts around the globe cheered the partnership.
The Storm RDX is the primary love child to come out of the union between Horton and TenPoint, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Horton’s signature reverse-draw technology, powerful and deadly quiet, and TenPoint’s easy-to-draw cocking options.
The Horton Crossbow Storm RDX is a complete package and includes a TenPoint Pro View 4×32 mm multi-reticle scope, 3 Horton Victory 20-inch arrows, a quick detach quiver, and an ACUdraw cocking device.
This crossbow combines tradition and technology, delivering powerful performance with a tactical look and feel guaranteed to impress your hunting buddies. Here are some of the fabulous features the Storm RDX has to offer.
Horton Storm RDX – Crossbow
Specifications:
- Velocity: 380 fps
- Draw Weight: 165 lbs
- Length: 35.25
- Weight: 8.2 lbs
- Power Stroke: 16.5
The melding of Horton and TenPoint has produced one of the best high-performance crossbows on the market.Combine this performance with the Storm RDX’s compact maneuverability.
Quick Summary
What’s Included In Package
- The Horton Innovations Strom – Crossbow
- Horton 3-Arrow Quiver
- 3 Horton carbon Arrows
- ACUDraw, ACUdraw 50 SLED
- DeddSled 50 Rope Cocker
- TenPoint 3x ProView 2 Scope
- Warranty Card
- 165 draw weight shoots up to 370 feet per second
- Ultra compact design features 10 inches axle to axle width when Cocked
- Winner of the 2015 outdoor life and peterson's hunting editors choice awards
Horton Storm RDX Crossbow – Detailed Review:
Power
The Horton Storm RDX shoots bolts up to 380 feet per second, producing up to 119-foot pounds of kinetic energy right off the rail. This is a ton of punch from such a compact crossbow. This is largely due to Horton’s signature reverse draw technology which allows for a very long 16 ½-inch power stroke, maximizing the power of the compact limbs. With a well-placed shot and the right broadheads, this is more than enough power to bring down anything short of a T-rex easily.
Durability
The Horton Storm RDX features a machined aluminum riser and pockets. With quality manufacturing, the machined aluminum design reduces limb stress, thus extending the life of the crossbow.
The cams are also made of machined aluminum and feature 440 stainless steel bearings. This is a crossbow that is built to last. From top to bottom, this crossbow glows with quality. And with Tenpoint’s limited lifetime warranty, you know they stand behind this top-notch crossbow.
Quality of Optics
While the included TenPoint 3X Pro-View crossbow scope is of good quality, we were expecting more from a crossbow package with this price tag. The scope has graduated markings for yardage and a floating 50-yard dot.
The sight picture is clear, and the light transmission is adequate for most daytime shooting conditions. However, the scope lacks an illuminated reticle that would better accommodate the low-light shooting necessary for hunting whitetails and other crepuscular game animals.
Many shooters find the included scope difficult to line up for those long-distance shots. This may be because the optic is better suited for a slower-speed crossbow. This one needs to be calibrated properly for Storm RDX’s blistering speeds.
Upgrading to a scope that offers better adjustability for velocity (preferably one with an illuminated reticle) would serve better, especially if hunting big game is your goal. Consider upgrading to the Excalibur Twilight Dlx Scope. This scope has high-performance features that will complement the Horton Storm RDX perfectly.
Noise Suppression
By the reverse draw design, shooting the Horton Storm RDX produces less clatter than most standard crossbows. The relatively quiet shooting of crossbows with reverse limbs is mostly due to the rearward-positioned riser. With the riser positioned back on the crossbow, there is more support, producing significantly less rattle when the crossbow is fired.
The Horton Storm RDX also features dual string stops to cut vibration and an arrow retention brush designed to eliminate the metal-on-metal sound created with most metal retention pieces. All these features contribute to the whisper-quiet shooting of this stealthy crossbow. With quiet shooting and screaming speeds, you’ll never have to worry about a big buck “jumping the string.”
User Comfort
The ACUdraw cocking system makes drawing the Storm RDX an absolute dream. The system requires a paltry 5 pounds of effort to crank. It is so easy; you could almost cock this crossbow with nothing more than your pinky finger.
The trigger operates smoothly as butter and only takes about two pounds of pressure to reach the break. This makes it easy to squeeze off an arrow without jerking the trigger, resulting in cleaner shots and better down-range accuracy.
The Storm RDX features an adjustable butt plate and cheek plate for added comfort. The butt plate has three positions to help create the optimal trigger length of pull for any individual shooter.
The cheek plate adjusts vertically, offering seven different positions to help you optimize your cheek weld for more accurate, comfortable shooting. With a narrow axel-to-axel width of only 10 inches when fully cocked, the Storm RDX is perfect for maneuvering through thick brush or the narrow confines of the typical tree stand or hunting blind.
The rear-facing limbs push the center of gravity back toward the stock creating a balance that makes for steady equilibrium, even for prolonged aiming, a feature you only appreciate when you are patiently waiting for a reluctant buck to present a clean broadside shot.
The overall weight of the Storm RDX is on the heavy side. Weighing in at 8.2 pounds wihtout accessories, this isn’t the weapon you want to hike long miles over rough terrain. However, once in your stand, the compact size, easy maneuverability, and perfect balance will make you forget just how heavy it is.
Safety
The Horton Storm RDX offers several fantastic safety features, including an auto-engaging safety and anti-dry fire mechanism. Additionally, the self-locking limb pocket and cap system prevent limb twists.
The foregrip of the Storm RDX is molded to help keep fingers naturally below the flight deck and away from the cables to avoid accidental injury.
- Comes as a complete, ready-to-shoot package
- Hard-hitting power & velocity
- Quiet performance
- Expensive price tag
- Heavy weight
- Included scope is not calibrated properly for this crossbow
Shoot with Horton Storm RDX
Add Ons
The included TenPoint 3X Pro-View crossbow scope, while in itself a quality optic, is may not the best scope for this crossbow.
You may want to upgrade to an optic with velocity adjustment capabilities. If you plan to pursue whitetails, look for a scope with an illuminated reticle for easy low-light shooting.
- Package weight:4.0 lb
- Package dimensions:15.0"L x 5.0"W x 5.0"H
- TWILIGHT DLX 1962 Scope 6X44mm 30mm tube
Conclusion
The melding of Horton and TenPoint has produced one of the best high-performance crossbows on the market. Featuring Horton’s signature reverse draw design and TenPoint’s smooth cocking action, the Horton Storm RDX delivers the best of what these companies offer.
While the price tag of the Storm RDX is a bit on the high side, you are getting what you pay for. Producing blistering velocities and powerful game-dropping kinetic energy, the Storm RDX delivers the tough performance needed to pursue the toughest game animals. Combine this performance with the Storm RDX’s compact maneuverability, and you’ve got the type of serious crossbow hunters to dream about.