FIELD TEST: TenPoint TX Ultra 29.5 Crossbow

Fast, stable, and dead-nuts accurate, the new TenPoint TX Ultra 29.5 sets a new standard in the crossbow segment

by David Kelley

Shortly after a long day of travel and unpacking gear into our lodge for an Oklahoma whitetail hunt, headlights turned from the main road and swept up the winding driveway to the building that we settled into. A fellow hunter who had arrived the previous day had completed an evening sit. As the vehicle halted, the dull red glow of brake lights cast just enough illumination to show a perfectly symmetrical and wide 8-point buck piled into the bed of his side-by-side.

After a few minutes of congratulatory chat and hearing details of how his hunt unfolded, I was handed a soft case bearing the TenPoint Crossbow Technologies logo with instructions of “this crossbow is sighted in at 40 yards, but we’re going to swing the headlights downrange and have you shoot it until you’re 100% comfortable with ergonomics and operation — especially the crisp trigger. You are going to appreciate using it this week.”

Unzipping the container revealed the new-for-2026, TenPoint TX Ultra 29.5.

The Crossbow and Bolt

At first glance, the TX Ultra 29.5’s shape and footprint are remarkably similar in length and width to last year’s TX 28. The TX Ultra 29.5 is 1.5 inches longer, but it is also a narrow crossbow at 11 inches uncocked and 6.5 inches cocked. So, what has changed other than an additional inch of length?

More than a limb label, without a doubt.

Since the TX Ultra 29.5 at 440 fps with the 440-grain ACU-X bolt is one of the fastest forward-draw crossbows developed by TenPoint, multiple critical areas were improved upon during the engineering of the TX Ultra 29.5 and the additional two models that round out the new Ultra series.

Starting at the front of the crossbow, the TX Ultra 29.5 continues the use of Twin-Riser Technology™ (TRT). The 2025 TRT is 18% lighter and twice as strong as a traditional riser. The 2026 model made slight changes in shape and design to keep the same strength and further reduce riser weights.

Next, TenPoint increased the diameter of the TX Ultra 29.5 axles to 8mm, for a strength increase of 175% above standard axles. Widening the limbs by 20% over traditional limbs yields a 120% strength gain.

Several more, somewhat subtle features tie the system together. A premium string that doubles string life is paired with a new bolt and nock system — the ACU-X 20 with ACU-X Snap-On nock. The ACU-X 20 bolts maintain super-tight tolerance with .001-inch straightness and +/- 1 grain of weight variance. These bolts are also spine-indexed.

The Snap-On nock reduces movement on the string, which reduces serving wear and keeps the bolt in better alignment while seated in the crossbow and through the power stroke of the shot. The ACU-X 20 bolts with ACU-X nocks are designed for use only with the rail-less TenPoint Ultra Series forward-draw crossbows.

The strength increase of this crossbow design is far beyond that of traditional risers, axles, and limbs. More than a “should” from a design input, it’s a must. With intricate string, cable, and cam systems at the velocities that these Ultra Series crossbows shoot, you need maximum alignment, minimal torque, and reduced torsion to ensure repeatable accuracy. Just as significant, that same increase in alignment and reduction in torsion should, in theory, increase the longevity of limbs and associated parts.

My simple analogy is a vehicle with a balanced motor and tuned suspension; you won’t notice those enhancements at mundane commuting speeds, but you’ll absolutely feel the difference at blistering speeds on a racetrack. TenPoint refined and strengthened these areas while keeping everything in an easily transportable package that handles well on a stand or in a tight blind.

Retained Features from 2025

Though some pieces have changed, some remain the same. Being a fan of the “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” mentality, I was thankful to see many features retained from 2025. The rail-less barrel, which floats the bolt on a front rest using two ball bearings, an easy-to-use ACUslide MAXX cocking and de-cocking system, the handy stock cutout to view seating of the trigger box at the end of cocking, and the wonderful-to-squeeze 3 lb. TriggerTech triggers all stay on the TX Ultra 29.5.

The EVO-X Marksman Elite scope, with its illuminated 100-yard reticle, rear focus, and exposed dials, rightfully lives on for 2026. Packaged with the bow are the optic, three bolts with field points, the crank handle, and a Picatinny rail-mounted quiver.

First Impressions

The first experience and range time in Oklahoma with the TX Ultra 29.5 was to quickly build confidence in its use, which limited data gathering. Late flights, loss of daylight, and an early morning hunt the following day constrained any additional shooting. I was able to fire enough shots to confirm perfect 20, 30, and 40-yard zeros with the EVO-X Marksman Elite scope.

My brain was reset to the fact that the TriggerTech trigger with ambidextrous safety is superior to any TenPoint trigger I’ve used in the past, and that’s not to say the lesser S2 trigger is a bad one. Its crisp break and 3 lb. weight can be compared to the quality of a rifle trigger, not the weight and creep of a typical vintage crossbow — some of which remind me of long-pulling pump-action shotgun triggers.

The brief range time also built muscle memory of removing the crank handle from its bracket at the front of the crossbow, whereas I’m used to my Venom X at the rear. The small details and functions like seating the ACU-X bolt that would be actioned in a dark blind were the important ones. This session showed that the crossbow was fast, accurate, and very dead in the hand, vibration-wise.

Weeks later, I’d spend ample time on my home range in Pennsylvania to wring out groups from a solid bench, record chronograph data, and directly compare overall feel to my personally owned TenPoint of drastically varying speed, footprint, and price point.

First, I’d focus on a whitetail.

The “Sooner State” Hunt

Oklahoma is a state I’ve never hunted, and I was thrilled to spend a week within its borders. When invited to the hunt, I did some brief research on the southeastern corner of the state and was surprised to find hills and hardwood trees on the onX map. Rolling prairie or brush-covered flatland was the stereotype I had in mind, so the forested terrain was not expected.

The hunter who filled his tag the evening prior had generously offered to sit in a blind to keep me company and to photograph or video any whitetail encounters. On the third morning sit, multiple does appeared and began their browse across the far side of a meadow that we overlooked. Well out of range, a young buck came in on their same trail.

Thinking that a great buck would enter this field and bunch up with that group outside of ethical hunting range, I heard the unmistakable crunching of oak leaves and, to my immediate left, appeared a buck on an azimuth that would lead him directly in front of our open blind window. The 29.5 was easily maneuvered on the tripod in the tight blind to aim, all thanks to its narrow limbs. The deer paused at 26 yards, quartering away, presenting a perfect shot opportunity.

I firmly held the crosshair on a spot that would puncture vitals even if the skittish creature string jumped. A few quick whispers followed after judging the animal’s age, then the safety was switched to fire with both thumb and forefinger to avoid any metallic click. Forcing myself to focus on trigger squeeze and not pausing to stare at the magnified antlers, a SEVR Ti 1.75 X broadhead precisely impacted the aiming point. The buck exited our shooting lane and disappeared into the thickest and most prickly patch that he could find as a final resting place. Our guide was called, and the recovery was quick.

A combination of an excellent handling and high-energy crossbow, a straight and true flying bolt, along with a razor-sharp and reliable broadhead won the match. This deer is currently at a taxidermist in Oklahoma and will fill my wall with a memory of camaraderie, geography, and new equipment.

Backyard Range Data

After the successful Oklahoma hunt and after filling a tag in my home state of Pennsylvania, I was able to dedicate a day to properly shoot the TX Ultra 29.5 in a relatively controlled environment. The concrete floor of my pole barn and stable shooting bench worked well, but the variable was the weather. In true fashion, our corner of the state bordering Lake Erie was plastered with bone-chilling winds and snow — a near repeat of the previous Thanksgiving week, and an all-too-often occurrence that interrupts ideal testing.

Being a self-proclaimed and unapologetic numbers nerd, the chronograph is where I was looking as much as the impact on the target. Both gave excellent results. The first five shots were a touch over 440 fps. The crossbow settled in for the next ten shots with measured velocities averaging 439.6 fps. A minimum of 438.4 fps and a maximum of 440.7, with an ES/SD of 2.4 and 1.1, are very respectable numbers for the bolt’s weight.

Battling gusts, I was able to brave the cold for five consecutive three-shot groups at 50 yards. Each measured under 1.5 inches of vertical dispersion. Groups were slightly horizontally oval shaped compared to height, an assumed result of external influences. Two of the five groups were a nearly flat waterline, proving the true accuracy potential of this speedy bow.

This crossbow is faster, narrower, and shorter than the traditional crossbow that I am most familiar with. At 8 lbs., the TX 29.5 Ultra is a touch heavier than some that I have had experience with, but keep in mind that the weight helps stability, balance, and greatly contributes to shock and vibration reduction. I can also say that it is easier to shoot accurately due to its qualities. Shoulder the bow, gently squeeze the trigger, and the shot breaks where you intended.

The Full Ultra Series and a Few Tips from the Stand

TenPoint is initially offering the TX Ultra 26.5, TX Ultra 29.5, and the TRX Ultra (reverse-draw). It’s good to see the company addressing the ongoing need for more aligned, robust, and durable systems that meet consumers’ demands for accuracy and speed. These models will be available from TenPoint with a variety of optics and Vektra camouflage or moss green.

I’d like to close this review with some knowledge that may be useful to a new hunter. First, don’t let crossbow speed replace fieldcraft and ethics. Know your distance limits and stick to them. Second, aim for the heart. As fast and accurate as these bows are, the speed of sound still far exceeds the speed of a bolt. If you aim for the heart and the deer preloads to bound, you will likely catch lungs. If it doesn’t move while the bolt is in flight, you have a heart-shot deer. And the TenPoint TX Ultra 29.5 is heart-shot accurate!

TenPoint TX Ultra 29.5 Specifications

Length: 29.5 in.
Width, Axle-to-Axle (Uncocked/Cocked): 11/6.5 in.
Power Stroke: 13.5 in.
Draw Force: 13.3 lbs.
Weight (without accessories): 8 lbs.
Performance (FPS and Foot-Pounds): 440/189 with 440-gr. ACU-X bolt
Optic and Pattern: Burris ORACLE X, Vektra: CB26006-7869 / Vision RF, Vektra: CB26006-7819 or Moss Green: CB26006-1819 / EVO-X Marksman Elite, Vektra: CB26006-7899 or Moss Green: CB26006-1899

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David Kelley

David Kelley is a retired Sergeant First Class, having served on active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division and various organizations within the Pennsylvania National Guard (AGR) during his 22 years of service. He is a High Master card holder in both NRA High Power and Mid-Range Prone. David is an avid hunter with a bow, shotgun, and rifle. His latest obsessions include spring turkey hunting and muzzleloader rifles and shotguns.