CenterPoint Sniper Elite 385 Review: A Budget Crossbow Explained

The CenterPoint Sniper Elite 385 is one of the most widely sold entry-level crossbows in North America. It promises a lot for its class: a 385 feet-per-second speed rating, a scope, arrows, a quiver and a cocking rope in one box. This review explains what those specifications mean in practice, who the package suits, where its limits are, and the safety and legal points every new crossbow owner needs to know.

The short version

The Sniper Elite 385 is a compound crossbow with a 185 lb draw weight, a 14-inch power stroke and a rated speed of 385 fps with about 131.5 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. It is 33.75 inches long and 14.75 inches wide between the axles when cocked, and weighs about 7.9 lb bare. The package includes a 4x32 scope, three 20-inch carbon arrows, a detachable quiver, a rope cocking device and rail lube. Safety features include anti-dry-fire protection, an automatic safety and oversized finger guards.

What the specifications mean

385 fps and 131.5 foot-pounds

Crossbow speed ratings are measured with a specific arrow weight under standard conditions, and the arrow weight used is not always stated. Treat 385 fps as a ceiling rather than a figure you will see with every arrow. Kinetic energy (about 131.5 ft-lb here) is the more useful number for hunting, because it reflects how much work the arrow can do on impact. It comfortably exceeds the energy commonly recommended for deer-sized game.

185 lb draw and 14-inch power stroke

The power stroke is the distance the string travels from cocked to rest, and together with draw weight it determines how much energy is stored. A 185 lb crossbow is very hard to cock by hand. The included rope cocker halves the effort needed and keeps the string centred, which matters for accuracy. Many owners later add a crank cocker for easier, quieter cocking and safer de-cocking.

14.75 inches cocked, 33.75 inches long

Compound crossbows are narrow when cocked because the limbs flex inward. A width under 15 inches makes it easier to manoeuvre in a ground blind or tree stand, and the length is typical for the class.

7.9 lb bare

This is the figure most owners notice. With the scope, quiver and arrows fitted, retailers list the package at around 12 lb. That is heavy to carry and to hold steady offhand, so most hunters shoot from a rest, shooting sticks or a blind window.

What is in the box

Safety: what every crossbow owner must know

Crossbows store far more energy than vertical bows, and most crossbow injuries involve fingers and thumbs, or dry-firing.

1. Keep your fingers below the flight rail. The string travels across the top of the stock. The oversized finger guards are there for a reason; use them every time.
2. Never dry-fire. Releasing a cocked crossbow without an arrow can destroy limbs and strings and throw parts at the shooter. The anti-dry-fire mechanism is a backstop, not a licence to experiment.
3. Use the correct arrows. The nock type, length and weight must match the manufacturer's specification. The wrong nock can cause a dry-fire even with an arrow loaded.
4. De-cock safely. A rope cocker does not let you let the string down safely. The usual method is to shoot a field-point arrow into a target or a discharge target designed for the purpose. Check the manual.
5. Treat a cocked crossbow as loaded. Point it in a safe direction at all times, and never climb into a stand with a cocked crossbow.

Scope and sighting in

The 4x32 scope included in most packages has several aiming points for different distances. To sight it in:

1. Start at 20 yards, aiming with the top reticle, and adjust windage and elevation until arrows hit the point of aim.
2. Move to 30 and 40 yards to see where the lower reticles land with your arrows.
3. Record the distance each reticle is good for; it may not match the printed values exactly.

Shoot from a solid rest while sighting in, so you are testing the crossbow rather than your hold. Our guide to setting up a safe backyard range covers backstops strong enough for crossbow speeds, and our target comparison explains speed ratings on foam targets.

Setting up out of the box

Package crossbows arrive partly assembled. Follow the owner's manual exactly, but the usual sequence is:

1. Attach the stock and any loose parts using the supplied hardware, tightening bolts evenly.
2. Fit the scope to the rail, set eye relief so you see a full sight picture with your cheek on the stock, and tighten the rings.
3. Lubricate the flight rail with the supplied rail lube as the manual directs. A dry rail wears the string serving quickly.
4. Check the string and cables for twists or damage before the first cocking.
5. Learn the safety and anti-dry-fire mechanism by reading the manual before loading an arrow.
6. Sight in from a rest at 20 yards, then confirm the lower reticles at longer distances.

Maintenance

Store the crossbow uncocked, in a case, away from heat. Never leave it cocked for long periods.

Accessories worth adding

• Crank cocking device: makes cocking easier and lets you de-cock without shooting, depending on the model.
• Target rated for crossbows: foam targets must be rated above the crossbow's speed. See our target comparison.
• Extra arrows of the specified length and weight: three is not enough for practice and hunting.
• Shooting sticks or a bipod: a heavy crossbow is far easier to hold steady from a rest.
• Hard case: protects scope zero and limbs in transit.

Common mistakes

• Cocking off-centre by hand, which hurts accuracy. Use the cocking aid every time.
• Using arrows that do not match the manufacturer's specification.
• Climbing into a stand with a cocked crossbow.
• Assuming the scope's reticles match printed distances without checking.

Who the Sniper Elite 385 suits

• New crossbow hunters who want a complete, scoped package rather than buying parts.
• Hunters who will shoot from a rest, such as a blind window or shooting sticks.
• Anyone who cannot draw a vertical bow to legal hunting weight, where crossbows are permitted.

Who should look elsewhere

• Hunters who walk long distances or still-hunt, for whom the weight is a real cost.
• Anyone who wants premium glass or a factory crank cocker included.
• Target shooters who prioritise trigger feel and fine accuracy over price.

You can see the current Sniper Elite 385 listing on Amazon. Check the package contents and your local crossbow regulations before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Is 385 fps fast enough for deer?

Speed alone does not decide this. Energy, arrow and broadhead choice, and above all shot placement matter more. The Sniper Elite 385's energy figure is well above levels commonly recommended for deer-sized game.

Can I cock the Sniper Elite 385 by hand?

At 185 lb, most people should not try. Use the included rope cocker or a crank cocker.

What arrows should I use?

Use arrows matching the length, weight and nock type specified in the owner's manual. The package includes three 20-inch carbon arrows; buy replacements to the same specification.

How far can I shoot it?

Most responsible crossbow hunters limit shots to the distance at which they can group consistently from a rest in practice. For many people, that is 40 yards or less.