My First Crossbow

[Bowhunter57]

I did my share of research before making this purchase. Since I had enough money to get a quality crossbow, I wanted to make sure I found one that would not have a bunch of issues. TenPoint and Ravin were the two companies that I focused on when I was talking to dealerships. I don't think I could go wrong with either one, but I ended up purchasing a Ravin R10.

I purchased a decent broadhead block style target and started dialing it in, in my backyard. I shot it off of my BogPod, to get steady shots. Sighting in the 20 yard pin first, then checking the 50 yard pin, per the manual and in about 30 minutes of adjustments it was good to go. I shot a Slick Trick at 50 yards and as I squeezed the trigger, I pushed it a little to the left about an inch. Even so, impressive for a fixed blade broadhead, at that distance. I purchased some Ravin brand broadheads (mechanicals) that are rated at over 450 fps with a 2" cutting width...and that's what I'll use for hunting.

The arrow speed impressed me! The arrow out of this R10 at 50 yards, gets to the target faster than my Obsession compound bow's arrow does at 20 yards. I can not see the R10 arrow in flight. I just see it hit the target. Amazing!

Bowhunter57

 

[Sgt Fury]

Good luck with it. What kinda scope did you get? What does the reticle look like?

 

[Bowhunter57]

Good luck with it. What kinda scope did you get? What does the reticle look like?

I'm using the scope that came with it and it's a Ravin with a "speed dial". The speed dial has to be set at the FPS of the crossbow, before sighting it in at any yardage. This sets the yardage increments to the speed of the crossbow, so they're on at further yardages. If you need illumination, you have the option of red or green and varying brightness levels.

Bowhunter57

 

[giles]

So you have to shoot a set weight for your scope to work? What's that arrow and broadhead combination weigh?

 

[Fletch]

Good Luck with your new bow...

 

[Bowhunter57]

So you have to shoot a set weight for your scope to work? What's that arrow and broadhead combination weigh?

No, not a weight adjustment. The crossbow's weight is set from the factory. It's the scope that has a "speed dial" and it has to be set at the speed of YOUR crossbow. The R10 is rated at 400 fps, so I set the "speed dial" at 400, before starting the sighting process.
The arrow/broadhead (100 gr.) weight is 500 gr. The arrows are 400, plus the suggested tip weight of 100.
This combination produces 142 ft. lbs. of K.E.

A local archery shop dealer said his 9 yr. old daughter shot a doe at 65 yards with a TenPoint Stealth crossbow and the arrow blew right through her and she only went 30 yards.

Bowhunter57

 

[giles]

Gotcha. So you can't really step up to 600 grains or even 525 and keep your scope accurate.

Thanks, I was wondering how those dial scopes worked. Not really any different than mine with multiple dots. Just trying to figure out how I'm going to adjust things with adding weight to increase my FOC.

 

[Bowhunter57]

Gotcha. So you can't really step up to 600 grains or even 525 and keep your scope accurate.

Thanks, I was wondering how those dial scopes worked. Not really any different than mine with multiple dots. Just trying to figure out how I'm going to adjust things with adding weight to increase my FOC.

giles,
You could set up a 600 gr. arrow weight, but you'd want to chronograph it, to know the actual speed of the arrow. Then adjust the "speed dial" accordingly.

Bowhunter57

 

[Big_Holla]

Sweet looking x-bow B57! If I ever went into a x-bow that style would be it whether it were a Ravin, 10pt. or some other company.

Just thinking @giles with the idea of increasing the weight/FOC and the manufacturer having suggested arrow combinations perhaps increasing the weight could cause problems with this style of crossbow?? I could see a regular limb x-bow just being slower and slower with no ill effects by increasing weight but I have to wonder about these intricate designed ones.

 

[Bowhunter57]

.....with the idea of increasing the weight/FOC and the manufacturer having suggested arrow combinations perhaps increasing the weight could cause problems with this style of crossbow?? I could see a regular limb x-bow just being slower and slower with no ill effects by increasing weight but I have to wonder about these intricate designed ones.

After talking with several dealerships, I would highly recommend staying with the manufacturer's recommendations. The engineering and design of these faster crossbows is VERY proprietary to how they have it designed to perform and/or to obtain their performance specs.

Bowhunter57

 

[OO2]

I’m curious why you’d choose to hunt with the mechanicals with how well the fixed blades performed?

 

[Bowhunter57]

I’m curious why you’d choose to hunt with the mechanicals with how well the fixed blades performed?

Ravin does not recommend one type of broadhead over another, yet they produce mechanicals, instead of fixed.

Actually, I prefer a fixed blade, over a mechanical. I'm trusting Ravin products on this one. Should any issues arise from my using their broadhead, I'll be quick to let them know.... after I'm certain it was a broadhead issue.
At least I know I have the option to use either type of broadhead.

Bowhunter57

 

[Fletch]

I'll stay on the Slick Trick bandwagon as they fly great and have never let me down... All my buddies use Rage heads and I've been tempted but why fix what is not broken....

 

[Sauger]

Good looking bow. I had to cross over a few years back from shoulder surgeries. I agree with Fletch, after 2 failed shots last year with the mechanicals, I have switched to the slick tricks and love them. I don't have a Ravin but I have their sister company bow the CenterPoint.

 

[giles]

I think this Ranch Fairy talk and crossbows messes with me. Even after emailing back and forth with him, he doesn't give straight answers about it.

BH, even after a chrono check, I dont think a scope like these would be accurate. Sure you could tune for speed but a 400 grain arrow is gonna float farther than a 600 grain arrow, at matched speeds.

 

[Big_Holla]

I think this Ranch Fairy talk and crossbows messes with me. Even after emailing back and forth with him, he doesn't give straight answers about it.

BH, even after a chrono check, I dont think a scope like these would be accurate. Sure you could tune for speed but a 400 grain arrow is gonna float farther than a 600 grain arrow, at matched speeds.

Yeah it would be like our current crossbow scope, you just have to know what distance each mark is good for as you shoot it on the range.

 

[Bowhunter57]

BH, even after a chrono check, I dont think a scope like these would be accurate. Sure you could tune for speed but a 400 grain arrow is gonna float farther than a 600 grain arrow, at matched speeds.

giles,
All the speed dial does is change the gap between the yardages. Just like setting up a multiple pin sight on a bow. It the gap between the pins is wider, the bow's speed is slower and vice versa for a faster bow.

If you shot a heavier arrow out of this crossbow and it chronographed at 300 fps, you'd just adjust the speed dial to that setting and shoot it accordingly. The internal range lines will move/gap to how it is set for the speed of the crossbow. Does that make sense?

 

[giles]

Gotcha, so it would work with some manipulation and bench time.

Sorry to derail, it was just my first time to get into the conversation of how those scopes work. Thanks for taking the time. I'm sure that set up will kill many deer. I really look forward to seeing you with a kid!

 

[Bowhunter57]

If could imagine the gap between these settings becoming wider or smaller, as the speed dial is adjusted. That's all that is going on with the technology inside this scope.
No apologies needed, bro. This is somewhat new technology and sometimes the manufacturers and/or dealerships don't explain it well.

Bowhunter57

 

[Big_Holla]

That really is quite the set-up for a crossbow. Never knew there was a scope combination that had that ability. Definitely a sweet shooting machine! Will be looking forward to all the success pics with it in the future!