wtnhunt Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Walmart had quite a bit of stuff clearanced this morning, two barnett raptor fx crossbows in a package deal marked down from $399 to $199. Had to do a little research and ran back and picked one up on the way to get my son from preschool, surprised they still had both of them. Reviews people either hate them or love them, mixed. Guess if I have an issue the warranty from the sounds of it is pretty good, a 5 year warranty. So anyhoo, a couple questions. Will regular fixed blade heads work ok? Have quite a few muzzy 100 grain 3 blades. Noticed a few packs of heads marked for crossbow use, also marked down. Are mechanicals a good idea/bad idea, bow is rated at up to 330 fps? Was a couple packs of rage "for crossbow" blades at half price. What about bolts, any suggestions? Some complained about noise while others said it was quiet, limbsavers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 That is a good deal. Don't know much about Barnet service support but hopefully you won't need it. Most companies print the speed while shooting a light carbon fiber bolt. You can still buy aluminum bolts (cheaper - heavier - slower) there are also the ultra light bolts. I'd go with a regular carbon fiber bolt unless the crossbow specifically indicates it is made for ultralight. I know Tenpoint has recommended bolts for each crossbow and most do not include the ultralight. As far as broad heads, I use a fixed blade cut on contact (steel force Phathead). I just sent all 7 that I own in to be sharpened. I paid a total of 25.00 for replacement bleeder blades and shipping and handling. The primary blade sharpening is free. Most crossbow users rave about the slick tricks and spitfires. Mechanicals are what most use because of the higher speeds and kinetic energy (they will punch through). I just use the same heads I use with my compound. The 1inch diameter reduces the cut compared to a 1.5 inch expandable but I have excellent accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2015 Thanks for the reply Frank. Comes with headhunter 400 grain bolts. Box says it is rated at 330 with a 400 grain arrow, so dunno. I will probably try the muzzy's and see how they do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 That is a heck of a deal! I bought the Recruit for my kids two seasons ago and it's been solid so far. The trigger is a little stiff, but other than that it pretty decent. I bought some carbon bolts from Sportsmans Guide on sale last year for like $20 for 6. The Muzzy's should be fine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Was going to try to shoot it and sight it in over the weekend, things did not work out, could not really squeeze my fingers until late Sunday. Hopefully will be able to get out with it this weekend. Gonna have to watch for some bolts. Manual says to use only half moon nocks, so will keep that in mind when looking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 When you do shoot make sure you have the right target (feline perhaps). I had used a cheap walmart one form my compound and it worked fine with arrows, but the bolts zipped all the way through. Also, don't shoot at the same dot - they are very accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 Will my glendel buck be ok? Have a gander mtn block target, gonna guess it won't work because my arrows from my bow would go through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 The Glendel should be fine. I had a Redhead layered target that stopped arrows from my compound just fine, but the Recruit would send them straight through unless it was turned sideways. I actually have a bag target that works great for the crossbow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 Thanks mud. Probably shoot from our deck to be elevated. Hopefully can get the sight on without losing or damaging any bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2015 Shot some Friday. Passed through an old Glendell insert and into the gander target. Not sure i will like this dot sight as opposed to a scope but at close range had it dead on with the first dot. Trigger is good. Don't like how the bolts rest on the riser, they do not set flat, look off. Sit left of center but hit the target where i was aiming each shot. Wal-Mart online had a deal on the recommended barnett/easton bolts $30 per 5, about 5 bucks cheaper than the lowest price i found on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted February 17, 2015 Report Share Posted February 17, 2015 Yea, lots of people complain about the scopes that Barnett uses. I don't mind it too much since I hunt with a cheap red dot on my slug gun. My bolts don't sit completely flat on the rail either, but the thing is dead on at 30 yards. ( I haven't shot it any farther and want to keep the kids shots under 30 yards.) I wish they would let kids hunt with them during the full archery season here. My daughter won't be able to pull 40 lbs. back on a compound for at least another 3 or 4 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2015 Got a classic block target on sale. It is rated to 350 fps and it stops the bolts ok, but it sinks them about an inch from the vanes and they are not easy to pull out. Wife really likes it. She may end up hunting with it more than me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 My bolts don't sit completely flat on the rail either' date=' but the thing is dead on at 30 yards.[/quote'] Supposed to be able to adjust the tension on the retainer spring so that they will sit flat. I pulled the red dot off and got my allen wrenches and that little screw is locked up like someone put loctight on it. Got a message to barnett to see what they want to do with it, hopefully they have a good answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 Hmm. Let me know what they say. I never really worried about it since it seems to shoot fine, but am interested if they have a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2015 Ended up breaking the screw loose. Called and talked with the customer support guy and he told me I could send it back. I did make an adjustment and it is a little better. Going to try to get it out this weekend and do some more shooting. If there is not an issue with accuracy I won't waste the time to ship it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bug House Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Don't like how the bolts rest on the riser, they do not set flat, look off. Sit left of center but hit the target where i was aiming each shot. . Agreed! Had the same thought with my Parker. I shot 5 bolts in the shop prior to buying, couple days later in the yard I noticed the same as you described. About 100 shots and one Doe later, I'm sure it's supposed to sit like that. That is a good deal, good luck with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 Burned some cabelas points on a chronograph to use mainly with my re loading, came in today. Shots clocked with the raptor ranged between 324 and 330. Not sure why there was any deviation, using the same bolts. May have to weigh them. But anyway the rating on the box was pretty well spot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted April 2, 2015 Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 That sounds about right. My kids Recruit says 300 fps I believe, but read on other forums they were getting between 305 and 310. It smokes my 60 lb. compound I do know that lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 I'm only familiar with TenPoint and have never noticed the off center issue discussed here. Perhaps the speed differences is due to the chronograph as opposed to the crossbow? I had mine clocked at 320 twice in a row which was exactly what was published on the box. I have NEVER had that happen with my compounds. The speed is always a lot less than published. My Mathews is supposed to shoot 340 but even with light carbon arrows the best I can get is 302. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted April 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2015 Perhaps the speed differences is due to the chronograph as opposed to the crossbow? Good chance it might have been user error. lol. Dunno for sure, but i plan to do a good bit of testing with the chronograph between rifles mlers and the crossbow. Got the Caldwell, had pretty good reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted April 9, 2015 Report Share Posted April 9, 2015 (edited) Good to know Frank on the Ten Point...the way my rotor cuffs are getting, Im not far from dropping the compound...hope to be able to draw it back this summer for practice..guess time will tell...need to start replacing parts ..at least the wore out parts....getting older sucks Edited April 9, 2015 by Mathews XT Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted June 3, 2015 Report Share Posted June 3, 2015 Good deal on a crossbow! One of these days I may pick one up to add to the arsenal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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