The Desert Stryker, first impressions.

[Doegirl]

Well, I've got some range time in and I think I can say a few things...
The bow is awesome. Fast as all get out, decent trigger, well balanced. The Parker (actually made by Hawke Optics) Redhot scope is fabulous. The reticles can be illuminated either red or green in 5 levels of brightness. The ballistic software program was right on except for the top hash mark. I guess it's a glitch the programmers are still working on.

The accessories, however, suck canal water. Badly. The cheap sling is toast, and that was the replacement. The first one busted a buckle at the shop. The reddot that was part of the package was hideous. It looked as though somebody licked their finger and wiped it on the lens. I swear that's the darkest scope I've ever looked through. That scope came off before I left the shop. The arrows leave a little to be desired. There's less than 50 shots on this bow. 3 out of the 4 supplied bolts have already lost their brass inserts. I've never had that happen before. Bottom line, I would just the buy the bow only.

Oh yeah, this crossbow has already trashed the cheap scope rings the tech threw on. I knew it would. I questioned his selection and he got a bit defensive. So I dropped it. Some sort of weaver aluminum .22 rings with tiny little screws. After about 10 or so shots, the poi would slowly start marching down and to the right. Every time. I tried a little bit of blue loctite on the screws. On the second shot, SNAP, what the... Thank God it was only one of those stupid screws.
Next on the shopping list, real rings and arrows. I'm thinking Warne rings and Parker Redhot arrows with the reinforced moon nocks and inserts.
Here's a screen shot from the ballistic software program. Again, the ranges were very close except for the top hash mark:

[ghost]

I am not clear about your scope? Most crossbow kills are between 15 and 25 yards but it does not look like that scope has "dots" for close ranges. 30 yards is almsot beyond the kill limit. Deer can hear any crossbow made and will jump the noise on longer shots. Any deer movement will spoil a kill on a long shot.

Ghost

[Doegirl]

Jun 9, 2009 21:28:15 GMT -5 ghost said:

I am not clear about your scope? Most crossbow kills are between 15 and 25 yards but it does not look like that scope has "dots" for close ranges. 30 yards is almsot beyond the kill limit. Deer can hear any crossbow made and will jump the noise on longer shots. Any deer movement will spoil a kill on a long shot.

Ghost

Actually, there is. The top hash mark is the close range mark (where it's marked 22yds on the screen shot). I just know it's not dead on at 22yds, but it's very close. I have to shoot some more to determine exactly where the poi is.

[horizontalhunter]

DoeGirl,

I am glad that you got it all set up and are enjoying your new crossbow. I will never understand why companies will take a great product like that and use cheap accessories like that.

If you are going to make your own arrows I know that David over at Wyvern makes these specialty components for the Easton carbon shafts that might interest you.

Bob

Aluminum Nocks:
www.wyverncreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=253

www.wyverncreations.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=269

[Buckshot06]

This sounds like one smoking x-bow you have.
With this bow what would be the longest shot you think you would feel comfortable with
It would sound to me that a 50 yard shot would not be out of the question if given the chance.
I know with my bow I am comfortable with a 40 yard shot and with more practice before the season opens I would like to be able to shoot 50 yards with no problem.
It seems your freezer will be full in no time

[Doegirl]

Jun 11, 2009 15:22:27 GMT -5 Buckshot06 said:

This sounds like one smoking x-bow you have.
With this bow what would be the longest shot you think you would feel comfortable with
It would sound to me that a 50 yard shot would not be out of the question if given the chance.
I know with my bow I am comfortable with a 40 yard shot and with more practice before the season opens I would like to be able to shoot 50 yards with no problem.
It seems your freezer will be full in no time

I guess cirumstances would dictate how far I'm willing to shoot. I can keep this bow within a 3" circle at 75yds. That's from a bench, with bow on shooting bags, known distance, and no wind. There's no question the bow is capable.
ME, on the other hand, is the issue. ;D My best answer, for right now, is I don't know yet how far is too far for me. Only with time and practice will I know for sure.

[Doegirl]

Well, I decided to back off my top reticle to 20yds. I did some low light shooting, and found that the non-illuminated crosshairs are too difficult to see. So my bottom circle will be 67yds, not 75yds. No big deal .

[ghost]

Jun 12, 2009 20:44:37 GMT -5 Doegirl said:

Well, I decided to back off my top reticle to 20yds. I did some low light shooting, and found that the non-illuminated crosshairs are too difficult to see. So my bottom circle will be 67yds, not 75yds. No big deal .

How does it hit at 10 yards?

Ghost

[Doegirl]

Jun 12, 2009 22:28:30 GMT -5 ghost said:

Jun 12, 2009 20:44:37 GMT -5 Doegirl said:

Well, I decided to back off my top reticle to 20yds. I did some low light shooting, and found that the non-illuminated crosshairs are too difficult to see. So my bottom circle will be 67yds, not 75yds. No big deal .

How does it hit at 10 yards?

Ghost

Well, we need to find that out, now don't we. ;D
Less than 1/2" high is what I found...

[Doegirl]

The accuracy of this bow is most impressive. Did some long range shooting today. Here's a 75yd group w/ my 67yd point of aim. FYI-One of those arrows has a Spitfire on the end.