Raptor Review

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

For those just starting out or looking for an understanding of the differences in nocks on the specific arrows for the Raptor. The factory offerings are "Capture Nocks" and "Moon Nocks". The capture nock is the top and the moon second one down.

The capture nock, top, is like a cloths pin used on the approved Hyperflight arrows. When you load the arrow you MUST push the arrow with force to get the nock to "click" on the string. You will find on a brand new string serving it takes must force to do so. IF you do not hear the nock click then DO NOT shoot the arrow. Either the nock is damaged, serving is wore (regarding diameter) or you did not set the nock fully. Shooting a capture nock arrow without setting the nock will most likely produce a partial dry fire and the potential of blowing up the bow.

The conventional nock used for may years is the standard moon nock on the approved 22" Hunter arrows. These do not click on the string. You must be sure the nock is seated against the string. The brush retainer will keep the arrow in position. NOTE: If you are stalking the animal it is possible for the arrow to "slip" down the rail if the bow is bumped or the arrow touches a tree branch. Be sure when you stop, decide to shoot that you seat the arrow again so you do not experience a dry fire and watch the 16 point buck laugh and walk away. I have had times where when stalking the arrow did slip out of position. Be aware under all the excitement that you check the arrow is seated.

I am NOT a strong advocate of capture nocks because it does have a tendency to swag the string serving and reducing the serving diameter. This will cause different release forces when the nock exits the serving on a shot. Initially you may have 6 lbs. of force to seat the nock. As you shoot multiple times the retention force reduces and can produce a different POI, missing that 16 pointer. Reserving a string also requires you match the diameter to the capture nock. Reserving the string to lets say from .028" material to .020" will not retain the capture nock.

You see that I keep referencing 16 pointer. Well, his name is Oliver and he is my buddy out back. So much my buddy I hope he comes to see me here soon. I have something for him!

FD

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

Huntersthompson said:
Does it look like 22 length is necessary or can 20 inch be used as well

Mike,
The design of the riser would allow 17" arrows if one wanted. Lots of clearance upfront. I made up some 20" dragon claws, match grade, coming in at 438 I intend to shoot tomorrow.

Kisermn11 · Sep 22, 2023

TomOnTheRun said:
And the cam spindle where the cables wrap around when cocked. Critical!!! Farm Deer can correct if I'm wrong.

View attachment 266877

Please don't take me wrong as I am very much a newb to crossbows but this seems un-natural and very excessive to have to apply this much lube to a crossbow. I am not sure I am very interested in the Hyper Raptor if I have to apply this much lube to a brand new crossbow.

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

I clearly stated several times that I went excessive for illustration purposes. You are correct that you may not desire ANY compound bow out there if you need to lubricate. This is NOT a requirement of the Raptor only. All compound bows require frequent lube maintenance. You may want to look at a recurve rather a compound. Make no mistake, if you buy a compound bow, regardless of brand and you do not complete lube maintenance then you will have premature S&C failures.

Kisermn11 · Sep 22, 2023

Farm Deer said:
I clearly stated several times that I went excessive for illustration purposes. You are correct that you may not desire ANY compound bow out there if you need to lubricate. This is NOT a requirement of the Raptor only. All compound bows require frequent lube maintenance. You may want to look at a recurve rather a compound. Make no mistake, if you buy a compound bow, regardless of brand and you do not complete lube maintenance then you will have premature S&C failures.

I understand lubrication of the S&C's is necessary, but I have never heard of the need to add lube to the area below the cam where the string wraps around the area below the cam. Please don't take me wrong bringing this up as I am just trying to learn as much as possible so I can make an informed decision on which crossbow will be right for me.

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

Kisermn11 said:
I understand lubrication of the S&C's is necessary, but I have never heard of the need to add lube to the area below the cam where the string wraps around the area below the cam. Please don't take me wrong bringing this up as I am just trying to learn as much as possible so I can make an informed decision on which crossbow will be right for me.

Here is a pic of normal. Because the S&C's were dead dry from the factory one must insure complete saturation on all areas. Don't shoot the messenger.

Kisermn11 · Sep 22, 2023

Farm Deer said:
Here is a pic of normal. Because the S&C's were dead dry from the factory one must insure complete saturation on all areas. Don't shoot the messenger.
View attachment 266912

Definitely not trying to shoot the messenger and I truly appreciate all of your hard work and help. I am just trying to understand how much lube and where to put it is acceptable to maintain this crossbow and the S&C's.

Ironminer · Sep 22, 2023

Kisermn11 said:
Definitely not trying to shoot the messenger and I truly appreciate all of your hard work and help. I am just trying to understand how much lube and where to put it is acceptable to maintain this crossbow and the S&C's.

Doesn’t matter to me which xbow I own. I paint the trident on heavy. Let it soak in.
Shoot & wipe.
Repeat as necessary. I have very few string & cable issues.

tree-rat · Sep 22, 2023

So by using the stuff provided with the bow sold one would have to almost melt it allowing it to drip on to get enough lubricant

tree-rat · Sep 22, 2023

Ironminer said:
Doesn’t matter to me which xbow I own. I paint the trident on heavy. Let it soak in.
Shoot & wipe.
Repeat as necessary. I have very few string & cable issues.

I will be from now on that’s 100 percent garounteed

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

Now this is funny......
I decided to mount a speed rated scope before the ATN for the reason not everyone needs or maybe cannot afford a $900.00 optic. Although the stock scope is crystal clear I wanted to setup a speed scope and test prior to the ATN. I have qualified the speed scope with my ATN to be within +-2 FPS at all ranges.

Yes I read the articles of much higher FPS but figured that was a hot bow supplied! Right? No, Wrong!!!! Here's where things get a bit funny.
Set the speed ring to 400 FPS (knowing past history that bows are over rated). I zeroed at 20 yards, dead BE. Being a bit cocky I moved back to 80 (which I shoot all the time). Verified range, safety off, squeezed the trigger as I watched through the scope the arrow went over the top right aim point, missing the target high and into the corn field 30 or so yards!

Photo evidence of my arrogance below:

I killed a damn corn stalk, dead center.
I rethought what others shared regarding the article mentioning higher FPS performance. I made several adjustments to the speed dial and after several shots at 60 I stepped again back to 80.

Here is at 60 with the speed dial set at 420

At 80

The bow is just a bit hot. Lessons learned. ATN next.
FD

Kisermn11 · Sep 22, 2023

Farm Deer said:
Now this is funny......
I decided to mount a speed rated scope before the ATN for the reason not everyone needs or maybe cannot afford a $900.00 optic. Although the stock scope is crystal clear I wanted to setup a speed scope and test prior to the ATN. I have qualified the speed scope with my ATN to be within +-2 FPS at all ranges.

Yes I read the articles of much higher FPS but figured that was a hot bow supplied! Right? No, Wrong!!!! Here's where things get a bit funny.
Set the speed ring to 400 FPS (knowing past history that bows are over rated). I zeroed at 20 yards, dead BE. Being a bit cocky I moved back to 80 (which I shoot all the time). Verified range, safety off, squeezed the trigger as I watched through the scope the arrow went over the top right aim point, missing the target high and into the corn field 30 or so yards!
Photo evidence of my arrogance below:
View attachment 266915

I killed a damn corn stalk, dead center.
I rethought what others shared regarding the article mentioning higher FPS performance. I made several adjustments to the speed dial and after several shots at 60 I stepped again back to 80.

Here is at 60 with the speed dial set at 420
View attachment 266916

At 80
View attachment 266917

The bow is just a bit hot. Lessons learned. ATN next.
FD

Very Impressive! Which speedring scope did you use in this test?

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

Excalibur Overwatch. I'll send a pic later.
FD

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

Kisermn11 said:
Very Impressive! Which speedring scope did you use in this test?

That corn stalk didn't have a chance! Trying to figure out how to field dress it!

tree-rat · Sep 22, 2023

Farm Deer said:
That corn stalk didn't have a chance! Trying to figure out how to field dress it!

Small scapula shucks you may as well be a surgeon also lol

JYates85 · Sep 22, 2023

Farm Deer said:
Now this is funny......
I decided to mount a speed rated scope before the ATN for the reason not everyone needs or maybe cannot afford a $900.00 optic. Although the stock scope is crystal clear I wanted to setup a speed scope and test prior to the ATN. I have qualified the speed scope with my ATN to be within +-2 FPS at all ranges.

Yes I read the articles of much higher FPS but figured that was a hot bow supplied! Right? No, Wrong!!!! Here's where things get a bit funny.
Set the speed ring to 400 FPS (knowing past history that bows are over rated). I zeroed at 20 yards, dead BE. Being a bit cocky I moved back to 80 (which I shoot all the time). Verified range, safety off, squeezed the trigger as I watched through the scope the arrow went over the top right aim point, missing the target high and into the corn field 30 or so yards!
Photo evidence of my arrogance below:
View attachment 266915

I killed a damn corn stalk, dead center.
I rethought what others shared regarding the article mentioning higher FPS performance. I made several adjustments to the speed dial and after several shots at 60 I stepped again back to 80.

Here is at 60 with the speed dial set at 420
View attachment 266916

At 80
View attachment 266917

The bow is just a bit hot. Lessons learned. ATN next.
FD

Awesome shooting Farm Deer

Huntersthompson · Sep 22, 2023

I like it. Actually meeting spec and then some.👊

Ironminer · Sep 22, 2023

Beautiful work

Farm Deer · Sep 22, 2023

Taking a break for lunch and then headed out for a new target. O'l Betsy has about 2000 shots in her over the past and won't hold the Hyper arrows. They sure do penetrate (past the vanes)

TomOnTheRun · Sep 22, 2023

Farm Deer said:
Now this is funny......
I decided to mount a speed rated scope before the ATN for the reason not everyone needs or maybe cannot afford a $900.00 optic. Although the stock scope is crystal clear I wanted to setup a speed scope and test prior to the ATN. I have qualified the speed scope with my ATN to be within +-2 FPS at all ranges.

Yes I read the articles of much higher FPS but figured that was a hot bow supplied! Right? No, Wrong!!!! Here's where things get a bit funny.
Set the speed ring to 400 FPS (knowing past history that bows are over rated). I zeroed at 20 yards, dead BE. Being a bit cocky I moved back to 80 (which I shoot all the time). Verified range, safety off, squeezed the trigger as I watched through the scope the arrow went over the top right aim point, missing the target high and into the corn field 30 or so yards!
Photo evidence of my arrogance below:
View attachment 266915

I killed a damn corn stalk, dead center.
I rethought what others shared regarding the article mentioning higher FPS performance. I made several adjustments to the speed dial and after several shots at 60 I stepped again back to 80.

Here is at 60 with the speed dial set at 420
View attachment 266916

At 80
View attachment 266917

The bow is just a bit hot. Lessons learned. ATN next.
FD

George, great story and funny read. Let's get to it. You have a MSRP $600 xbow hitting dots at 80 yards with stock arrows non indexed. That's a testament to how often I chase my own tail getting into the weeds optimizing even going down the rabbit hole in search for the holy grail. Don't get me wrong customizing is fun but is not always mandatory for 20-40 yard endeavors. Hell, George knows his craft but he also is showing us that many OEM's build more than meets the needs for beginners to highly experienced hunters/range shooters. This post is like a dose of smelling salts to wake me up and not discount what many OEM's provide with their stock setup. Note: I've always been impressed with Barnett Head Hunter arrows. I'm sure this applies to many other OEM's too. To be fair George is an elite marksman with vast shooting experience but the stock OEM is meeting his shooting requirements. Haha, corn field humility for even the Farm Deer. That's keeping it real.

Shoot on!

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