I’ve watched so many videos on ravin crossbows and ravin bolts, braid heads, string dampeners and so since I bought my r26x and I will just say this, test your own equipment!!! I was almost heart sick after spending that kind of money and hearing all the negative comments about arrows and broad heads and accuracy but I said to myself, check it yourself! My conclusion is this, my Ravin R26X is the best crossbow I’ve ever owned! Ravin steel broad heads work like I’d want a broad head to work, and the .003 arrows I use shoot 1 hole groups at 50 yards. Everyone has a different experience. This is in no way a negative comment on the producer of this video, you did an outstanding job explaining everything!
Yes from trad bows to crossbows, a tuned perfectly flying lighter faster arrow will often give a double lung pass through. But with a moderate weight arrow, still with enough speed for a good hit and using a fixed blade, preferably IMO, a strong single bevel with enough weight for 18+foc gives more confidence with any modern bow for a pass through on game. Especially if you don’t get that perfect shot angle or you hit bone heavier than ribs. I have started building my cross bow arrows “bolts” this way, moderate to approaching heavy weight with high foc and very sharp fixed single bevel two blades. So far getting 350 to 365 fps with experimental arrows, adequate trajectory to 65 yds or so. Don’t mind the extra work to tune, I hate wounding or losing game, I want two holes with the exit low if possible and a short tracking job. Good hunting next season!
I use 22” Carbon Express (yes! Carbon Express!) Juggernauts! I’ve crossbow hunted since my injury 12 years ago that prevented me from drawing a bow. Well drawing GRACEFULLY that is! I’ve tried many different bolt, heads and inserts and Juggernauts are the best! (for me) IF you can find them. They discontinued them and replaced em with the Pile Drivers. Another good choice but they are lighter. The Juggernaut is a TRUE 550 grain NOT including a head, like other companies do when posting their weights. With a 200 grain Crimson Talon Cleaver single bevel head I have had 100% pass throughs! With my 405fps bow, I get plenty enough speed for a 750 grain bolt inside of 30 yards. I nock tune and sight in for 30 yards and extremely happy with my current set up and have no plans of changing. My set up may not work for someone else with a different bow and target animals. Ya gotta do the work and find what works for you. This is a suggestion that might work for you or not. I got sick of having “bonks” with smoking fast 340s and 50% pass throughs. So I went back to what I know, heavy projectiles!
"The target determines the test" I didn't see any "Ranch Fairy Tuning" taking place. You just shot 2 different weight bolts into a well used bag target. You are shooting arrows into a medium that is designed to stop arrows. Also have you shot both those different weight bolts through paper to see if they are flying sideways and need nock tuned or not ? If 400grains flies bullet perfect and 700grains flies sideways then 400 grains will always preform better. I am currently shooting a 500grain total weight 22.5% FOC bolt that flies perfect. I started by nock tuning with 100grain field points to make sure my bolts were spine aligned. Then I got graduating weights of field tips. I ended up shooting 150grain heads. I tried heavier tips and they had my bolts flying nock low. That causes lost momentum and levering on impact, and it will make your bolt flight erratic when you stick a fixed blade on the front.
I've been shooting the 300g with 100g fixed broadheads thru my Ravin R10 for 3 seasons now. I've tagged out each year with 3 deer and NEVER not had a complete pass thru. The worst 1, which was still great, hit a rib and the sternum which tore off a blade and a fletching and still passed right thru while taking the bottom out of the heart on the way. The way I see it, if it ain't broke, I don't need to fix it.
@hardrockminer are you shooting mech or fixed? Shot one in November with my r10 (rage mech, 400g total weight), double lung shot, no bone, blew through the entry side and barely poked out of the other side making it a non pass through, thinking of going to fixed
I watched this video about a month ago and it just dawned on me today Correct me if I’m wrong but I think if you where to add a 200 grain broadhead or field tip you will get much more penetration For that FOC you need more weight upfront with that 400 gr arrow So with that 400 gr arrow, you would need at least a 200 grain field tip
@@Haqq2023 thanks for watching! Quiet possibly. The challenge there compared to a compound is draw length. The fps drops significantly the heavier it gets and limits the range. Since recording this video, I have actually decided to go back to the original Ravin recommended setup this year after some issues last year with the setup in this video. Please subscribe so you don’t miss the new videos I will be making on my new R18 setup and the changes to my R26 setup
@@reviveoutdoors4him I actually own the R26x that’s what got me watching your videos. This will be my first year hunting with it and I purchased iron wills single bevel 150 Broadhead. The 150s mainly because of your research on your R26 I’m curious, what are Raven‘s recommendations for the R26
@@Haqq2023 the Ravin 100gr broadheads (similar to a Rage) are the best overall. After speaking with their founder and lead engineers recently I understand a little more of the why behind the rage specific broadhead. I personally never experienced anything but great results from using them, but moreso was exploring options to see what else was available.
nice! i tried the Tactcam FTS on my same Ravin setup and its blurry. I tried backing it out a bit, still blurry. Can you do a video on you FTS including some of the FTS vid? Thanks for all youre doing!
I will try to get one out! It is tricky. Chris (from our team) currently has my 5.0 on his compound bow for recording. Once he is finished with it I will try and get one out! Chances are your focus adjustment on your scope and what’s needed for the FTS are in line with one another. That was my problem.
@@reviveoutdoors4him i had indeed. it works for making clear video (via my phone, connected to the tactacam stream) but then my own vision through the scope is blurred. is that your experience?
@@dranthonyjay yes that was my experience as well. I remember messing with it for a while and finally dialing it in, but it’s been a while. Once I get it back I will try to mess with it again to see what I did. I have 20/20 vision, which could have an impact for those with different vision. I could see that being an issue.
Go watch the hunting public arrow penetration test video they just posted with ranch fairy. It changes the whole game on arrow penetration on foam blocks and jell.…
Could you tell a difference in the sound? Years ago I ran the same test you did. Hoyt 30 in draw maxed put 78lbs. My light weight arrows weighed in at 400 grains. The bare min. Shot around 330 FPS. My dad had some full metal jackets that were close in length I shot just to see. Don't remeber the weight. But I could not get them over 285 FPS. I ran the math when all was done and the lighter arrow actually had more KE than the heavies and like you showed also penetrated slightly more with every single arrow. What the FMJs did win at was noise. My bow that I thought was pretty quite literally was half as loud with the heavy arrows.
Excellent.. R29 here. Lol complaints when you told them to test their own setups? I just picked up some lighted nocks will need to test this out with a chronograph. Also will weigh them on my reloading scales. One on each end compare the balance lighted vs not. Thanks for the idea. Testing time.
@@reviveoutdoors4him only leave criticism when it's an out right lie. And a safety issue. I follow and unfollowed a few reloading pages for safety issues. And long range shooters that consider cheap items to be way outa my league.
I have a R26 and shot it today with the 400 grain bolts and the xk5 500 grain bolts into a foam block with 100 grain field tips and at 60 yards the xk5 bolts group tighter and appear to penetrate slightly deeper into the foam block but I don’t think that’s the best way to test for penetration. As far as grouping the xk5 win out over the 400 grain bolts in my book..
I appreciate all the work you have put into this. That setup is extremely nice too. I'd love to hear more about the scope on that rig. Seems whisper quite as well. The medium though is questionable. I just don't see a bag target being fair to the point you are trying to make and i think the results may be misleading if you use it to decide what grain bolt to shoot at game with. While it still isn't live game, a fresh foam target I think is a much better medium for this test. I wouldn't expect a drastic difference between 450 and 550 but I would expect the edge to certainly be with the 550. Again I think it is the medium here that is skewing the results. I would have loved to see a 650 grain bolt thrown in there as a third bolt. Even if it was clocking well under 350fps I'd put my money on the 650 being buried much deeper than either of the other two. I do appreciate the time you took on this. In the end we all should shoot what we are comfortable with. Best of luck.
They are definitely made for a faster shooting crossbow. My FPS on the small and lightweight R26 brings my max efficient bolt weight down a little lower to maintain accuracy at further distances
@@reviveoutdoors4himin case you didn’t know that little R26 has a 340 pound draw weight with a short draw stroke and the ONLY way to get the 400fps speed is with a light arrow. You would be much better off staying with your current 450 grain arrows.
You can’t judge penetration with a bag target. Way to many variables. The packing is not same throughout. Gel is a better medium. Also lighted nock will reduce FOC. Another question would be are the bolts the same diameter?
Except I have penetration tests in ballistics gel showing 415 grains outpenetrating 650. Modern compounds and the speeds they produce, produce major energy without added mass
Gel is not reliable for arrow penetration neither is foam or a bag target. Bag targets are inconsistent and foam and gel are super consistent materials that stop by friction. There have been tests with field points vs Broadheads of all different weights in gel… they all penetrated about the same(give or take an inch or two at max when hitting fresh gel)
Bag targets are not the same as flesh and bone. They are meant to stop arrows, not measure potential penetration. Penetration jumps up at the 600gr mark, but aside from that FOC is also a contributing factor. Heavier nocks work against this, as does simp,y making a heavier shaft. Using heavier inserts, a 200gr head(single bevel preferred) will affect penetration on game animals. I also wish people had enough sense to stop buying into the pixie dust make believe theory that is "kinetic energy". That is not, and will never be, what kills animals when it comes to arrows.
@reviveoutdoors4him thanks for the reply, I'm actually looking for a good scope ( it would be great if it has both night vision and rangefinder ) so if you know any product or have one i would be appropriate if you share the name 👍
@@ShaddyDawg I use pulsar for all my thermal scopes and have been very happy. You could easily mount one on a crossbow. I prefer thermal over night vision for faster target acquisition
@reviveoutdoors4him it's a bit complicated to find which Pulsar do you mean could you please say which Pulsar Model you're using ? It will be really nice of you
too many variables in the target to be a valid test. Gel testing is king but shooting each into a brand new Block target would be reasonable I think. Gel is not really that expensive.
Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe for future penetration test videos! Also, if you want to donate ballistic gel or something similar let us know!
Your lighted nock arrow to unlighted nock arrow is not comparing apples to apples. Ravin’s lighted bolts weight the same as non-lighted bolts. The lighted nock weights 15 grains more than the standard non-lighted nock. Tho make each bolts weight the same, they had to remove 15 grains off the lighted bolt. They removed that 15 grains off the front adapter. So, while both lighted and non-lighted bolts weight the same, the FOC is different, favoring the non lighted bolt. I bought all non-lighted bolts, pulled out the standard nock and replaced it with the lighted nock. I also put a 30 grains adapter behind the front adapter, a 5 grain weight washer behind the 100 grain broadhead giving me a 450 grain bolt.
I’ve watched so many videos on ravin crossbows and ravin bolts, braid heads, string dampeners and so since I bought my r26x and I will just say this, test your own equipment!!! I was almost heart sick after spending that kind of money and hearing all the negative comments about arrows and broad heads and accuracy but I said to myself, check it yourself! My conclusion is this, my Ravin R26X is the best crossbow I’ve ever owned! Ravin steel broad heads work like I’d want a broad head to work, and the .003 arrows I use shoot 1 hole groups at 50 yards. Everyone has a different experience. This is in no way a negative comment on the producer of this video, you did an outstanding job explaining everything!
That’s Jeff! You said it best, “you have to test your own equipment!”
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Yes from trad bows to crossbows, a tuned perfectly flying lighter faster arrow will often give a double lung pass through. But with a moderate weight arrow, still with enough speed for a good hit and using a fixed blade, preferably IMO, a strong single bevel with enough weight for 18+foc gives more confidence with any modern bow for a pass through on game. Especially if you don’t get that perfect shot angle or you hit bone heavier than ribs.
I have started building my cross bow arrows “bolts” this way, moderate to approaching heavy weight with high foc and very sharp fixed single bevel two blades. So far getting 350 to 365 fps with experimental arrows, adequate trajectory to 65 yds or so.
Don’t mind the extra work to tune, I hate wounding or losing game, I want two holes with the exit low if possible and a short tracking job. Good hunting next season!
I use 22” Carbon Express (yes! Carbon Express!) Juggernauts! I’ve crossbow hunted since my injury 12 years ago that prevented me from drawing a bow. Well drawing GRACEFULLY that is! I’ve tried many different bolt, heads and inserts and Juggernauts are the best! (for me) IF you can find them. They discontinued them and replaced em with the Pile Drivers. Another good choice but they are lighter. The Juggernaut is a TRUE 550 grain NOT including a head, like other companies do when posting their weights. With a 200 grain Crimson Talon Cleaver single bevel head I have had 100% pass throughs! With my 405fps bow, I get plenty enough speed for a 750 grain bolt inside of 30 yards. I nock tune and sight in for 30 yards and extremely happy with my current set up and have no plans of changing. My set up may not work for someone else with a different bow and target animals. Ya gotta do the work and find what works for you. This is a suggestion that might work for you or not. I got sick of having “bonks” with smoking fast 340s and 50% pass throughs. So I went back to what I know, heavy projectiles!
Thank you for sharing!
Lol, this is the best comedy show iv seen in years, keep up the good work.
"The target determines the test"
I didn't see any "Ranch Fairy Tuning" taking place. You just shot 2 different weight bolts into a well used bag target. You are shooting arrows into a medium that is designed to stop arrows. Also have you shot both those different weight bolts through paper to see if they are flying sideways and need nock tuned or not ? If 400grains flies bullet perfect and 700grains flies sideways then 400 grains will always preform better. I am currently shooting a 500grain total weight 22.5% FOC bolt that flies perfect. I started by nock tuning with 100grain field points to make sure my bolts were spine aligned. Then I got graduating weights of field tips. I ended up shooting 150grain heads. I tried heavier tips and they had my bolts flying nock low. That causes lost momentum and levering on impact, and it will make your bolt flight erratic when you stick a fixed blade on the front.
ua-cam.com/video/MYXJF6cyn4M/v-deo.htmlsi=IVD8luk8TbL9YSuw
Exactly! Your willing to work to up the % for a quick kill!
Glad I found your video before I buy my first crossbow. I was ready to waste money 😂
What are you thinking of getting?
I've been shooting the 300g with 100g fixed broadheads thru my Ravin R10 for 3 seasons now. I've tagged out each year with 3 deer and NEVER not had a complete pass thru. The worst 1, which was still great, hit a rib and the sternum which tore off a blade and a fletching and still passed right thru while taking the bottom out of the heart on the way. The way I see it, if it ain't broke, I don't need to fix it.
Good deal! Sounds like you’ve been crushing it. Keep it up!!
@hardrockminer are you shooting mech or fixed? Shot one in November with my r10 (rage mech, 400g total weight), double lung shot, no bone, blew through the entry side and barely poked out of the other side making it a non pass through, thinking of going to fixed
I watched this video about a month ago and it just dawned on me today
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think if you where to add a 200 grain broadhead or field tip you will get much more penetration
For that FOC you need more weight upfront with that 400 gr arrow
So with that 400 gr arrow, you would need at least a 200 grain field tip
@@Haqq2023 thanks for watching! Quiet possibly. The challenge there compared to a compound is draw length.
The fps drops significantly the heavier it gets and limits the range. Since recording this video, I have actually decided to go back to the original Ravin recommended setup this year after some issues last year with the setup in this video.
Please subscribe so you don’t miss the new videos I will be making on my new R18 setup and the changes to my R26 setup
@@reviveoutdoors4him
I actually own the R26x that’s what got me watching your videos. This will be my first year hunting with it and I purchased iron wills single bevel 150 Broadhead.
The 150s mainly because of your research on your R26
I’m curious, what are Raven‘s recommendations for the R26
@@Haqq2023 the Ravin 100gr broadheads (similar to a Rage) are the best overall. After speaking with their founder and lead engineers recently I understand a little more of the why behind the rage specific broadhead.
I personally never experienced anything but great results from using them, but moreso was exploring options to see what else was available.
nice! i tried the Tactcam FTS on my same Ravin setup and its blurry. I tried backing it out a bit, still blurry. Can you do a video on you FTS including some of the FTS vid? Thanks for all youre doing!
I will try to get one out! It is tricky. Chris (from our team) currently has my 5.0 on his compound bow for recording. Once he is finished with it I will try and get one out!
Chances are your focus adjustment on your scope and what’s needed for the FTS are in line with one another. That was my problem.
Have you watched this video?
ua-cam.com/video/RpS_IATAFQY/v-deo.html
@@reviveoutdoors4him i had indeed. it works for making clear video (via my phone, connected to the tactacam stream) but then my own vision through the scope is blurred. is that your experience?
@@dranthonyjay yes that was my experience as well. I remember messing with it for a while and finally dialing it in, but it’s been a while.
Once I get it back I will try to mess with it again to see what I did.
I have 20/20 vision, which could have an impact for those with different vision. I could see that being an issue.
Go watch the hunting public arrow penetration test video they just posted with ranch fairy. It changes the whole game on arrow penetration on foam blocks and jell.…
Could you tell a difference in the sound? Years ago I ran the same test you did. Hoyt 30 in draw maxed put 78lbs. My light weight arrows weighed in at 400 grains. The bare min. Shot around 330 FPS. My dad had some full metal jackets that were close in length I shot just to see. Don't remeber the weight. But I could not get them over 285 FPS. I ran the math when all was done and the lighter arrow actually had more KE than the heavies and like you showed also penetrated slightly more with every single arrow.
What the FMJs did win at was noise. My bow that I thought was pretty quite literally was half as loud with the heavy arrows.
I didn’t pay attention myself. Thanks for sharing. I will pay attention if I do that test in the future.
Excellent.. R29 here. Lol complaints when you told them to test their own setups? I just picked up some lighted nocks will need to test this out with a chronograph. Also will weigh them on my reloading scales. One on each end compare the balance lighted vs not. Thanks for the idea. Testing time.
All the people who appreciate the vids rarely say it, but the negative nancy’s come out of the woodwork with their “expert” opinions lol
@@reviveoutdoors4him only leave criticism when it's an out right lie. And a safety issue. I follow and unfollowed a few reloading pages for safety issues. And long range shooters that consider cheap items to be way outa my league.
I have a R26 and shot it today with the 400 grain bolts and the xk5 500 grain bolts into a foam block with 100 grain field tips and at 60 yards the xk5 bolts group tighter and appear to penetrate slightly deeper into the foam block but I don’t think that’s the best way to test for penetration. As far as grouping the xk5 win out over the 400 grain bolts in my book..
What gr head did you have on the end of them?
@@reviveoutdoors4him I was just using field tips 100 grain
@@vintage30 I believe the sweet spot for the R26 is 450-500 grains total
I appreciate all the work you have put into this. That setup is extremely nice too. I'd love to hear more about the scope on that rig. Seems whisper quite as well. The medium though is questionable. I just don't see a bag target being fair to the point you are trying to make and i think the results may be misleading if you use it to decide what grain bolt to shoot at game with. While it still isn't live game, a fresh foam target I think is a much better medium for this test. I wouldn't expect a drastic difference between 450 and 550 but I would expect the edge to certainly be with the 550. Again I think it is the medium here that is skewing the results. I would have loved to see a 650 grain bolt thrown in there as a third bolt. Even if it was clocking well under 350fps I'd put my money on the 650 being buried much deeper than either of the other two. I do appreciate the time you took on this. In the end we all should shoot what we are comfortable with. Best of luck.
Great video. I have a question which broadheads were you using I have 400 Grand as well.
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I use the Magnus Stinger 2 blade 150gr
I sure will.
@@javierlopez1623 thank you!
Could be a spine issue? Possibly under spined with 550gr?
Not sure, but a good idea to check out!
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I have tested the 500 grain with the R500 and the penetration is much deeper of a 400 grain arrow
They are definitely made for a faster shooting crossbow. My FPS on the small and lightweight R26 brings my max efficient bolt weight down a little lower to maintain accuracy at further distances
@@reviveoutdoors4himin case you didn’t know that little R26 has a 340 pound draw weight with a short draw stroke and the ONLY way to get the 400fps speed is with a light arrow.
You would be much better off staying with your current 450 grain arrows.
@@charlesbeaver5665 yes sir, that’s what I chose to do! 👊😎
@@reviveoutdoors4him heavier is never a bad thing but TOO HEAVY can backfire
@@charlesbeaver5665 yep, this test, although not youtube viewer approved 🤣, got me the info I needed to confirm my theory.
You can’t judge penetration with a bag target. Way to many variables. The packing is not same throughout. Gel is a better medium. Also lighted nock will reduce FOC. Another question would be are the bolts the same diameter?
Except I have penetration tests in ballistics gel showing 415 grains outpenetrating 650. Modern compounds and the speeds they produce, produce major energy without added mass
Gel is not reliable for arrow penetration neither is foam or a bag target. Bag targets are inconsistent and foam and gel are super consistent materials that stop by friction. There have been tests with field points vs Broadheads of all different weights in gel… they all penetrated about the same(give or take an inch or two at max when hitting fresh gel)
Bag targets are not the same as flesh and bone. They are meant to stop arrows, not measure potential penetration.
Penetration jumps up at the 600gr mark, but aside from that FOC is also a contributing factor. Heavier nocks work against this, as does simp,y making a heavier shaft. Using heavier inserts, a 200gr head(single bevel preferred) will affect penetration on game animals.
I also wish people had enough sense to stop buying into the pixie dust make believe theory that is "kinetic energy". That is not, and will never be, what kills animals when it comes to arrows.
Thanks for the information may i ask what kind of scope did you use in this video? Does it has Night vision?
It’s a speedring scope that came with the package when I bought it. I like the scope. It does not have night vision.
@reviveoutdoors4him thanks for the reply, I'm actually looking for a good scope ( it would be great if it has both night vision and rangefinder ) so if you know any product or have one i would be appropriate if you share the name 👍
@@ShaddyDawg I use pulsar for all my thermal scopes and have been very happy. You could easily mount one on a crossbow. I prefer thermal over night vision for faster target acquisition
@reviveoutdoors4him Thanks a lot for the answer, so as far as you informed me i can remove my current scope and mount a pulsar instead am i right?
@reviveoutdoors4him it's a bit complicated to find which Pulsar do you mean could you please say which Pulsar Model you're using ? It will be really nice of you
too many variables in the target to be a valid test. Gel testing is king but shooting each into a brand new Block target would be reasonable I think. Gel is not really that expensive.
borrow a chrono from a gun buddy too.
Thanks for the input! We will make it happen next time.
@@jeffhays1968 please subscribe to help us reach more people!
Gel stops by friction. That's not what stops an arrow in live game. Different mechanism.
What tripod rest are you using for sighting your crossbow?
I use the bog pod death grip
That target tells you nothing about penetration? Waste of time!
Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe for future penetration test videos! Also, if you want to donate ballistic gel or something similar let us know!
Bag target really get out of here with the dummy show
Please send me some ballistic gel and I will make another video!
Now I know what to use if I ever decide to hunt for a used bag target. 🤦♂️
Happy to help!
Your lighted nock arrow to unlighted nock arrow is not comparing apples to apples.
Ravin’s lighted bolts weight the same as non-lighted bolts. The lighted nock weights 15 grains more than the standard non-lighted nock. Tho make each bolts weight the same, they had to remove 15 grains off the lighted bolt. They removed that 15 grains off the front adapter. So, while both lighted and non-lighted bolts weight the same, the FOC is different, favoring the non lighted bolt.
I bought all non-lighted bolts, pulled out the standard nock and replaced it with the lighted nock. I also put a 30 grains adapter behind the front adapter, a 5 grain weight washer behind the 100 grain broadhead giving me a 450 grain bolt.
Sooooooo stupid. You can't test penetration like that. Put it on a chrony.
A bag ???? What are you smoking 🚬
Feel free to send me some ballistics gel and I will show you the same result
@@reviveoutdoors4him yep!!!!
Ballistic gel and targets are not equivalent to a body when doing penetration test. Targets and gel use friction on the surface of the arrows.
Got the fairy part right