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Hickory Creek Koolaid

Bama_Xander said:
So to preface, I love my HC Mini. It’s so fun to shoot and will soon get to draw it’s first blood if opportunity arises. But I did have two crazy things happen at the range yesterday.

First, my stirrup pulled out while cocking. Anyone have that happen before?

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I was able to take off the knob, bend it back and re-install. The screw had backed out on its own enough when pressure was applied, it let go. Prospective fix - apply some threadlocker blue to the hex set screws.

Second, after throwing darts for a while, it started shooting really bad. I was off in several directions. My scope has a turret you can adjust and I had been testing different ranges. Wondering if it is the scope or something physical on the bow? I took off the turret and reset it. It could have been loose. That wouldn’t really explain being off right though. Any other things to look for?

Thanks!
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The stirrup thing is semi-common across brands/designs. loctite or degreasing everything and letting a good rust build up will fix it.

As far as accuracy, I'm still at a loss. Several folks have reported the mini losing 0. Lots of people haven't, of course, but enough people mention it that I am perplexed. Mine has been boringly accurate. But, I also probably don't have 3 dozen shots through it in 3 years.
 
Nutterbuster said:
The stirrup thing is semi-common across brands/designs. loctite or degreasing everything and letting a good rust build up will fix it.

As far as accuracy, I'm still at a loss. Several folks have reported the mini losing 0. Lots of people haven't, of course, but enough people mention it that I am perplexed. Mine has been boringly accurate. But, I also probably don't have 3 dozen shots through it in 3 years.
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After doing some more investigation I may have figured out some of the accuracy issue.

this top monkey tail may be hitting the illumination dial on the scope.

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If it stays on, it needs to go closer to D loop. May just take them off.
 
I had that problem with string dampener hitting my scope and throwing it off a bit. I changed to a red dot and no issues now and accuracy has improved.
 
The bow piece and the stock were just loose enough to allow some movement on my bow and my string was almost contacting my windage knob on the scope. I'm convinced the one plastic knurled bolt holding the two pieces of bow together isn't enough to allow consistent accuracy.
 
Jtaylor said:
The bow piece and the stock were just loose enough to allow some movement on my bow and my string was almost contacting my windage knob on the scope. I'm convinced the one plastic knurled bolt holding the two pieces of bow together isn't enough to allow consistent accuracy.
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I think the design would be much improved if it was a square peg in a square hole with 2 bolts instead of a round peg in a round hole with one bolt. But I think for many easy takedown is a selling feature
 
Nutterbuster said:
I think the design would be much improved if it was a square peg in a square hole with 2 bolts instead of a round peg in a round hole with one bolt. But I think for many easy takedown is a selling feature
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Yeah I just bought another plastic knurled knob, still easy take down just one extra knob.

Hickory Creek Koolaid

I guess that is why mine has a hole drilled and tapped through the round part with a bolt inserted so it cannot turn.
saddlehunter.com
 
Nutterbuster said:
I think the design would be much improved if it was a square peg in a square hole with 2 bolts instead of a round peg in a round hole with one bolt. But I think for many easy takedown is a selling feature
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I have also added the lock nut to the front. I have no need for the take down feature.
 
I have never been able to justify the purchase on one of these until last weekend. I was roaming around some public land and found myself in some of the thickest stuff I've ever seen. Turns out I stumbled across someones shooting lane that he trimmed, saw a scent wick on a tree about 15yds away and thought "This is a great spot for a groundblind" looked to my right and I was standing 2ft from a blind. My next thought was "Damn this is a great spot for a Hickory Creek Mini!" The next thought was its time to order one...so I did.
 
I bought one 2 years ago cuz I was healing from a shoulder surgery and couldn't pull back my bow. My mini has now killed 6 deer and I haven't gone back to my bow yet. Been practicing plenty with the compound again and shoulder is healed, but when I run out the door I just keep grabbing the mini instead. Maybe cuz its public land and its hard enough to get on deer that I don't like blowing it by being busted on the draw back? I dunno. I do believe that's the major advantage the mini offers. As far as distance, it's not like these new xbows where guys can shoot a deer at 75 yards. I only take shots out to about 30 with mine. Either way, love it.
 
Mini is like a 30-30. Shoots well enough but won’t win the 1000 yd comp. If you want to go kill a deer, grab the old iron sight lever and venison will be on the table. That’s how I look at it. Flat out does it’s job.
 
I’ll add that it’s not that the mini isn’t accurate. Don’t shoot same spot unless you like buying arrows.
 
ORANGEMAN said:
Hey folks,
I just finally became a member after lurking for a long time. I drank the kool aid about a month ago. My mini didn't shoot well right out of the box. It hit about 2 feet high at 20 yards and well right. I had accuracy problems until I added a lock nut to the front and then groups tightened up. I have since added a new scope, whisker biscuit, and new arrows. I have bare shaft paper tuned it and am shooting bullet holes with both bare shaft and feathered arrows. I am shooting 275 grains up front and 535 total arrow weight. I read along this thread before I bought the bow and to be honest was a bit frustrated with it the first few days. I have since fallen in love with this killer. Anyway, I hope now that I have tuned my mini, I can help others by adding my experience.
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What arrows did you go with and what spine? I’m looking into drinking the kool aid myself and have plans for a heavier arrow setup. Was thinking in the 200-300 upfront range. And what scope did you go with also? Thanks, Matt
 
mattpsu1 said:
What arrows did you go with and what spine? I’m looking into drinking the kool aid myself and have plans for a heavier arrow setup. Was thinking in the 200-300 upfront range. And what scope did you go with also? Thanks, Matt
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Used the victory arrows at first and then switched to black eagle deep impact micro diameter and they almost have double the penetration with 150 grain Magnus stingers. Been using a Hawke scope with illuminated reticle and it’s been solid too. This combo has now harvested 6 deer in the last two years. You will be glad you drank the kool aid!
 
I switched the stock scope out with a red dot and have really enjoyed it for spring turkeys. I may take it out a few times for late season archery. Fun to shoot but I highly recommend adding the neoprene washer and lock not on the end. Really shores things up nicely and mine shot with exceptional accuracy out to 30 yards. Didn't try it at further distances but judging from the group size, I think it would be accurate out to another 20 for sure.
 
davesonic444 said:
Phil did the micro diameter arrows stay in the stock rest ok?
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I ended up having to put a shim in one of the 3 rest bristles. I think I just snipped off a piece of a rubber inter tube or something like that. That's all it took to get a firmer hold on the micros.
 
Has anyone tried the Vortex Crossfire ll on the mini?
 
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