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Hickory Creek Koolaid

I purchased a vortex spitfire prism scope for the mini, plan on installing it sometime this winter. I have tried a sig sauer Romeo 3 red dot, but the open design allows bark & snow to obscure the light, rendering it useless. Currently have a truglo illuminated mounted, it's too long for for it, I had to cut part of the front sunshade off for string clearance.
 
How about using an offset mount to get around the string clearance issue? I just took off the dampener/silencer off for clearance on mine.
 
Mine too...love it

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No problems with string clearance? Good in low light? Seeing it on Optics Planet for $189 and then 10% more off for email signup. I have a Vortex Diamondback on my Tika T3 and really like it
 
I think Santa may be bringing me a red dot reflex sight. I am going to try it on my mini after late season to see if I like it better than the stock scope.

Has anybody tried turning the mini down to 100# and checked the speed? I am curious to try this to see if my wife would be able to hand cock it at 100# and if the speed would still be fast enough for hunting purposes.
 
I am a lefty so the scopes reticle adjustment post is really close to the string, but it doesn't seem to be an issue. If you are right handed then the scopes reticle adjustment would be to the far side of the string and won't be a problem at all. 20-30 yard shots are just place the dot and squeeze simple, and the scope has multiple brightness adjustments (10 I think) with the brightest ones being almost too bright. I set it at a lower setting for low light and adjust up a click or two for midday....just dont forget to turn the scope off at the end of the day....ask me how I know....lol

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Received my mini yesterday. What a treat to shoot. Now I have to decide on a scope. Debating between the Hawke XB30 Compact and the Vortex Crossfire ll. I want to love the Vortex because it’s about $100 cheaper and has great reviews but don’t know if I care much for the reticle with the center one being 40 yard zero and the 20 and 30 being above the center. I guess my fear is that I’ll have a slam dunk 20 yard or under shot and instinctively use the center and sail it over its back. I’m sure a lot practice should minimize this but the thoughts in the back of my mind. The only crossbow I ever used had red dot sights and always had the top one sighted in for 20.
 
Here are my thoughts so far...

Pros:
* Illuminated reticle is better in low light
* No eye relief, can shoot in odd positions without shouldering
* Allows you to shoot with both eyes open and can watch the arrow flight

Cons:
* No magnification
* Battery required, can go dead
* Bow limb blocks sight picture
Screenshot_20220102-170015.png

This was challenging at first when sighting in because I was shooting with one eye closed, to be precise. Once I got it sighted in, I shot a couple times in more of a hunting situation and realized with both eyes open, it was a much better sight picture.

Not only that, but it allows you to watch the arrow flight and the impact/reaction.
 
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For something like a red dot, what is your zero are how far are you off +/- 10 yards?

I zeroed it for 30 yards. At 20 yds, I aim 1-2 inches low. At 10 yds, I aim 3-4 inches low.

I've found that when sighted in for 30 yds, you get less left to right drift. Also, for shooting up in a tree while hunting, if I aim for the heart at 30 and if the deer doesn't move, I'll hit dead on. If he ducks, I should still be in double lung territory.

At 20 yds, the downward angle will be a little steeper, so if I aim for heart, it should be a double lung with less chance for string duck. At 10 yds, I still just aim for the heart. Arrow will hit high, but that's what you want with a steep downward angle. Goes in high, comes out low, should still be double lung.

However, this all changes if hunting from ground, so then you'll have to remember how low to aim depending on distance.
 
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I did the same with my red dot. Zero at 30. Slight aiming adjustments for shorter ranges but everything stays well within the kill zone. Where I hunt not many shots over 30.
The benefit of no parallax with the red dot is great with the mini. Allows for less than ideal shooting positions but still very accurate shots.
 
Here are my thoughts so far...

Pros:
* Illuminated reticle is better in low light
* No eye relief, can shoot in odd positions without shouldering
* Allows you to shoot with both eyes open and can watch the arrow flight

Cons:
* No magnification
* Battery required, can go dead
* Bow limb blocks sight picture
View attachment 59630

This was challenging at first when sighting in because I was shooting with one eye closed, to be precise. Once I got it sighted in, I shot a couple times in more of a hunting situation and realized with both eyes open, it was a much better sight picture.

Not only that, but it allows you to watch the arrow flight and the impact/reaction.
Don't know if you hunt in the snow, big wet heavy flakes on the sight will obscure the light if not protected. Had the open design sig sauer romeo 3 on my mini, & missed a chance on a buck because of this in Wisconsin. Since then have purchased Vortex spitfire. It's an enclosed 1 power scope, with etched reticle so can be used without battery. Have it mounted already, 525 gr arrows, tack driver out to 30 yds.
 
Don't know if you hunt in the snow, big wet heavy flakes on the sight will obscure the light if not protected. Had the open design sig sauer romeo 3 on my mini, & missed a chance on a buck because of this in Wisconsin. Since then have purchased Vortex spitfire. It's an enclosed 1 power scope, with etched reticle so can be used without battery. Have it mounted already, 525 gr arrows, tack driver out to 30 yds.
Have not shot it past 30yds, warmer weather will shoot further
 
Don't know if you hunt in the snow, big wet heavy flakes on the sight will obscure the light if not protected. Had the open design sig sauer romeo 3 on my mini, & missed a chance on a buck because of this in Wisconsin. Since then have purchased Vortex spitfire. It's an enclosed 1 power scope, with etched reticle so can be used without battery. Have it mounted already, 525 gr arrows, tack driver out to 30 yds.

I haven't tried it in the woods yet, only backyard playtime. I hope to get it out once or twice in late season, when snow is more likely. I've got a couple doe tags left and I would like to fill at least one more.
 
Don't know if you hunt in the snow, big wet heavy flakes on the sight will obscure the light if not protected. Had the open design sig sauer romeo 3 on my mini, & missed a chance on a buck because of this in Wisconsin. Since then have purchased Vortex spitfire. It's an enclosed 1 power scope, with etched reticle so can be used without battery. Have it mounted already, 525 gr arrows, tack driver out to 30 yds.
What’s your arrow setup to get to 525 grains?
 
With the dca arrows I added brass 100 grains to the back of the insert, lighted nock, 125 grain cut on contact grave digger head. I also bought a dozen china arrows off Amazon, cut them down to length & added brass from ebay to get the weight the same. China arrows have a 3" vane vs the 2" on dca's & just seem more accurate. I took 2 bucks & my niece took one with my mini this year. Her's was quartering away took the back 2 ribs angling thru to exit the bone on the front left leg just below the ball socket.
 
With the dca arrows I added brass 100 grains to the back of the insert, lighted nock, 125 grain cut on contact grave digger head. I also bought a dozen china arrows off Amazon, cut them down to length & added brass from ebay to get the weight the same. China arrows have a 3" vane vs the 2" on dca's & just seem more accurate. I took 2 bucks & my niece took one with my mini this year. Her's was quartering away took the back 2 ribs angling thru to exit the bone on the front left leg just below the ball socket.
How many grains total up front? 225 + regular insert or was it a heavier insert to start? Just trying to get an idea how much weight I can get up front with the same 300 spine arrow. Thank you, I appreciate it. Matt
 
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