I have never liked the thin little handle on the mini. I have added a couple home made side plates, but still didn't like. Today in the garage I came across an old AR handle and I noticed the inside was about the same size as the mini handle without plates. About 10 minutes reaming out with a 1/2 drill bit. I now have an AR handle on my mini. Once I know for sure I like it I will drop some epoxy in that bad boy. It feels awesome in the garage.
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Hickory Creek Koolaid
- Thread starter Nutterbuster
- Start date
rutjr
Well-Known Member
I've been thinking on those handles being too small also, heck I only hold the front with my thumb and pointer finger. I thought the same about the thicker inserts and the front needs kicking out some but I haven't done anything. I would love to see a picture!
I'm sure it has been asked and answered, my search powers are not that strong!
What arrows are you all running if you want to use a 150 head with a 50ish insert/outsert up front (at the 23" suggested length)? I am a big BE Rampage fan; would you need to use the 300s or the 250s with 150 (200) up front? Or, would a 50 grn insert and the 125 grn head be better?-what arrow spine for this at 23"? My thoughts are that with the 200 upfront {175 with a 125 grn head} and the roughly 22-25 grn lighted nock they would counter balance each other some?)
Can you use lighted knocks on this? Any problems?
Has anyone tried a 3x prism scope, such as the Primary Arms SLX 3X Microprism - do these allow a clear picture due to the placement/limbs if anyone has experience.
Thanks in advance!
What arrows are you all running if you want to use a 150 head with a 50ish insert/outsert up front (at the 23" suggested length)? I am a big BE Rampage fan; would you need to use the 300s or the 250s with 150 (200) up front? Or, would a 50 grn insert and the 125 grn head be better?-what arrow spine for this at 23"? My thoughts are that with the 200 upfront {175 with a 125 grn head} and the roughly 22-25 grn lighted nock they would counter balance each other some?)
Can you use lighted knocks on this? Any problems?
Has anyone tried a 3x prism scope, such as the Primary Arms SLX 3X Microprism - do these allow a clear picture due to the placement/limbs if anyone has experience.
Thanks in advance!
I shoot be rampage 250’s, with 225gr up front. They kill deer.
I've shot lighted knocks out of mine, with no issues. Slightly different arrow/only 125g broadhead up front but I don't see why that would matter
rutjr
Well-Known Member
I shoot 22" 300 spine arrows with 150 gn inserts and 150 gn Cutthroats.
I have been using the 3 blade cabelas crossbow heads. Less than $20 for 3. Might have been around $15 each. They were 100 grain and do the job.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2019
- Messages
- 1,373
For what it’s worth I just ordered some Victory VForce 245 Gamers (didn’t want to break the bank) with with 245 Carbon Tech 65 grain inserts, went with 250s, don’t know if 300 would’ve been better will see how they shoot. With a 100 grain broadhead this is about a 440 grain build.
Sounds intriguing.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2019
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- 8,069
I believe this is the same shaft that comes with the HCM.
BigAl
Well-Known Member
OK guys I really like the hickory creek....reading the posts and videos. I don't own one, nor have I shot one or held one. Are there negatives that you were surprised by and or would anyone not purchase again? I'm sipping the coolaid but for me to toss.l nearly $1000 into this rig I'd like to know of any down sides. Videos say it's great but different folks always have different opinions. Thanks a ton for all input!
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2019
- Messages
- 1,373
I’d say one of the obvious downsides is the FPS speed loss vs a typical mid range crossbow. Also, the trigger safety system and profile of the weapon overall have me being extra careful with it, the safety doesn’t feel as ‘productionalized’ as higher volume crossbows. I’ve had no issues personally but probably also worth your time to check fasteners for tightness. Maybe Joe Public is better off with a typical crossbow, and if you’re lobbing 45 yard shots from a box blind there are better options but for a mobile hunter it tips the scales. I mounted a red dot, that’s an improvement. The pros of it (especially the weight) have been discussed throughout the thread, I have zero regrets.
@woodsdog2 ah good to know, I was just attempting to match ID so my lighted nocks would still fit in the new arrows.
BigAl
Well-Known Member
I've read 90% of this thread but of course some people post info and others don't. Thanks for your info and I really want to know all I can before purchasing something of this kind and dropping $1000 on a set up and no opportunity to hold anything like it. I wanted so bad to go to the expo in Chattanooga but it wasn't possible. So please don't misunderstand my curiosity about the mini. All discussion is awesome.
I would buy mine again. The bow is so easy to carry. I came from a recurve and compound bows scare me with all of the complex pieces compared to a recurve. The mini has not been a problem. The ability to cock and uncock is great. I dont care about speed, just trying to kill deer. I will never shoot past 30 yards anyway. The safety may not be perfect, but it functions and is quite.
The only change I made was to add a red dot. Buy one before the price goes up!
The arrows that cam with my mini has no name on them. My friend bought one 2 years before me and then had a name on them and it was Victory arrows 300 spine
I bought a hickory creek mini to give the kids an option during archery season. However, I found the little bow to be quite fun and very much a killer. Especially handy from a saddle. I upgraded the scope to a vortex and then to a dot. Easy peasy inside of 30. A little blue loctite on a few things here and there. Added a quiver offset adapter to give it enough angle to use the stirrup with the quiver on.
I bought some deer crossing archery arrows as replacements for mine. They have a line just for the hickory creek.
I bought some deer crossing archery arrows as replacements for mine. They have a line just for the hickory creek.
I got my mini last year. It came with Deer Crossing Archery arrows.
I talked to DCA at the Chatanooga expo. They said Jerry changed arrows to save money. I can understand, Jerry is trying to keep from raising his prices with everything going up.
id absolutely buy it again. ive killed over 15 public land deer with it now and beat it up pretty badly in the process. My best hunting buddy has a top of the line Raven and yes he's taken deer from WAY to far with it. But his has been in the shop multiple times for various proprietary parts that need to be replaced or the string replaced etc. I love being able to work on my own weapons and everything on the mini you can do yourself. Replace the string in a few minutes no problem. Im always out hunting while my buddy is waiting on the shop.
I currently have two but will probably looking to sell one of 'em here shortly....keep a lookout in the classified section
BigAl
Well-Known Member
Great info and that is kinda my opinion of what this rig would do for me!