Hickory Ridge Mini Inline Xbow

[dlist777]

Anyone use this with a saddle? If so, I have a few questions:

1. Can you cock this in the saddle? I dont think so but figured I'd ask.....
2. For a saddle, would use this over a Ravin xbow? Obviously, the vertical orientation is better....but the Ravin limbs are pretty small....just trying to decide for myself.
3. Did you shoot any deer? How did it perform?

 

[GCTerpfan]

I think @kyler1945 has/had one of these.

 

[oaky creek]

I have a mini and love it. Yes it can be cocked from a saddle. The trick I use is to place a hook above my tether, hang the bow from the foot stirrup and pull down on the string to cock it. I have a Ravin R15, gave it up for the mini. Ravin to heavy and to long. And I’ve had a limb on the Ravin smack the side of a tree when firing, missed the deer and sounded like thunder. I’ve harvested a dozen deer with the mini, won’t use anything else!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1486659514923479/permalink/2343307549258667?sfns=mo

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1486659514923479/permalink/2343910062531749?sfns=mo

 

[dlist777]

I have a mini and love it. Yes it can be cocked from a saddle. The trick I use is to place a hook above my tether, hang the bow from the foot stirrup and pull down on the string to cock it. I have a Ravin R15, gave it up for the mini. Ravin to heavy and to long. And I’ve had a limb on the Ravin smack the side of a tree when firing, missed the deer and sounded like thunder. I’ve harvested a dozen deer with the mini, won’t use anything else!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1486659514923479/permalink/2343307549258667?sfns=mo

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1486659514923479/permalink/2343910062531749?sfns=mo

Thanks man. Any recommendations for good arrows and broadhead? What do you consider your max hunting range on this?

 

[oaky creek]

QAD Exodus full blade 100gr, only broadhead I’ve found that flys like a field point. Victory VForce Elite 350 arrows. Max I’m comfortable taking a shot is 50yds, but that’s me. I’ve got targets set at 10yd increments starting at 20yds out to 100yds. At 100yds free standing I can do 6 inch group. Just don’t trust myself for that long of a shot. I want a good clean quick ethical kill. And not sure what kind of energy the arrow is still carrying at that range. All the deer harvested with my mini have been 30yds or less, full pass thru, and drop within 50 to 60yds.

 

[bj139]

I have a Hickory Creek mini. I tested it through my Labradar Chronograph and got a 5 shot average of 291 fps with the limb bolts turned out 2 turns. Turning them out makes it much easier to cock. I took it coyote hunting a month ago and cocked it before I climbed the tree. I didn't see aything except for spiders.

 

[kyler1945]

I have nowhere near the field experience as Oaky. But I can confirm much of what he’s saying from minimal messing around with the bow. I’m shooting 475 grain arrows at 300fps out of it. I’m limiting myself to about 40 yards for now. But I shoot it well past that more accurately than my compound.

I bought with the intention of getting into trad gear, and having a ‘meat collector’ for when things get thin. I’m behind on the trad, but I will not hesitate to bring the mini out in the field a fair amount this year.

I also have a full-size HC in the classifieds. It’s got a little more juice, at a lower draw weight, but is a little bigger. I suspect it’s shooting same arrow around 330-340fps.

To me they are quieter than most crossbows, but also a touch slower, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

 

[oaky creek]

I’ve also been playing with a little heavier broadhead. With the QAD Exodus in a 125gr it pushes my arrow up to 390gr with an FOC of 12.68%. Haven’t checked speeds yet, but I can tell they are hitting harder.

 

[kyler1945]

I’ve also been playing with a little heavier broadhead. With the QAD Exodus in a 125gr it pushes my arrow up to 390gr with an FOC of 12.68%. Haven’t checked speeds yet, but I can tell they are hitting harder.

I’ve shot the arrows that came with the bow with 200 grain tips. They fly awesome(300 spine). I’m going to build out some 300 spine with ethics 100inserts and then use whatever broadhead I choose. I shoot exodus as well, so it will probably be that.

I like heavy and quiet personally.

 

[dlist777]

Thanks guys. What about sighting it in with the slightly offset scope? Do you sight it in so you're always aiming a little to the side? Or do you just choose a sight in distance and ignore any wind age error?

 

[oaky creek]

When I adjust mine for new arrow setup’s I just sight in for 20yds. Considering that a double lung kill zone is the size of a dinner plate, at 50yds I just aim for center and drop them.

 

[bj139]

I just left the scope where the previous owner had it set. It hits fine up to 40 yards. I am more worried about downhill shots from a tree being off than the scope offset. I haven't shot from a tree yet. I wonder what will happen?

 

[dlist777]

I just left the scope where the previous owner had it set. It hits fine up to 40 yards. I am more worried about downhill shots from a tree being off than the scope offset. I haven't shot from a tree yet. I wonder what will happen?

You should get a range finder that adjusts for angle (pretty standard feature). So, when you range an animal either uphill or downhill it will return the actual yardage from your spot to animal instead of the line of sight yardage. Some call this "bow mode" or "archery mode". Then, just use the yardage returned to decide which line to aim for.

One thing to add: If your LOS is 40 yards and your 7 yards up in a tree, your true aim point is 39.4 yards (assuming tree is at a right angle to ground) which won't make a difference in your aim point. You'd have to be severely up a hill and closer for it to make much of a difference....

 

[bj139]

I have a rangefinder being shipped. Tracking showed it was sent to Huntsville, AL. Hey @Nutterbuster, you got my rangefinder? Another one is beng sent. I don't think it has an angle setting. I will try to shoot my Hickory Creek xbow from a tree on my next coyote hunt in the state game land.

 

[Tapeworm]

QAD Exodus full blade 100gr, only broadhead I’ve found that flys like a field point. Victory VForce Elite 350 arrows. Max I’m comfortable taking a shot is 50yds, but that’s me. I’ve got targets set at 10yd increments starting at 20yds out to 100yds. At 100yds free standing I can do 6 inch group. Just don’t trust myself for that long of a shot. I want a good clean quick ethical kill. And not sure what kind of energy the arrow is still carrying at that range. All the deer harvested with my mini have been 30yds or less, full pass thru, and drop within 50 to 60yds.

What scope are u using for shooting out to 100yds?


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[oaky creek]

What scope are u using for shooting out to 100yds?


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Hawke

 

[Tapeworm]

Hawke

Just looked them up

They have quite a selection between reticle choices & magnification range

Which reticle & power range did u go with?


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[oaky creek]

Just looked them up

They have quite a selection between reticle choices & magnification range

Which reticle & power range did u go with?


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Paperwork says XB30 Pro, Reticle is the Compact SR

 

[Tapeworm]

Paperwork says XB30 Pro, Reticle is the Compact SR

Thanks

I was eyeballing that reticle but debating the power ranges

I like that the power range starts at 1x instead of 1.5x or 2x or the fixed 3x



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