Styx
the Phobos crossbow
was the first to be released . We took our time and waited until not only these two crossbows were on sale, but also when the market already recognized them, and customers began to leave their reviews and impressions of actual use.
But a little history. The INTERLOPER company, under whose brand name Styx and Phobos are sold on our market, assures in its advertising posts that these crossbows are a completely domestic development
that they were made according to INTERLOPER’s order and the drawings of their engineers.
We don’t know where an ordinary wholesale and retail company has such a serious engineering reserve, but what we know for sure is that Styx and Phobos are the own development of the world famous crossbow and beam Taiwanese company POELANG
, which introduces its latest developments to the world and accepts orders for its products all over the world. to the world.
Only the original name of these crossbows is not Styx and Phobos, but GUILLOTINE-X
and
GUILLOTINE-M
, as evidenced by the sticker on the crossbow next to the Interloper sticker.
It is enough to order a certain number of crossbows in a batch, and POELANG will print any text on the shoulders of its crossbows, while the original names will remain on the crossbow itself. For example, you can visit the famous one and look at the TORMENTOR 370 crossbow.
Crossbow INTERLOPER Styx
Purpose: Hunting Cost of the crossbow:
RUB 24,500.00
.
(full set +9000
) Shoulders for hunting:
14,500 rubles
Total cost:
rubles
Initial speed: 400fps (121.9 m/s) Working stroke of the bowstring: 14.50″ Tension force: 95lb (43kg) - 185lb (84kg) Width from the axis to axle: 19.00″ (48.3 cm) Dimensions: 37″ × 19″ × 0″ Weight: 3.8 kg
Crossbow INTERLOPER Phobos
Purpose: Hunting Cost of crossbow:
25,000.00 rub.
(full set
+5000r
) Shoulders for hunting:
11,500 rubles
Total cost:
41,500 rubles
Initial speed: 370fps (112.8 m/s) Working stroke of the bowstring: 13.70″ Tension force: 95lb (43kg) - 175lb (79kg) Width from the axis to axle: 20.00″ (50.8 cm) Dimensions: 89 cm × 52 cm × 20 cm Weight: 3.6 kg
In fact, both Styx and Phobos are the same crossbow, but with different shoulders. It is made entirely of plastic; instead of a solid-milled barrel, there is an aluminum trim.
The crossbow lock with the barrel does not have a rigid connection, since it is installed in a plastic butt and can change its position due to the load, especially if the crossbow is used during temperature changes. The Picatinny rail also does not have a rigid connection with the lock and is installed in the form of a rocker arm, supported by two hidden hex bolts.
That is, between the bar on which the sight is mounted and the aluminum guide there are two moving parts - the plastic body of the crossbow and the lock. This design does not give confidence in an accurate shot, especially if the crossbow has combat arms with great effort, and a heavy night sight is attached to the bar.
Assembling two crossbows took at least forty minutes! The fact is that, due to the design described above, the crossbow’s arms are secured not with one bolt, like the vast majority of crossbows, but with three microbolts.
Screwing them in with simple hexagons without stripping the splines is a big job that requires a lot of time and patience. After assembly, it becomes clear that there can be no talk of any transportation of Styx and Phobos in a disassembled state .
They are almost the same in speed:
Styx showed 80 m/sec, Phobos 77 m/sec, lost to him only 3 m/sec - you won’t notice such a difference, but
Phobos has less weight
. Despite the abundance of plastic, our measurements showed that Styx weighs 3.9 kg, Phobos 3.7 kg - the crossbows turned out to be really heavy.
Device overview
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
- Good build quality and materials, durable plastic of the Styx crossbow.
- The presence of a Weaver rail with a movable forend and an optical sight with protective covers. The sighting bar is adjustable with screws - this is convenient.
- The bullpup design scheme has improved technical qualities, in particular balancing.
- No vibration when shooting from the Styx crossbow.
- Comfortable rubberized inserts that prevent the crossbow from slipping out of the palm. In winter they don't keep your hands cold.
- There is a hand guard in the form of a comb to help with loading.
- The pressure bar can be adjusted.
- There is a special system of protection against empty firing.
- The automatic safety lock is convenient for both left and right hands.
Minuses:
- Decent dimensions - for women, for example, the device is too large and heavy.
- The stated bullet velocity refers to the reinforced shoulders. They cost more than 14 thousand rubles.
- The basic equipment is very meager.
The video below provides an overview of the Styx crossbow:
Purpose
- This unit is designed for hunting large game, as well as
- for training sessions, honing skills in handling weapons of this type.
Varieties
The options differ only in color. There are three of them:
- black color;
- Next G-1;
- Treeleaf Camo.
The last two colors are camouflage. They will allow the crossbow to be invisible in the forest.
Aim
“Interloper” is a crossbow that is equipped with protective plates on the fore-end that protect fingers from accidental contact with the bowstring. The Weaver-type sighting bar is equipped with hidden adjustment screws, making it possible to adjust the position of the sight. To make a more accurate shot, the weapon was equipped with the ability to change the force of the pressing element.
The 4x32 format optics are equipped with safety covers that prevent lens deformation during transportation. The crossbow has ADF dry shot protection, which prevents the bowstring from being launched without an arrow in the guide groove. The paired automatic fuse is convenient for use by right-handers and left-handers. The main colors of the crossbow are camouflage or black.
Specifications
The Styx crossbow has the following characteristics:
| Name | Meaning | Units |
| Crossbow weight | 3800 | G |
| Length | 94 | cm |
| Width (along axes) | 48,3 65 | cm |
| Tension force | from 43 to 84 | kg |
| Working stroke at the bowstring | 36,8 | cm |
| Boom speed (initial) | 122 | m/s |
Comparison with competitors
For the sake of objectivity, let’s consider the characteristics of the Ten Point business-class crossbow, which is closest in parameters to the object in question.
The price of this American weapon is an order of magnitude higher than that of the Styx, and the main indicators are as follows:
- initial speed - 390 grains;
- manufacturing material – aluminum and plastic;
- production - USA;
- fastening - fixing the block and the guide part are separated;
- sight - optics.
It can be noted that the manufacturers of one of the most expensive crossbows relied not on the speed of the shot, but on accuracy and quality.
INTERLOPER Styx crossbow design
- The strapless block, forend and butt are made of durable plastic.
- It weighs little and softens vibration significantly.
- The guide for arrows of the Styx crossbow is made of aluminum, made by milling.
- The aluminum blocks used in this model are of a completely new design. They are faster and more powerful. The arms are almost parallel to each other, which reduces noise and vibration.
There is a Weaver bar on top; it can be adjusted vertically with screws. At the bottom there is another such bar (for a laser center, for example).
- All screw connections are made carefully and efficiently; they are not screwed into plastic, but into aluminum bushings fused into it. This increases reliability and durability.
- The butt and cheek pad are soft and rubber. The descent is traditional for products of this company; there is a bullpup system. There is an automatic fuse on both sides.
Peculiarities
A metal guide cutter in combination with a tactical stock and an inclined movable forend optimizes the shooter's positioning, facilitating the holding of the weapon with a different grip. Additionally, performance is enhanced by the damping heel and beveled stock.
The bull-up balancing design provides stability, and the clever trigger mechanism is designed to prevent accidental discharge, allowing the hunter to carefully prepare for shooting. The updated configuration has simplified access to the main mechanism. The metal and plastic combination clamp bar is one of the best of its kind, easy to maintain and clean, and can be replaced with similar fixtures, unlike ball or brush clamps.
Options and packaging
Packaging: large black box. The basic kit includes:
- assembly kit with crossbow;
- wax needed for the bowstring.
The complete set includes:
- assembly kit (same as described above);
- three arrows for a crossbow and a shako for them;
- belt;
- optical sight 4 x 32;
- bowstring tensioner;
- wax for bowstring.
Sighting and setting up the Styx crossbow are presented in the video below:
Reviews of Interloper crossbows
The new block crossbow “Styx” was awaited in Russia like no other analogue before it in history. This is due to the fact that this weapon is positioned with high technical characteristics comparable to the best brands in this field. At the same time, the price of the device is quite reasonable.
Among the advantages of this crossbow, users note a high speed threshold, optimal balancing and accuracy. Features include elaborate fixation of the block, cradle and fore-end, as well as remote mounting of the shoulder on the extended block. Thanks to technical and design changes, the Interloper is a crossbow that has become the fastest in the world among its competitors.
arbalet-airgun
When choosing a crossbow for hunting large game, it is advisable to consider full-size block and recurve models with a rated speed of 100 meters per second. Why?
The fact is that the speed is declared by the manufacturer for the so-called “correct” (original) arms, the tension force of which can be more than twice the legal GOST standards for Russia (43 kgf/95 lbs). For advertising and marketing purposes, it is given, as a rule, for the lightest arrows (approx. 350 grains/23 grams assembled), so when using more solid projectiles with blade tips in real hunting, a reserve of “power” certainly will not hurt (see. "Arrows for crossbow"). For the sake of objectivity, for some models I will give speed indicators with different arrows. Just keep in mind that, with rare exceptions, you will have to purchase additional reinforced shoulders. Until they are connected to the crossbow guide, they are not considered a weapon.
Animals, of course, are also different, but in an enclosure or in a country where hunting with arrow throwers is allowed (see “Hunting with a bow and crossbow - is it possible or not?”) , its object will be a variety of ungulates. These are primarily wild boar and deer (see “Hunting a wild boar with a crossbow” and “Hunting a deer with a crossbow by stealth”). And here you can’t get by with compact “block guns” like the MK-250 and “Caiman” (see “With a crossbow for black grouse”). Moreover, it is impossible to seriously consider compact “recursives” - MK-200, “Scorpion”, “Jaguar”, etc.
Although, to be honest, in hunting itself, outstanding speed indicators are not so important; hunting skills and abilities are much more significant. Therefore, all of the above applies more to beginners; experienced shooters even took lions from old “Excaliburs” (and still take large animals), and the “Jaguar” is sometimes enough for a white-tailed deer. Read more about all this in the chapter “Hunting crossbows: is the arms race suspended?” our article “New hunting crossbows: unity and struggle of opposites.”
By the way, don’t be surprised, but many of the models discussed below are still in service with the armies and intelligence services of a considerable number of countries! Read more in the article “Combat crossbows”.
Just a few words about sighting devices. Most full-size compound and recurve crossbows are equipped with optical/red dot sights in the base. They have their own specifics, about which you can read more in the articles “Crossbow sight” and “Parallax: who is to blame and what to do?”. They will also help you when choosing a suitable OP for hunting.
2022 addition. Attention: On August 2, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed Law No. 280-FZ “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Weapons” and Article 1 of the Federal Law “On Hunting and on the Conservation of Hunting Resources and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” " Yes, the same one that formally allows hunting with throwing weapons!
Choosing a crossbow type
The weight of the weapon in this case does not play a special role, since for the crossbowman most types of running hunting are eliminated. Especially for beginners, since working from the approach is much more difficult. Almost the only available option is from an ambush, “from ambush”, from a tower... In general, no matter what it is called, the principle is the same: you will have to wait for the beast, sometimes for more than one hour, with a cocked and loaded crossbow.
And here block models have an undeniable advantage - the almost complete absence of “shoulder fatigue”. This is due to a number of factors, but the main ones are:
- Features of force distribution
For recurve models, the peak of the tension force occurs at the beginning of the working stroke of the bowstring, when the crossbow is cocked.
For block ones, the opposite is true: at the beginning of the working stroke, a significant (up to 80%) reduction in force occurs, its peak is shifted to the end when the arrow passes the last centimeters of the guide.
(This topic is discussed in some detail in the article “Powerful crossbow - what kind of animal is this?”)
- Features of shoulder kinematics
Even with the same working stroke of the bowstring, the shoulders of the “block” during cocking will bend at a much smaller angle than those of the “recursive”. Compare what it looks like for recursive...
... and compound crossbows.
The use of modern composites somewhat neutralizes the influence of this factor on expensive crossbows, but does not completely eliminate it.
In addition, to achieve the required speeds, block arrows require much less tension force than their recurve counterparts, and accordingly, cocking them is much easier. By the way, there are completely unique pneumatic hunting devices that do not require any effort at all to cock, and their speed characteristics are superior to the vast majority of serial crossbows. You can find out more in the above-mentioned article about the “powerful” crossbow, as well as in the review “Pioneer Airbow Arrow Launcher”. And just the other day, a completely amazing model appeared - a crossbow-shotgun. Progress clearly does not stand still.
Choosing a hunting crossbow model
Now directly about the models of crossbows for hunting. If there are available funds, there is no alternative to overseas brands.
Business class hunting recurve crossbows
In the recursive segment, the Canadian “Excalibur” has been a unique trendsetter for decades.
Today, the top of the pedestal is occupied by the ultra-fast Matrix 405 Mega Mossy Oak by “recursive” standards (124 m/s).
Both in terms of speed and price, it is at the level of expensive American “blockers”. But there are others, albeit not so fast, but very impressive in terms of the characteristics of the model. With a more reasonable price. Like the Excalibur Matrix 380 XTRA and its little brother Matrix 355 XTRA (pictured).
However, they are also crossing the 100,000th mark.
The Equinox models, which have proven themselves in hunting, are much cheaper.
| Crossbow model/ tension, lbs | Initial speed fps / m.s., with arrow weight (average value over 3 shots) | ||||||||||
| 390 grains2 | 408 grains3 | 433 grains4 | 450 grains5 | 470 grains6 | 485 grains7 | 500 grains8 | 565 grains9 | 590 grains10 | |||
| Excalibur "Equinox" | 225lbs | 327,5 / 99,8 | 323,5 / 98,6 | 316,0 / 96,3 | 312,0 / 95,1 | 309,7 / 94,4 | 304,8 / 92,9 | 303,3 / 92,4 | 290,0 / 88,4 | 286,1 / 87,2 | |
Necessary explanations for crossbow-bow units of measurement:
1 Lbs (lb) = 0.45 kg
1 grain = 0.0648 grams
1 fps (feet per second) = 0.305 m/s
In terms of speed characteristics, the Equinox fully satisfies any requirements for hunting large game. And high quality is generally inherent in all the company’s products.
In 2016, the company released a unique model “Micro 355” (pictured below). In terms of weight and size characteristics, it is at the level of the half-toy Scorpio and MK-200, but produces 108 m/s speed with an energy output of 133 J. An excellent result!
Remember that Excalibur is perhaps the only manufacturer that supplies models sold in Russia with additional hunting arms. Sold separately from the crossbow, they are not weapons. Therefore, when purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the package contents - a conscientious seller will never demand additional payment for them.
Update, July 2022.
Unfortunately, the previous optimistic paragraph has lost its relevance. This article was written six years ago and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. And not only in the crossbow and archery business. Thus, previously, air rifles supplied to Russia with a 7.5-joule mainspring weakened to comply with legal requirements (the same “Hatsans”) were also equipped by the manufacturer with powerful “original” parts. So, although most classic stores even then sold them separately and even imposed replacement “services,” again, responsible sellers sold full-fledged sets without any additional payment. Alas, now such a practice has already become a thing of legend everywhere.
Update, December 2022.
Stunning news, friends: the largest Canadian specialist in throwing weapons has released a unique crossbow “ TwinStrike ”.
This is truly a “double-barreled crossbow”! And not a toy, but a real hunting one, with the appropriate performance characteristics, speed indicators are 360 fps, or 110 meters per second, which is enough to hunt any animal. Details are in the article Crossbow Doublet, or New Double-Barreled Excalibur.
Budget recurve hunting crossbow
What to do if you don’t have enough money even for an inexpensive Excalibur?
Fortunately, there are quite high-quality budget (up to 25,000 rubles) clones of models from this company. This is the Russian “Interloper Mongoose” (pictured below), also known as the Taiwanese “Poe Lang Desert Hawk”. Within the framework of various discount promotions, it can generally cost 12-13 thousand rubles.
And also Chinese, by the way, very worthy samples, produced under the TDR and Bowmaster brands - “Ranger” / “Lancelot” (pictured) and a number of others. The price in the basic configuration is about 15,000 rubles.
| Crossbow model/ tension, lbs | Initial speed fps / m.s., with arrow weight (average value over 3 shots) | ||||||||||
| 390 grains2 | 408 grains3 | 433 grains4 | 450 grains5 | 470 grains6 | 485 grains7 | 500 grains8 | 565 grains9 | 590 grains10 | |||
| Mongoose/Ranger/Lancelot | 225lbs | 324,5 / 98,9 | 320,4 / 97,6 | 313,8 / 95,6 | 310,5 / 94,6 | 304,2 / 92,7 | 301,6 / 91,9 | 298,5 / 91,0 | 287,4 / 87,6 | 281,3 / 85,7 | |
In the hunting version, they all have an original draw weight of 225 lbs and an arrow speed of just over 100 meters per second. That is, they fully correspond to their purpose. However, you will have to buy additional shoulders, although they are not as expensive as those from the “block manufacturers”. So, for “Mongoose” the planks themselves without a block will cost about 4000-4500 rubles, assembled - 6000-7000.
Attention! If the article breaks off at this point, temporarily disable your ad blocker. Some of them manage to cut off the actual advertising screensavers along with the rest of the text. Moreover, they block the viewing of videos with stories about weapons, scenes of shooting or hunting.
Business class block hunting crossbows
Among the manufacturers of block crossbows, the leaders are, again, the Americans. First of all, these are such and “Barnett”. Recently, archery, which is a division of the largest archery, has also entered the crossbow market.
High-quality Ten Point crossbows are unique market leaders, including in price. At the same time, the company is clearly not chasing record speed indicators, relying specifically on the quality and accuracy of the weapon. The level of performance can be assessed even from the picture - in the photo “Vapor Pkg ACU”. The price far exceeds the 100 thousand mark.
| Crossbow model/ tension, lbs | Initial speed fps / m.s., with arrow weight (average value over 3 shots) | ||||||||||
| 390 grains2 | 408 grains3 | 433 grains4 | 450 grains5 | 470 grains6 | 485 grains7 | 500 grains8 | 565 grains9 | 590 grains10 | |||
| TenPoint "VAPOR" | 165lbs | 371,4 / 113,2 | 360,7 / 109,9 | 354,7 / 108,1 | 347,4 / 105,9 | 340,0 / 103,6 | 337,1 / 102,7 | 333,4 / 101,6 | 317,4 / 96,7 | 308,8 / 94,1 | |
Let's give credit to other manufacturers, many of whose models are considerably cheaper. Since we are talking about blockers, almost all full-size crossbows, due to their speed characteristics, are excellent for game hunting.
Pictured is Barnett “GHOST 410”.
| Crossbow model/ tension, lbs | Initial speed fps / m.s., with arrow weight (average value over 3 shots) | ||||||||||
| 390 grains2 | 408 grains3 | 433 grains4 | 450 grains5 | 470 grains6 | 485 grains7 | 500 grains8 | 565 grains9 | 590 grains10 | |||
| Barnett "Ghost 410" | 185lbs | 406,6 / 123,9 | 397,1 / 121,0 | 385,8 / 117,6 | 379,9 / 115,8 | 373,2 / 113,8 | 367,3 / 112,0 | 364,2 / 111,0 | 342,6 / 104,4 | 336,3 / 102,5 | |
The numbers in the name reflect the speed of the arrow: 410 feet per second, or 125 m/s. The price is considerably less than the 100 thousand mark. The “Penetrator” model, delivering at 110 m/s, is even cheaper. The cost of additional shoulders is about 25-27 thousand rubles.
Barnett also has very original models, in particular the so-called. “reverse crossbow” - “Vengeance black”.
The price is slightly higher than that of the “Penetrator” - 60-70 thousand, the speed, however, is also 111 m/s, and this is with an extremely low tension force of 140 lbs. Thanks to the design, it also boasts compactness and surprisingly good weight distribution. Simply put, your arms will not get as tired as when holding a crossbow with a heavy shoulder pad shifted forward.
Stylish tactical crossbows from Mathews Mission also fall into the same price niche. In the photo "MXB-Sniper Lite".
“Lite” is “Lite” - the speed barely exceeds the 100-meter mark. But in principle it fits within our hunting framework. And this costs about 55 thousand rubles. It has, of course, more expensive and faster brothers - the MXB-360 and MXB-400 Tactical (pictured).
The latter sends an arrow at a speed of 122 m/s, but also costs under 120 thousand. There are also camouflage exterior design options, which are more in line with hunting preferences.
By the way, just the other day Mathews presented a new product - a much more compact and packed with unique technical highlights, the powerful Mission SUB-1 hunting crossbow.
Some time ago, the volume of online criticism of both Barnett and Mission products suddenly increased sharply. It almost came to the point of accusations of all sins against some dealers of both manufacturers. Gradually, the picture began to become clearer - it looked like we were dealing with a trade war. Therefore, it is difficult to find any objective assessments of the products of these companies on the Russian Internet. One thing is clear: abroad they quite successfully “hunt” both deer and wild boar. Maybe the problems only affected weakened crossbows adapted for the domestic market? Who knows…
In any case, the participants in those online battles unanimously did not question the quality of Ten Point products. Well, at least someone remained above suspicion, the only pity is that the cars of this company are, to put it mildly, a little expensive.
In addition to the brands mentioned, such well-known brands as “Winchester” and “Darton” are present in the Russian market in small quantities. And if the last two work in a relatively budget segment, then, for example, PSE Archery products stand out both in price and in design and characteristics.
The photo below shows the TAC Elite model.
| Crossbow model/ tension, lbs | Initial speed fps / m.s., with arrow weight (average value over 3 shots) | ||||||||||
| 390 grains2 | 408 grains3 | 433 grains4 | 450 grains5 | 470 grains6 | 485 grains7 | 500 grains8 | 565 grains9 | 590 grains10 | |||
| PSE "TAC ELITE" | 150lbs | —— | —— | 388,9 / 118,4 | —— | 375,6 / 114,5 | —— | —— | —— | —— | |
Notice the outstanding speed performance with a modest tension force. They are achieved mainly due to the gigantic - 45 cm - working stroke of the bowstring. And he shoots exclusively with heavy, rigid arrows. The cost of additional shoulders corresponds to the class of the model - under 40 thousand rubles. The crossbow itself will cost about 160 thousand rubles.
I would not recommend using the TAS Elite for running hunting - the design is too bulky. But it’s a pleasure to shoot from ambush, even at elephants, fortunately the power allows it. And just the other day, a much more compact competitor appeared - an absolutely unique, although somewhat similar in mechanics, crossbow “Ravin R9” (pictured below), which produces 390 fps with a 400-grain arrow with very high shot accuracy. In the spring of 2022, the company intends to present its super-powerful modification R15 with speed indicators of 425 fps (130 m/s) - an absolute record to date!
By the way, in the summer of 2022, the Ravins had a kind of analogue - the famous archery released a new model of the Stealth NXT crossbow:
Like PSE, Bowtech is one of the world's leading bow manufacturers. And also not so long ago I decided to plunge into crossbow construction. The result was a somewhat unique Desert Stryker that has not yet found widespread use. And this despite the fact that the design of the arms (pictured) ensures the highest stability of the shot, and the self-centering blocks align the bowstring strictly in the center of the guide.
Another legendary bow manufacturer followed the same path in 2016. For details, see the article "Bear Archery": sometimes they come back again." As a presentation, I present a photo of the top model of the Fisix FFL crossbow line.
Products from Darton are, of course, simpler, but the prices are appropriate. Like the Darton Rebel 135S model (pictured).
In general, PSE, Bowtech, Winchester and Darton crossbows are relatively rare across the country. Therefore, when purchasing, be sure to find out if there are any authorized dealers near your locations. Without leaving, for example, my city, you can actually service Ten Point, Barnett and Interloper products. Even the most popular budget Man Kung, if something happened, would have to be sent somewhere to a service center. However, I managed to maintain and even repair all my crossbows myself. And in general there were no serious breakdowns.
But when focusing on purely hunting use, that is, regular use of strong arms, the load on the blocks, as well as the bowstring and cables, increases sharply. Which will have to be changed much more often. In this case, even an accidental blank shot from the mechanic will not forgive you and will fail. And, frankly speaking, I would not go into the warranty “ TAC Elit” with a hammer and chisel on my own, preferring, out of sin, to shift all responsibility to the dealer’s specialists.
Budget compound hunting crossbow
Those who cannot afford any North American hunting “blocker” can only, as in the case of “recursives,” pay attention to the East. First of all, on two Taiwanese and “Man Kung” models priced from 15 to 25 thousand rubles. The latter mastered full-size “blockers” relatively recently, bringing to the market the “tactical” line of MK-360, MK-380 (pictured) and MK-400.
| Crossbow model/ tension, lbs | Initial speed fps / m.s., with arrow weight (average value over 3 shots) | ||||||||||
| 390 grains2 | 408 grains3 | 433 grains4 | 450 grains5 | 470 grains6 | 485 grains7 | 500 grains8 | 565 grains9 | 590 grains10 | |||
| ManKung MK-380 | 175lbs | 356,8 / 108,7 | 349,9 / 106,6 | 343,2 / 104,6 | 339,2 / 103,4 | 330,9 / 100,8 | 327,6 / 99,8 | 324,6 / 98,9 | 307,6 / 93,8 | 301,3 / 91,8 | |
All of them, according to their characteristics, are perfect for animal hunting. Additional shoulders cost about 10,000 rubles.
Poe products , purchasing hunting crossbows in their domestic form under the Interloper brand. This is the hunting line “Legate” - “Ifrit” - “Archon”, as well as “Leopard”, created on the basis of a single stock with different shoulders. Based on Ifrit, bullpup variants were released - Skald and Tactician (pictured).
| Crossbow model/ tension, lbs | Initial speed fps / m.s., with arrow weight (average value over 3 shots) | ||||||||||
| 390 grains2 | 408 grains3 | 433 grains4 | 450 grains5 | 470 grains6 | 485 grains7 | 500 grains8 | 565 grains9 | 590 grains10 | |||
| Skald / Tactician / Ifrit | 185lbs | 355,4 / 108,3 | 348,7 / 106,3 | 341,7 / 104,1 | 335,2 / 102,1 | 327,5 / 99,8 | 324,1 / 98,8 | 320,2 / 97,6 | 302,3 / 92,1 | 295,3 / 90,0 | |
More recently, new powerful models have been added to them - “Phobos” and the super-fast “Styx”, also known as “PoeLang Guillotine X” (pictured below). For details, see the article “New Crossbows: Poe Lang Strikes Back.” “Styx” in the basic configuration does not even reach 25 thousand rubles, in the full configuration it is 10 thousand more expensive. Interloper has one advantage over the vast majority of other manufacturers/sellers - a 5-year warranty on all its models.
Of course, both of them and “Poe Lang”/”Interloper” didn’t stop there. Read about the continuation of their competitive struggle in the article “New crossbows: “Wolf” versus “Reaper”. In the photo below is just the new “Man Kung” crossbow, the newest crossbow MK-XB56 “Frost Wolf”:
In the same price segment, block models from companies from China have recently begun to appear. Everything is the same as in the case of the Chinese Excalibur clones. In my opinion, it is still too early to talk about the experience of their practical use in hunting, but the quality, judging by the reviews that have appeared, is quite good, and most importantly, the price is attractive. As, for example, with the Hori-Zone products - Kornet and Penetrator.
The production of the “Thunder RTH” shown in the next photo was mastered by a manufacturer that has proven itself to be a high-quality recurve crossbow “Lancelot”.
We can expect that this model will be quite successful.
All these crossbows are in the MK-380 price niche; in terms of speed characteristics, they also correspond to most full-size ManKung and Poe Langa crossbows. It has not yet been possible to find out the cost of additional shoulders, but I am sure that it is no different from Taiwanese ones.
In short, the range of hunting crossbows can satisfy every taste and budget. The article “Hunting a wild boar with a crossbow” is devoted to the selection of arrows and tips, tactics and nuances of animal hunting itself and shooting itself.
Addition: about new products on the crossbow market, read the articles:
- New hunting crossbows: unity and struggle of opposites
- Wonderful are your deeds, crossbow-bow world!
- New crossbows and bows 2020-2021
And yet - just don’t be surprised! - to accomplish many goals and tasks, it is quite possible to do without bulky crossbows; a slingshot will be enough. Only not quite an ordinary one, but a hunting SlingBow. Details in the article “Hunting and sporting bow-slingshot“.
