by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Onyx Tactical Crossbow.
This report covers:
- Sight?
- Important tips
- The sight-in
- Firing behavior
- I’m pleased
- Next
- Summary
Today I’m going to sight in the Onyx Tactical Crossbow. Fortunately I have sighted-in a crossbow once before, with the Sub-1 crossbow. So, even though the Onyx cocks pneumatically, I know how a powerful crossbow works in general.
Sight?
I need some kind of sight for the bow because it doesn’t come with anything. Pyramyd AIR sells two different Burris crossbow scopes — a budget 3X32 XB that looks like an entry level scope and a 2-8X36 XB that looks upscale. I didn’t have either scope on hand so I used the 1.5-5X32 Hawke that came with my Sub-1. It’s much closer to the upscale scope that Pyramyd AIR sells.
I just took it off my Sub-1 and mounted it to the Onyx. Since both bows have Picatinney rails, the mounts fit the Onyx perfectly. Then I headed to my back yard to sight in. Instead of telling you let me show you how that went, but before you watch the video, know three things:
1. This was the first time I ever shot this bow.
2. The video is 5-1/2 minutes long, but it took me two hours to complete. Because of issues with light I actually filmed it twice.
3. For some reason every airplane in the state of Texas decided to fly over me as I filmed this the second time, and you’ll hear them. If the results hadn’t turned out as good as they did I would have filmed it again!
Important tips
I mentioned lubing the flight deck rails in the video. Do that to prolong the life of the bowstring. You can also apply wax to the bowstring itself.
Notice how careful I am with the bow. I’m not used to pushbutton cocking yet and I wanted to be safe.
I got 4 full cocking cycles from one 13 cubic-inch Air Venturi regulated tank. What you DON’T see in the video is the time I pushed the cocking button by mistake. The bow didn’t cock completely because I stopped it and released the air, but if that hadn’t happened I probably would have gotten 5 full cocking cycles from that one tank.
Notice that not all the air is exhausted when the bow fires. I exhausted the remainder before setting the bowstring for the next shot. If you forgo that step you can set the bowstring but it takes about 80-100 pounds of force. It saves a little air but I wanted easier cocking, so I didn’t do it.
The sight-in
A good crossbow scope has an adjustment for the muzzle velocity of the arrow. You set that number and, if it is correct, the reticle inside the scope will coincide with your target at the ranges indicated. It’s the same thing as holding over in field target, only the crossbow scope reticle is set up for it a lot better. Let’s look.
The reticle in my Hawke crossbow scope looks like this. When the bow is sighted in and the correct velocity is dialed into the scope, the arrow flies to the aim point at each indicated distance. All you need to do is determine the range pretty closely.
Adjust the velocity setting on the scope to match the velocity of the arrow you are shooting. Then the arrows will go to the aimpoints indicated in the reticle.
The Onyx shoots 325-grain field points at 330 f.p.s., so that’s what I set on the scope.
Firing behavior
The Onyx fires with some vibration that is both heard and felt. And there is some recoil. Just hold the bow steady as you squeeze the trigger, because it takes that 330 f.p.s. 20-inch arrow a long time to clear the flight deck.
I’m pleased
This sight-in session went very well. I have never sighted-in a crossbow before now — the Sub-1 came to me already sighted-in. But as you have seen in the video the process is straightforward and not that complex.
Next
Next I will shoot the Onyx at distance. I will start at 20 yards, then move to 30 then 40 and finally 50 yards if I am still doing okay. The bow can easily shoot twice that far, but who knows whether BB Pelletier can?
Summary
The Onyx crossbow is performing to spec so far. When I first saw it I thought it was complex and heavy, but after shooting it and taking the time to learn how it works I have a different opinion. I see a hunting crossbow with power and what appears to be great accuracy. It also safely solves several typical crossbow problems. The next test at distance should be the clincher.
B.B.,
Not having any experience with using a crossbow, does this require more follow through than a ten meter rifle for accuracy?
Siraniko
PS Section Sight? 2nd paragraph 1st sentence: I just took it off my Sub-1 and mounted it to the Onyx. Since both bows have Picatinney rails, the mounts fir (for) the Onyx perfectly.
BB
I like the scope.
GF1,
Seriously.
RR
Yep seriously.
GF1,
I just thought my UTG scope was expensive.
RR
You know how that goes.
GF1,
I wanted to give you a link to a video by Donnie Reed at Baker Airguns but I had to come back to Tuesday’s blog to find your last comments. It’s unusual that you have not made comments on every blog day so I am wondering if everything is okay with you and the family? My wife and I both have miserable colds that just keep hanging on.
I know you have an interest in semi-auto and full auto airguns so when Donnie posted this video I thought of you and that you might like to see it. Hoping you and the family are well too.
Geo
LCS Air Arms SK-19 .25 cal FULL AUTO FULL REVIEW!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu7QDeIrwTs&feature=em-uploademail
P.S. ChrisUSA, I know you use the RSS comments feed so you will see this too 😉
Geo,
Very interesting. I do believe I saw that some (1?) of these were used in the EBR (Extreme Bench Rest) competitions. I know there was some “new” brands.
Thanks for the post,……. Chris
BB,
Nice job on the video! 🙂 Looking forwards to the distance testing!
Good Day to you and to all,…………. Chris
BB,
No serious crossbow is quick firing or quiet, but this thing is more like a muzzle loader when it comes to a second shot. You had better do it right the first time.
Nice scope.
B.B.
What cool feature that scope has. How do the optics/reticle change when you dial in the velocity of the bolt?
Could something similar be adapted for airguns?
-Y
Yogi,
I’m not familiar with how a crossbow scope works. I’m tempted to say nothing changes other than the erector tube going up and down, but then the different velocities don’t make any sense.
Yes it would be possible to make a similar scope for a pellet rifle, but the reticle marks would be closer to each other. That’s why I said this scope works like holdover in field target.
B.B.
The reticle is scaled so that as the magnification changes, the hold points change along with it (Second Focal Plane). They just design the reticle so that it closely correlates with the velocity. All you are changing when you adjust the “velocity” ring on the scope is the magnification. They’re usually close, but not dead on due to variations in bolt/arrow weight and tip/broadhead use.
Tyler,
That is what I suspected. Genius! No different than a second focal plane scope changing with magnification,……….. you have to change the hold overs.
Chris
IF the different elements of the reticle moved independently for the different distances as you adjusted the velocity ring, I doubt it would be “springer” rated..
But a crossbow is really just a very old springer design..
Ian
Bravo
I had a cross bow when I was a kid. I think it was more violent than some spring guns I have shot.
I guess I am just going to have to break out my bow and crossbow and play with them some.
RR,
This experience plus the AR-6 has me wanting to make a medieval crossbow with a light draw.
B.B.
BB,
LOL! That would be fun to play with!
BB,
Hit the junk yard and find the “right” leaf spring. Standard lumber. It may be over the top crude,… but it would be fun project and I bet you would learn a thing or two.
Chris
BB,
Plus,… you have the trigger mechanical knowledge, sear knowledge and historical knowledge of both. That puts you way ahead of the game! 😉
Chris
BB, you mention Burris scopes but the links are to Hawke scopes. Are they made by Burris?
Must assume that B.B. meant to say Hawke instead of Burris since Burris is now owned by Beretta and Hawke is family owned.
Rambler,
I had to look. My scope is a Hawke, not a Burris. I will correct it in the text.
Thanks,
B.B.
Rambler,
Oh, Fudge. It’s in the video. Well, it will remain there.
B.B.
B.B.,
Check in your Video Editer’s HELP/MANUAL for Voice Over options/capabilities.
shootski