Watch as Jeff Johnston reviews the Horton Vortec RDX crossbow!

Learn more at hortoncrossbows.com.

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Bowtech introduced its Stryker crossbow line nearly a decade ago. It produced a couple of top-end model crossbows, including the Solution LS and then Offspring. But as more companies and crossbows entered the market, Bowtech realized it needed to go beyond the Solution LS and Offspring. The Katana Series was introduced in 2015, and expanded in 2016 with the Katana 360.

The Katana is a 155-pound draw, 6.5-pound crossbow that measures 35 inches long by 23.25 inches cam to cam (19.25 inches when cocked), and features a compact 13-inch powerstroke that delivers blazing 385 fps speeds. It’s worth noting that the lighter version, the Katana 360, manages to reach 360 fps with only a 150-pound draw. Perhaps the Katana’s most identifiable feature is its large, skeletonized, polymer stock. Soft rubber panels are embedded in the grip and forend to give the crossbow a secure, supple feel. The buttstock is heavily skeletonized to reduce weight and its plastic comb is ambidextrous; it can be swapped via two small screws. The Katana also includes rigid safety wings above the forend guard against finger injuries.

Atop the polymer frame rides the Katana’s fire-control system, barrel and riser. The Katana’s light switch-style safety resides at the back of the receiver which has two advantages: one, the shooter can easily see and touch the safety’s position, and two, it’s naturally ambidextrous. Perhaps most notable about this crossbow’s safety is that it’s positive, tactile to the touch, and absolutely quiet.

Bowtech went above and beyond with its innovative uncocking ability. Stryker’s engineers let you uncock the Katana after disengaging its anti-dryfire device even after removing the arrow. Shooters disengage the anti-dryfire device by way of a spring-loaded lever on the back of the receiver (just above safety). To uncock the Katana, or the Katana 360, remove the arrow, attach the rope cocker, and pull it up with one hand to remove string tension on the trigger mechanism. Then use your other hand to pull the trigger. That causes the string to slide down to the anti-dryfire device, where it stays until you again pull up on the rope cocker to relieve string tension from the anti-dryfire device. Then, using your trigger hand, push on the uncocking mechanism while you ride the string down with your other arm. Atop the receiver is a metal bridge-type apparatus that houses the “Guardian” anti-dryfire device within, and a Picatinny rail on top for scope mounting. The bridge also contains the uncocking device beneath it.

The Katana’s barrel is made of precision-machined aluminum that boosts the unit’s tremendous accuracy. I shot 30-yard groups of 1.20 inches. A robust, machined-aluminum riser fastens onto the frame with two large bolts from beneath, rather than using one that screws down from the end like on most crossbows which increases the rigidity of the Katana’s riser and limb system.

The chronograph recorded an average speed of 385 fps. In fact, it’s so fast that when shooting it, I couldn’t see the arrow until it struck the target with 113 foot-pounds of deer-crushing whack. What’s miraculous, however, is that Stryker accomplishes this speed with a modest powerstroke. The Katana 360’s incredible speed and similar draw weight is an even greater testament to this. The Katana series is remarkably easy to cock with its pull rope. For those who need more leverage, a ratcheting C2 crank device—made by Stryker’s sister company Excalibur—dovetails onto the Katana’s stock. The Katana and Katana 360 are top-end crossbows that perform with the market’s best. They’re ambidextrous, easily cocked and powerful enough to take any big-game animal out to long ranges.

To learn more, please visit Stryker Crossbow’s Website.

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Bear’s new-for-2016 crossbow, the Bruzer FFL—one of four models in Bear Archery’s entourage—has unique and significant features that are turning heads. Most notably, it has Forward Facing Limbs, and that alone puts it on the A-list. Let’s begin with the Bruzer by describing what it has in common with most mid- to top-end crossbows, including a machined aluminum barrel supported by a polymer frame and skeletonized buttstock. The Bruzer’s forend features safety wings. In front of the wings and beneath the forend of the crossbow is a small Picatinny rail for attaching its perpendicular quiver and other accessories.

The Bear X Bruzer FFL’s metal fire-control unit also sports a Picatinny rail for its Trophy Ridge 4-power, 5-crosshair scope and features an anti-dryfire device with an automatic, ambidextrous safety. The riser is made from machined aluminum, and anchors the tremendous energy transfer of its wickedly long split limbs. Like many other crossbows, the Bruzer comes dressed in all tactical black.

With its 125-pound draw, the Bruzer is about as lightweight as serious crossbows come. Even so, its technology unleashes great speed and power. The buzz at the 2016 ATA show during the Bruzer FFL’s debut was all about its FFL (Forward Facing Limb) technology which represents a better mousetrap in most areas of performance over typical crossbow designs. Namely, it delivers the benefits of a long 14-inch powerstroke, which means more speed and power.

A significant byproduct of the Bruzer is that when drawing the crossbow, that parallel orientation moves the limbs closer together, thereby decreasing the Bruzer’s total width by 3 inches. This crossbow delivers 400-grain arrows at 335 fps.

Bear engineers designed the Bruzer’s stirrup by devising an open configuration that not only provides an anchor point for the foot while cocking, but also serves as a hanger. This is a huge feature in a treestand because most crossbows weigh twice as much as vertical bows, and can strain or break cheap bow hooks.

The Bruzer’s high-quality, orange bow string handles tremendous forces during each shot, which can cause weaker strings to stretch, and metal or plastic to flex. Bear engineers extended two metal support beams to the riser just before the limb pocket. The beams anchor to the buttstock, creating a “PowerV” design that increases strength and rigidity, and improves the Bruzer’s accuracy and structural integrity. The Bruzer’s 3XS trigger adjusts with a recessed thumb screw on the rear tang of the fire-control housing. My tests revealed a pull weight ranging from 4.5 pounds and to 3.10.

The crossbow’s brush-style arrow holder is quieter and less likely to break than a common metal spring. The buttstock is skeletonized to offer multiple grip points while reducing weight. It features a built-in cheekpiece that raises your head and eye to the scope’s height.

Bear’s Powerlink cam system extends the limbs so a yoke can be used and still clear the cams’ rotation, improving accuracy by delivering superior cam sync and, therefore, accuracy. I recorded an informal decibel reading of 96, while the average crossbow range is 92 to 106.

To learn more please visit Bear Archery’s website.

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To learn more visit beararchery.com

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