lean more at silentknightvanes.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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Watch as Senior Editor Patrick Meitin reviews the Hoyt Defiant! Learn more at hoyt.com

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I’ve shot and hunted with browning’s first two models, the ZeroSeven OneSixOne and the ZeroSeven OneSixTwo, but for this crossbow review I will report on the upper-end model, the OneSixTwo. The series is called the ZeroSeven, and the model is called the OneSixTwo because it was made in year ’16, version 2. Essentially, it’s a 145-pound draw, 7.2-pound polymer-and-metal crossbow. Browning’s crossbows quickly proved they’re not only stylish, but also accurate and well-made. In fact, these crossbows meld racecar-like lines with rubber-grip panels, honey-combed polymer, precision eccentrics and machined-metal functioning parts to create a distinctive and advanced shooting package.

At the ZeroSeven’s core is a machined-aluminum barrel topped with a polymer fire-control system which features a TriggerTech trigger. The OneSixTwo’s metal trigger connects to a sear in gun-like fashion, and it produces a 3-pound pull with zero creep through TriggerTech’s innovative Frictionless Release Technology. When you pull the trigger, the crossbow goes off without your finger having to wade through a half-inch of gritty slop. That’s notable because a crossbow’s arrow is roughly 10 times slower than a rifle bullet, and so any bow movement induced by the shooter before the arrow leaves the bow hurts accuracy.

The fire-control mechanism on the ZeroSeven also features three safeties: an ambidextrous unit for the trigger and two anti-dryfire devices. The OneSixTwo’s antidryfire device has a rear unit that resembles those of many crossbows, featuring two prongs that prevent the string from releasing if an arrow isn’t loaded. And a separate spring clip above the prongs acts as a security guide that prevents the string from releasing even if the bolt is seated incorrectly.

The buttstock on this crossbow features honeycombed polymer for strength, and hidden within the trap-door comb is one of the OneSixTwo’s marquee features: a crank cocking device that makes this bow great for anyone valuing their back. It reduces the bow’s 145-pound draw to 17 pounds via a ratcheting crank anyone can operate. Browning engineers also updated the common rope-cocker which features two nodules that fit into a channel on both sides of the rail to ensure consistent cocking by holding both cams in exact unison.

This crossbow also features two flexible honeycombed safety wings to prevent finger injuries. Underneath them, the forend features a rubberized grip panel. Ahead of the forend, this Browning has three Picatinny rails for attaching lights or other accessories, including the bow’s quiver, which is perhaps the market’s finest.

Its two-cam “engine” combines with 12-inch split limbs and a 14.6-inch powerstroke to deliver blazing speeds of 371.2 fps with 400-grain arrows, according to my Easton chronograph. In sum, Browning is firmly centered in the crossbow market with highperformance, game-changing models like the OneSixTwo. It feels good, and it’s fast, quiet, safe and easy to cock and shoot.

To learn more, please visit Browning Crossbow’s website.

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