Crossbow Pet Peeves--RANT VIDEO

Here's a handful of things I DO NOT LIKE about crossbows and crossbow manufacturers! Let me know what YOU don't like.

I am not sponsored by anyone! But I do share what I like and what I don't like. And I like a good coupon code to save a few bucks as much as you do (see below). My "perfect" crossbow setup these days includes:

Killer Instinct SWAT X1 (starting 2023)
Burris Oracle X Scope (since 2022)

Bunjie and I also recommend the following, 100% of time:

Swhacker #251 3" cutting diameter crossbow broadheads (for our last 20 or 30 deer/hogs and woodchucks). Swhacker stopped production of the #251 in 2023 but never fear: the #243 is the same exact item, although a different color. You're good to use that one :)

Dragon Claw arrows from Wyvern Creations (good outfit, been buying different gear there for years, these arrows were great in the SWAT X1 throughout the 2023-4 Crossbow Seasons!)

Bunjie (The Original Bunjie, The O.B.) is my 2010 Excalibur Axiom that got me hooked on crossbow hunting. This was my "one gun" for more than a decade and Bunjie's reliability is the reason I ONLY hunt with a crossbow. After killing dozens of deer, hogs, squirrels, woodchucks, and even a bear, Bunjie is now semi-retired, but still gets out every year and even killed two deer 2023--and a woodchuck at 81 yards!

Bunjie, Jr., is my daughter Genevieve's crossbow, an Excalibur Micro Suppressor 355. This crossbow was also a much appreciated gift from a Friend of Bunjie, and it changed Death by Bunjie forever by inspiring Genevieve to become a part of our story as a second-generation crossbow hunter, and it also convinced me there is a benefit to a newer, faster crossbow back in 2020 when I began the Quest for a Successor to Bunjie.

Enter Bunjie III (or Bunjie '21, Bunjie 3.0, The Slick Black Cadillac of Crossbows), a 2021 Scorpyd Deathstalker 420, the result of trying various models and looking at dozens of them online for characteristics I liked. It is, in fact, a gift from a Friend of Bunjie, which goes to show how important Friends of Bunjie are to this channel and what an impact they can have. Bunjie III is a testament to modern crossbows, producing over .7 slugs of momentum and almost 140 ft-lbs of kinetic energy with stock arrows--at around 400 fps! This crossbow helped expand the Kingdom fo Bunjie by introducing me to compound crossbows and showing me they're nothing to be feared, and also helped me get my first deer on public ground. This crossbow also inspired the "Rule of 400" that I talk about from time to time: a crossbow that can shoot a 400 grain arrow at 400 feet per second is the definition of a modern crossbow--producing over .7 slugs of momentum and over 140 foot pounds of kinetic energy, the envy of the archery world.

Again, I am not sponsored by these companies. I am sponsored by Friends of Bunjie! (I'm not asking for gifts whatsoever--please don't feel like you should send me stuff! But I do appreciate the support I've received over the years! I'm just trying to express my appreciation for that.)

If you've read this far, then there is only one thing left to say:

All Hail Bunjie!

--Rich Wilson
Death by Bunjie

[Cannonball]

Someone is “cranky” this morning, lol. The detachable crank on my Swat X1 allowed me to hunt after tearing my rotator cuff the second weekend of archery season. I completely agree with everything else, especially the speed difference. We need an industry standard for testing that doesn’t let manufacturers claim higher speed numbers than the bow can produce in real world situations.

[inthewoods]

Agree with yours and add PRICES! Some of these brands are absolutely ridiculous! No bow or crossbow should cost over a grand.

[jamespenhale]

This will be my first year to hunt with a crossbow. I’ve watched most of your videos to help get me prepared. Thank you DBB!

[AYearInOhio]

Rich does the most polite "RANTS" ever lol.

[jeffduthrie]

Rich as an older crossbow hunter 64 I was very concerned about pulling back the draw weight at 5 AM possibly injuring my neck or back. The crank on my excalibur Rev X definitely takes the worry out of my mind. You’re still young and strong enough to pull your crossbow with cords. But my friend as you stated are headed there one day. So the crank keeps us older guys out in the woods. Love the video.

[davidgoff]

100% Bullseye Rich! Love this video and every single rant is true! I especially hate the false speed wars the industry plays with their marketing. (And you did it without a single cuss word, which would have been well deserved.) :)

[jimaureli]

Rich, as a young guy, you may have inadvertantly forgotten us older hunters. I have been a stickbow and compound hunter for 50 years, I'm now 81and can no longer practice with a hunting weight compound, due to over use issues in my shouder. Two years ago, I killed my first buck with a crossbow, last year my second, both from the ground. Crossbows are amazing hunting tools and have kept me in the game. Those same shoulder issues as well as a twitchy back make it risky business to use a rope device to cock my Barnett, so I bought a crossbow with a crank cocking device, and it makes it safe and easy to cock without risk of further injury. I hope your hunting days are as long as mine have been. I love your videos and you have been a huge help in my learning curve. Thank you very much.

[susanliggett]

Exactly all this, spot on sir. Stated velocity vs. actual velocity, all seem to be fudging except Ravin. -W. Liggett

[countrybob]

After two back surgeries the crank is the only thing keeping me in the woods with my crossbow. I can understand how some folks are not fans of them. Every just needs to hunt with what works for there needs. I like your vids. Thanks

[nickb.]

Amen. I hate the lack of instructional stuff that comes with crossbows. Also the misrepresented speeds.

[terrycheek]

Models are changing so fast that parts for older models become unavailable too soon. I like holding on to a piece of equipment that I like, maintaining it and keeping it in safe efficient working order.

[TravisBrown-eh]

Loved this video, you hit the nail on the head, there’s a lot of untruths they try to feed ya, not a great way to sell crossbows, to bad it comes down to the customer to deal with all the stuff they don’t tell you

[billgalante]

Rich, it always helps to vent a little, I really appreciate all you do.

[billgalante]

Rich, really helps too vent a little, you do such a great job, I appreciate everything you do.

[TODinWY]

Great Rant, Rich! You pretty much nailed all the important points.

[JohnGriffith-ww]

Rich ! C’mon!
You are an ATTORNEY! The Crossbow industry puts out as little information as possible to protect themselves from legal liability and legal repercussions for any claims they make in writing that could be legally ACTIONABLE ! Then may have to HIRE YOU to defend themselves in court ! 😂 ❤
🏹🦌🏹🐗🏹🦌🏹🐗

[Mike-cceu]

Love this video as crossbow enthusiasts we all think the same way fantastic rants

[MichaelLakota-vctk]

I bet you feel a little better getting all that off your chest 😊 Enjoy your weekend Rich! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[racingruss]

I agree 100% about the speed..I want to know the fps with the arrow/bolt that comes in the box.Another good one Rich.

[arlingolson]

I have never had a deer complain about a bolt hitting it at less than advertised speed!