Barnett Blackcat Wildcat Crossbow First Shots

[@halfstep67]

How short is the stock on the wildcat? Would it short enough to make a good youth xbow?

[@Kurtdog63]

Because this crossbow does not have the weight of cables and wheels, it is actually quite light and simple. That’s why I have chosen it over compound crossbows also a very reasonable price.

[@Kurtdog63]

But like most crossbows, it will have to be cocked by a strong adult if you use a rope cocker.

[@halfstep67]

@@Kurtdog63 Thanks for the reply. Is the stock short enough to be shootable for a younger person?

[@Kurtdog63]

@@halfstep67 It is not adjustable so not sure how short it would need to be for a youth. Teenager would probably be ok. Younger, don't know.

[@ctford27]

I believe could have just ordered a new 165# limb and saved some money

[@BowsandBlades1999]

The problem I read on forums said the blackcat (I have the wildcat) bolts won't sit flat on the rail because the anti dry fire presses the nock down making the arrow tip up and to the left but if it could be removed the bolts should sit flush on the rail,I have yet to figure out how to do so as of yet

[@Kurtdog63]

It is a good feature to have for preventing the crossbow from self destructing during a dry fire. I had a dry fire from a fractured nock and it sheared a scope mount screw and may have destroyed the scope as well. I like the Recruit stock much better in lots of ways anyway. I sacrificed some speed to get the best of both worlds.

[@BowsandBlades1999]

@@Kurtdog63 I did also find the other day when I as shooting,it seems to lay flat if you seat the bolt onto the string just barley disengaging the anti dry fire and my accuracy has greatly improved but I do love the recruit and with the black cat bow on it it seems like a good deer slayer

[@JJ-mw3sx]

I have a barnett recruit what linketh bolts do you use.

[@Kurtdog63]

Factory Barnett Recruit arrows are 18 inch. Many crossbows shoot 20 inch. I shoot 19 inch 2117s. They perform great and the Number 2 size Nocturnal crossbow nock fits snugly and won't fall out easily or come off in a target during a passthru.

[@jamesbailey..catfishin]

My bolts set flat on the rail to I'm using 20 inch bone collector bolts with the whole set up there 460 grains dont know what there shooting but I'm satisfied with its speed

[@Kurtdog63]

Guessing 250 fps or so.

[@kevinsloan3019]

My crossbow was destroyed in a house fire earlier this yr and a friend loaned me his backup which is the blackcat i believe i had never shot a recurve crossbow before its not nearly as fast but the accuracy is there was doing some research before i try to take it hunting sunday thanks for the info

[@Kurtdog63]

Good luck. It has the power. I come from the traditional archery world and light compounds, so even a slow crossbow is fast to me.

[@kevinsloan3019]

@@Kurtdog63 yes sir I shot recurves for yrs before a shoulder injury made that impossible I prefer accuracy over speed

[@cosmin6155]

do you take the string off when you are not using the crossbow or does it stay with the string all the time?

[@Kurtdog63]

I suppose you could take the string off if you are not going to shoot the crossbow for long periods of time, but I don't. I would not recommend storing it cocked as it can weaken the bow over time. Discharge it each time after a hunt. Would not even store it overnight cocked if you are going to hunt the next day.

[@cosmin6155]

@@Kurtdog63 thanks for the answer, I kept it for 2 months without using it with the string attached and I wonder if it affected the strength of the bow?!

[@Kurtdog63]

Prob not. Be careful to not store it in a hot environment like a vehicle. That will destroy one.

[@cosmin6155]

@@Kurtdog63 Tanks!

[@dustinh4175]

The tag on my bow says it's a 195# and then the box says 165# or i might have that backwards but i was wondering if you got 2 different numbers also. I think the website says #195. Idk

[@Kurtdog63]

I think 165 pounds is accurate. I noticed on the website it said 195 but I think that's a typo. It would be a lot stiffer to pull back and the arrow speed would probably be close to 300 fps at that poundage. I do wish they would go up to 175 pounds for flatter trajectory and get the arrow down range sooner.

[@rodkenton543]

Have a Recruit and just yesterday got a Black Cat. I prefer the forward position of the quiver on the Recruit and also the adjustable stock and bolt retainer on it better. Don't care for the brush type retainer they now use. So i took the quiver off the Recruit and mounted it on the front of the Black Cat crossway to the stock. Now i am going to see if it is possible to install the metal bolt retainer instead of the brush one. I see you use a toothbrush in front on yours. Is that to keep the bolt down level on the stock, which the factory brush doesn't seem to do? Have you tried to install the metal one like on the recruit on the B.C.?

[@Kurtdog63]

I added the toothbrush as a second arrow holder. I shoot heavier broadheads, 150 to 250 grains and the arrow tends to flop around, especially when I have the crossbow slung on my shoulder. Keeps the arrow seated and quiet. I like the Recruit stock better than the Blackcat for sure. The skeleton stock is great to use as a hanger on a tree limb, etc. and to carry as a handle.

[@Kurtdog63]

I do like the stouter bow on the Black Cat. Definitely has more power and shoots flatter.

[@rodkenton543]

So does your bolt stay level on the rail with just the factory brush with lighter points on the bolt? @@Kurtdog63

[@Kurtdog63]

Not consistently. Can get a little rattle sound if I jar it around. Two brushes, zero sound, and no getting loose on the arrow tray. I had to trim the bristles on the add-on brush so it wasn't too tight. @@rodkenton543

[@rodkenton543]

Didn't i see in one of your videos where you liked the Recruit better except for the speed? Also, didn't you put the Black Cat limb on the Recruit but say you got less speed with it on th recruit than the Wildcat? Did you go ahead and leave the WC limb on the Recruit frame and how much less speed are you getting with it, or how much more speed that the Recruit limb? I appreciate all your input as i am totally new to crossbows.@@Kurtdog63

[@walterm9124]

Good informative video. Would you feel confident shooting a deer with the wildcat? That 260+fps is enough for lethal kills? Newbie crossbow hunter here.

[@Kurtdog63]

Powerful enough for sure. Deer have an amazing ability to drop at the sound of the bow/crossbow. With all shots, I recommend aiming lower 1/3 of the body just behind the shoulder, and keeping shots less than 25 yards for best chance of making a lethal hit with this arrow speed. Not a fan of mechanical broadheads. They are accurate and can cut a large hole, but they can fail miserably, blades break off, etc. The integrity of the broadhead is critical. I shoot high FOC set ups. Give the best arrow flight. Carbon arrows work best with mechanicals. If you use them with fixed blade heads, they can have poor arrow flight and accuracy. I have several videos on my arrow setups. Would recommend you watch Ranch Fairy on youtube for the science behind arrow lethality. Good luck.

[@walterm9124]

@@Kurtdog63 Wow you taught me more in 1 paragraph than I learned in a month of reading. Thanks!!

[@quentinxarchible2666]

That 260 fps. 175 draw ? You can kill whatever with it.

[@walterm9124]

@@quentinxarchible2666 Thanks for the info. My 420 Pse Fang is in the shop getting fixed and I'm using my gf's Blackcat.

[@shepherdosouls8654]

Im torn between the blackcat and just going compound! Theres about a $250 diffrence...i already have a $600 compound crossbow but for some stupid reason i always like to have 2 and end up using which ever one shoots best!! My shots are always in 30 yards or less...i can make a 50 yard kill shot but i dont like to...wayyy to many factors in play when doing that! Wind, bolt weight, shot placement, debris in the way, and penetration! If it dont penetrate deep enough then both me and that deer are screwed!! Yall would yall think the blackcat would be sufficient for a 30 yard shot, 400gr. Pile drivers 100 grain double blade fixed blade with 1-1/4 cutting dia.?

[@jamesbailey..catfishin]

Yours is the blackcat but it's the same as wildcat just different color and different scope

[@jamesbailey..catfishin]

That's what mine is getting is 268 269 with stock recruit bolts it came with at the archery shop

[@Kurtdog63]

Impressed me for sure. Not sure why it slowed down so much when I put the new bow on the old stock. Guessing has a longer power stroke. The trigger on the Blackcat was stiffer too. Still may put the new bow back on it at some point.

[@jamesbailey..catfishin]

@@Kurtdog63 yes may have little longer power stroke it says 12 but I measured mine and its 12.5 inch power stroke

[@Kurtdog63]

@@jamesbailey..catfishin A short bow stacks a lot of weight very quickly, even in a half an inch more draw.

[@jamesbailey..catfishin]

Awesome kurtdog I got the wildcat and that one is same specs as that one just has a 4x32 multiracial scope

[@Kurtdog63]

I have another Nikon crossbow scope I can put on the Blackcat. I don't like how the quiver mounts. May drill some holes and mount a higher capacity quiver parallel with the bow.

[@shepherdosouls8654]

@@Kurtdog63 i agree...i HATEEE the new barnett quiver set up!! It dont matter which side you put it on or how far forward or backwards...it still gets in my way...i only carry 2 bolts because its all i can carry! 3 bolts and it gets in my way!

[@Kurtdog63]

@@shepherdosouls8654 Yes. It is especially bad with feather fletching when you are hunting becuase of the noise of the fletching constantly rubbing against something.