I own this crossbow and it is delivering exceptional value, IMO. Some upgrades...definitely get the stock variant (or the pistol grip extension shown in this video). Also, buy Dyneema braided string as an alternative to the expensive OEM string replacement. 3mm (O.D.) braided DYNEEMA (the branded product and not cheap polyester or nylon (Chinese) crap calling itself "dyneema"). Dyneema string is RELATIVELY inexpensive at $0.85~$1.20 per meter (versus the factory string replacements), so buy 50 to 100 meters bulk for best price. One string will typically last for 700 cycles, signficantly longer than the typical factory string by at least a factor of 15x. If you go for 4mm braided Dyneema, it will last even longer (~30% longer than the 3mm). However, the bolts will lose some speed in the process. I still wax the string at friction and holding points, of course. I bought the DYNEEMA from a specialty online store (KANIROPE) but you may also find it at outlets that supply sailing gear, etc. [I bought 50m; totaling $65, delivered] Making a proper string is not difficult...just follow the DIY tutorial by "JoergSprave" on TH-cam...it's a fun little project to make 5 or 6 strings in one go; which should last for the life of the bow limbs! All of the tools and jig necessary to produce these strings properly (and at home) are readily available around the house or at an HD/Lowe's type store. Good luck!
Great review! Your the 1st person I’ve seen to cover de-cocking the bay reverse. I haven’t gotten one yet but the website says they’re coming out with a magazine configuration for the reverse this month. Stoked
I knew your math was way off; a 350 grain arrow (bolts don't have vanes) at 330 FPS produces 84 FP of KE. Checked it with three different calculators and all were the same.
CUSTOM 14 INCH STEAM BOLTS WITH 325GRN. STAINLESS INSERT , MONTEC G5 100 GRN. FIXED BROACHED AND TO MAKE IT FLY RIGHT, PUT 4-INCH VEINS ON IT FOR 425 GRN. BOLT . FOR HUNTING . THE REGULAR BOLTS WITH A 100 GRN. MECHANICAL BROAD HEAD ARE GOOD FOR HOME DEFENSE .
I've been doing a lot of research on the Mambo the main striker and this seems to be the very best of all of the smaller crossbows. I just wish I could find a good deal on one I think I'll watch for a used one
This bat in the uk it's called a supersonic and it's labelled as 120lb draw , but from all accounts it's the same as the bat of which is claiming 150lb draw ?
Another vid i saw said that you need to be around 20 yards for bigger game,now realistically,how many times is 1 gonna be 20 yards or closer to a deer when hunting? This to me seems like an extremely expensive toy,especially when there are full size crossbows at 420fps for about the same price.
Hello Dalton, no you're right! It's the Sting 13" bolts that get the 320fps. With the insert at 320 grains it's around 250fps. Rule of thumb for BAT Reverse is to stay under 25-30 yards for game like deer.
@@ballista.archery if you made something to get a 350 grain bolt around 330fps then you’d have something. It would be a critter slaying machine. 220 fps on a 350 grain bolt is only 37 foot pounds of energy. 350 grains at 330 fps is 87 foot pound huge difference and would make it a viable deer hunting option
Always check your local and state regulations, but as far as we know the crossbows need a draw weight of 125lbs minimum in PA - our BAT is 130lbs and BAT Reverse is 150lbs. For more information you can refer to www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Law/Pages/HuntingandTrappingDigest.aspx
It’s definitely cool for sure but personally for me this would be a small game only crossbow something more like a novelty crossbow… don’t get me wrong. You can totally kill a deer or a hog with something like this but you’re 45 pounds of kinetic energy is not a lot and if you use an expandable that it’s gonna cut that kinetic energy way down….. I’ve seen videos of people taking deer and hog with him and it’s great but if you hit a solid bone like the shoulder with this bow, you’re gonna get like 2 inches of penetration compared to a normal size regular bow shooting the same speed with a heavier arrow…. Like I said, it’s definitely a cool novelty piece, but I would not hunt with this
If what you're saying is true, then how come Dr. Ashby was killing rhinoceros with a recurve?? I bet if you got the bolt that this shoots up to 650 grains or more (with single bevel fixed blade, and ultra high FOC) even if you lost a lot of speed, it would still (from the sounds of 47 foot-pounds of kinetic energy) be doing more damage than someone shooting a recurve. Hence, this could be a rhinoceros killer for real, & no problem on any north american game...just a slow moving bolt but who cares if you practice enough?
@@7chrisma What is the formula you use? I’m an airgunner and we use (velocity squared X weight of projectile divided by 450,240) so 330x330x350=38,115,000 38,115,000/450,240=84.65fpe
Information in this video is false, coming from ballista themselves, i find it weird that they wouldn’t know their own product…. The stinger bolt at 350gr, shooting at 330ft/sec? I highly doubt that. Probably closer to 200ft/sec. Which doesnt produce 47ft lb of energy, but closer to 32 ftlb. Even if their data was correct, the math is wrong. 350gr at 330ft/s thats over 80ft lb.
i want to buy this so much and im waiting for the 5bolt magazine version to come out later this year but i heard this bow breaks so easy and the string snaps easy as well is this true??
@@ballista.archery ok thanks for testing but i was talking about the reverse version the tension on the reverse version is too big, It's like the hardware has to be upgraded for the power that the crossbow has i never heard a complaint about the normal version but the reverse one is a different story?
It might snap if you use light bolts. We recommend using heavier bolts with the reverse for that vary reason. We also sell steel inserts for added weight.
@@ballista.archeryok. I was thinking maybe the mistakable dry fired them ... How about a magazine you think they'll have magazine for these that can hold like 5 bolts? I really love this but it's a little bit out of my price range. I have searched and searched and searched for a good deal on one or use when I can't find any it's always the same f****** price. I look at that when I go well for 200 more bucks I can get a full-size really bad ass one. Especially when they give you a handful of bolts free
350gr at 330fps is incredible out of a package this small! Especially with how easy it appears to be to cock. Looks like that have some room to up the poundage.
You are dealing with material limits, and repeat loading. Everything has a safety limit. Also, wear some safety glasses. This thing is like a compact Seige. You can get a 5 shot mag for it too.
It's a shame that the engineering is shody burrs on the cams I'll fitting cams from others comments. It's a shame a bit more care with the engineering and it would be a nice bow may be a bit more power.
I really don't understand the idea behind this. If you're rabbit hunter, maybe a squirrel hunter or something like that? But 47 foot-pounds doesn't seem like to me. That's enough energy to really big game hunt with. Like deer or pig or something like that I've got a couple 25 caliber air rifles that gives me 40 foot-pounds Of energy but I wouldn't deer hunt with them
@@ahsokatano3930 if you use it for home defense you would be very cruel to shoot it. Arrows are not bullets. These will fly straight through a human. Targets barely stop them. 150 pound draw is big. I tuned my cross bow down to 60 pounds for practise and the bolts still would pass through a human. Most hand drawn bows are maxed out at 60 and kill people.
A .25 cal airgun is shooting a lead pellet that's less than 40 grains. This bow is shooting a 350 grain 18" razor blade. Massive difference in projectiles and stopping power
I own this crossbow and it is delivering exceptional value, IMO.
Some upgrades...definitely get the stock variant (or the pistol grip extension shown in this video).
Also, buy Dyneema braided string as an alternative to the expensive OEM string replacement. 3mm (O.D.) braided DYNEEMA (the branded product and not cheap polyester or nylon (Chinese) crap calling itself "dyneema"). Dyneema string is RELATIVELY inexpensive at $0.85~$1.20 per meter (versus the factory string replacements), so buy 50 to 100 meters bulk for best price. One string will typically last for 700 cycles, signficantly longer than the typical factory string by at least a factor of 15x. If you go for 4mm braided Dyneema, it will last even longer (~30% longer than the 3mm). However, the bolts will lose some speed in the process. I still wax the string at friction and holding points, of course.
I bought the DYNEEMA from a specialty online store (KANIROPE) but you may also find it at outlets that supply sailing gear, etc. [I bought 50m; totaling $65, delivered]
Making a proper string is not difficult...just follow the DIY tutorial by "JoergSprave" on TH-cam...it's a fun little project to make 5 or 6 strings in one go; which should last for the life of the bow limbs! All of the tools and jig necessary to produce these strings properly (and at home) are readily available around the house or at an HD/Lowe's type store.
Good luck!
Is it stronger than the Mambo or the mini striker?
@@billyjones9045 Yes, considerably. The REV is at another level.
When I thought the BAT could not get better! Amazing!
Great review! Your the 1st person I’ve seen to cover de-cocking the bay reverse. I haven’t gotten one yet but the website says they’re coming out with a magazine configuration for the reverse this month. Stoked
Thanks! Glad to hear that helped 😁
Are the broadheads you’re using available from Ballista? If not, which brand and weight would you recommend for feral hogs?
Does this bow tear through strings? I heard they break too easy, is that true?
Hi! Great question! The strings normally last up to 500 shots with frequent waxing and lubing the rail.
I knew your math was way off; a 350 grain arrow (bolts don't have vanes) at 330 FPS produces 84 FP of KE. Checked it with three different calculators and all were the same.
CUSTOM 14 INCH STEAM BOLTS WITH 325GRN. STAINLESS INSERT , MONTEC G5 100 GRN. FIXED BROACHED AND TO MAKE IT FLY RIGHT, PUT 4-INCH VEINS ON IT FOR 425 GRN. BOLT . FOR HUNTING . THE REGULAR BOLTS WITH A 100 GRN. MECHANICAL BROAD HEAD ARE GOOD FOR HOME DEFENSE .
I've been doing a lot of research on the Mambo the main striker and this seems to be the very best of all of the smaller crossbows. I just wish I could find a good deal on one I think I'll watch for a used one
You could make the arrows heavier with 3 Rivers weight tubes.
Great review I think I better own one of these gems 👍🤠
Did you run it through a chrono?
Where can I get more info on the tripod attachment?
I’m interested also
This bat in the uk it's called a supersonic and it's labelled as 120lb draw , but from all accounts it's the same as the bat of which is claiming 150lb draw ?
is there a link to buy this within Europe?
Unfortunately not, we ship within the US at the moment.
Another vid i saw said that you need to be around 20 yards for bigger game,now realistically,how many times is 1 gonna be 20 yards or closer to a deer when hunting? This to me seems like an extremely expensive toy,especially when there are full size crossbows at 420fps for about the same price.
we've had guys take down deer at 30 yards
Tell me you're a bad bowhunter without saying I'm a bad bowhunter.
Great review!
Hi what the length of the limp ?? Thks boss
Is that the 13 or 16 inch bolt?
How are you getting 330 fps with a 350 grain bolt ? when I just watch a video the kid ran a 320 grain bolt at 220 fps.
Hello Dalton, no you're right! It's the Sting 13" bolts that get the 320fps. With the insert at 320 grains it's around 250fps. Rule of thumb for BAT Reverse is to stay under 25-30 yards for game like deer.
@@ballista.archery if you made something to get a 350 grain bolt around 330fps then you’d have something. It would be a critter slaying machine. 220 fps on a 350 grain bolt is only 37 foot pounds of energy. 350 grains at 330 fps is 87 foot pound huge difference and would make it a viable deer hunting option
@@daltonbbf756They make two levels of Bat..130 and 150.
That is the right formula, but the data he is providing in the video is way off. With a 240gr bolt i get about 265ft/s
Can you shoot a 3 vane arrow out of it? I call them arrows simply because they have fletchings instead of a bare shaft like a bolt.
Hello Michael, only 2-vane fletched arrows would work with the crossbow.
@@ballista.archery ...and the dual vanes are more forward from the nock than most pre-fletched (standard) bolts.
About how long under normal use does the string last? Andrew can i changed it myself ??
yes you can change it yourself
Someone please explain how a bolt with only two vanes could possibly be accurate.
They are.
Where can I get a foldable stock for mine? Where is the link?
ballista.co
You may have sold me
Is it legal to hunt deer in Pa, that's all I need to know?
Always check your local and state regulations, but as far as we know the crossbows need a draw weight of 125lbs minimum in PA - our BAT is 130lbs and BAT Reverse is 150lbs. For more information you can refer to www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Law/Pages/HuntingandTrappingDigest.aspx
Loud??
It’s definitely cool for sure but personally for me this would be a small game only crossbow something more like a novelty crossbow… don’t get me wrong. You can totally kill a deer or a hog with something like this but you’re 45 pounds of kinetic energy is not a lot and if you use an expandable that it’s gonna cut that kinetic energy way down….. I’ve seen videos of people taking deer and hog with him and it’s great but if you hit a solid bone like the shoulder with this bow, you’re gonna get like 2 inches of penetration compared to a normal size regular bow shooting the same speed with a heavier arrow…. Like I said, it’s definitely a cool novelty piece, but I would not hunt with this
If what you're saying is true, then how come Dr. Ashby was killing rhinoceros with a recurve?? I bet if you got the bolt that this shoots up to 650 grains or more (with single bevel fixed blade, and ultra high FOC) even if you lost a lot of speed, it would still (from the sounds of 47 foot-pounds of kinetic energy) be doing more damage than someone shooting a recurve. Hence, this could be a rhinoceros killer for real, & no problem on any north american game...just a slow moving bolt but who cares if you practice enough?
Where do you get the collapsing stock?
Hi! You can find it here: ballista.co/crossbow-shop/dealer-producucts-except-targets/folding-stock-adapter/
@@ballista.archery Thanks.
Very Informative
Is this good for home defense?
yes it is no need for a pistol
In CAD it’s a wonder you can have a slingshot 🤦🏼♀️🧐🤯🙀
This thing kills deer?
YUP!
Made in China?
Please say no... I f****** hate everything from China and I'll never buy anything from China again
Yes
What isn't? That's why everything we buy is a piece of junk nowadays. United States of f****** China
*self defense crossbow *
350gr bolt at 330ft/sec is over 80ftlb of energy
That’s what I came up with too. 84fpe
Not possible
@@7chrismawhy is it not possible?
Physics. Draw weight is too low, power stroke is too short.
I measured the max kinetic energy of this bow to be around 37ftlb
@@7chrisma What is the formula you use? I’m an airgunner and we use (velocity squared X weight of projectile divided by 450,240) so 330x330x350=38,115,000
38,115,000/450,240=84.65fpe
Information in this video is false, coming from ballista themselves, i find it weird that they wouldn’t know their own product….
The stinger bolt at 350gr, shooting at 330ft/sec?
I highly doubt that. Probably closer to 200ft/sec. Which doesnt produce 47ft lb of energy, but closer to 32 ftlb.
Even if their data was correct, the math is wrong. 350gr at 330ft/s thats over 80ft lb.
i want to buy this so much and im waiting for the 5bolt magazine version to come out later this year
but i heard this bow breaks so easy and the string snaps easy as well
is this true??
Only snaps if you don't take care of it. We've tested over 500 shots on one string! Full video available on our channel
@@ballista.archery ok thanks for testing but i was talking about the reverse version
the tension on the reverse version is too big,
It's like the hardware has to be upgraded for the power that the crossbow has
i never heard a complaint about the normal version but the reverse one is a different story?
It might snap if you use light bolts. We recommend using heavier bolts with the reverse for that vary reason. We also sell steel inserts for added weight.
That's exactly what I heard also.... I've heard the limbs break ... Then what you're just screwed?
@@ballista.archeryok. I was thinking maybe the mistakable dry fired them ... How about a magazine you think they'll have magazine for these that can hold like 5 bolts? I really love this but it's a little bit out of my price range. I have searched and searched and searched for a good deal on one or use when I can't find any it's always the same f****** price. I look at that when I go well for 200 more bucks I can get a full-size really bad ass one. Especially when they give you a handful of bolts free
350gr at 330fps is incredible out of a package this small! Especially with how easy it appears to be to cock. Looks like that have some room to up the poundage.
You are dealing with material limits, and repeat loading. Everything has a safety limit. Also, wear some safety glasses. This thing is like a compact Seige. You can get a 5 shot mag for it too.
Good luck
3:59 A bear?!
Really?
There is no small distance where it can kill a bear.
At most, it might piss him off.
Guys, come on! :D
At 420 fps…yes I’d say it will.
Better than a punch in the nose
you walk up to it. Ask politely to open up its mouth. You down the gun and there you go. Bear for lunch. 😉
Buddy, people like you who know nothing about hunting should keepmyourmwrongmopinions to yourself.
cool jacket , 👍 👍
Any good on zombies and or meth heads
That this is fucking awesome
target range of miters
It cost to much for me.
We also have a few refurbished crossbows. They are 25% off the regular price.
@@ballista.archery okay thank you very much.
It's a shame that the engineering is shody burrs on the cams I'll fitting cams from others comments. It's a shame a bit more care with the engineering and it would be a nice bow may be a bit more power.
Sharpen up your trigger discipline.
I really don't understand the idea behind this. If you're rabbit hunter, maybe a squirrel hunter or something like that? But 47 foot-pounds doesn't seem like to me. That's enough energy to really big game hunt with. Like deer or pig or something like that I've got a couple 25 caliber air rifles that gives me 40 foot-pounds Of energy but I wouldn't deer hunt with them
A pellet and a broadhead are very different payloads. I think you would be surprised if you did a little more research on the matter.
Not bad for home defense
@@ahsokatano3930 if you use it for home defense you would be very cruel to shoot it. Arrows are not bullets. These will fly straight through a human. Targets barely stop them. 150 pound draw is big. I tuned my cross bow down to 60 pounds for practise and the bolts still would pass through a human. Most hand drawn bows are maxed out at 60 and kill people.
A .25 cal airgun is shooting a lead pellet that's less than 40 grains. This bow is shooting a 350 grain 18" razor blade. Massive difference in projectiles and stopping power
It's great for spot stalking because a compound or regular crossbow is just too big and cumbersome to maneuver in brush.