Barnett Recruit Crossbow Review [Best for Small-Framed Hunters]
This Barnett Recruit crossbow review serves as a guide on the Recruit Terrain line of crossbows viability for you. It's a small but powerful crossbow suitable for small-framed game hunters. Here is a quick summary of this crossbow.
The barnett recruit terrain crossbow REview
SUMMARY
This crossbow arrives almost fully assembled in a box that weighs around 13.4 pounds. A simple one bolt assembly is all that is required to start shooting! True to its name, is most certainly all-terrain worthy.
Its lightweight composite stock and the implementation of Barnett’s all-new Trigger Tech technology make sure that there is no creep during release. This single feature improves the accuracy of the bow remarkably.
It has a firing speed of 330 feet per second which makes it one of the fastest bows in this segment. Hunting deer should be no problem at all, even if you are quite far out! The scope, which comes with elevation lines, gives it a solid range of fire with optimum accuracy up to 50 yards.
The Recruit Terrain comes with a rope cocking device that makes it a great choice for beginners and kids just learning to hunt using the crossbow. It also comes with two 20-inch Headhunter arrows and a bottle of lube wax. Recommended usage of the lube wax is after every 10 shots.
The best part is that Barnett have made the Recruit Terrain compatible with other crank cocking devices. This means you can actually carry and share a single cocking device when on a group hunt.
Do keep in mind that the power of the crossbow may take a little getting used to! Read the full review below to understand about the various other aspects that make it one of the best value for money options in the market right now.
What makes this Crossbow stands out?
SPECIFICATIONS
DImensions: 34.25"L x 18.25"W
Weight: 6.4 lbs
Firing Speed: 330 feet per second
Draw weight: 140 lbs
Kinetic energy: 91.9 ft. lbs. (380-grain bolts)
The Manufacturer
Barnett Outdoors, LLC is a world leader in the manufacturing of archery, slingshot, and Crossbow products. It was started in 1962 by Bernard Barnett who pursued the hobby of hunting with crossbows in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Barnett initially made crossbows for acquaintances awed by his craftsmanship. From there, the business was born. The company now has multiple manufacturing locations across the UK. Once the company saw an opportunity for substantial growth in the USA market with slightly different needs compared to the UK enthusiasts, additional product lines, streamlined manufacturing processes and cost reduction eventually brought operations to the U.S. permanently in 2003.
Barnett Recruit Crossbow Review
Because of the many different games to hunt and types of terrain, picking out the best crossbow for your purposes and abilities might be a daunting task. To help you make an informed decision, we crunched all the numbers and compiled all the data on this crossbow. Our comprehensive review will be the only thing you need to assess if this is for you.
If you’re in the market for a crossbow, this crossbow review will help you understand why it is always at the top of every hunter’s wish list.
Key Specifications
9 Cool Features of Barnett Recruit Crossbow
1. Compound Bow
This compound bow requires a lot less strength to cock than other types of crossbow.
While the tension on the strings of a recurve bow makes it more difficult to pull, the pulley system of compound crossbows makes cocking of the string easier. This will result in smaller-sized hunters getting as much power as stronger hunters.
2. Lightweight
Its weight is a welcome feature as lugging around a heavy bow takes so much energy. It’s an often overlooked feature because FPS and power are the more desirable traits.
However, after a few hours of stalking your prey, a heavy crossbow may take its toll on the energy levels and muscle fatigue of hunters.
3. Crank Cocking Device Compatible
Aside from being a compound bow, the crank cocking device included in the package makes cocking the bow so much easier. This allows even youth hunters to use this bow on their own.
It's a welcome feature especially if it's going to be used as a training bow for young hunters. For more aged hunters, the crank cocking device should also keep them out in the woods and do what they love.
4. Anti-Vibration Stirrup
The stirrup, once the bolt is released, tends to vibrate because of the extreme pressures of the tension strings put on them.
The value of an anti-vibration stirrup helps keep a steady aim even after multiple shots so you can stay out and stalk your prey for longer periods.
Its efficient shock absorption greatly reduces shoulder stress so you can keep your aim aligned for longer periods of time.
Other Hunting Gears & Weapon:
5. Trigger Tech
The Frictionless Release Technology™ makes it extremely accurate as it almost eliminates recoil from pulling the trigger. It offers a buttery smooth release that is unrivaled in the market.
The 3.5 lb. zero creep trigger gives you the poise to make the shot while still preventing accidental firing. The metal injection molded trigger also helps its buttery smooth feel as metal moves better than plastic greatly improving the overall precision and ease of use.
6. Anti-Dry Fire
A spring-loaded safety bar keeps the bolt from firing prematurely while it’s being loaded. This prevents potentially lethal accidental shots further cementing the Recruiter Terrain’s spot as a beginner’s crossbow.
7. Premium Strings
Crosswire™ branded strings is sturdy and can withstand a lot of firings. These long-lasting strings can also endure the on the harshest elements so tension will remain the same in extreme weather conditions such as snow and heat.
8. CNC Machined Picatinny Rail
Whether they're optics, quivers, bipods, or lights, the Picatinny rails on this Barnett Recruiter Terrain can accommodate them all. Customization is a breeze with this heavy duty but lightweight rail.
9. Single Bolt Assembly
It's ready to be used out of the box once a bolt is loaded. Others that may have a smaller packaging requires assembly; some even need more complex assembly methods than others. With the Barnett Recruiter Terrain, load it up with a single bolt, and you're automatically field-ready.
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Should I get this crossbow?
The Recruit Terrain is excellent for beginners. It’s an accurate compound crossbow with a lot of power. You can expect 96.7 ft. Lbs. of pure kinetic energy with 400 grain-bolts. 380-grain bolts, on the other hand, can be launched at 91.9 ft. lbs., still enough for a kill shot at 30-40 yards.
At 330 FPS, it’s more than enough to make sure that you get hit your target. All of this is reached with just 140 lbs. of draw weight. These features make it an excellent for small-framed hunters, youth, and beginners.
If you’re not a big person, but would still like to try your hand at hunting medium sized game, then the Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow is for you. It doesn’t compromise power despite its measly 6.4 lbs. total weight so you’ll be able to hunt elk and still have the energy to haul your game all the way home.
The Pros and Cons
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS CROSSBOW
WHAT CAN BE IMPROVED
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Barnett Recruiter Terrain come with a warranty?
Barnett gives a standard warranty of 3 years on all of their products.
2. Can this kill a deer and at what distance is it deadly enough to kill a deer?
Yes. It has an effective distance of 40-50 yards. Read our reviews on best crossbow for the money if you are looking for other powerful brands.
3. How do you take the safety off?
It has to be cocked back to use to turn the safety on and off. Make sure you know how to use a crossbow properly before taking it off.
4. Can you buy this for a left-handed person?
The safety is double sided so you can operate the crossbow from either side.
5. Should I loosen the strings when I put it in storage when hunting season is over?
The performance of the bow might suffer when it’s not tightened properly when the next hunting season begins.
FINAL VERDICT
Barnett Recruit Terrain Crossbow
After a careful assessment through this Barnett Recruit crossbow review, we definitely will recommend this excellent hunting equipment.
The Barnett Recruiter Terrain is an exceptional crossbow for its price. Durability is its most enticing feature. The all-aluminum build quality makes it one of the best value-for-money hunting investment.
The highly durable strings feel reliable and will not break in the middle of the hunting season. This combination ultimately results in a powerful crossbow capable of reaching speeds that rival significantly more expensive crossbows out in the market. The Anti Dry Fire feature prevents hobbyists from potentially disastrous accidental firings.
Furthermore, its lightweight design would help beginners and novices build up more muscle strength so when they're ready to move on to more hardcore hardware in the future as their hunting requirements progress.
All of these come at a budget price. It is excellent for beginners and more advanced hunters. So, if you’re either just beginning your hunting journey or introducing a young person to the joys of hunting, the Recruiter Terrain is the right choice. We rate this crossbow 4.5 stars out of 5.
