There is enough power produced to take on the toughest, largest game including moose, black bear, and elk. The R20 is hard on practice targets. Unless a crossbow specific, heavy-duty target is used, the penetration is likely to cause bolts to be lost.

It is recommended to change cables and strings every 200 shots or two years to ensure the crossbow’s performance and longevity. The high-velocity of the crossbow causes excessive pressure that wears moving parts, cables, and strings. The strings need to be waxed regularly and handrail lube applied to keep the crossbow working in top order.

In the tightest of spots, the crossbow is easy to maneuver, making it ideal for close quarter blinds or tree stands. The Ravin R20 is not like any crossbow in existence. It looks like a narrow crossbow but is very powerful and should not end up as a plaything in the hands of children.

If hunting, jumping, and running is to the users’ liking, the R20 is for them. Adding rapid speed of more than 400 FPS to an R20 that measures six inches in length when activated results in a crossbow that causes a stir on the ground and in the woods.

The super compact R20 is ideal for nearly any hunting situation including spot-and-shoot, treestand, watchtower, or ground blind situations. When complaints about accuracy were lodged, Black Eagle Arrows replaced Golden Tip arrows.

Grouping became a bit tighter after the change. Advertising the R20 as a rifle look alike, and a 100-yard weapon has spurred some of the accuracy complaints. People buy the crossbow thinking it will work like a rifle.

It is a piece of archery gear that requires some training to be effective. The wind has a substantial impact on arrows. The R20 is an incredible piece of equipment. The maximum effective range for the average shooter is under 60 yards. It takes time and skill to shoot past 60 yards. Those who can reach 100-yard targets are not taking ethically justifiable game.

The R20 is heavily vented to optimize balance and lessen weight. Two pieces of cast polymer are used in the construction of the stock making it lightweight and durable. The speed and power the R20 produces are major selling points.

Not to be overlooked are the maneuverability, ease, and comfort of the compact gem. The R20 measurement from axel to axel is six inches when cocked. The skeletonized design makes the crossbow ultralight. It weighs only 6.9 pounds which include the scope.

When shouldered, the R20 handles much like a rifle that is well-balanced. Shooters forget they are shooting a crossbow. It is a 13-inch power plant generating kinetic energy of 164 feet and 430 SPF.

Its 34.5-inch size and mere 6.8-pound tilting force are the smallest ever manufactured by Ravin. The advertised weight is not for the crossbow alone. When all the accessories that include the arrows, quiver, and scope are added the weight is 8.8 pounds. Comparing to other crossbows is difficult. The Ravin R20's weight is among the lightest crossbows with a crank. Most weigh approximately ten pounds.

The heavy venting of the R20 optimizes balance and lessens weight. Two pieces of cast polymer are used in the construction of the stock making it lightweight and durable. The speed and power the R20 produces are major selling points.

Not to be overlooked are the maneuverability, ease, and comfort of the compact gem. The R20 measurement from axel to axel is six inches when cocked. The skeletonized design makes the crossbow ultralight. It weighs only 6.9 pounds which include the scope.

When shouldered, the R20 handles much like a rifle that is well-balanced. Shooters forget they are shooting a crossbow. It is a 13-inch power plant generating kinetic energy of 164 feet and 430 SPF.

Its 34.5-inch size and mere 6.8-pound tilting force are the smallest ever manufactured by Ravin. The advertised weight is not for the crossbow alone. When all the accessories that include the arrows, quiver, and scope are added the weight is 8.8 pounds. Comparing to other crossbows is difficult. The Ravin R20's weight is among the lightest crossbows with a crank. Most weigh approximately ten pounds.

The Trac-Triggers features a system for anti-dry-fire and a two-position, bilateral, paddle style safety. Both automatically engage upon the string clasped by the trigger at the archway bracket. When fully withdrawn, the trigger is engaged by the system. The skeletonized anodized aluminum unit is single-action.

The pull weight of a test model trigger was 3.2 pounds which is close to the average model. An illuminated sight offers speed compensation. Nine targets give shooters 20 to 100-meter scores.

The R20 proved its worth when shooting was tested. Three arrows were used to shoot five groups from 30 meters. All groups were less than 1.5 inches in length. The arrow blades were touching each other.

The crossbow is not locked, and a human element impacts results. Consistency was excellent and expected from a top-of-the-range crossbow. The R20 does not function in a typical bow press.

Versa-Draw cocking handle, a mounting bracket, quiver, six Ravin arrows, and the scope that can be mounted to a riser level and jack plate that can be adjusted are included.

The scope that is included has lenses with multiple coats that deliver impressive performance in low light, broad sight picture, and a clear image. Also included is an adjustable Jack Plate Elevation Mount that permits the user to dial yardage from 200 yards to point blank for pinpoint accuracy.

A glass etched, single illuminated reticle is featured. Though the mount permits scope adjustment to harmonize arrow drag and distance, adjustments when in the middle of a hunt can prove problematic.

The extra movements could potentially frighten skittish game. It is still a great scope, better than most aftermarket practicality and quality options. The R20 generates devastating downhill run accuracy. It has integrated sling mounting, fire safety/car fire protection, an integrated clamping device, and illuminated rifle range.

The crossbow has an easy to use an ambidextrous design for right and left-handed shooters. A patented Versa-Draw Cocking System has been integrated into the R20 that makes cocking simple. A mere 12 pounds of force is required to cock the crossbow. Nearly anyone can draw without breaking a sweat.

The railless system is a unique feature. Arrows do not rest on the rail. Much like a composite bow, the front of the crossbow has roller support, and lock-in nock is used on the outrigger back. The arrow is secure in the release system.

Unlike most crossbows, having an option of a crank or not, the R20 only comes with a crank. The manufacturer has thought of nearly everything in design. The most significant disadvantage is the price.

Don’t let size be an indicator of power. As one of the fastest and most powerful crossbows on the market, it produces a 430 FPS flight velocity. Right off the rail, the Ravin R20 has a kinetic energy of 164-foot pounds. That amount of energy is astonishing.

A combination of Frictionless Flight System and Ravin’s patented HeilCoil technology is responsible for the power provided. The Ravin Frictionless Flight System permits the bolt to float above the rail practically.

In the quest for high speed and rifle-like precision, the model reached a new hight. A brilliant HeilCoil advance is responsible for the pure power of the crossbow. The Ravin R20 is among the fastest crossbow available.

It touches the rail in two spots, the dual rest rollers, and the string. Minimal friction is required to fire the bolt which increases downrange accuracy, power, and speed. The crossbow cables are coiled away from helical grooves of the cams with Helicoil technology. The cams rotate 340° while remaining level.

The well-designed crossbow is built for easy maneuverability and speed. The Helicoil design is unique. It aids in reducing vibration and noise. Great speed typically comes with great sound. The Ravin R20 is no exception. It is not the loudest crossbow available but is nowhere near whisper quiet.

It retracts the string in a repeatable fashion that provides razor-straight nock travel. The trigger features an anti-dry-fire system and a two-position safety. Both engage automatically when the trigger clamps the archway bracket string. The trigger system may be the best in the crossbow industry. It rivals some modern firearms.

When the crossbow is not hooked, its unique release system moves on the rope. The system guarantees the line is placed from the center which increases accuracy. The clutch that is integrated into the crank is another feature of the crank system. This mechanism prevents overhanging of the crossbow.

The patented nock system locks into the rope. An interesting aspect of the system is allowing the cord placement of the mechanism for dry fire protection to be behind the cord, rather than in front as most crossbows do. The possibility of dry firing is virtually eliminated. The crossbow won’t fire without the arrow pushed all the way. It must be completely fixed on the string.

The Ravin R20 has the top quality features expected from a high-end, expensive crossbow. The pistol grip of the polymer stock is easy to grab and has finger grooves that are well-placed and textured. The texturing stretches onto the wide forend where finger grooves are incorporated on both sides.

The design makes handling the R20 easy, even when wearing gloves and instinctively keeps fingers away from moving parts that can be dangerous. Ravin’s Trac-Trigger Firing System is the most impressive aspect of the design.

It retracts the string in a repeatable fashion that provides straight nock travel. The trigger features a system for anti-dry-fire and a two-position safety. Both engage automatically when the trigger clamps the archway bracket string. The trigger system may be the best in the crossbow industry. It rivals some modern firearms.

When the crossbow is not hooked, its unique release system moves on the rope. The system guarantees the line is placed from the center which increases accuracy. The clutch that is integrated into the crank is another feature of the crank system. This mechanism prevents overhanging of the crossbow.

The patented nock system locks into the rope. An interesting aspect of the system is allowing the cord placement of the mechanism for dry fire protection to be behind the cord, rather than in front as most crossbows do. The possibility of dry firing is virtually eliminated. The crossbow won’t fire without the arrow pushed all the way. It must be completely fixed on the string.

The quality and performance of the design are not easily matched. That performance and quality has a price. The price is cost prohibitive for many shooters. For those who can afford the Ravin R20, it delivers accuracy and performance rivaled by some modern rifles, particularly at close range. The crossbow is worth every penny. Those willing to invest in top-level performance and power will not be disappointed. It has a limited five-year warranty.

* 100-yard illuminated scope
* 164-foot-pounds of kinetic energy
* Anti-dry fire
* Auto safety
* Built-in sling mounts
* Built-in Versa-Draw cocking mechanism
* Cocking handle
* Fully assembled and pre-tuned
* Helicoil technology
* Mounting bracket
* Quiver
* Safety switch design
* Short guide design
* Six 100-grain practice field points
* Six Ravin branded arrows and Ravin nock

The level of comfort and performance offered by the R20 is unmatched in the crossbow world. It is a high-end crossbow that outdoes the competition by delivering repeatable pinpoint accuracy, hard-hitting kinetics energy, and blistering velocities.

Its lightweight, compact design makes it serviceable for hunting big game. The only drawback to the masterstroke of design and technology is the price. The price point is well out of the reach of the budget of the average shooter.

When money is not an issue, the Ravin R20 is the best crossbow in the world. It would be difficult to purchase a crossbow better than this one. Ravin changed the perceptions of crossbows performance and design.

The Ravin HeilCoil technology is the core of what sets the R20 apart from others on the market. Tremendous downrange accuracy, a more compact bow, and improved efficiency resulted. Helicoil impacts the major systems including the non-traditional roll that doesn’t support the bolt. It provides a structural connection between the stock and riser while serving as the Trac Trigger Firing System track.