TenPoint Crossbow Siege RS410 Review

[deadeye]

After only four hunts, I cannot say I am a "seasoned" crossbow hunter, but I have learned quite a bit about it. I am happy with the crossbow I chose for a number of reasons. It's small, compact size and easy cock/decock crank mechanism makes very easy to carry in a backpack and load or unload while in a stand. Also, the compact size makes it easy to handle and shoot in most stands. It's fast, quiet and accurate. The scope, a Vortex Crossfire ii, arrow speed compensation, with lighted dots for 20 through 100 yards. To complete the hunting package, I purchased two 3-Pack's of the TenPoint Center Punch 16" Lighted Alpha-Blaze Premium carbon crossbow arrows. These don't come cheap. I paid $110 plus tax for each 3-Pack. I topped them off with The TenPoint expandable broadheads. The nocks did NOT light on either of the two arrows I shot this week. The nock is set about 1/8 inch from an aluminum collar but they did not compress when shot. It is like they are glued in place. I spoke to a TenPoint tech and was told that shouldn't happen. They are sending me replacement arrows. I was a bit shocked when I figured out the price per arrow shot at a deer or turkey. Not too bad if only the broadhead is destroyed, however, one of the fletching's was scraped off of the arrow I shot the doe with so that shot cost me $55. 

[Leech~~]

Dang, $110 for such great performance!  I hope my cheap $38 for 6 pack crossbow fleet farm arrows work, at all?        

[Steve-o]

Dang, $110 for such great performance!  I hope my cheap $38 for 6 pack crossbow fleet farm arrows work, at all?        

You just gotta figure out what your effective range is going to be.  Good luck to you both.

[deadeye]

Due to the very narrow crossbow (7.5" axel to axel) when cocked, they use a special "Alpha-nock" which has a large smooth radius to increase the string-to-nock contact. The nock looks more like the normal compound bow nock and not the flat surface on most compound arrows. I like the concept as it improves accuracy and reduces bow string ware. It also holds the bowstring in place on extremely narrow crossbows to prevent "shoot-over" or "shoot-under."  I used expandable broadheads in the past that had replaceable blades however, that also goes along with more parts that can fail. I like the simple "shoot it once", kill your target and hand the arrow on the garage wall method. It's more expensive but then again, just how many times are you going to shoot at animals in a given year!

Steve-o,
The doe I shot was about 20 yards away so at this time I do not know what my effective range would be. For turkeys, I have established a 60-yard range with a solid rest across open space. Note: I had previously practiced at this range and am confident in the bow and my ability to hit a target the size of an egg at that range. I may get some standard fixed blade broadheads for turkey hunting because then I could aim for the neck.     

[Steve-o]

Your turkey comment made me think of the ol' Gobbler Guillotine broadheads, and I found this posted up on Archery Talk.  (Because I believe EVERYTHING I read on the internet.  )  Guillotine Broadheads for Crossbow Hunting?  You cannot shoot the larger four inch Guillotine from a crossbow...ONLY the smaller 100 grain at a 2.5 inch cutting width.

And since I was back on Archery Talk for the first time in years and years and years...  And your other comment was about effective range - it reminded me of all those endless discussions/arguments/religious wars over there about what was more important for a deer kill shot...   arrow speed?  mass?  momentum?  penetration?  Light speedy arrows vs. slower, heavier, harder hitting arrows...  Bla. Bla. Bla.  And I remember reading articles elsewhere years ago that said standard compound bows were more "powerful" than crossbows because they delivered a heavier arrow.

I don't know if the power equation has changed as crossbows have gotten better.  I would concede that you can probably shoot a cross bow bolt farther and with more accuracy than a compound bow, but I have no idea at what ranges the lighter bolts lose the momentum they need for penetration.  At some point shot placement and broadhead cutting ability come into play as well.

Keep sharing your experiences, DE, because I value your opinions.