Is The Ravin R20 Best For 2023? Our Review

Ravin Crossbows’ top-of-the-line model, the R20 Sniper, delivers cutting-edge crossbow technology and rifle-like long-range accuracy in an ultra-compact package. Engineered with patented HeliCoil technology, the R20 Sniper offers the ultimate power, speed, and accuracy.

The package includes six Ravin arrows, a quiver and mounting bracket, a Versa-Draw cocking handle, built-in sling mounts, and a custom Vortex Strike Eagle scope that mounts to an adjustable jack plate and riser level.

The quality and performance of this industry-leading design are hard to match, but it comes at a price. The price tag on this one will be cost-prohibitive to many shooters. For those with the cash, however, the R20 Sniper crossbow delivers performance and accuracy to rival some modern rifles, especially at close range. This one is worth every penny.

What’s Included In Ravin R20 Sniper Package

• Ravin R20
• 6 Ravin Branded Arrows and Ravin Nocks
• Removable Cocking Handle
• Quiver and Mounting Bracket
• 6 – 100 Grain Practice Field Points
• 100 Yard illuminated Scope
• Built-In Cocking Mechanism
• Anti-Dry Fire/Auto Safety
• Built-In Sling Mounts

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Ravin R20 Crossbow Detailed Review

One of the fastest and most powerful crossbows on the market, the Ravin R20 Sniper produces a flight velocity of 430 feet per second with an astonishing 164-foot pounds of kinetic energy right off the rail. This crossbow achieves this type of power through a combination of Ravin’s patented HeliCoil technology and Frictionless Flight System.

HeliCoil technology coils the crossbow cables away from the cams in helical grooves. This allows the cams to rotate a full 340 degrees while remaining level. The result is increased power, high-level accuracy, and reduced noise and vibration.

Ravin’s Frictionless Flight System allows the bolt to float almost above the rail. Touching the crossbow in only two spots, the string and the dual rollers of the rest, the bolt is fired with minimal friction, increasing speed, power, and downrange accuracy.

Producing enough power to take on the largest, most challenging game, including elk, black bear, and even moose, the R20 Sniper is tough on practice targets. You’ll want to use a heavy-duty, crossbow-specific target. Otherwise, you may lose bolts through penetration.

Durability

The Ravin R20 Sniper is heavily vented to lessen weight and optimize balance. Built for speed and easy maneuverability, it is a well-designed crossbow. It comes with a five-year limited warranty.

The stock is constructed of two pieces of cast polymer, making it durable and lightweight. Ravin recommends changing the strings and cables every two years or 200 shots to ensure the performance of your crossbow and ensure it lasts for years.

Because this is a high-velocity crossbow, the excessive pressure can wear your strings, cables, and other moving parts more quickly than lower-velocity models. Be sure to wax your strings regularly and apply rail lube to keep your crossbow in top working order.

Quality of Optics

Included in the Ravin R20 Sniper package is a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8×24 mm scope. The multi-coated lenses on this scope deliver a clear image, wide-sight picture, and impressive low-light performance.

Also included in the R20 Sniper Package the Jack Plate Adjustable Elevation Mount. Allows the shooter to dial in exact yardage from point blank to 200 yards for incredible pinpoint accuracy. Designed originally for use on AR platform rifles, this scope features a single illuminated, glass-etched reticle.

While the Jack Plate Adjustable Elevation Mount allows you to adjust the scope to accommodate for distance and arrow drag, adjustments in the heat of the hunt could prove problematic, potentially frightening the skittish game with extra movement. Still, this is a great scope that beats most of the aftermarket options in quality and practicality.

Noise Suppression

The unique HeliCoil design of the R20 Sniper helps reduce noise and vibration. However, with great speed usually comes excellent sound, and the R-20 have no exception. Not the loudest crossbow on the market, the R-20 Sniper is still nowhere near whisper quiet.

User Comfort

While the power and speed produced by the Ravin R20 Sniper are its major selling points, the comfort, ease, and maneuverability of this compact gem shouldn’t be overlooked. When cocked, the R20 Sniper measures only 6 inches from axel to axel.

Its skeletonized design makes this crossbow ultralight, weighing only 6.9 pounds, scope, and all. This crossbow couldn’t be easier to maneuver in the tightest of hunting spots, making it perfect for hunting from tree stands or close-quarter blinds.

When shouldered, the Ravin R20 Sniper handles so much like a well-balanced rifle that it’s easy to forget you’re shooting a crossbow. This crossbow boasts an ambidextrous design making it easy to use for both right and left-handed shooters.

The R20 Sniper also has the patented Versa-Draw Cocking System integrated into the stock, making cocking simple and easy. And since it requires only a meager 12 pounds of cocking force, almost anyone can draw this crossbow without breaking a sweat.

Safety

The Ravin R20 Sniper package features top-quality safety features you should expect from an expensive, top-of-the-line crossbow. The polymer stock has an easy-grasp pistol grip with texturing and well-placed finger grooves. The texturing extends to the wide fore-end, which also incorporates finger grooves on each side.

This design makes the R20 Sniper easy to handle even with gloved hands and keeps sensitive fingers instinctively away from dangerous moving parts. Most impressive is Ravin’s Trac-Trigger Firing System, designed to retract the string repeatedly to provide razor-straight nock travel.

The Trac-Trigger also features a two-position safety and anti-dry-fire system. Both automatically engage when the Trac-Trigger clamps the string at the archway bracket. The system is engaged until the trigger pull, which has a solid wall and requires under 3 pounds of trigger pull. This trigger system stands out as one of the best in the world of crossbows and even rivals some modern firearms.

R20 Arrow Testing | Watch This Video Before Checkout

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Addons

The Ravin R20 Sniper package comes pre-tuned and fully assembled with everything you need to start shooting straight out of the package. All you need to do is attach the quiver and sight in the scope.

You’ll only need a Ravin crossbow case to protect your equipment when traveling or storing during the off-season.

Ravin R10 vs R20: A Closer Look which Gear Should You Get?

Undoubtedly, both R10 and R20 are extremely good crossbows of Ravin but let’s compare both to decide which is better. There is no obvious difference between the two crossbows regarding the design, but in performance, Ravin R20 is better than R10. Where R10 can shoot the bolt at 400 fps, the R20 has a shooting power of 430 fps. If you are participating in a competition, 30fps makes a great difference, so R20 would be a better choice for speed.

Furthermore, Ravin R10 is good for running and gunning or targeting treestand because it is much easier to carry than the R20. The Ravin R20 is a little heavier, but it’s also good for all hunting situations. Not to disappoint you, but you will face clutch slipping with Ravin R10. This is the only problem with R10. Besides that, it is a great crossbow for youngsters and elders.

Summary

The level of performance and comfort the Ravin R20 Sniper package offers is unrivaled in the crossbow world. Deliver blistering velocities, hard-hitting kinetic energy, and repeatable pinpoint accuracy; this world-class crossbow easily dominates the competition. Its compact, lightweight design makes it practical for every big game hunting situation.

The price tag is the only major drawback to this masterstroke of technology and design. Despite the Ravin R20 Sniper’s superior performance, it comes at a price point well outside the average shooter’s budget. However, if money is no object and you want the best of the best, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better crossbow.