Barnett Buck Commander ReVengeance Review – Reverse Crossbow

ModelDraw WeightStrokeVelocitySuggested Arrow LengthCrossbow Length / Weight
Barnett Buck Commander ReVengeance Crossbow
Barnett Buck Commander ReVengeance

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145 lbs.18"400 FPS

Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning
20"33.8" / 8.4 lbs.
Pros:
- Excellent safety features
- Three-pound trigger pull
- Quiet, hard-hitting, and accurate
- Includes an illuminated 4X scope

Cons:
- Quite heavy compared to other models
- Very wide for a reverse-draw x-bow
- Only includes a five-year warranty
- Confusing assembly instructions
Small Game Hunting?yes2
Deer, Elk Hunting?yes2
Moose, Bear Hunting?yes2
Target Shooting?yes2
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Hey there, thanks for stopping by. We’re looking at one of Barnett Crossbow’s latest products, the Buck Commander Revengeance. Barnett has built quite a reputation lately for fantastic products, so I was excited to get my hands on the Revengeance. Let’s see if Barnett is still producing great x-bows.

What Comes With This Crossbow?

When you unbox the Revengeance, you’ll find the following items:

  • The Barnett Buck Commander Revengeance itself
  • String dampeners
  • A rope-cocking device
  • 4x32mm Illuminated scope
  • Side-mount quiver
  • Two 20-inch Headhunter arrows
  • Lubrication wax
  • Owner’s manual
  • Warranty card

How Difficult Is It to Assemble Your New Crossbow?

With most reverse-draw crossbows, you don’t have to complete much to assemble the weapon. That’s not necessarily true with this model. I had to secure the cables into the flight track, install the string dampeners, and make sure the riser was properly attached to the stock. It wasn’t difficult, but it was time-consuming and the instruction manual is a bit confusing. Great videos on YouTube, but lousy instructions. Once you have it assembled and the scope mounted, though, you’re ready to go.

Is the Included Scope Easy to Sight In?

The 4×32 illuminated scope included with the Revengeance is quite easy to sight in. I was able to dial it in for my x-bow’s speed and get the scope fully zeroed in less than half a dozen shots. I’ve used this scope before, and while it isn’t my favorite, it does hold zero just about forever. You shouldn’t find yourself forced to adjust it periodically as you do with other scopes.

What’s the Accuracy and Power Like?

This is where something funny happened between Barnett’s engineers and the writers of the owner’s manual. The manual says not to use arrows weighing less than 400-grain, but the speed and kinetic energy are listed using 380-grain arrows. The included arrows, though, total 400-grain.

I clocked my 400-grain arrows flying off the Revengeance’s rail at around 390 FPS, just shy of the advertised speed. Impact energy, or kinetic energy, was measured at 135 foot pounds. That’s almost double what we recommend for hunting grizzly bear or buffalo, so this baby definitely has the power you need for any hunting situation.

Accuracy is also quite solid, and I was laying down one-inch groups with ease from 25 yards. Backing up to 50 yards, I could still maintain tight groups with a two-inch diameter. That’s definitely accurate enough for hunting anything humanely.
Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Ballistic Data For The Barnett Buck Commander ReVengeance

Your actual results will vary slightly depending on weather, and significantly with arrow weight change. See our Crossbow Ballistics Guides section for a complete understanding of how we conducted our tests and why this data matters.

Will Hunters Enjoy the Buck Commander Revengeance?

Make no mistake, this isn’t a light crossbow by any stretch of the imagination. Weighing in at 8.4 pounds, you might not appreciate carrying this puppy through the woods. Things don’t get much better when you get into the bush. This sucker is way too big.

Uncocked, the axle-to-axle width is 23.75 inches. Usually, reverse-draw x-bows get quite a bit narrower when you cock them, but the Revengeance only drops down to 18 inches. Granted, that’s not too bad for use in a tree stand, but it might be too wide for comfort in a ground blind. Other reverse-draw models are much narrower, at or under 10 inches.

How Difficult Is the Crossbow to Cock?

Barnett ships this x-bow with a rope cocking aid, and I strongly recommend using it. Drawing a traditional crossbow string by hand is dangerous enough, and not as accurate as when using a cocking device. This is compounded with any reverse-draw technology crossbow, simply because you have less string to work with as you’re pulling back. Use the included rope-cocking device, or purchase the optional hand-crank cocking system.

The string does pull back very smoothly, and it latches into place easily and securely. The anti dry-fire mechanism does a great job of preventing accidental discharges before you’ve loaded your arrow.

What’s the Included Scope Like?

The 4x32mm illuminated scope offers multiple reticles for aiming at different ranges, and it’s velocity-adjustable to tailor the glass to your crossbow. The brightness settings are almost perfect for all lighting conditions, and the scope sights in quickly and easily. You may be able to find a better scope, but this one works just fine for almost any hunting or target-shooting situation.

See our detailed guide on how to sight-in your crossbow

What Kind of Arrows Do I Need?

You only get two 20-inch Headhunter arrows with your x-bow. That’s a real pain if you don’t have extras, and takes a lot of the fun out of target practice. Buy more arrows. I recommend 300-grain carbon arrows, 22 inches long, with 100-grain field tips or broadheads. Easton makes some great ones, but my personal favorite is the Victory Archery XBolt.

You can also learn more about crossbow arrows and take a look at our broadhead recommendations

How’s the Safety and Design?

Barnett has utilized a TriggerTech assembly here that features frictionless release. The end result is a three-pound, zero-creep release that gives you a smoother, lighter trigger than anything else I’ve experienced. Nock sensors and an anti dry-fire mechanism work to provide double the assurance you won’t be able to fire the x-bow without an arrow loaded. The safety mechanism is also great.

What Kind of Warranty Backs This Crossbow?

Barnett only covers this x-bow for five years, unfortunately. With that said, Barnett’s customer service is top-notch and has been known to work with customers when they’re just a bit outside the warranty period.

Barnett Buck Commander Revengeance Crossbow Review – Summary

Thanks for reading my review of the Barnett BC Revengeance crossbow. This is a solid, accurate hard-hitting x-bow. Unfortunately, it’s heavier and bulkier than the competition, but it should still be solid as a hunting crossbow.

Make sure to check today’s Amazon.com price on the Barnett Buck Commander ReVengeance if you’re interested.

1 Comment

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  1. How expensive is barnett replacing the illuminated cap and guts of a cross 3×32 scope. Has anyone had this done

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