Browning OneSevenOne Review – Compound Crossbow

ModelDraw WeightStrokeVelocitySuggested Arrow LengthCrossbow Length / Weight
Browning OneSevenOne Crossbow
Browning OneSevenOne Crossbow

Check price on Amazon.com
170 lbs.14.625"390 FPS

Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning
22"36.75" / 7.2 lbs.
Pros:
- Fast and powerful
- Crisp TriggerTech trigger with a three-pound pull
- Innovative rail for rope-cocking device ensures an even, consistent pull
- Includes three Picatinny rails for accessories

Cons:
- Questionable safety after the recalls of Browning’s 2016 models
- Included scope does not hold zero
- Uses non-standard 22-inch arrows
Small Game Hunting?yes2
Deer, Elk Hunting?yes2
Moose, Bear Hunting?yes2
Target Shooting?yes2
Today's Online Prices:Compare Prices

Thanks for reading what I have to say about the Browning OneSevenOne crossbow. Browning has been innovating the firearms industry for years. In 2016, the company set out to do the same for crossbow hunting. Unfortunately, the 2016 models, OneSixOne and OneSixTwo, both came under a recall due to faulty nock sensors. The remedy, replacing the trigger and nock sensor, seemed to solve the problem. Let’s see how the new model for 2017, the OneSevenOne, fares.

What Comes With This Crossbow?

When you purchase your Browning OneSevenOne, here’s what you get in the box:

  • The Browning OneSevenOne x-bow itself
  • Browning soft-sound string suppressors (preinstalled)
  • Cross 1.5–5x32mm illuminated scope
  • Three-arrow quiver with mounting bracket
  • Three 22-inch carbon arrows
  • Rope-cocking device
  • Owner’s manual
  • Warranty card

How Difficult Is It to Assemble the OneSevenOne?

Browning ships this x-bow fully assembled. All you have to do is install the quiver and mount the scope, and then you’re ready to rock and roll.

How Easy Is the Included Cross Scope to Sight In?

Browning includes a Cross 1.5–5x32mm illuminated scope that is adjustable for various velocities. Dial it in to 390 FPS, and then you’re ready to sight in. It only took me about six shots to have the scope sighted in, which is good. However, this scope tends not to hold zero very well, even if you treat it with kid-gloves. I’d recommend replacing the scope with a better one.

What’s the Accuracy and Power Like?

The Browning OneSevenOne is considerably beefed up over the 2016 models, now incorporating a 170-pound draw weight to propel your arrows downrange at 390 FPS. At that speed, the standard 400-grain arrows will have 135 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, quite a bit more than you need to take down the toughest, meanest, biggest game legal for hunting in North America. Yes, I’m talking grizzlies and bison here.

Accuracy, as long as the scope is properly sighted in, is spot on. Right after setting up my x-bow, I was maintaining one-inch patterns from 20 yards and groups just under two inches from 50 yards. Unfortunately, the scope lost zero pretty quickly, and I ended up replacing it with a third-party optic. Bear in mind, this x-bow just came out, so to have a scope lose zero that quickly is pretty bad.

Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Ballistic Data For The Browning OneSevenOne

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 This X-bow?

This is a powerful x-bow, and the weight is just about right. Even with all of my accessories loaded onto the crossbow (yes, even arrows), it weighed less than ten pounds. You won’t have much trouble carrying this baby through the bush to your hunting spot.

As far as the size goes, the 171 is about middle-of-the-road. Its 36.75 inches long and 19.875 inches axle-to-axle uncocked. It might be a bit cramped in small ground blinds, but should be just fine in most tree stands and other hunting situations.

The inclusion of three Picatinny rails on the sides and belly of the stock is quite nice, allowing you plenty of spots for accessories.

The x-bow is very quiet, so you don’t need to worry about your prey string-jumping when you take your shot. And, with the TriggerTech ADF trigger’s three-pound crisp and smooth pull, firing this crossbow will feel more like shooting a rifle than a x-bow.

How Hard Is the OneSevenOne to Cock?

The draw weight on this model is 170 pounds, but it comes with a rope-cocking device that reduces that down to about 85 pounds. The x-bow has a flight track hook groove that helps you ensure the rope-cocking devices is evenly distributed along the string, offering unparalleled consistency and better accuracy.

How Good Is the Included Scope?

The scope is garbage, plain and simple. Its only redeeming quality is that it’s illuminated, but that’s not very useful when it loses zero so easily. If you buy this x-bow, plan on replacing the scope with something reliable.

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

What Kind of Arrows Should I Use?

Browning has done something unusual here, and used 22-inch arrows with its x-bow. The included arrows are carbon and are pretty decent, but you may want better quality early on. Any 22-inch crossbow arrows will suit you just fine, as long as you maintain a weight of 400-grain.

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

How’s the Safety and Design?

Browning has really made a safe x-bow here, as long as the nock sensor doesn’t fail. Considering the company isolated the problem and provided repair kits to their service centers, it seems the OneSevenOne should be free of troubles. I haven’t had any problems, nor have I heard of any from other reviewers.

The soft-touch foregrip has a good shield to keep your fingers free of the string’s path, and the anti dry-fire and safety mechanisms work perfectly.

What Kind of Warranty Backs This Crossbow?

Browning warrants the stock, trigger mechanism, and limbs of its crossbows for the lifetime of the original owner. Strings, cables, arrows, and accessories (including the scope) are not covered by any warranty. As is the norm, dry-firing (including attempting to fire your Browning x-bow with an arrow weighing less than 400-grain) will void the warranty.

Browning OneSevenOne Crossbow Review – Summary

Thanks for reading my review of the Browning OneSevenOne crossbow. This is a great x-bow paired with a lousy scope. If you already have a good scope to use instead, this can be a great value. Otherwise, you might want to pass on this one in favor of a model with a high-quality included scope.

Make sure to check today’s Amazon.com price on the Browning OneSevenOne Crossbow if you’re interested.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Are you human? * Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

XML Sitemap