Diamond StrykeZone 380 Review – Compound Crossbow

ModelDraw WeightStrokeVelocitySuggested Arrow LengthCrossbow Length / Weight
Diamond StrykeZone 380

Diamond StrykeZone 380

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160 lbs.15.5"380 FPS

Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning
22"34.75" / 6.9 lbs.
Pros:
- Short and lightweight
- Stock length is perfect for blind hunting
- Excellent trigger

Cons:
- Rope cocking device sometimes pops onto top of the rail
- Secondary safety plug is easy to lose
- No warranty coverage if purchased from most online retailers
Small Game Hunting?yes2
Deer, Elk Hunting?yes2
Moose, Bear Hunting?yes2
Target Shooting?yes2
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Also Recommended:Best Diamond Archery Crossbows

Package Contents

Well, it’s time to take a look at Diamond Archery’s Stryker StrykeZone 380. Each package delivered by Diamond Archery includes the following items:

  • The Diamond Archery Stryker StrykeZone 380 crossbow
  • Multi-reticle scope
  • Assembly hardware and tools
  • Shoulder sling
  • Rope cocking device
  • Detachable 5-bolt quiver
  • 5 385-grain arrows
  • Owner’s manual
  • Warranty card

Assembling The Crossbow

From unboxing to fully assembled took me less than 20 minutes. The most complicated part of putting this crossbow together is setting the cables in the cable slide, but the owner’s manual does a great job of describing and showing how to accomplish this. Once you’ve got the cable slide in, you mount the riser to the barrel with a single Allen screw, and then attach the stirrup and quiver base. With all of that done, you’re ready to sight in and start shooting.

Accuracy And Power

diamond380_!The StrykeZone 380 is rated at 380 fps with a 385-grain arrow, delivering 123 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy. This is plenty powerful for any type of shooting, although you will want to prop your target block against a solid surface to prevent it from being knocked over when you shoot. I usually prop mine against a tree stump or place it flush against my backstop.

The accuracy of this crossbow is also excellent. It took me around 4 shots to have the crossbow sighted in, and then I began to test it in earnest for accuracy. I fired from 25, 50, and 75 yards (even farther than the reticles on the included scope really account for). From 25 yards, my groupings were less than half an inch, and my 50-yard groupings were just under an inch. When I stopped back to 75 yards, I was able to maintain 1-1/2” groupings, so I give this crossbow a definite thumbs-up for accuracy. Mind you, this was shooting with the included arrows, which aren’t the greatest quality in the world. Switching to a Victory VooDoo arrow at 22” and 415 grain, I was able to drop my 75-yard groupings down to an inch, the best I’ve ever shot with a crossbow, I think.

Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Hunting: What To Expect

I took this crossbow with me on my last turkey hunt as well as on several deer hunts, and it’s never let me down. The short stock is perfect for aiming from a turkey blind, even when wearing bulky clothing, and the blackout finish disappears completely inside my blind. Those toms didn’t see what was coming when I blew through one 15 yards away and watched my arrow fly another 60 yards before burrowing into the ground.

Deer hunting was just as good. I had a 12-point buck amble past my deer stand, and I took careful aim at his shoulder quarter. The shot passed clean through both of his lungs, dropping him almost instantly. This is definitely a good crossbow for hunting. It’s compact and lightweight, and narrow enough to avoid getting it snagged on limbs and brush when you’re walking through the forest.

Ballistic Data For The Diamond StrykeZone 380

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.

Cocking The Crossbow

The Diamond Archery Stryker StrykeZone 380 has a draw weight of 160 pounds, and the draw is smooth and easy. The only trouble I ran into is that with the shorter stock, most rope cocking devices tend to jump off the string and onto the rail if you don’t apply some downward force towards the rail when you are cocking it. This is really a minor inconvenience, and you get used to the adjusted pull pretty easily.

The Crossbow Scope

diamond380_2The included scope is a compact multi-reticle scope, and it comes almost sighted in right out of the box. Four shots and a few adjustments to windage, and I was completely sighted in. The scope holds true for months, and the optics are coated for optimum resistance to fogging. My only beef with this scope is that it’s not illuminated, but I have plenty of illuminated scopes that I can (and most likely will) fit onto the StrykeZone 380 for early morning or late evening hunting.

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

Bolts

Diamond ships this crossbow with 5 385-grain arrows, and these arrows are decent enough for accurate shooting. I did find they tend to wobble a bit, and I had better accuracy with third-party arrows. I also found the arrows to split after a few shots, so I quickly switched to using Firebolt and Victory VooDoo arrows instead of the included arrows. Any 22” arrow should shoot find off this crossbow, even if you increase your arrow’s weight to 400 grain or more.

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

Safety and Design

The StrykeZone is lightweight and well built, and very comfortable to carry, hold, and shoot. The crossbow is quieter than average, and adding limb dampeners has made it almost silent.

The Auto-Flip magnetic safety engages perfectly every time the bolt receiver is lifted or the bow is cocked, and a removable Cease-Fire safety plug locks the jaws and immobilizes the trigger until you remove it to shoot. My only problem with this secondary safety is that it is pretty easy to drop and lose. Still, the bow’s regular safety and anti-dry fire mechanism work flawlessly and should protect you from dry and misfires.

The trigger pull on this crossbow is a very light, rifle-like 3 pounds, one of the lightest triggers I’ve ever experienced on a crossbow. This makes for superb accuracy and a very pleasant shooting experience.

Warranty

The biggest problem I have with Diamond Archery these days is their warranty policy. If you purchase your crossbow directly from Diamond Archery or from an authorized retailer, you get a limited lifetime warranty. However, if you purchase your crossbow online from a retailer that is not an authorized retailer, there’s no warranty at all. Make sure to check if you are buying from an authorized retailer before you make your purchase. These are great crossbows and you probably won’t need the warranty, but it’s better to have it than not.

What Crossbow Case Fits the Diamond StrykeZone 380?

One of the least expensive soft case choices for the Diamond StrykeZone 380 is the soft Allen Company case at $30. The Plano 1133-00 Manta Crossbow Case is a nice hard case choice which is around $120. It is adjustable to accommodate the crossbow and scope size.

Crossbow Review – Summary

Thanks for reading our crossbow review. The Diamond Archery Stryker StrykeZone 380 is about as perfect a hunting crossbow as you’ll ever find. Sure, it has its drawbacks, but most of these are easily worked around. Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.

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