Stryker Katana Kit Review – Compound Crossbow

ModelDraw WeightStrokeVelocitySuggested Arrow LengthCrossbow Length / Weight
Stryker Katana Crossbow
Stryker Katana Crossbow Kit by Cabela's

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155 lbs.13"385 FPS

Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning
20"35" / 6.5 lbs.
Pros:
- Package includes everything you need, including sling and case
- Fast-firing and powerful x-bow
- Crisp 2.5-pound trigger pull

Cons:
- Manual safety instead of automatic
- Expensive investment for a traditional compound crossbow
Small Game Hunting?yes2
Deer, Elk Hunting?yes2
Moose, Bear Hunting?yes2
Target Shooting?yes2
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Well howdy! Thanks for stopping by to see what I think of the Stryker Katana Crossbow Kit by Cabela’s. The company behind Stryker, Bowtech, has been in the archery business for years. They’ve also established themselves as quality makers of crossbows, even being behind the fabled Excalibur recurve x-bows. Let’s see how well the Katana stacks up against the competition.

What Comes With This Crossbow?

No review would be complete without letting you know what you get for your money. Here’s what is included in Cabela’s package.

  • stryker-katana-crossbow-kit-by-cabelasThe Stryker Katana crossbow itself
  • Tact-Zone Illuminated Scope with 30mm rings
  • Guardian anti-dry-fire system
  • Ambidextrous cheekpiece
  • Four-bolt quiver with bracket
  • Four Accu-Lite bolts with 100-grain field points
  • Rope cocking aid
  • Cabela’s crossbow sling
  • Cabela’s deluxe crossbow case
  • Cabela’s Outfitter Crossbow Field-Point Target

That’s quite a complete outfit, giving you everything you might hope for and more. The Cabela’s accessories are definitely high quality, especially the field-point target. While most targets get shredded quickly, Cabela’s Outfitter target combines an internal frame system and multilayered density design built to withstand the damage that crossbow-launched field-point bolts create.

How Difficult Is It to Assemble Your New Crossbow?

Assembly is a snap, following Stryker’s easy-to-read instructions. I had my Katana x-bow ready to go within less than 10 minutes. Once you’ve got it put together and your scope mounted, you can move outside and start sighting in your new toy/weapon.

What’s the Accuracy and Power Like?

This isn’t a child’s toy, mind you. It’s a powerful weapon that flings arrows downrange at 385 feet per second. Using 400-grain arrows, you can count on the Katana delivering your ammunition with 131 foot-pounds of kinetic energy. That’s powerful enough to go clean through most compressed foam targets, nailing the arrow deep into the backstop. You do have a proper backstop, right?

As far as accuracy goes, this crossbow has it in spades. Once I had the scope sighted in, I was quickly laying down two-inch groupings from 50 yards with ease. If you have a steady hand and a good shooting stick, you’ll likely be able to do the same.

Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Ballistic Data For The Stryker Katana

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 Katana?

This particular package is a hunter’s dream. It includes everything you need to haul your kit to the hunting ground, a comfortable padded sling for carrying your crossbow on your back, and a fantastic x-bow with plenty of power, speed, and accuracy. The 131 foot-pounds of kinetic energy is twice what you need to take down just about any legal game in North America, including Cape buffalo.

Weighing just 6.5 pounds, you’ll carry this crossbow with ease through your hunting grounds. This is especially true using the included padded sling.

I took the Katana on a grizzly hunt, and found it an excellent companion. I was able to bag my bear, with a shot that left the animal barely able to stumble towards me in his rage and shock. Talk about an exciting hunt!

How Difficult Is the Crossbow to Cock?

With a draw weight of 155 pounds, this is neither the easiest nor the hardest crossbow to cock. We’ll call it about average, but I’ll say that the pull back is as smooth and silky as a hot knife through butter. Add in the included rope cocking device, and you’ve got a crossbow that’s a breeze to get ready.

What’s the Included Scope Like?

The included Tact-Zone illuminated scope is a pleasure to use, featuring multicoated optics and excellent brightness settings. I found this scope to be one of the easiest I’ve ever used to sight in, and it holds zero for quite a long time. Whether you’re hunting in bright daylight or low-light conditions, the Tact-Zone has your back. It’s a variable zoom 2.5X to 6X scope, and is adjustable for crossbows shooting at velocities from 275 FPS to 410 FPS.

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

What Kind of Bolts Do I Need?

You get four Accu-Lite arrows with the package, but they aren’t the greatest around. I quickly switched them out for Firebolt 20-inch carbon arrows at 425-grain. As long as you keep with carbon arrows that are at least 20 inches long and 400-grain or heavier, you’ll be in good shape.

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

How’s the Safety and Design?

It’s 2016, and I’d think that all crossbows would have automatic safeties by now. One look at the Katana, and I realized how wrong I was. The manual safety works perfectly fine, but I’d prefer to see an automatic mechanism instead.

On the other hand, the anti dry-fire mechanism works perfectly, and is, of course, automatic.

Even with its faults, this is a nicely designed crossbow with good balance and durability. It features little frontal heaviness, making it a pleasure to shoot with.

What Kind of Warranty Backs This Crossbow?

Stryker backs the Katana crossbow with a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner. The customer service personnel are excellent, quick to give you advice and help when you need it.

Stryker Katana Crossbow Review – Summary

Thanks for reading my review of the Stryker Katana Crossbow Package by Cabela’s. This is a total kit, providing you with everything you need to get hunting. Unfortunately, it features a manual safety and it’s one of the most sizeable investments I’ve come across in crossbow kits.

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

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