| Model | Draw Weight | Stroke | Velocity | Suggested Arrow Length | Crossbow Length / Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Velocity Lionheart Review Check price on Amazon.com | 175 lbs. | 11.5" | 310 FPS Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning | 20" | 36.5" / 7.48 lbs. |
| Pros: - Incredibly inexpensive crossbow - Excellent finish - Includes everything you need to get started Cons: - Only includes red dot scope - Noisier than other crossbows | Small Game Hunting? |  |
| Deer, Elk Hunting? | |
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| Moose, Bear Hunting? | |
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| Target Shooting? | |
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| Today's Online Prices: | Compare Prices |
What’s In the Box?
Welcome to our review of the Velocity Lionheart crossbow. I’m normally leery of the super inexpensive crossbows, so let’s see how the Lionheart stacks up. Each package delivered by Velocity includes the following items:
- The Velocity Lionheart crossbow
- Red dot scope
- Assembly hardware and tools
- 6-arrow quiver
- 4 carbon arrows
- Rope cocking device
- Sling
- Owner’s manual
- Warranty card
Once you’ve unboxed everything, it’s time to get started with assembly.
Assembly of Your New Crossbow
Velocity includes a very good owner’s manual with the crossbow, and they also feature excellent videos on their web site for assembly and sighting in. Assembling the Lionheart only took me about 10 minutes. You install the cable slide, attach the limbs to the stock, and then attach the foot stirrup. After that, you will mount your quiver and scope, and possibly attach your sling. After that, you’re ready to sight in the crossbow.
Accuracy And Power
Before testing for accuracy, I sighted in the included red dot scope. I’m not a big fan of red dot scopes, but this one is nicer than some. It sighted in within 4 shots, and I was then able to move on to checking out how accurately this inexpensive crossbow shoots.
From 20 yards, I could maintain a ½” grouping with ease. Moving out to 30 yards, I kept my pattern in at under 1-1/2”, and my 40 yard grouping was just shy of 2” in diameter. That’s not bad for an unmagnified red dot scope, so I was pretty pleased with the accuracy.
What about the power, though? The Velocity Lionheart fires arrows at up to 310 fps, delivering just over 85 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy at point-blank range. This is powerful enough to knock your target block over if you aren’t careful, so save yourself some time and heartache and make sure that target is propped up against something!
Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.Ballistic Data For The Velocity Lionheart
- Speed Reduction
- Kinetic Energy
- Hunting Requirements
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.
How Good is the Lionheart for Hunting?
With the accuracy and power, this is an excellent crossbow for hunting game of all kinds and sizes. It’s also relatively lightweight; at almost 7.5 lbs., it isn’t the lightest crossbow on the market, but it’s far from the heaviest! I’ve seen many a more expensive crossbow meeting these specifications come in at nearly 9 pounds, so I was quite pleased with the weight of the Lionheart. I carried it with ease, especially since it comes with a sling, and was able to get to my deer stand without feeling fatigued.
Once I w
as in position on my hunting trip with the Lionheart, I waited patiently for a deer, moose, or elk to come by—I had tags for all three, because I knew that all three animals frequented the area I was hunting. After a couple of hours, as the sun was peaking in the sky, I spotted a bull moose about 45 yards from my position. I called him, and he ambled towards me. When he was within 25 yards, I found him in an excellent position for a shot—flanking slightly past me, with his left forequarter in excellent profile against the woods. I aimed carefully, took the shot, and watched my arrow fly clean through him, leaving a very large exit wound on the other side. He ran off for about 40 yards, and then I found him deceased and ready to be field-dressed.
Cocking The Lionheart
The Velocity Lionheart has a draw weight of 175#, so I strongly recommend using the included rope cocking device. You could also use a universal hand crank cocking device, since the butt stock is shaped perfectly for the addition of one of those tools. The draw is smooth and consistent, and the ambidextrous safety and dry fire inhibitor engage perfectly every time.
The Crossbow Scope
The package I ordered came with a red dot scope, which is useful mainly for close range hunting. The scope is a simple red dot scope with just a single dot, but it sights in quickly and easily. It holds true for months of use, and resists fogging pretty well.
See our detailed guide on how to sight-in your crossbowBolts
The included bolts with the Velocity Lionheart are simple 20” carbon bolts, and they shoot fairly well. I have my own personal preference on bolts, though, as most do, and I prefer to use my Firebolt arrows with any crossbow I use. If you order or purchase replacement bolts for your crossbow, just stick with 20” carbon bolts with a weight of 400 grain, and you’ll be in good shape.
Safety and Design
The Velocity Lionheart is surprisingly well constructed for such an inexpensive crossbow. It features an ambidextrous safety and a dry fire inhibitor system, and has fiberglass quad limbs with a CNC machined riser. The safety and dry fire inhibitor engage perfectly each and every time, and the finish of the stock is perfectly applied.
My only real complaint about the Lionheart is the noise; this crossbow is noisier than most of my other crossbows. Installing limb dampeners and string silencers helps, but it’s still a tad too noisy for my liking.
Warranty
Velocity offers a 5-year limited warranty on all of their crossbows, and their customer service staff are friendly and knowledgeable. You will find them easy to work with if you have problems with your crossbow.
What Crossbow Case Fits the Velocity Lionheart?
A good companion for the Velocity Lionheat is the Plno Soft-Sided Case. This soft case option is around $47. A hard case option is the Plano 1133-00 Manta Crossbow Case for $120. If you want to pack in style, opt for the hard SKB Hunter Series Crossbow Case.
Crossbow Review – Summary
Thanks for reading our crossbow review. The Velocity Lionheart is an excellent entry-level crossbow, suitable for either first time crossbow hunters or veterans. It may not offer all of the bells and whistles of its more expensive counterparts, but it serves well as a hunting or target practice crossbow. Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.
