| Model | Draw Weight | Stroke | Velocity | Suggested Arrow Length | Crossbow Length / Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSE Reaper Crossbow Check price on Amazon.com | 185 lbs. | 12.5" | 310 FPS Crossbow Academy: ballistics, sighting, tuning | 20" | 38" / 8 lbs. |
| Pros: - Lightweight and easy to fire - Includes everything you need to get started Cons: - Fasteners break when trying to tighten - Poor assembly instructions | Small Game Hunting? |  |
| Deer, Elk Hunting? | |
|
| Moose, Bear Hunting? | |
|
| Target Shooting? | |
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| Also Recommended: | Best PSE Crossbows |
Package Contents
Welcome to our review of the PSE Reaper. Each package delivered by PSE includes the following items:
- PSE Reaper Crossbow
- Multi-reticle scope
- 4 Charger arrows
- 6-arrow quiver
- Rope cocking device
- Assembly hardware
- Owner’s Manual
- Warranty card
Once you’ve taken all of the pieces out of the box, it’s time to make sense of it all and put your new crossbow together.
Assembling The PSE Reaper Crossbow
The PSE Reaper would be easy to assemble, if it weren’t for the poor instructions and substandard parts included with the crossbow. I’ve assembled hundreds of crossbows, and this one was the worst. The instructions were for the wrong crossbow, and the fasteners broke several times during assembly. After getting several replacement parts, I had the crossbow assembled and a very bad taste in my mouth about what this crossbow had to offer me.
Accuracy And Power
The first thing I did to check the accuracy and power of the PSE Reaper was to try sighting in the scope. Unfortunately, the scope would not hold true no matter what adjustments I made. I had to shim the back of the scope to get it level, but it still shot to the left and right. Thinking the problem might be with the scope, I replaced the included scope with one I knew was sighted in; no dice. The crossbow itself shoots inaccurately, regardless of the scope. Power wise, the PSE Reaper deals out 92 ft. lbs. of kinetic energy, which is more than enough power to take on most legal game in North America.
Ballistic Data For The PSE Reaper
- 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.
Hunting: What To Expect
Because of how inaccurate this crossbow is, I refuse to take it hunting. It would be inhumane to take a shot at a deer or elk, knowing the shot will not go where I want it to go. If PSE were to fix the accuracy problems, this crossbow would be more than powerful enough to take on deer, elk, moose, or even Cape buffalo.
Cocking The PSE Reaper
The PSE Reaper features a 185 pound draw weight, and includes a rope cocking device. Rope cocking devices are essential to accurate shots, since they ensure the string is pulled back evenly and consistently. I wish that made a difference with this crossbow.
The Crossbow Scope
The scope included with the PSE Reaper is actually a decent scope. After I discovered that my accuracy problems with the Reaper were not caused by the scope, I decided to try the scope out on my Wicked Ridge Warrior CLS. The scope sighted in just fine on the Warrior, and held true through my shooting. More proof that the accuracy problems were with the Reaper itself, and not the scope.
Bolts
The PSE Reaper includes 4 20” carbon Charger arrows, which are decent enough quality. They shoot true (through other crossbows), and don’t have the tendency to crack that most aluminum arrows do through high-powered crossbows. If you do decide to go with the Reaper, stick to 20” arrows at 425 grain weight.
You can also learn more about crossbow arrows and take a look at our broadhead recommendationsSafety and Design
The PSE Reaper features an anodized machined-aluminum barrel, a molded stock with a very comfortable thumbhole grip, and is finished in a film-dipped Mossy Oak Treestand camouflage design. The trigger has an automatic safety that engages when cocked, like most crossbows, and has a trigger guard large enough to use even with gloves on. The fastener bolts have a tendency to vibrate loose, even after using LocTite on the bolts. Overall, this is a very poor quality crossbow.
Warranty
PSE offers a limited lifetime warranty on the PSE Reaper, which covers the crossbow in terms of manufacturer’s defects. Unfortunately, it is easy to void that warranty—like by using LocTite on the bolts that have a tendency to vibrate loose.
What Crossbow Case Fits the PSE Reaper?
The Tarantula Deluxe Crossbow Case is a worthy soft case selection for the PSE Reaper. It includes a tackle box for addition parts. For an awesome hard case choice with plenty of room to store scopes and quivers opt for Plano 1133-00 Manta Crossbow Case priced at $120.
PSE Reaper Review Summary
Thanks for reading our crossbow review of the PSE Reaper. PSE makes some very nice compound bows, but their transition to crossbows, at least with the Reaper, leaves much to be desired. I would not recommend this crossbow to anybody, due to its inaccuracy and poor craftsmanship. 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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