Kodabow Big Rhino Review (In-Field) – Recurve Crossbow

Model	Draw Weight	Stroke	Velocity	Suggested Arrow Length	Crossbow Length / Weight
Kodabow Big Rhino Check price on Amazon.com	225 lbs.	14"	350 FPS How to sight a crossbow?	20"	34-38" / 8 lbs. 5 ozs.

Kodabow Big Rhino Package Contents

The Kodabow Big Rhino comes standard with the crossbow and an illuminated 3×32 scope. It can also be ordered as a standalone crossbow where you can choose your optic aftermarket, or with the Superpack Accessories Kit. This includes nine 20” arrows and field points, an extra bowstring and wax, the EL-Z Sling and a 5-Arrow quiver. There is also an included rope cocking aid and destringer aid should you need to change out a string in the field.

Kinetic Energy of the Big Rhino

The Kodabow Big Rhino is an absolute beast in terms of power. With the 225-lb. draw weight and the 14” power stroke, it sends a 360-grain arrow downrange at a blistering 350 fps. This calculates out to a whopping 98 ft. lbs. of energy! That translates to 90 ft. lbs. even at 30 yards!

Use our arrow ballistics calculator for more valuable information.

Design, Safety, Comfort and Accuracy

Kodabow has gone with a relatively simple design, and has chosen to use the same basic platform across its entire line of crossbows. The only real difference in its line is the various limbs that can be placed on it to allow for a variety of hunting options. You might ask why you would want to place bigger or smaller limbs, but most of us have both a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge shotgun, right? It is also important to mention that the Kodabow line uses split recurve limbs, which for many is a critical factor as less moving parts can often mean greater reliability. The Kodabow design is a beautiful one, especially if you have a penchant for an AR platform. The stock is adjustable (which is the reason for the range in lengths) and is available in classic black or in desert tan, with a matching pistol grip. The limbs feature the DFES (Dynamic Flex Energy Storage) and are strong and well built. The patented trigger on this is probably one of the smoothest of any crossbow we have tested and the anti-dry fire gives an extra measure of security. The machined riser and rail system also give that feel of an AR platform, and the ambidextrous safety will be a familiar AR-platform feel as well.

Ballistic Data For The Kodabow Big Rhino

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 with the Kodabow Big Rhino

The Big Rhino impressed us with its accuracy, and thanks to the split-limb design, line slap is virtually eliminated. Overall, this crossbow was far quieter than we expected given its power. Something to think about when purchasing the Big Rhino is whether you really need that much power. This is really a crossbow designed for large, thick-skinned game. If you are primarily hunting white-tails, this may be a bit of overkill. If you are chasing bear or moose however, you may just be discovering your new favorite toy! I know that many of you out there will ask, “So what?” as to the overkill, but just remember that a less powerful set of limbs is going to be easier to cock and also a bit quieter.

How Quiet is the Big Rhino

For its impressive punch the Kodabow Big Rhino was actually fairly quiet. The split-limb design helps with that by eliminating the string slap and the flat trajectory means you can take a shot a little further away to also help mitigate the effects of sound on your prey.

Cocking the Big Rhino

Given the high draw weight of the Big Rhino, you need to expect to have to use a bit of force to cock this beast. That is not to say that it is difficult, but you really need to think about whether the cocking rope is going to do the job, or if you are going to need to step up to a crank cocker. Familiarization through practice is the best way to be prepared for what to expect.

Quality of the Optics

The 3×32 mm illuminated scope offers multiple aimpoints. There are 5 settings of brightness for the red/green selectable illumination and there is a 2” ‘killzone’ reticle when the illumination is on. How you view this scope is really going to be dependent on what ranges you are wanting to shoot at. Longer range shooters may want to employ an adjustable power scope. We have heard from a couple of folks that have even put higher power scopes such as you would use on an AR, and they look right at home!

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

What Arrows to use with the Big Rhino

Kodabow offers a line of Magnum .338 arrows for use with the Big Rhino. Given the power of the Big Rhino, along with the fact that often times it will be employed when hunting larger-than-average game, you might be wise to stick with these arrows. They are 20” length, come out at 405 grains when loaded with a 100-grain point, are designed with a slight weight-farward balance to maximize energy delivery at longer ranges.

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

Overall Thoughts

The Kodabow Big Rhino is an absolute powerhouse. Not only that, but it is accurate and built to withstand the abuse so often encountered in the field. When you shoulder the Big Rhino, you will have a very familiar feel, especially if you are an AR shooter. The balance point is well placed so the crossbow feels lighter than its actual weight. This is also a pretty cool-looking crossbow as well, and whether most people admit it or not, that will influence a buying decision! The simplicity of the recurve limbs is very attractive as it allows for the changing of the string in the field, should that ever be necessary. For anyone who has ever had a string failure after hiking miles into the backcountry, you know how important that can be. It really comes down to how much power you need, but at least you know you can always get lighter limbs and still use them with the same frame and scope. Take a look at today's amazon.com price on this crossbow and check out our top 10 crossbows rankings for more.