Professional shooting or hunting – no matter what you’re using your crossbow for, you have to admit that a good crossbow is pretty hard to find.
Mission Sub-1 XR and Ravin crossbows are the top two options for any crossbow user. They’re very similar but the build, speed and accuracy, and use case make them different.
Mission Sub-1 XR and Ravin both have been the top choice for crossbow users for years now. So, how do they choose? What makes these crossbows different?
Let’s take a better look.
A Quick Comparison Table
If you’re one of the “always-on-the-go” people, this part is for you. If you want to know the gist of it all minus the fluff, we’ve got you. Here are the major differences between the two brands. Just the gist, no fluff. Feel free to go through it for a quick summary.
| Feature | Mission Sub-1 XR | Ravin |
| Build | Bigger, heavy build | Compact, lighter build |
| Use case | Year-round shooting | Mostly hunting |
| Speed and accuracy | Better speed, less accurate | Good speed, more accurate |
Have time to dig in? Good, let’s get to the details then.
Key Differences Between Mission Sub-1 XR And Ravin
Both crossbows are very high quality and are pretty similar to each other. But they’re not the same after all so of course there are some differences between them. Build, speed and accuracy, and use case are some of the major differences that make them stand out.
Let’s take a better look.
- Build
Crossbows are always portable, so the difference comes down to their overall build and how hard it is to carry around.
Ravin crossbows are pretty far ahead of the Sub-1 XR in terms of both.
Mission’s Sub-1 XR crossbows are sturdy, but it has a pretty traditional build.
The bow is pretty big, slightly bulky, and heavy. If you were carrying it around during the hunt, you’d feel the weight pretty soon.
Ravin is much better in that sense. Their crossbows are compact, smaller than the XR, and very sleek. Ravin crossbows are also pretty easy to carry around because they’re lightweight.
Also Read: Differences Between Mathews V3 And VXR Bow.
- Use Case
There are usually two reasons people want a crossbow. It is either hunting or professional shooting. If you’re a professional shooter who practices all year round, Sub-1 XR is geared more toward you.
Ravin crossbows are mostly for hunters. That doesn’t mean you can’t use them for shooting even if you want to though. But they’re best for seasonal hunting.
- Speed and Accuracy
Both are pretty important deals for crossbow users and it is understandable why. The Sub-1 XR is nearly unbeatable when it comes to speed. It goes 410 fps which is impressive, to say the least.
The Sub-1 XR however loses some points for accuracy. The crossbow is impeccable in the 60-80m range but after that, it starts getting a little shaky.
Ravin crossbows on the other hand will give you half of the Sub-1 XR’s speed, but they’ll make it up with the accuracy level. Their crossbows are amazing right up to the 100m mark. No shakiness, and a very low chance of messing up. As you can guess, Ravin crossbows take the crown in this department.
Which Crossbow Should You Choose?
Choosing a crossbow needs good research. You have to consider the features, speed, and all before you choose one.
But both Sub-1 XR and Ravin crossbows are pretty close in everything, so how do you choose?
You consider your use case and what you want from your crossbow.
If you’re looking for a crossbow for your year-round shooting (or hunting), Mission Sub-1 XR is the better choice. This crossbow was made for shooting all year round, not just during hunting season.
If you’re more focused on shooting than hunting, this is a good choice.
If you want the best deal you can get and don’t mind spending a few hundred bucks extra, go with Ravin. This crossbow is easy to carry around, doesn’t need professional-level skills for handling, and is very user-friendly.
What’s better is that Ravin will give you better accuracy than the Sub-1 XR.
Overall, Ravin crossbows are the better choice here. They score all over the chart, but if you want something for your specific use case then feel free to go with the Sub-1 XR. Let’s watch its trial run!
Also Read: Differences Between Wicked Ridge M370 And Invader 400 Crossbow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is hard to cover everything in a single article. So if you have some more questions, that’s understandable. Here are a bunch of questions people usually ask about Mission Sub-1 XR and Ravin crossbows. Hopefully, these can help you out more.
Mission Sub-1 XR is one of the fastest-shooting crossbows you’ll find. The advertised speed for the XR crossbow is 410 fps (or 450 km/h). What’s better is that the crossbow actually averages this speed in real-life scenarios. That’s something not many crossbows can give you.
Yes, Mission crossbows are some of the most accurate shooting crossbows on the market. They can shoot effortlessly in the 100m distance. Mission crossbows usually do better in the 60-80m range, the accuracy falls slightly after that. But the overall performance is pretty solid.
Ravin made sure their crossbows are safe to work around with. You can keep the crossbow cocked when you’re hunting without issue. But if you’re keeping it cocked for a long time, make sure you uncock it after 8 hours. Make sure to unlock it when you’re walking or moving for personal safety.
All Ravin crossbows have high accuracy so there is no single answer to this question. You’ll have to check and see for yourself which one feels the most accurate to you. But if the consumer reviews are true, the R29 and R26 are the two best options from Ravin.
Final Verdict
Choosing the best crossbow for yourself will take work. You’ll have to test and try as many options as you can in different situations.
That’s why you need to know everything about your options before you get one. This Mission Sub-1 XR and Ravin comparison can give you some ideas about how both options play out.
But in the end, picking a good crossbow will come down to your own preferences. Ravin crossbows are the better pick here overall, so feel free to go with this with your eyes closed.
