Today we’ll review the Killer Instinct Burner 415, a fully adjustable crossbow that shoots arrows with speeds up to 415 feet per second for an affordable price.
Killer Instinct is a relative newcomer in the crossbow market. We’ve already reviewed the other three models Killer released in 2020; the SWAT XP, the Lethal 405, and the Speed 425.
The Burner 415 is the follow-up model to the Ripper 415, which was released last year. We were excited to get our hands on Killer’s Burner 415 model, and we were very impressed by the nicely priced crossbow.
In the package, you’ll find the Killer Instinct Burner 415 crossbow, LUMIX 4 x 32 IR-W Scope, string suppressors, rope cocker, 3-Bolt Quiver, 3 HYPR Lite Bolts (370 grains) with field tips, one stick of rail lube, and an owner’s manual.
Table of Contents
Killer Instinct Burner 415 Specs
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Size and Weight
The Killer Instinct Burner 415 measures a full length of 37 inches(including stirrup,) has a width(axle-to-axle) of 18.75 inches uncocked and 14.75 inches once cocked. The crossbow has a narrow frame and a lightweight construction. The Micro-Lite barrel is made from aluminum, it helps to eliminate excess weight while still producing dead-on accuracy. The crossbow tips our scales at 6.7 pounds.
Design and Construction
The Burner 415 can be adjusted so it can fit hunters of any size. You can adjust the AR-style stock in six-positions with 1/5 inch increments between them, so you can extend it up to 3 inches. You can also adjust the X-Lok foregrip for a more comfortable grip, it offers multiple holding points. The rubber over-mold coating of the foregrip makes it comfortable to hold.
Killer upgraded the pistol grip and the forearm that the Ripper 415 came with. The pistol grip has a rubberized feel to it and features finger grooves. There is a small compartment on the bottom of the handle, the inside is completely rubberized, you can store something in there to your liking, like your hunting license for example. The X-Lok foregrip is also rubberized and features hand grooves.
Dead Silent Kit
The Killer Instinct Burner 415 comes with the integrated Dead Silent Kit that contains string dampeners and limb silencers. The string dampeners reduce string noice and the limb silencers reduce vibration during the shot.
Arrows and Speed
The speed of the Burner knock’s down the biggest and fastest game. With the HYPR Lite Bolts 370 Grains arrows, the Burner 415 shoots arrows with a top speed of 415 fps, delivering 141-FT-LB knockdown power.
The High-Velocity HYPR Lite arrows are designed and build with the goal to maximize the speed delivered by today’s high-powered crossbows. The carbon arrows have a total shaft length of 20 inches and a diameter of 0.348 inches. Fletched with 3-inch vanes, the arrows have inserted moon nocks and come with 100 grain field tips.
The side-mount quiver included in the package can hold a total of three arrows, it is mounted parallel to the rail of the crossbow.
Lumix IR-W Scope
The Lumix IR-W scope 4×32 illuminated wire reticle scope is a cheap 50$ crossbow scope, but it is still a decent scope. The scope is of course illuminated, you can switch between red and blue illumination. The scope has multiple brightness settings and a multi reticle for shooting different yardages up to about 50 yards.
Trigger and Safety Features
Killer Instinct installed the Burner 415 with a KillerTech trigger. The trigger has a smooth 3-5 pound pull with zero detectable creep and a clean, consistent break. The trigger has an ambidextrous safety switch and integrated Anti-Dry Fire, which prevents you from accidentally dry firing the crossbow when unloaded.
Cocking
The Burner 415 doesn’t come with a crank just the strings to pull with. The 220-pound draw weight is quite some weight to pull, luckily Killer Instinct offers a rope cocking device with all their crossbows.
The rope cocker from Killer Instinct is a very nice rope cocker. It cuts the draw weight by even more than 50%. The Killer rope cocker also provides an even cock for enhanced accuracy.
The crossbow has a nice big stirrup that you can use when you cock the crossbow, the stirrup has a good size to it and it will fit most hunting boots.
Assembly and Sighting-in
Assembling the Burner 415 is incredibly easy. Screw in the bottom bolt first, and then the top ones on either side of the rail of the crossbow. The scope was relatively easy to sight in, it only took me 10 minutes and 6 shots.
Range Test
The crossbow is really comfortable to hold because of all its rubberized parts and its lightweight narrow frame makes it is easy to handle. Cocking the crossbow with the rope cocker was no big hassle for me but it might be al little bit too much for smaller-framed hunters or hunters with a weaker back.
I also tested the crossbow with DSC Dead Silent Crank. It is the superior cocking mechanism for this crossbow. The device allows you to cock the crossbow in complete silence, which avoids scaring wary game.
We speed tested the Burner 415 with the chronograph we use to test all the crossbows we review. The Killer Instinct Burner 415 has a 14,5-inch power stroke. With the 370 grain arrows included in the package, we reached a top speed of 416.2 feet per second.
Due to the pre-installed string dampeners and limb silencers, the crossbow doesn’t make to much noise during shooting. The trigger has a smooth pull to it with zero detectable creep. The crossbow is very accurate on the fast short distance and the scope offers some accuracy over longer distances.
Verdict
The Burner 415 is a fine fully adjustable crossbow from Killer Instinct that shoots bolts downrange with speeds up to 415 feet per second. The crossbow is very well balanced accurate and durable and comes for a very generous price.
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Recommended Accessories
Arrows & Broadheads
We recommend using Killer Instinct’s Hypr Lite carbon crossbow arrows(370 grains). Pair them with G5 Outdoors Montec M3 broadheads(100 grain) and you’ll have an efficient hunting arrow for the Burner 415.
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Dead Silent Crank
The Burner 415 accepts Killer’s Dead Silent Crank. We highly recommend buying one with this crossbow, you can also use the crank on most other Killer Instinct crossbow models. The ultra-quick and deadly silent crank cocking system rapidly attaches and detaches in seconds to safely and silently cock your crossbow.
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Storage and Transportation
If you want a suitable crossbow case for the Burner 415 then we recommend the Slayer crossbow case from Killer Instinct.
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There is no shoulder sling included in the package. If you want a sling to comfortably carry the crossbow then we recommend buying a Neoprene crossbow sling from Tenpoint.
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Quick Overview of the Killer Instinct Burner 415
Summary
The Burner 415 from Killer is a really well designed and durable crossbow with an adjustable stock for little money. The Burner 415 is also lightweight, accurate, and easy to maneuver. Equipped with Killer Instincts Dead Silent Kit, the Burner silently shoots arrows downrange with speeds up to 415 feet-per-second.
What we like
- Easily the best 415 FPS crossbow within its price range
- Lightweight, easy to handle, and aim
- Easily adjustable to fit a variety of medium to large-sized hunters
- The crossbow is relatively silent thanks to its integrated sound dampening systems
What we don’t like
- Without the DSC Dead Silent Crank, the draw weight might be too much for small-sized hunters or hunters with back problems
- There is no shoulder sling included in the package
How many shots can you expect to get out of the sting?
What are the specs on the string?
According to Killer Instinct themselves, “Immediately replace worn, cut, or frayed string, serving and cables prior to shooting. String and cables should be replaced every three years under normal shooting conditions or sooner if signs of wear exist.”
With proper maintenance, you should be able to get quite a lot of shots out of the Killer Instinct Burner 415 crossbow.