We finally got our hands on one of Killer’s best models that came out in 2018; the Killer Instinct Ripper 415. Killer Instinct delivers high quality crossbows that are all built in the good old USA. We also reviewed most Killer Instincts crossbows already such as their brands new 2020 models; the SWAT XP, the BOSS 405, the Speed 425, and the Lethal 405.
In the package we found the Killer Instinct Ripper 415 crossbow, a Lumix 4×32 IR-W Scope, three KillerTech HYPR Bolts with field points, string suppressors, a 5-bolt tactical molle quiver, tactical side quiver mount, rope cocker, and one stick of rail lube.
Table of Contents
Killer Instinct Ripper 415 Crossbow Specs
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Size and Weight
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 measures an overall length of 35 inches and a width(axle-to-axle) of 17.17 inches uncocked and 14.25-inches once cocked. The overall weight of the Ripper 415 is 6.9 pounds, which is remarkably lightweight for a powerful 415 fps crossbow. The Ripper 415 is also very well balanced and comfortable to carry, hold and shoulder.
Construction and Design
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 features a narrow, lean, and lightweight frame. The crossbow is built with a rugged CNC machined riser and a CNC machined aluminum flight rail for improved “sub-1-inch” accuracy up to 80 yards.
The Ripper 145’s fully adjustable buttstock allows you to adjust the overall length of pull up to an inch-and-a-half, so from 35 inches to 36.5 inches. The adjustable forearm grip allows for a more comfortable fit.
Also worth mentioning is that the Chaos AE camo finish is done really well, making this crossbow look more expensive than its actual asking price.
Durability
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 is very durable, I read some customer reviews that reported broken limbs but after weeks of using the crossbow extensively (shot about 100 shots), I encountered no such problems. Killer Instinct has good customer service and if there are broken limbs they are very helpful. No questions asked with replacement parts.
KillerTech Trigger
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 is equipped with a 3.5-pound KillerTech Trigger that offers a smooth and crisp pull. The trigger has no detectable creep whatsoever. The KillerTech trigger offers good control over the shot and is very consistent. It really is a fantastic trigger system comparable to TriggerTech triggers!
Safety
The crossbow is safe to use by both right and left-handed users, the trigger features an ambidextrous safety switch, and to prevent damage to the bow due to dry firing, it is equipped with an anti-dryfire system.
LUMIX 4×32 Speedring Scope
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 comes with a LUMIX 4×32 speedring scope is a lightning-fast scope. The scope has five brightness settings in either red or blue for low light conditions.
The reticles are not marked and aren’t spot on at 10 yards increment. If you want a more precision scope then I would recommend buying the Hawke XB30 PRO 1-5×24 SR.
The scope is nitrogen purged so it is completely water, shock, and fog proof.
Sound and Vibration
The Ripper 415 is a relatively quiet crossbow. The crossbow is build with pre-installed limb dampeners and string dampeners fitted with custom rubber shock absorbers that help with the overall accuracy of the crossbow and they help to dampen it down during the shooting. The string stops make sure the vibrations are kept to a minimum.
Arrows and Quiver
The 20-inch carbon KillerTech Hypr Bolts are fine bolts but they are not very durable, I recommend buying other crossbow bolts for hunting with the Ripper 415. The KillerTech Hypr bolts have a straightness of 0.003″.
The tactical molle 5-Bolt Quiver can hold 20-inch up to 31-inch long crossbow bolts and arrows. You can either carry the quiver around your waist or use the quiver mount to mount it to the crossbow.
Speed and Accuracy
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 is a is fast, powerful crossbow that shoots arrows with speeds up to 415 feet per second delivering 149 foot-pounds of kinetic energy thanks to a draw weight of 200 pounds and a power stroke of 15 inches. This is enough to knock down the biggest and strongest game out there.
The crossbow is also highly accurate, it has the ability to shoot out bolts within a 1-inch area up to around 80 yards(and beyond). The first time that I took the Ripper 415 out for some practice target shooting to test it out, i consistently produced sub 2 inch groupings at 70 yards.
I also took the crossbow out for a hunting session and I took a deer at 75 yards, complete pass-through!
Cocking
Due to the 15-inch power stroke, it takes some strength to get it cocked. The Ripper 415 has a 200-pound draw weight but with the rope cocker that is included in the package, you can cut it by more than 50 percent. If this is still too much for you to pull you can buy a Killer Instinct Dead Silent Crossbow Crank System.
Killer Instinct installed the foot stirrup on an angle instead of being parallel to the bow, this makes it easier to cock the crossbow.
Assembly and Sighting-in
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 is easy to assemble. It only took me 10 minutes. The scope was easy to calibrate, it only took 4 shots to be zeroed with broadheads.
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Recommended Accessories
Arrows & Broadheads
We recommend buying the 20-inch Piledriver crossbow bolts(442 grains) from Carbon Express to reach the advertised top speed of the Killer Instinct Ripper 415.
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There are no practice field points included in the package, but you can buy them separately on Amazon.
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Pair the arrows with Rage crossbow X hunting broadheads and you’ll have very efficient hunting bolts for the biggest game out there. Rage Crossbow X broadheads are optimized for crossbow usage, weigh 100 grain or 125 grain and have a cutting diameter of 2 inches.
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Storage and Transportation
We recommend buying a Slayer Case, which is a reliable and durable crossbow case from Killer Instinct.
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We recommend a TenPoint Neoprene crossbow sling if you want a sling to comfortably carry the Ripper 415.
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Scope Upgrade
As I mentioned in the review the scope is fine but not great for long-distance precision shooting. If you want to upgrade the scope of the Ripper 415 then we suggest the Hawke XB30 PRO SR 1-5×24 scope.
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Cocking crank
The Killer Instinct Ripper 415 is compatible with the Killer Instinct MAGTEK DCS Dead Silent crossbow cocking crank.
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Our Rating of the Killer Instinct Ripper 415
Summary
The Ripper 415 is a very powerful crossbow that shoots bolts downrange with speeds up to 415 feet per second. The crossbow fully adjustable for a custom fit and comfortable to handle. The Ripper 415 is also highly accurate, performing a “sub-1-inch” accuracy up to 80 yards. The crossbow is easy to cock with a rope cocker and is also compatible with a cocking crank.
What we like
- Shoots bolts at 415 FPS with 149 feet pound of K.E.
- Pinpoint accuracy up to distances of 80 yards
- Quiet
- Lightweight and compact
- Adjustable buttstock and adjustable foregrip
- Cocking crank compatible
- Durable
- Great customer service and no questions asked with replacement parts
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
- Affordable
What we don’t like
- The 200-pound draw weight might be too much for smaller-framed hunters or hunters with a weaker back
- Some people report issues with the limbs but Killer’s customer service makes sure they are quickly replaced
