Today we’re reviewing the Rocky Mountain RM360., which is an affordable 360-fps crossbow that is fully adjustable for a custom fit. Rocky Mountain released the RM360 in 2019 in two versions, the RM360 and the RM360 Pro. The models are similar in almost every way but there are some differences that I’ll talk about in this review.
Rocky Mountain is a subsidiary brand of FeraDyne Outdoors, it was relaunched in 2017 with the promise of “Rock-Solid Dependability in a full line of hard-working broadheads sights, crossbows, and archery accessories.” They released their all-new Rocky Mountain crossbow line in 2019, including 4 models, the RM360, RM390, RM405, and RM415.
All Rocky Mountain crossbows are manufactured in the United States of America.
I was a bit skeptical, about whether Rocky Mountain crossbows were any good but I heard a lot of good buzz around the RM360, so I decided to buy it myself too to test it out and review the crossbow. I also bought the Pro version to compare the two in this review.
In the package, you’ll find either the RM360 or RM360 Pro crossbow, 4×32 Scope(Pro kit has an illuminated scope), three Carbon Express PileDriver Arrows with field points, quick-detach 3-arrow quiver with side mount, rope cocker, Allen wrenches, and an instruction manual.
Table of Contents
Rocky Mountain RM360/RM360 Pro Crossbow Specs
RM360 VS RM360 Pro
The first thing that sets the RM360 Pro apart from the RM360 is the Black w/Khaki stock camo. Second, the Pro version comes with added string stops and limb dampeners and the RM360 does not.
Third, the scope of the PRO is superior compared to the standard 4x32mm multi-reticle scope that comes with the RM-360. The Pro version’s scope comes with basically the same scope but it sports an illuminated red/blue reticle for better low-light visibility.
In my opinion, RM360 is the best pick if you don’t care about the option of cocking with a dead silent crank and the illuminated scope, if you do care about the option for a cocking crank then the Pro is definitely the better pick.
Keep in mind that you would have to buy the crank separately on Amazon. (See recommended accessories section).
Design and Durability
The RM-360 sports a lightweight and compact design, the crossbow spans a total length of 35.5 inches, and its axle-to-axle width is 17.5 inches uncocked and 13.5 inches cocked. It tips our scales at 6.9 pounds with accessories.
The crossbow is built with a sleek machined aluminum rail, an aluminum rail is is stronger than standard composite rails and has tighter tolerances for better accuracy.
The RM 360 has durable compression molded limbs and high-energy cams that transfer energy into the limbs. so they have to be well built.
Fully Adjustable
As mentioned in the intro, the M360, as well as the Pro version, are fully adjustable for a custom fit. The crossbows have an adjustable buttstock so you can change the length of pull to more precisely match your arm length.
These crossbows can be comfortably be used by smaller-framed hunters as well as medium to larger-framed hunters.
The crossbow’s foregrip is interchangeable and safely designed to keep your hand clear of the string while maintaining full control of the crossbow. The lightweight crossbows are very comfortable to hold, and shoulder. The crossbows have a great balance and are easy to handle.
The pistol grip has a storage compartment for rail lube, batteries, cleaning cloth, or your hunting license. Also, the pistol grip has some nice padding and finger grooves.
The crossbow has a front rail as well as a rear rail for the scope. The front rail is right in front of the handle. There is a Picatinny rail on the bottom, that is not very long. It is just in front of the handgrip.
Performance
Rocky Mountain advertised the RM360 to shoot up to 360 feet per second, delivering up to 127 ft-lbs Kinetic energy based on a draw weight of 185 pounds and a power stroke 12.5 inches.
Our Caldwell G2 Ballistic Precision chronograph registered speeds in the range of 330-342 fps shooting with the Carbon Express PileDriver arrows(442 grains) that are included in the package.
The Carbon Express PileDriver arrows are fine hunting arrows, they are 20″ long and fletched with 4-inch vanes, they weigh 442 grains.
Not reaching the advertised top speed of the crossbow is actually not surprising and not that big a deal. You never know the exact conditions of a speed test that a brand did as there are many factors that play a role besides the weight of the arrows and the crossbows specs, like latitude for example. It doesn’t mean that the crossbow can’t achieve those speeds.
The trigger on the crossbows is a fine trigger system with a crisp no break pull with almost no detectable creep. The anti-dry-fire(ADF) on the bottom of the crossbow works fine. For the ones that didn’t know this ADF prevents you or whomever from dry firing your crossbow, destroying it in the process. Also, it allows for easy de-cocking.
The RM360 is remarkably quiet during shooting(considering it comes without dampeners), off course the Pro version is much quieter due to its pre-installed string Stoppers and string dampeners. The crossbows are very accurate I shot 2-inch groups at a distance of 40 yards and 3-inch groups at 50 yards.
Update: After 200-250 shots the crossbows are still in perfect working order!
Cocking
It required me little effort to cock this crossbow, I used the rope cocker that is included in the package, it is an easy smooth pull. If you did not know this, a rope cocker actually cuts the draw weight in half. The RM360 features a 185-pound pull weight so I only had to pull 92.5 pounds. The extra-large foot stirrup handles really nice, I have big feet so I am not a fan of the smaller stirrups out there.
Rocky Mountain has a crossbow crank that I recently bought for my RM405 review, so I put it to the test on the RM360 Pro. The benefit of cocking a crossbow with a crank is of course that it allows you to cock the crossbow with little effort, the crank reduces cocking effort by 90%, which is a big plus for smaller-framed hunters or hunters with a weaker back).
Perhaps an even greater advantage of cocking with a crank is that it is (almost) dead silent so you won’t make too much noise, which could scare off the animal that you are hunting. In fact, in my experience hunting with a dead silent crank is something that drastically improves your hunting efficiency.
The Rocky mountain’s crank is not the best crank out there, it makes a little bit more noise and is less durable compared to cranks of other cranks but it does its job. The crank can be quickly installed or removed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The crossbows rope cocking groove is on the bottom of the stock instead of on the top, Rocky Mountain even put a warning on the stock for safety reasons.
Assembly and Sighting-in
The RM360 and the RM360 Pro do not come fully assembled, you’ll have to set them up yourself. The manual is very poor, Rocky Mountain really needs to do a better job at that. If they can build good crossbows they should also be able to write a decent instruction manual. Having said that, these crossbows are actually very easy to assemble even if you’ve never set up a crossbow before in your life.
If you take the time and read the manual carefully you’ll get it done. Rocky Mountain claims that the scope is properly sighted-in at the factory, normally I’m skeptical when I hear something like that but in this case, it was actually true, the scope was already properly calibrated.
If you do not manage or bump into a problem feel free to contact me(see contact page).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Rocky Mountain provides Allen wrenches in the kit but it didn’t include the right size to move the stock, I recommend buying a B-FUL Allen Wrench Hex Key Set -Set. It has 8 wrenches(sizes 1.5-6mm). Trust me, you’ll need it to assemble this crossbow, and it’s just 5 bucks on Amazon.
Recommended Accessories
Arrows and Broadheads
You can buy an extra six-pack of heavy-duty Carbon Express PileDriver arrows on Amazon.
Equip them with Rage Crossbow X broadheads. These broadheads are optimized for crossbows and designed for the biggest game you are allowed to hunt. They are available in 100 grain or 125 grain.
If you want some cheaper hunting arrows with your Rocky Mountain crossbow(considering that this is a budget model), I would recommend buying REEGOX Crossbow arrows that are 20 inches long and weigh 425 grains. They come with 100-grain field tips and moon nocks.
If you want to equip them with some budget heads, the Sinbadteck hunting broadheads(100 grain) are decent quality broadheads and you can buy a 12-pack for little money on Amazon.
Rocky Mountain Quiet Crank Winch System
As before mentioned in this review, the quiet crank winch system reduces cocking effort by 90%. It has a quiet-clutch design with a no-slip brake, can be easily installed or removed in seconds, and features an anti-torque mounting shaft. Again, it is not a high-quality piece of equipment but it will work fine.
Storage and Transportation
There is no crossbow case included in the ready-to-hunt package and neither is a crossbow sling. For safe transportation of the crossbow, I recommend buying a budget case. I picked the Southland Archery Supply SAS Black Deluxe Padded Soft Crossbow Case with Sling, it fits these crossbows perfectly.
If you want a good quality sling to carry the crossbow around then we recommend a Southland Archery Universal Black Padded Crossbow Sling.
Verdict
Rocky Mountain RM360/RM360 Pro Crossbow Review
Summary
The RM360 and the RM360 Pro are really well-designed crossbows. They are compact, lightweight, comfortable, and easy to handle. They are also durable so you can have fun with them for years. They have a lot of power behind them, enough for hunting big game animals.
Both crossbows are fully adjustable for a custom fit. Despite the crappy instruction manual, assembling these crossbows is actually very easy. These are great crossbows for an even better price and the perfect entry-level models for beginners.
What we like
- Well thought out design
- Durable and reliable
- Fully adjustable for a custom fit
- Powerful and accurate
- Comes with high-quality hunting arrows
- Manufactured in the United States of America!
- Affordable
What we don’t like
- The scope could use an upgrade(Pro’s scope is better)
- The Rocky Mountain Quiet Crank Winch System is not included in the package
