Today I’m reviewing the Rocky Mountain RM405, a hard-hitting 405 feet per second crossbow for an affordable price. The Rocky Mountain brand was well known for its fixed-blade technology since 1979. Feradyne relaunched the Rocky Mountain brand in 2017. They develop crossbows, broadheads, sights, and various archery accessories.
Rocky mountain released its all-new crossbow line up in 2019, including four models; the RM360, RM390, RM415, and the RM405. They are all manufactured in the USA.
In the package you’ll find the RM-405 crossbow, 4×32 scope, pre installed string stoppers & string dampeners installed, 3 bolts with field points, quick-detach 3 bolt quiver, rope cocker, rail lubricant, and a manual,
Table of Contents
Rocky Mountain RM405 Crossbow Specs
Size and Weight
The RM405 measures a full length of 35 inches and a width(axle-to-axle) of 18.5 inches uncocked, and 14.5 inches cocked. That is not among the most compact crossbows on the market, but it’s still relatively compact and the crossbow is easy to handle and offers good maneuverability. The crossbow is relatively lightweight for its size and power, it tips our scales at a lean 7. 40 lbs.
Design and Construction
The RM405 features a single-piece OD green stock, buttstock, and rail. This makes the crossbow really tough and durable. It has a rock-solid limb system and CNC cams. The buttstock is not adjustable but the foregrip is, you can adjust it for a more comfortable custom fit when shouldered. The pistol grip is rubberized. The crossbow is outfitted with sling swivels studs, so you can attach a shoulder sling to carry the crossbow.
Arrows and Speed
Rocky mountain speeds tested the crossbow with 380-grain Carbon Express arrows. The RM405 shoots bolts at 405 feet per second with 139 ft-lbs. KE knockdown power. That is enough to kill the biggest game out there, like an elk or bears.
The three 22-inch long Carbon Express Pile Driver arrows(442 grain including 100 grain field points) that are included in the package are high-quality heavyweight hunting arrows.
The RM405 is delivered with a quick-detach 3-arrow side-mount lightweight quiver.
Optics
The RM405 comes with a 4×32 budget scope. The scope features a red or blue illuminated precision-etched multi-position reticle for adaptability to various light conditions. The scope is fog proof, shockproof, and water-resistant. It is not a great scope by any means but it is still a decent scope considering the price of the RM405.
Cocking
The crossbow’s 200 pound draw weight might be much to pull for some smaller framed hunters or hunters with a weaker back. Of course, the crossbow can be cocked with a rope cocking device and Rocky mountain provided a nice rope cocker in the package.
Cocking the crossbow with the rope cocker reduces the draw weight by 50 percent, so you’ll only have to pull 100 pounds. If that is still too much weight for you to pull then I recommend buying the Rocky mountain Quiet Crank Crossbow Cocking Device. With the crank, you’ll reduce cocking effort by 90 percent.
The RM405 has a large stirrup that is comfortable to use when cocking the crossbow.
Trigger and Safety Features
The trigger system features an Ambidextrous safety switch and a dry fire safety(DFS) system that prevents you from accidentally dry firing the crossbow, it auto engages when the crossbow is cocked.
Assembly and Sighting-in
Assembling the RM405 is very easy, even if you’ve never set up a crossbow you won’t have a problem setting up the RM405. Rocky Mountain provided an instruction manual in the package with all the info you’ll need to set up the crossbow properly. Sighting in the scope was also very easy, it only took me 2 minutes and a couple of shots.
Range Test
The lightweight and relatively compact dimensions of the crossbow make the RM405 comfortable to carry, hold, and shoulder. The rubberized pistol grip feels good in my hand and the crossbow is very maneuverable and well balanced.
I adjusted the forearm grip for a better fit, although I wish I could adjust the buttstock as well it is still nice that at least the forearm can be adjusted. Cocking the bow with the rope cocker that is included in the package was easy and smooth. I have no complaints there. Also, the large stirrup is really nice, I like a stirrup with a good size to it.
With the chronograph that we use to speed test all the crossbows that pass our review table, we registered speeds in the range of 345-405 FPS with the Carbon Express Pile Driver arrows. The crossbow is very accurate, after getting used to the crossbow I repeatedly stuck the arrows in a 6-inch bullseye out to 65 yards.
The RM405 also shoots very silently thanks to its pre-installed string stoppers and dampeners, they significantly reduce bow noise and they absorb shock and vibration upon release.
- READY TO HUNT PACKAGE – Includes OD Green RM-405 Crossbow with 4x32 Scope, String Stoppers and Dampeners installed, 3 Crossbolts with Field Points, Quick-detach 3 Bolt Quiver, Rope Cocker and Rail Lubricant 7. 40 lbs – 5% lighter than its competition
- HIGH PERFORMANCE – Uncocked assembly measures 18. 5”W X 35”L and loads down a 200 lb limb set to a narrow 14. 5” in the cocked position sending crossbolts down range at 405 fps with 139 ft-lbs. of bone-crushing kinetic energy
- SAFETY FIRST - Dry Fire Safety system auto engages when the bow is cocked. Includes an ultra-bright fog proof, shockproof, and water resistant red/blue Illuminated 4X32 scope with a precision-etched multi-position reticle for varying light conditions
- ADAPTABLE FIT – Large stirrup for easy cocking and adjustable foregrip for a custom feel when shouldered. Dual string suppressors and limb dampeners reduce bow noise and absorb shock and vibration upon release
- BANG FOR YOUR BUCK - Rope cocking device, Quick-detach 3 crossbolt side quiver, 3 Carbon Express Crossbolts, Three 100 grain Field practice points and rail lubricant, this kit has everything required to perfect your shooting abilities!
Recommended Accessories
Arrows & Broadheads
We recommend Carbon Express’s 22-inch arrows. Pair them with Montec M3 100gr broadheads(100 grain.)
Cocking crank
The Rocky Mountain RM405 is compatible with the Rocky Mountain Quiet Crank Crossbow Cocking Device. Cocking the crossbow with this silent crank reduces cocking effort by 90 percent. The crank weighs 1 pound and can be easily installed or removed in seconds. It has an ambidextrous design that works for both left and right-handed users.
Storage and Transportation
We recommend a Plano Spire crossbow case to properly store and carry the Rocky Mountain RM405.
If you want a shoulder for the RM405 then we recommend the universal black padded crossbow cling from Southland Archery.
Our Rating of the Rocky Mountain RM405
Summary
This crossbow really is a bang for your buck. Shooting with a velocity of 405 feet per second for under $300 feels great. The crossbow comes in a ready to hunt package that contains everything to use it effectively. The only downside to this crossbow is the scope but apart from that the crossbow performs great, is highly accurate, and remarkably durable for a crossbow in this price range.
What we like
- Cheap hard-hitting 405 FPS crossbow for under $300
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Compact & Maneuverable
- Adjustable foregrip for a custom fit
What we don’t like
- Scope could use an upgrade
