If you’re reading this then you have probably heard of the Wildcat C5. You may also know that the Wildcat C5 has been wildly popular. In fact, it is Barnett’s bestseller to date. Well, now Barnett has made a new and improved version and they call it the Wildcat C6.
How they came up with such an inventive name I will never know. In this Barnett Wildcat C6 review, we will be closely looking at the new features Barnett has tacked on their bestselling crossbow in order to find out if it is worth getting.
So whether you own the older generation and are looking to upgrade or you just want to get an affordable Barnett crossbow, this article will certainly help you arrive to a conclusion. What you will find out is that the Barnett Wildcat C6 is a relatively low budget crossbow that will appeal to people of all types of experience.
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UPDATE: Barnett has released a new and improved crossbow in their Wildcat series. Click here to see the latest Barnett Wildcat C7 Crossbow.
Barnett Wildcat C6 Specs
- Speed: 320 fps
- Draw Weight: 125 lbs
- Kinetic Energy: 90 ft-lbs
- Power Stroke: 14.12"
- Axle to Axle: 26.25"
- Length: 35.75
- Weight 6.9 lbs
- Arrow Length: 20"
Barnett advertises the Wildcat C6 to be 7 pounds. However, most manufacturers only weigh the bow without the optional accessories such as the scope, arrows and quiver.
With these accessories in mind, you should expect the Wildcat to be about 3 pounds heavier at 11 pounds. Even if the weight is 11 pounds, this is light enough to carry for hours on a hunting expedition.
The Wildcat C6 is 35.75 inches long from the butt stock to the tip of the stirrup. It is 26.25 inches axle to axle when uncocked, but when cocked, it should measure 21.75 inches. These dimensions are great for maneuvering out in the field.
The draw weight is 125 pounds with a powerstroke of 14.125 inches. Compared to other crossbows, this draw weight is incredible. With such a draw weight you should be able to cock it with no problem. Usually, crossbows that have the same amount of power have a draw weight of at least 150 pounds, but Barnett has managed to reduce the draw weight without compromising any power.
Out Of The Box
This crossbow is more widely available in Matte Black but you can also find it in a Mossy Oak Break Up camo in a few places. It is designed with split limbs and a durable magnesium riser to keep the flight of the arrow smooth. It has a lightweight composite stock, finger reminders and a pass through foregrip. If you combine those three features together, what you got is a crossbow that is comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver.
There are two packages that you can get when it comes to the Wildcat C6: one with a 4 x 32 (4 times magnification, 32mm diameter lens) scope and the other with a red dot sight. Because the price of each is virtually the same, I recommend that you get the 4 x 32 scope because it is the better value. It is a multi-reticle scope, which means you are able to shoot accurately from multiple ranges. It also comes with see-through protective caps.
The Wildcat also comes with a lightweight quiver and 3 20 inch arrows with 100 grain fieldpoints. The arrows have half-moon nocks. They are 8.1 ounce arrows with lightweight carbon shafts.
Assembly
The assembly of this crossbow is fairly straightforward. You just insert the riser onto the flight track while making sure the strings go into the right place. Then you place the provided nuts and bolts to tighten it. You will also have to install the foot stirrup, the quiver and the scope. If you haven’t sighted a bow before, placing the scope properly might be hard for you. For that, I would recommend that you look at the instruction manual. While assembling, many people make the mistake of tightening the screws too much, causing damage to the crossbow. So remember to not do that.
With a 125 pound draw weight, just about anyone should be able to cock this crossbow. For those who can’t pull the string because of an injury or severe weakness in the shoulders or arms however, the Wildcat C6 has a crank attachment installed right in the stock. What this means is that if you want, you will be able to get a crank cocking device to cock your bow with minimal effort.
Performance
Like I said earlier, the low draw weight does not seem to affect the power of this x-bow. Barnett advertises the speed at 320 feet per second, but remember that this is with fieldpoint arrows. If you’re planning to put some broadheads on your bolts, you should expect the speed to drop a bit. With that in mind, with this crossbow you’ll still be able to hunt medium size game from long ranges.
The C6 has a metal injected trigger with a 3.5 lb pull. The high quality triggers are usually less than 3 pounds but for the ones that aren’t too picky about this will find this crossbows trigger more than sufficient.
Shooting The Wildcat C6
Cocking this crossbow could not be easier. The foot stirrup is big enough for you to put the biggest boot you got in and it is squared so that it remains stable on the ground as you pull the string. The wildcat C6 has an automatic anti-dry fire safety mechanism. This means that once cocked, the Wildcat will be automatically in safety mode. You will not be able to disengage the safety until you place the bolt onto the flight track. The safety can be triggered with both hands so if you’re a lefty, you’ll be fine.
The scope could be better, but it gets the job done. It has reticles on the lens that will help you quickly compensate for the distance. This crossbow also has an indentation on the stock which will allow you to rest your cheek and easily align your eye with the bow's scope.
When shooting the C6 you will notice that it is very quiet and has minimal vibration. This is a great improvement as the C5 had the problem of being loud. All you need is a string suppressor and you'll have one of the most silent crossbows out there.
I liked the fact that the bow has a pass through foregrip with finger reminders as it makes very unlikely that you get injured. That's because these features keep your fingers off the flight track when you shoot.
Recommended Accessories
Because of the low price, it is obvious that you will not get everything that you will want (or need) in this package. Here are the things that I recommend you get along with this crossbow:
- A rope cocking device - this item is pretty much mandatory for every crossbow that you get. If you don’t have a rope cocker and use your hands instead, the string will be uneven which will lead to inaccuracy and long-term damage. Barnett has their own rope cocker, which you will easily find on Amazon.
- A carrying case - when you go on a trip with a crossbow, it is important that you protect it with a case. Barnett has their own which you can easily find on Amazon at checkout. If you want a more in-depth look at what type of case is best for you then I recommend you look at our article about the best crossbow cases.
- Lube wax - it is always important that you keep your crossbow well maintained. Someone that wants a long lasting crossbow would constantly lubricate the cables and flight track. I recommend that you do this every five shots or so. I personally don't lubricate the serving string as it accumulate in the trigger mechanism and cause problems. Besides, the serving string will get the wax it needs from the rail.
- Broadheads - If you’re planning to hunt with this crossbow, you might want to make your bolts more lethal. I would recommend the Gamecrusher Broadheads (see on Amazon).
What's New?
When taking a look at the Wildcat C6, right off the bat you will see that it has a more slick and modern look compared to the C5. The black finish, Picatinny rails and cut-out stock is what contributes to this modern look. It seems that the only similarities between the two are it’s name and affordable price. But we all know that the only thing that matters is what improved features it has and how much better it can perform.
Aside from the power stroke, the Wildcat C6 has reduced numbers all across the board. The length and width is more compact, the weight is 2 pounds less, and the draw weight is an impressive 25 pounds lighter.
If you want a more in-depth look at how the older generation of this crossbow was like, you can check out my Wildcat C5 review.
Is it good For Hunting?
Given that it packs a crushing 320 fps shot, it is safe to say that the Wildcat C6 is a good hunting bow. Just add some good broadheads and you're good to go. With a little practice, you will be able to make kills from 50 yards. I do not recommend that you hunt big game such as bears, elk and moose with this crossbow. If you do want a crossbow that has that capability and are willing to spend a pretty penny, then I would recommend the Barnett Ghost 415.
Pros
As you have seen so far in this Barnett Wildcat C6 review, there are a few things that Barnett have perfected in this new Wildcat iteration. Here are the things that stood out for me:
- The price for this bow is not crippling.
- It is easy to assemble.
- The speed, being 320 fps, is perfect for hunting up to medium size game
- This crossbow is compatible with a crank cocking device.
- This crossbow is exceptionally quiet.
- Medium sized crossbow that allows for great mobility
Cons
Because of the price and how much is packed into this bow, there is very little to complain about. If I had to say something negative about it, it would be the fact that the scope reticles are not illuminated. Because of this it might be hard to aim well in low-light conditions.
Conclusion: For Whom Is The Wildcat C6 for?
After seeing everything that the Wildcat C6 can do, there is no doubt in my mind that this crossbow is excellent for beginners. I say this for a lot of reasons: It is easy to assemble, easy to cock, it has great safety features and, best of all, it is affordable. I say this is primarily for beginners but in reality it is good for anyone. The improvements that Barnett has made are very noticeable, making the Wildcat C6 worth getting.
Thanks for reading this Barnett Wildcat C6 review. Feel free to leave any comments or questions that you have about the bow. Or let me know about other crossbows that you want us to review!
