Darron McDougal

Crossbow Report
By Darron McDougal
Parker CenterFire
I
f the buck of a lifetime stepped out broadside onto a luscious
clover plot 50 yards from my treestand or ground blind, I
would most definitely want to be toting a 50-yard weapon.
Now, I am not recommending that any and every hunter shooting a capable weapon can or should take that shot. A lot of
factors—wind, animal alertness, adrenaline, hunter proficiency,
and obstructions—play heavily into the outcome of every longer
shot that’s taken. It’s simply not fair to the animal to take a
gamble by leaving any of those considerations out of the equation when faced with a lengthy shot opportunity.
On the flip side of the coin, if you can put a check next to all
h The CenterFire’s axle-to-axle width measures just 20.75 inches, making
it an ideal weapon for ground blinds, permanent stands, or treestands
with tight quarters.
of the variables and still know without a doubt in your mind that
you can make the shot, then I have no reason to suggest that it
would be unethical to go for the gold. In the hands of a skilled
hunter under ideal conditions, the new Parker CenterFire is a 50yard weapon all day long. Here’s why.
Compact with an Attitude
Toting the CenterFire is a walk in the park. Optimally balanced,
the CenterFire weighs just 8 pounds. The crossbow utilizes a
rear thumb-hole pistol grip to give shooters a boost of control,
which promotes stability to increase the crossbow’s effective range.
Despite its stability, the CenterFire is absolutely compact for outstanding maneuverability in even the tightest quarters. Un-cocked,
the CenterFire measures 20.75 inches from axle-to-axle. When
cocked, that measurement tapers to approximately 18 inches. That
sort of compact limb configuration gives your customers the edge
when they’re hunting from an enclosed blind or a permanent stand.
The CenterFire features a 12.25-inch power stroke which provides
quick and easy hookup with Parker’s Red Hot EZ Roller Rope
Cocker. When pairing the EZ Roller with the CenterFire’s Synergy
Cams, cocking effort is reduced by over 50 percent, making this one
of the easiest crossbows to cock. But an easy cocking process and a
short power stroke don’t equate to puny speeds and reduced power—
when fired with a 402-grain Parker Red Hot High Velocity bolt, the
CenterFire sent the numbers on my chronograph soaring to 335 feet
per second. That translates to a whopping 100.2 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, which is enough to put down virtually any animal your
customers could possibly put it up against. With such unstoppable
power, the CenterFire will carry its punch well downrange.
Deadly by All Standards
I was very impressed by the overall performance of the CenterFire. The crossbow’s dual string suppressors squelch out string vibration for a stealthy shot that will take cagey critters by surprise.
I noticed only a slight amount of recoil at the shot, but it wasn’t
even enough to prevent me from tracking my bolt flight through
the scope once the shot was fired.
The CenterFire performed like a champ as I pounded bolts
h A thumb-hole pistol grip provides excellent control and boosts stability
while a travel-free trigger delivers a surprise shot for optimal accuracy.
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Inside Archery • August 2014
Reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2014 Zebra Publishing Inc.
Arrow Speed
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20-inch Test Arrow – Parker Bolt
Arrow Weight – 402 GR.
Kinetic Energy – 100.2 Foot-Pounds
Arrow Speed – 335 FPS
Specifications
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Length
Width Axle-to-Axle
Power Stroke
Draw Weight
Mass Weight w/o Accessories
Finish
37.5 inches
20.75 inches
12.25 inches
165#
8 pounds
Next Vista
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For more information, visit parkerbows.com
or call (540) 337-5426.
h Dual string suppressors are the CenterFire’s mute buttons for bowstring-generated noise and vibration.
downrange. I shot it in cold conditions from a kneeling
position with shooting sticks. After sighting-in at 20
yards, the rest of the crosshairs in the Red Hot MultiReticle Scope I was using were spot on out to 50 yards.
Several 50-yard heart-sized groups later, I was a believer
that this is indeed a 50-yard weapon when placed in the
hands of a proficient hunter in ideal conditions.
I found that shouldering it was nearly
as simple as shouldering a rifle. Even
though I didn’t spend a week or two
getting used to the crossbow before my
test, it felt like it was meant to be each
and every time I shouldered it.
Comfort by Design
The CenterFire includes a fourarrow detachable quiver and four
bolts tipped with field points, and is
h An auto-engage, ambidextrous safety
available in two premium packages.
immediately locks into the “on” position when the
The Outfitter Package offers your
string is cocked. Easy access and quiet operation
customers their choice of one of
make this safety mechanism a winner.
three Red Hot scopes. From a soft
transportation case to broadheads, the Perfect Storm Package comes
completely outfitted with Red Hot accessories. For the customer
who wants to write one check and haul home everything they need to
hit the woods, the Perfect Storm Package is the perfect option.
Clearly, the demands of the hunt outweigh the shooting
bench by a longshot. Bulky clothes, colder temperatures,
and awkward positions all mount up to the demise of
accuracy for an ill-fitted weapon. The CenterFire delivers
phenomenal comfort, and wicked hunting conditions are
no match for this beast-mode crossbow.
Its ergonomic thumb-hole pistol grip and vented
forearm combined with a Soft Touch finish make the
crossbow a bowhunting masterpiece. The CenterFire’s
trigger delivers a no-travel execution to prevent flinches
and misses. Parker iced the cake with a full comb that allows for a solid cheek weld. This makes it extremely easy
to obtain a full objective view through the scope, even
while wearing warm hunting apparel.
The CenterFire has lain to rest the days when crossbows were cumbersome and
clunky.
Killer Packages
Safety First
The Parker CenterFire boasts an auto-engage, ambidextrous safety. This
means that when the string locks into the cocked position, the safety
automatically switches to the “on” position. Parker also implemented an
auto-engage anti-dry-fire mechanism that prevents the CenterFire from
firing without a bolt. And, with the Safety Finger Flange integrated into
a vented forearm, the shooter is always
reminded to keep fingers well below
the string path.
Whether your customers are
after the buck of a lifetime or
just a freezer full of fresh venison, tip the odds in
their favor with
the new Parker
CenterFire.
Inside Archery • August 2014
Reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2014 Zebra Publishing Inc.
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