Victory Archery, the company renowned for setting the industry bar in arrow technology and design with its full line of high-performance, 100% carbon fiber arrows, has gone big by going small with an ultra lightweight arrow in 2016. The new Victory RIP XV (Xtreme Velocity) .204 line of arrows — including the Elite, Gamer, and Sport models — takes lightweight, small diameter, flat shooting, hard-hitting arrow technology to a new level of performance.
The RIP XV is built from the ground up with maximum speed and long-range performance in mind. The shaft is constructed from 100% Hi-Modulus Carbon Fiber, utilizing the company’s unique composite materials expertise. This allows the RIP XV to feature a smaller outer diameter for increased durability and strength, but more importantly, a smaller outer diameter equates to less surface friction for ‘xtreme’ speed, lethality and penetration on game.
Another advantage of the smaller outer diameter is reduced wind drift. Hunting scenarios often play out in less than ideal conditions meaning the bowhunter has to defeat the game’s natural defenses and Mother Nature. When your one shot absolutely must split the hair you’re aiming at, you cannot afford to have an otherwise perfect shot blown off target by a crosswind. Thanks to the RIP XV’s small diameter, that worry is significantly diminished.
Victory’s RIP XV line features industry-leading straightness tolerances. The RIP XV Elite is the premium-grade hunting shaft with the tightest tolerance of +/- .001-inch straightness. Following the Elite is Victory’s RIP XV Gamer at +/- .003-inch. Rounding out the line is RIP XV Sport at +/- .006-inch straightness. The RIP XV is available in four spine ratings, 300, 350, 400, and 500 with 7.1, 6.4, 6.1, and 5.9 grains-per-inch respectively.
Like all Victory arrows, the new RIP XV comes 100% hand-fletched and spine aligned. This provides increased consistency and accuracy between each arrow in the package, and tighter groups for you.
Critical to the success of the RIP XV is the Victory’s new RIP Shock insert. Tipping the scales at 21 grains, the RIP Shock insert strengthens the end of the arrow shaft for increased durability. The weight also increases the arrows front of center for increased broadhead accuracy and tighter groups. However, depending on your setup and needs, the RIP XV is available with a variety of precision 7075 aluminum or stainless steel components.
Before taking the shot that will determine your season’s success or failure, you’ll likely spend plenty of time on the 3D range honing your skills on foam targets. When a foam 3-D target stops the arrow, the friction will often melt the foam to the shaft. This makes removing the arrow difficult. It can also cause the shooter to bend or torque the arrow when pulling it out. The RIP XV is prepared to combat this issue with a slick outer coating known as Nano Ceramic “ICE.”