FX Redback & Gatling 8 Arrow Rifle Guide: Silent Hunting with FX Arrow Guns in Canada

What is the FX Redback arrow rifle?

The FX Redback is a pre-charged pneumatic arrow rifle — an airbow — designed and manufactured by FX Airguns in Sweden. Rather than using a pellet, it fires a proprietary .22-shaft carbon arrow using compressed air stored in an onboard reservoir at approximately 250 bar (3,625 psi). The result is a platform that is mechanically closer to a PCP air rifle than to a crossbow: no string, no limbs, no physical cocking effort, and a shot that makes far less noise than either a crossbow or a pellet rifle at the same distance.

The Redback weighs approximately 2–3 kg, fills to 250 bar via standard hand pump or SCBA tank, and produces arrow velocities of approximately 550–620 fps. At those velocities, a .22-shaft carbon arrow delivers hunting-class energy at close-to-medium range — effective on small game (rabbit, squirrel, crow) and pest species (groundhog, rat) at up to 40–60 metres. The combination of near-zero audible signature and accurate arrow delivery at that range is something no other category of hunting equipment provides.

The name "Redback" comes from the distinctive red chassis finish on the original production run. The platform is often referred to interchangeably as an arrow rifle, airbow, or PCP arrow gun — all of these terms describe the same product. Both terms are used in this guide for SEO breadth and because Canadian buyers search both.

FX Redback vs Gatling 8 — what is the difference?

The FX Redback is a single-shot platform; the FX Gatling 8 is an 8-shot rotating-magazine version of the same core technology. This is the primary distinction between the two — the operating mechanism and shot capacity differ; the arrow format, fill pressure, and noise signature are essentially identical.

The Redback's single-shot format is not a limitation for precision hunting applications. For a hunter stalking a specific target animal where one considered shot is the norm, the Redback's bolt-load cycle adds no meaningful operational friction. The Gatling 8's 8-arrow rotating magazine becomes an advantage in pest control scenarios — a barn with a rat problem, a field with active groundhog burrows — where multiple rapid shots within a short window are the practical requirement.

The Gatling 8 is approximately $400 more than the Redback at current Canadian pricing. If your primary use is precision single-animal hunting, the additional cost does not buy you anything operationally useful. If you anticipate repeated rapid-fire sequences at pests, the Gatling 8 pays for itself in the time saved over single-loading between shots.

How loud is the FX Redback arrow rifle?

The FX Redback and Gatling 8 are the quietest hunting platforms in the FX lineup — quieter than any FX pellet PCP, quieter than any crossbow on release, and essentially inaudible as a report beyond approximately 30 metres.

Quantifying "quiet" is useful here. A standard crossbow produces approximately 80–90 dB on release from the string snap and limb vibration. A typical pellet PCP produces 80–95 dB at the muzzle. The FX Redback's PCP-powered arrow release produces a short, low-frequency exhaust sound — measurably quieter than both, in the range of 60–70 dB at the muzzle depending on fill pressure and ambient conditions. At 50 metres, the audible signature is negligible.

For the practical hunting scenarios where this matters: shooting in semi-rural or residential-adjacent areas where a rifle report or crossbow snap would draw attention; hunting situations where not alerting nearby game after a first shot is an advantage; or pest control in enclosed spaces (barns, outbuildings) where noise is a genuine concern. In all of these, the Redback's near-silence is a real operational advantage, not a marketing claim.

FX arrow guns vs traditional crossbow in Canada — which is better?

For the specific use cases where FX arrow guns excel — close-to-medium range silent hunting, rapid multi-shot pest control, and operations where noise is a primary concern — the Redback and Gatling 8 are the better tool. For applications where traditional crossbow advantages apply — longer effective range, no fill requirement, widely available standard arrows — the crossbow wins. The two platforms are not direct competitors so much as different tools for different jobs.

The no-effort cocking is a genuine advantage for hunters who have joint or mobility limitations that make traditional crossbow draw weights impractical. The Redback requires no draw — you fill the reservoir with a hand pump or tank, load an arrow, and fire. For older hunters or those with shoulder or arm injuries, this is meaningful.

The FX proprietary arrow cost is the main ongoing trade-off. Standard crossbow bolts run $5–10 each; FX arrows are approximately $15–25 each depending on type. You will not be shooting 100-arrow practice sessions with a Redback the way you might with a compound bow. Budget for FX arrows accordingly, and factor recovery — most hunters recover a meaningful percentage of their arrows from clean kills or misses into soft ground.

Is the FX Gatling 8 legal in Canada?

FX arrow guns — including the Redback and Gatling 8 — are generally treated as airguns under Canadian federal law rather than as crossbows or firearms, placing them in the uncontrolled category for most buyers under the Firearms Act. The arrow velocity and muzzle energy of both platforms at their operating specifications typically fall within the thresholds relevant to this classification.

However, the use of any hunting implement in Canada is regulated at both the federal and provincial level. Whether you can legally use a FX arrow gun to hunt specific species in specific seasons is a provincial wildlife regulation question, not just a federal firearms question. Provincial regulations vary considerably — some provinces explicitly address airbow and PCP arrow rifle use in their hunting regulations; others do not yet have specific rules and treat them under general airgun or archery provisions.

Before hunting with an FX Redback or Gatling 8 in Canada, check the current hunting regulations for your province and the specific species you intend to hunt. This guide is informational and is not legal or regulatory advice.

Can you hunt with an FX Redback in Canada?

Yes, for the species and applications where the Redback's energy and effective range are appropriate — primarily small game, pest species, and close-range scenarios — the FX Redback is a capable hunting tool in Canadian conditions.

The Redback produces hunting-class energy at close range on species like rabbit, squirrel, groundhog, crow, pigeon, and rat at up to 40–60 metres. The near-silent shot signature is particularly useful in pest control contexts: a single shot at a barn rat does not scatter the rest of the colony the way a rifle report would. Multiple follow-up shots with the Gatling 8 in the same session at different targets is operationally practical in a way it is not with a standard pellet rifle report echoing around an enclosed space.

For deer and larger game, the Redback's energy level is not appropriate. Arrow velocity of 550–620 fps with a .22-shaft arrow does not produce the penetration or retained energy at range that ethical deer hunting requires. The FX Impact M4 in .25 or .30 cal at appropriate range is a better tool for medium-to-large Canadian quarry; the Redback is a small-game and pest platform.

Browse all PCP hunting air rifles in Canada to compare the Redback against higher-energy platforms for the game size you are targeting.

What arrows does the FX Redback and Gatling 8 use?

Both the FX Redback and Gatling 8 use FX's proprietary .22-shaft carbon arrows — standard crossbow bolts or conventional archery arrows are not compatible with either platform. The FX arrow format is built to the specific diameter and weight specifications that the PCP action is tuned to fire accurately; using non-FX arrows voids the warranty and produces unpredictable performance.

FX offers its arrows in multiple weight and configuration options suited to different applications — lighter arrows for flatter trajectory and higher velocity, heavier arrows for more energy on target and better penetration on pest-control applications. Arrow recovery rate matters for the economics of FX arrow gun ownership: in soft ground, against a suitable backstop, or in non-penetrating close-range pest work, most arrows are recoverable and reusable for multiple sessions.

FX arrow availability in Canada is more limited than standard crossbow bolt availability — check current stock when you purchase your platform and order a supply alongside it. Browse FX Airguns Canada for available arrow stock alongside the Redback and Gatling 8 platforms.

How accurate is the FX Redback at 40–60 metres?

The FX Redback is capable of consistent arrow groups at 40–50 metres that are more than adequate for small game hunting — experienced users report 3-arrow groups of 50–70mm at 50 metres under calm conditions with matched arrows.

Arrow stability at range is affected by the same variables as pellet stability in a PCP — arrow weight (heavier arrows stabilise faster), spine consistency between arrows, and ambient wind conditions. At 40–60 metres in calm conditions, the Redback's accuracy is not the limiting factor in a hunting application. The shooter's range estimation and the chosen rest position contribute more to practical hunting accuracy than mechanical precision at these distances.

Beyond 60 metres, arrow drop and wind drift become significant enough that the platform is no longer appropriate for ethical hunting on small game targets. The effective hunting range ceiling of 40–60 metres should be treated conservatively — in field conditions with variable wind, a 40-metre conservative limit is more appropriate than pushing to the mechanical accuracy ceiling of 60 metres.

Pairing a quality optic with the Redback helps range estimation and hold-over consistency at the longer end of its range. Browse scopes and optics for air rifles for compatible options — a low-to-medium magnification scope with parallax set at 30–40m is the typical choice for a Redback hunting setup.

Frequently asked questions about FX arrow guns in Canada

Do I need a hunting licence to use the FX Redback in Canada?

A hunting licence is required to hunt any regulated wildlife species in Canada regardless of the implement you use — this applies to the FX Redback and Gatling 8 as much as to any other hunting tool. Whether the Redback is specifically permitted for the species you intend to hunt in your province is a separate question governed by provincial wildlife regulations. Check your provincial hunting regulations for current rules on airgun and airbow use before hunting.

What fill pressure does the FX Redback operate at?

The FX Redback fills to approximately 250 bar (3,625 psi). This is within the range of a quality high-pressure hand pump — no dive tank or dedicated air compressor is strictly required for occasional shooting, though a carbon fibre tank or SCBA bottle is significantly faster and more practical for regular sessions. Confirm the maximum fill pressure for your specific Redback configuration before overfilling.

How many arrows does the Gatling 8 fire before reloading?

The FX Gatling 8 holds 8 FX proprietary arrows in a rotating magazine. Once all 8 have been fired, the magazine is removed and reloaded manually. The Gatling 8 does not auto-cycle a new magazine — you reload the same magazine one arrow at a time, or carry a pre-loaded spare. For pest control sessions, carrying two loaded magazines and swapping between sets is the most practical field approach.

Is the FX Gatling 8 louder than the Redback?

Not meaningfully. Both platforms produce a similar exhaust sound on shot — the gas discharge signature is near-identical between the two since both operate on the same fill pressure and arrow weight. The Gatling 8's rotating magazine mechanism produces a slight additional mechanical sound on cycling, but neither platform produces a report that would be described as loud at hunting distances.

Can the FX Redback be used for deer hunting in Canada?

No — the FX Redback's arrow energy is not sufficient for ethical deer hunting at any practical range. The platform is designed for small game (rabbit, squirrel, crow) and pest species (groundhog, rat) at up to 40–60 metres. For medium-to-large game in Canada, a dedicated hunting PCP in .25 or .30 cal — such as the FX Impact M4 or FX DRS Pro — is the appropriate platform, not the arrow gun line.

Where to start with FX arrow guns in Canada

The FX Redback is the natural starting point for most buyers — lower cost, simpler operation, and operationally sufficient for any application where rapid multi-shot capability is not a requirement. The Gatling 8 is worth the additional investment if you are specifically targeting pest control scenarios where 8 rapid arrows within a short window is a real operational need, not just a theoretical feature.

Before purchasing, confirm:

• Arrow availability — order FX arrows alongside your platform purchase; Canadian stock is more limited than crossbow bolt supply
• Fill equipment — a hand pump or SCBA tank capable of reaching 250 bar is required; confirm what you have or budget for a pump alongside the rifle
• Provincial hunting regulations — if you intend to use the Redback or Gatling 8 for hunting, verify current rules for your province before the season opens

To shop and compare:

• FX Redback Arrow Rifle — single-shot precision platform with current pricing
• FX Airguns Canada — full FX lineup including Gatling 8 and arrow accessories
• PCP air rifles Canada — all pre-charged pneumatic hunting platforms in stock
• Big bore PCP air rifles — for buyers who want higher energy than the arrow guns for larger Canadian game
• Scopes and optics for air rifles — matching optics for silent hunting setups

For a full overview of where the Redback and Gatling 8 fit within the FX family — and how the arrow gun platform compares to the Impact M4 and DRS line for different hunting applications — see our guide to the best PCP rifles for hunting in Canada and the FX model comparison guide.