Need a new bow, too many choices......

[Mark Christianson]

Well, I need to upgrade. Today I shot a few different bows, and unfortuneately, the one that was the top notch was the Matthews Outback. I aint spending almost $1000 on a package to get it though. I should have never shot it. I shot an Archery Research that was awfully nice, but its a bit pricy too. I was thinking of a package in the $500-$600 range. I am hoping that I don't end up with more confusion after posting this, but I am afraid that many different products will be recommended.

Here we go.
Thanks in advance.

[scotty18]

Biglakeba$$, welcome to our new forum. I'm sorry I can't help you much with wheel bows. It's been about 5-6 years since I switched to a recurve. I really don't keep up on the new technology. If you would be interested in switching I can help. For about the price of a new compound and acc., you could get set up with a traditional bow. The thing that attracted me to recurves was the simplicity and light weight. My recurve with 4 arrows in the quiver weighs about 4 lbs. No sights to snag or break off. No release to forget. If I need to change a string or tune it up, I can do it my self with simple hand tools. I build my own arrows, very simple to do. If you like to tinker and build your own stuff to use, a trad bow is the way to go.
Shooting one is easy. If you can crumple up a piece of paper and throw it in a waste basket you can shoot a recurve. I shot my first recurve for about 2 years. Then I had a custom one built for me. This bow will last me the rest of my life, then one of my kids will get it. Of course, when you get hooked on trad bows you'll get more. My wife and kids also shoot recurves. I tried to buy my 13 yr old daughter a compound for her birthday, but she insisted on a recurve.

Sorry about writing a book, I'm just trying to show there is another way to go.
Scotty

[Fisher Dave]

I used a recurve for years while bowfishing, and one year of archery deer.. but I will stick to my compound for big game .. It was frustrating to me to watch deer walk by at 30 yards and not have the confidence to release an arrow and be sure it hit is mark.

biglakebass .. have you tried shooting any of the Hoyt bows? I have had very good luck with them and consistency has been great. They arent cheap either.. but they shouldnt set you back $1000+. The warranty is great(lifetime limb) so my current bow I would likely be able to hand down to my son when he comes of age(3 years old now).. until then, I know my bow now performs as well as I can shoot and never leaves me without confidence in the field.. I couldnt ask any more from any product, so why change?

[PerchJerker]

Hey, biglakeba$$ -- maybe you can explain to us how in the heck you're gonna have time to buy a new bow AND learn how to shoot it before deer season with all the other stuff you've got going on

I have a Browning one-cam bow and love it. Not sure what the model is - have had it for about 5 years. It's fairly long axle to axle - I don't like short bows.

My opinion is that accuracy and confidence in your shooting is all that matters -- get a decent bow from a reputable manufacturer and you'll be happy, as long as it feels good when you shoot it.

Not sure if this helps or not, but good luck!

[scotty18]

Fisherdave, Thanks for the reply. Remember, I'm just a guy that had a idea for a forum and I'm no expert. I do have my own opinions. I'm glad you responded. I'm so far out of touch in regards to compound bows. You'll find in my replies that a lot of stuff I use has a big fun factor involved. I found wheel bows were no longer fun for me to shoot, so I tried a recurve. As far as reliability and consistancy, isn't that more the shooter than the equipment. As long as you practice and take care of your stuff, the accual type of bow doesn't matter. The most inportant fact is your arrow placement and a clean kill.
Ok, I'm leaving with one more fact to think about. In the Olympics, They are allowed to use recurves only and they shoot out to 90 meters with them.

thanks, Scotty

[delmuts]

biglake i will offer this for advice. keep looking! yes the mathews are awesome bows, but the price is scarry. keep looking at all of the brands. you may find one in your price range and or maybe look into used bows. there are a lot of good used ones out there, and are considerably cheaper than new. i have always told people to decide what you price range is and look for a bow that feels good to you that is in that range. del

[BLACKJACK]

I like Perchjerkers recomendation 'get a decent bow from a reputable manufacturer and you'll be happy, as long as it feels good when you shoot it.' Since this is your first, go thru a pro shop, Gander Mt, etc where they can give you advice on accessories. Realize that you'll spend quite a chunk on accesories too - rests, sites, arrows, case, broadheads. But if you figure it out over 6-10 years, its not so much and if you like gun hunting for deer you'll love archery hunting!!!

Good luck!

[BLACKJACK]

scotty, I guess I'm with Fisher Dave on the fact that I think that I owe it to the animals to be the best shot possible, and with my compound I can zero it right in any where up to 30 yards. Theres enough variables with windage, elevation, etc, that I'd like to elimanate as many variables as possible. I understand the concept of a recurve, its sort of like shooting a sling shot, you get pretty good at guesstemating, but with a compound you take the guess out. Plus I like the fact that I can take my bow out in early Sept and be right on in 10 minutes. I have too many other hobbies, it would be hard to find the time necessary with a recurve. Not bad mouthing recurves, just planning on sticking with my compound.

You mentioned losing your release. I shot fingers til last year, resisted the release, but when I had a hard time siting in my new bow and then used a release and was right on, being more accurate was the final factor.

[Bogsucker]

Let's not start a compound vs recurve debate.

leave that for another thread!

I'd try a few different bows and pick the one that I felt had the smoothest draw and a grip that I liked regardless of price/brand/ibo speed etc... I have shot over a dozen deer and an antelope with an old PSE round-wheel "target" bow that has the smoothest draw of any bow I've ever shot, cost me about $150 in the early 90's

[jlm]

Take a look at the Hoyt bows for sure. Another one to consider is Golden Eagle. They have made top of the line bows for years but they are often overlooked (not sure why). I have owned a few and they are fantastic and will shoot every bit as good and fast as the Mathews bows. To be honest though, any bow on the market today is pretty good. It is just a matter of finding the one you will have confidence in. You are welcome to shoot my GE anytime you would like, you have my email address (Diehard). Good luck!

[scotty18]

Welcome everyone to OUR new forum. I agree to not start a debate between the compound shooter and us trad shooters. Blackjack, I agree with you on your choice of bows. But I can site the same reasons to go to a recurve. I was a very frustrated compound shooter. My last bow was a XI impact. If you've been around bows a while you know the problems they had. I put up with mine for 8 years, and at the time I bought my impact they were the top bow! I know the growth in technology for compound bow is comparable to the growth in the computer industry.
As far as reliabilty/consistance/accuracy I feel more confortable using my recurve. With the said, I practice more. I practice more. I practice more. I took a hard look at what I wanted in my hunting life, pick a recurve and have been very happy since.
Traditional Archery isn't for everyone but it works for me.

Thanks, Scotty

[scotty18]

By the way Blackjack, I have always shot with bare fingers. I just resently went to a glove. I'm not as young as I used to be and my fingers were getting torn up, not to mention a little arthritis!

Ok as your moderator, I have a new ruling- Traditional archers must refrain from making jokes about training wheels

[jlm]

I for one really like those training wheels! Put a recurve in my hand or another traditional bow and it would be like building a nuclear powered rocket. I have shot traditional bows and they are great fun. However, the compound for me is the way to go. I guess I could shoot a traditional bow but it might look funny with a new fiber optic sight system! Good luck ya'll!

[Canuck]

Training Wheels they may be, but a 2" circle out to 30 yds every time sure improves the kill ratio.

My first bow was a recurve (about 35 yrs ago) but could not be consistent so never went after any game. I eventually switched to a Bear Whitetail (4 wheeler), slow, but killed may a deer. I knew the bow and knew my range limits and stayed within them. A couple of years ago I decided it was time to spoil myself and went looking in the winter months. I quickly realized that there were some very good used bows on the racks but one had to take his/her time and be patience (any good bow hunter has patience, RIGHT) Well it wasn't too long I picked up and tried a Darton and it fit me perfect and it was at a fraction of the cost of a new one. The guy at the archery store said every winter there are lots of guys trading in bows for every kind of reason and nothing wrong with them. The bow was bare so I got to pick my sight, rest etc.
Sugguest you check the various shops in your area and try the used bows and I am sure U will be surprised to what diamonds you find on the racks.

Last year I went to the Whisker Biscuit and love it. I start shooting as soon as the snow leaves the yard (about Apr) and shoot every day until the season is over, I live outside the city on a small farm and have the room to shoot. There is nothing like practice.
Do matter what U settle on, take your time and you will be rewarded. GOOD LUCK.

[scotty18]

OK I hope I didn't cause to much trouble. Sorry about the training wheels, I couldn't help myself. I was trying to lighten thing up. I love archery. I think the point I'm trying to get across is, there is a alturnative to compounds. The end result being we're having fun with the bows we like. At this time, I like to hunt with my recurve. It takes a lot of time and practice to shoot one. Maybe down the road I'll buy another compound.
Anyhow, I like to see all the responces, let's drop the differences and go back to the first question, and get him a good bow!

Scotty

[frozen toes]

Oh the choices out there. I hear ya on that issue. I have shot alot of compounds over the last few years from different companies. I finally settled on a Diamond Machete. Small, quiet, and plenty of speed yet forgiving. Almost all new bows in the mid-range to upper price are quaility bows. First you need to determine your price range, then shoot as many different bows that you can in that range. I guarantee you will find one that fits you. I paid roughly $500 for mine. That was a bare bones bow, but I already had all the accessories from my Mathews. One thing I would definitely reccomend on any new bow is the drop away style rest. Good luck in your search, that is part of the fun.

[Mark Christianson]

Blackjack,
I have a PSE currently. For some dumb reason I feel the need to upgrade. I am looking in the $500-$600 range for sure.
On hsolist I have found some new bows that are going for a heck of a good price, but I have to make darn sure of my make and brand before bidding.

oh, its frickin nuts with all the choices. I wish I would have never gottent the bug to upgrade.

Perch
With my 6 month paid leave of absence, I will surely find a day or two to sight a new bow in......

[PerchJerker]

With those 6 months you might even find a day or two when you can go hunting

[BLACKJACK]

scotty, not trying to start a compound vrs recurve debate, just find out why some people shoot recurves and to state why a compound works for me.

Glad theres a special spot on this forum for archery! Now if we could just seperate it from the shooting guys

By the way, I shoot a Golden Eagle, because I like the way they feel, I'm on my third one. Biglake, thats the key, get out and shoot a few and find one that feels right for you, in your price range. Any of the new bows by the major manufacturers are going to be good bows.

[Mr Special]

I've owned my fair share of different bows. I've had PSE, Jennings, Hoyte, and currently shooting a Parker. Which is the 2nd least expensive bow I've bought. With today's technology all the companies will offer good bow's. I think it's just a matter of find one that fits you and feels good from the start. Don't settle for forming to the bow. Take time and don't rush it you have till Sept. Shoot lots and you will find one you like.

Good luck

[Fisher Dave]

My way of shopping for a new bow is just to get out and check out as many as possible. I will pick up each bow and 1st see which one's *feel right*. The grip is a huge factor in our shooting, and all bows feel a bit different. While i'm feeling out bows.. I keep in perspective if I want a short limb bow, or longer limb bow.. I dont like a bow thats too long.. harder to go through the brush.. at the same time the short bows dont shoot nearly as consistantly for me, so I'm not as confident... the mid-length bows.. still plenty of accuracy, easy enough to get through the woods, and slightly more weight(steadies my shooting).

When I find the bows that feel right, I will check out the draw on each of them.. if it is too long I will have them shorten it to my length and draw it with my realease.. after going through the bows one or 2 will stand out.. then it comes to shooting.

In the end I know when I have a bow that I am confident.. I may be a pain to the archery shop... but its my $300-$600 going out the door.. and in the end I get the bow that fits me perfectly and have no need to upgrade by the next season.

Once you have your new bow .. then the new debate starts .. What arrow?? What grain point/broadhead?? Mechanical or standard??

[scotty18]

Blackjack, I know your not trying to start a debate. I think we can all agree we're all here to learn, help and have fun. I don't think we need to split of a different forum for archery. I think we have plenty of room.
Now if you or some one else would like to handle the compound question, I would be more than happy to share the moderator job.
Believe me, I am way out of touch concerning compounds.

Let me know if any one is interested.

Thanks, Scotty

[Mark Christianson]

Scotty
Don't you actually live in Big Lake?????
Youre profile says Elk River.

Sorry, off topic.

Back to bows.

[czl99]

Take a look at the Buckmaster 3000. It is only $300 and I think it is well worth it. It is a very nice bow it is accurate, very quiet and very smooth.

[Canuck]

Fisher Dave had a very good point in his post. Take your release if you use one when U go looking for a new bow. No need to have two new things to contend with when bow shopping.