Bow advice

[6ANut]

So marry Xmas to me. My bride to be informed me for xmas she is gonna get me my first bow. Budget about 1k with all the accessories. I'm 6'3 and about a 30 ish draw length. With reading some other postings I plan on shooting some different bow to see which feels more comfortable. My question is which bows should I start with? I want to be able to use it on elk to small animals. Thanks for the help.

[Will K]

Mathews, Hoyt, and PSE. Archery Headquarters will do you right. Just make sure you take the time to shoot them all. Best of luck and shoot straight.

[tjwking]

Hoyt, Mathews or PSE. I've been going to bear mountain and have received unbelievable service and the better prices than archery HQ.

[elpepe25]

To each their own, I love bull basin in flag and Tucson. Put your hands on every bow you can and shoot them if the shops will let you. Regardless of brand find one that is comfortable. I wouldn’t even worry about the IBO speed. Consider the lightly used market on archerytalk.com as well. A lot of people feel they need the newest version and there are good deals to be had.

As far as versatility goes, if you stay between 5.5 and 7.0 grains of arrow weight per pound of draw weight with moderate speed and a quality broadhead, you can shoot anything on the continent with reliable results.

Any questions feel free to PM me

[Redman]

Awesome, I would say pick the bow that fits you best spend most of your $$ on the bow and the arrow rest (QAD or Ripcord). Accessories are crazy expensive and you can pick up used items on Archery Talk for 1/2 or more the price in the store (as Elepe25 said)

 

7 pin sight.

stabilizer

case

Release

string wax, misc items, etc..

 

these items in a store could run you >$350 (and that is on the light side).. keep that in mind..dozen arrows $120...

[Redman]

for example (I don't know this guy from Adam).... but on AT, you can pick up a entire bow for a good price. do you know your draw length?

 

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1912903

[6ANut]

Thanks all for the advice keep it coming knowledge is power. I don't know my exact draw length but will find that out when I go to the store. So its better to buy the bow without all the accessories then get them on the aftermarket? Elpepe I will send a pm when I get back from Illinois Xmas, with more questions.

[wayno945]

I just bought my bow used off of AT. Lots of good guys on there. Got my 2012 Athens Recluse for half price!

[markgann]

I just bought the Hoyt charger. Great bow. Jeramy at chasing a dream in Payson has a great selection at great prices

[Willyhunts2]

+1 archery headquarters. They have all the bows you want to shoot in that price range. Good guys and will spend the time to set you up right.

[KiLLAcOuEs]

PSE... PSE... PSE....!!!!

[rageinthesage]

There is a Strother sx1 in classifieds that I would definitely take a look at if I were you Brian, way to good of a deal to pass up or at least take a look at. I have never shot a Strother, but I heard they are excellent shooting bows...

[Flatlander]

The Rampage XT is pretty tough to beat at that price point. I shoot the CRX 32 (same bow but machined aluminum riser instead of cast magnesium) and I love it. With the $ you save on the bow you could get really good accessories and be right where you want to be. I went to Archery HQ and have been happy, happy, happy with their service.

[AxisWorks LLC]

Don't decide untill you've shot Bowtechs Insanity. So far 3 buddies and 1 buddy of a buddy have switched after shooting mine. Just saying make sure it's one on the list for comparison.

[AverageJoe]

I have shot all major brand bows and they are all nice. Just a personal preference as to which you will like. I would worry about ibo speed a little as there is no reason nowadays to get anything with an ibo under 330. You can get a smooth as silk 7" brace height bow with a solid back wall and zero vibration that still has an ibo of 340. The faster the better as long as you dont sacrifice smoothness or accuracy. Some speed bows are a bear to draw.

 

I think elite is about the best overall bow there is anymore. if you want extremely smooth and quiet but maybe not as fast go with mathews. Mathews does have the MR series which are faster and amazing as well. Hoyt is great all around but you will either love it or hate it. My opinion is the latter of the two. The new PSE DNA would be top of the list too. Bowtech again is a good bow but They have had some limb peeling issues as of late.

 

I also would recommend looking at archerytalk for a used bow. I have bought 10 or so bows off there and you can get a great deal and have more money for better accesories. If you shoot one and like it, go look on archery talk and see if one is available. Make sure you buy from someone with good feedback if you do.

 

If you want to shoot a strother i have a couple you can try out. Strother makes very fast bows that are smooth and have the best back wall available. Just have a less of a following and customer service can be a pain.