Looking for a new/upgrade compound hunting bow

[lamrith]

 :hello:New bow shooter here, only been bow shooting again for a month after being away 30yrs.  Quick background..

I stumbled on a Parker Velocity for a good deal and scooped it up sight unseen.  It has been a solid and consistent bow for me, but I am already wanting MOAR!!  This was shooting 20yrds the 1st night I had the bow and I am HOOOKED!!


I am lucky enough to have a big yard and have hay bales and a target set-up in the backyard with up to 70yrds max shots.  I have been shooting almost daily and currently I have been shooting 20 and 30yrds mostly with some 40/50 thrown in.  The Cabela's target block is plum worn out in the middle which has been fun.

Being on the tall and lanky side bow fit is/was a concern.  I was measured @ 31.5" draw, and beat up shoulders limited initial draw weight.  Currently I am shooting on a release, bow is set right about 31" though I need to measure to get exact length and draw weight has been 57#.  I just added a half turn to each limb and so far the shoulders are handling the change fine, so I think I should be ok shooting a bow that is rated 60-70#.

I am looking for a hunting oriented bow as I hope to bow hunt for the 1st time this year.

So..  hopefully without starting any brand wars you all can recommend a few bows I look at?  I am wanting to keep it <=$500 for package with rest, sight quiver.  I have only shot the Parker so far in terms of a compound bow.  Puyallup Sportsmans has some bows in this range, and a couple of really good guys in that Dept, but not being a pro shop I know they are limited in model selection.

I am in Puyallup area are there any shops close worth going to?

[sakoshooter]

I'ts your choice on draw weight but from reading your post, I'd stick with a 60# +/- draw weight bow. Today's bows shoot fast enough at lower poundages that those heavy weights we all used to shoot aren't necessarily needed today.
If you're serious about buying another bow, I'd recommend seeing Ryan Black(weekends)at Sportco or Doug at Great Northwest Archery(Puyallup). Getting set up at a pro shop is the way to go unless you're pretty versed in archery and have the tools.

[D-Rock425]

   stick with a 60# max .  If you max it out it should almost be 62,63 pounds.  I believe bows shoot better at max weight than they will backed off.

[lamrith]

Thanks guys!  Thanks for the info on the draw weight, didn't know about the max shoots best.  I do not really have a goal of going to 70# but thought the ability to cross into the 60-70# rigs vs the 50-60# rigs might open up more options for bow models.

I am a sportco member so will have to check them out a bit more.  I found Great Northwests website lastnight late, so will check them too.

Sportsmans in Puyallup has a full archery shop, and honestly some of the most helpfull staff I have ever dealt with.  But they are not a "pro shop" like Great northwest so they have limited offerings per brand.  Sportco would be the same situation?

[lamrith]

Well what a difference a few days and research makes!..

Went to Puyallup Sportman's on Sunday afternoon.  I had them remeasure me, and they put me behind a few bows.  Turns out I measure just shy of 31", so they set me behind some 30" draw bows.  I tried the Bear attitude, held the Authority and then on a whim shot the Diamond Carbon Cure(single Cam).  Wow, THAT was a mistake.  Really nice, light, fast, good shooting bow.  The bow was completely bare other than a thrown on WB rest, and even with the light weight and no damping it was not loud or rough shooting.  Out of my original price range, but it got me thinking.    The good news though is that the 30" bows all felt comfortable and position/form is the same as current bow.

Went home and did a rough measure on my Velocity, it is physically measuring 30", even thought it is set to 31" draw settings?    But, that confirms the shop measurement which is great.

Went to Sportco lastnight and checked what they had.  They also measured me as just under 31" draw.  They had the Bowtech Carbon knight (twin cam version of the Carbon Cure), it was 70# but I shot it anyway and liked it allot.  I also shot the Assassin, nice bow, but just not the Carbon.  The Carbon Knight even as a bare bow was quieter than my parker.
Went home and stumbled on a good deal on a review bow.  Talked with the seller a bit, locked in the deal and paid for it lastnight.  Got shipping confirmation today, I am the proud new owner of a Bowtech Carbon Knight!!

[lamrith]

Bow arrived, got it setup with sight, rest, quiver.  Have it set @ 30.5" and 60#.


1st shots lastnight after installing new rest.


Diggin this new bow already.

[Jellymon]

Sweet!   

[sakoshooter]

Nice shooting. Have fun with it.

[Johnb317]

Nice group.  Don't go breaking arrows.
Btw - I've been told that max draw weight is not such a big deal with the parallel limb bows.   

[lamrith]

The draw on this is so much smoother than my old bow that I am finding I can comfortably draw more weight as it is not a lumpy curve.  Originally it was shooting 282ish, then I reset to 30.5" draw which brought it up to 290.  Factory tag from assembly shows 64#, and I now have the bow at max (bottomed out - 1/4turn).  I will measure actual draw the next time I am near a scale.  With my 400g arrows, she is doing 295fps now.

To late on breaking arrows.  Down to 4 usable out of the 6 I had.  One partial robin hood, then another broke midshaft after contact.  Anyone looking for an economical arrow, check out the Sportsmans warehouse Arrows,  they are produced by GT, come in 300 & 400spine, $36.99 for 6 with inserts.  Sportsmans will cut to length for you for free and they are +/-.005"  Mine are 30.5" with 100g tip and weigh in right @ 400g.  I ave well over 50shots thru each arrow and they are still shooting good as long as I don't shoot them into each other.

Went out and got her a little bit seasoned yesterday.  These filthy buggers been messing up the screens on my garage bad the last few years, cost me $50 already this year for new screens/grates for the soffet.

Snuck up and released @ 20yrds.  1st ever shot at live target for me and the bow.


For those not familiar it is legal to hunt/kill them at any time without a permit...
http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/starlings.html