Mathews V3 27" or 31"

[h2ofowlr]

I am going to get a new Mathews in the next few weeks.  Trying to decide between the V3 in 27" or 31".  Shot both bows and they shot very nice and super smooth.  I have a 28.5" draw lenght and don't tree stand hunt.  What are the pro's and con's between a longer vs. shorter axle to axle bow?  Trying to decide which one to go with.

[jrebel]

31 would be my choice.  More stable and more forgiving.   At one point didn’t wa have a minimum ata of 28”.  Regardless no way I buy a bow under 30 ever again and I prefer 32-34 ata. 

[mburrows]

I'd personally go with the longer ata over the shorter. In my opinion the only benefit of a shorter axle to axle is mobility in a blind or tree stand.  31" is right in that sweet spot of perfect ata length in my opinion.

[Mfowl]

I have an E35 and a VXR 28. Both are very stable and hold well. The VXR is better to carry around  or put on a pack no doubt. I am a short draw guy so I could not get the 31.5. I have had no problems with the short ATA of the VXR. The cams are so huge it gives you a string angle at draw like a longer ATA bow. It is a stable, vibe free platform and really quiet. That being said I will be parting ways with my VXR as it has cable stops and I prefer limb stops. But it has been a fun bow for such a short ATA.

[OltHunter]

Were you able to get a good nose/string anchor on both?  I consider a 27 and 31 in the same, short ATA category and don't see a whole lot of added benefit going to 27 unless you are 100% blind/tree stand.

String angle is the main thing i'd worry about with 27 vs 31.  The longer ATA you get, the more stable you will be without the added offset weight.

I think you could get a 27" as stable as a 31" but would need to be 6 to 8 oz heavier.

Shorter ATA will not catch as much wind and be a game changer hunting out of blinds or tree stands, but longer yard shots will be tougher. 

If you are a blind/stand type hunter with close range shots, go shorter, especially if you have never used the string as an anchor point.

If you are spot/stalk with maybe some blind/stand type hunting go 31".  4" isn't a game changer to keep you out of a blind too!

If they both felt like the same draw cycle, same hand shock, same anchors, I'd go 31" as it just gives you a little more stability without the added weight.

But if 1 felt better than the other, go with that, whether that is 27 or 31. 

[h2ofowlr]

Were you able to get a good nose/string anchor on both?  I consider a 27 and 31 in the same, short ATA category and don't see a whole lot of added benefit going to 27 unless you are 100% blind/tree stand.

String angle is the main thing i'd worry about with 27 vs 31.  The longer ATA you get, the more stable you will be without the added offset weight.

I think you could get a 27" as stable as a 31" but would need to be 6 to 8 oz heavier.

Shorter ATA will not catch as much wind and be a game changer hunting out of blinds or tree stands, but longer yard shots will be tougher. 

If you are a blind/stand type hunter with close range shots, go shorter, especially if you have never used the string as an anchor point.

If you are spot/stalk with maybe some blind/stand type hunting go 31".  4" isn't a game changer to keep you out of a blind too!

If they both felt like the same draw cycle, same hand shock, same anchors, I'd go 31" as it just gives you a little more stability without the added weight.

But if 1 felt better than the other, go with that, whether that is 27 or 31.

They both shot very similar the 27 felt a bit better shooting, but that was the dozen or so arrows I shot through it.  Most of my hunting is spot and stalk.  I can't sit still long enough to utilize a blind or tree stand.

[OltHunter]

If it's easy to go shoot some again, try it and pay laser attention to the draw cycle, hand shock, and anchors. Make sure they are both at your draw length.

You're looking at the difference between 2 inches on each side of the cam, not a big deal. Their extended rise should help with that consistency and forgiveness other super short Ata's may give you.

I did forget to mention that the 31 will resell quicker and may hold a little more value as there will be more demand for it. Lots of people aren't sold on sub 30".

Full disclosure I have not and will never shoot a <31 ATA bow, though only because of my draw length. I have a 32" draw length. I do run the Traverse as my main bow, that is 34 which is considered short for that draw length. Their cams are so big its basically like a 36".

I also run a prime CT9, which is 39". It's a bitch to pack around, and easier for me to stabilize without added weight over the Traverse, but that is really only out past hunting range for me. 40 yards and in, depending on the day, with the same weight, either is my best shooter!

Throwing a bow on my pack and working off trail, I'd love a 31 or 27!

Good luck with your decision, I like mathews. Can't go wrong.

[Taco280AI]

Which did you go with? I never tried the 31, only the 27. I've read so many times that people don't suggest the 27 for western hunting, only for treestands and ground blinds. What a bunch of BS! That's not at anyone here, but I've read a lot of comments like that on other sites and YouTube videos. My 27 is very accurate at longer distances. For those with a longer draw length, then I'd likely suggest the 31. For short T-Rex armed people like myself (F mod on the V3 27), the 27. I should have tried both, but very happy with my 27.

[h2ofowlr]

Which did you go with? I never tried the 31, only the 27. I've read so many times that people don't suggest the 27 for western hunting, only for treestands and ground blinds. What a bunch of BS! That's not at anyone here, but I've read a lot of comments like that on other sites and YouTube videos. My 27 is very accurate at longer distances. For those with a longer draw length, then I'd likely suggest the 31. For short T-Rex armed people like myself (F mod on the V3 27), the 27. I should have tried both, but very happy with my 27.

I went several times to the shop to get a V3 and they would never have them in stock.  Ended buying a 28 VXR and picked up the 30 VXR last weekend.