New to Archery and need a good set up

[fire4effect]

So i shot my first compound bow and it was damn fun and sadly now i cant stop thinking about it. one active user on here addicted suggested that i consult the great forum wizard to discuss a new bow set up.

If any of you guys have a recommendation based off of use or lessons learned or just opinion i could use your help.

Ive been researching a lot of bow packages and one in particular that has my attention is the PSE Stinger NI. i was measured to have a 29" draw and id like to have a bout a 60 lb draw.

once i get the bow ill deff need help on arrows, for target and for hunting as well.

thanks for your help

[jackelope]

whats your budget?

[Todd_ID]

whats your budget?

This is a good place to start!  I see the Stinger package you mentioned is in the $420 range, and it's a tough challenge to keep a bow setup this cheap.  My advice is to try and shoot a couple different brands before you buy one.  You'll find a brand or line of bows that just feel better than the rest.  That "feel good" feeling is simply ergonomics.  All bows are designed a bit differently, and one of them will seem to be made for you.  That is the bow you will shoot by far better than any other and will get more enjoyment out of the sport.  If the $420 price range is right for you, then your best bet may be to get a year or two old bow off the classifieds on here or archerytalk.com.  There is a big difference between an inexpensive kit bow and a top end bow.  The top end bows are way too over-priced, in my opinion, but you get what you pay for in this sport, and last years bow is probably the same bow as this years latest and greatest; you'll save $500 off a bow package by getting a year-old one.

If, by chance of being in Germany, you don't have too many great options of places to go to try before you buy, and if the $420 price tag is not a major thing, then I say you'd be served well enough for now with that Stinger package.  Having one in hand to shoot and learn about the sport is better than nothing at all.  At least you'll have several thousand shots under your belt to begin learning what you like and don't like about the bow when you're ready to upgrade.  Getting started will get you to the ranges and meeting people with many opinions and ideas who will most likely be willing to teach you all you want to learn about it.

[Old Dog]

I agree with everything Todd_ID said.  I am very familiar with the Stinger by PSE, and if I were you I would look at the Brute by PSE instead.  The package sells for about a $100 more than the Stinger, but the Stinger has composite limb pockets compared to the Brute that has aluminum limb pockets that pivot.  IMO a much better set up for the money.

[JB Huntin]

You are getting some very good advice.  In archery you get what you pay for.  I shoot a mathews, but I am by no means brand loyal.  The DXT felt the best out of the bunch when I shot it.  There are a lot of great manufacturers out there that make a lot of great equipment.  My wife shoots a Hoyt that she loves and is very accurate with.  She shot the Mathews DXT and did not care for it.  The Hoyt was a lot cheaper and she likes it better.  Put some time in on the research and shoot as many as you can from all price ranges.  Buy the one that feels the best.  Talk to your friends that are into Archery.  They should be able to give you some more insight.  Find a good archery shop.  Talk to the pros behind the counter.  They do it for a living.  Also, just remember that a lot of people, including me, have their own opinions about what is best.  Remember it is just their opinion.  It is a good place to start, but take it with a grain of salt.  Good luck and welcome to Archery.  It is awesome.   

[hunt4]

Alpine has a nice package deal about $420...shoot as many as you can and let the bow choose you



* Mass weight: 3.5 pounds.
* Axle to Axle: 35 inches.
* Brace height: 7.25 inches.
* Draw weights: 60, 70 pounds.
* Cam: Advantage One Cam.
* Draw lengths: 26” through 30”
* IBO speed: 300 fps.
* Limbs: Bi-Flex composite limb, film dipped finish in Next G1
* Cable Guard Straight mounted carbon.
* Sight window 5.5” single plane window.
* Pocket: Pivoting Limb Mounting System.
* Riser Color: Next G1
* Grip: Two piece ABS panel grip.
* Let-off: 80% standard, optional 65%

[lokidog]

Arrow "help"...  shoot the same arrow for both target and hunting, just make sure it is spined correctly for your draw and broadhead weight.

Have  fun!

[PacificNWhunter]

I have heard great things about the Martin Bengal. You can get the package deal for $675 out the door. My buddy loves his.

[colockumelk]

Fireforeffect-
I'm assuming that you are active duty military correct?  If so you can get an almost top of the line bow fully set up and sent to you for $500.  Bowtech has a military discount program where they get rid of last years bows to military members for super cheap.  BTW I own a Hoyt so I'm not trying to tow the Bowtech line.  However the bows mentioned below are not nearly as good or high quality as the Diamond Marquis.  The Marquis was Diamond's Flagship Bow in 2008.  In short in 2008 it was a top of the line bow.  So basically you're getting a top of the line bow fully setup for $500.  Can't get better than this.

Here's the link for the military discount
http://www.bowtecharchery.com/military_discount.php

Here's how much it retails for at Gander Mountain.  (BTW this price is bow only.  No kit.)
http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=401988&pdesc=Diamond_Marquis_Compound_Bow&aID=503AA1&merchID=4006

Here's a bow review for it.
http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/JonSilks-0001/Field_Evaluation_-_Diamond_Marquis.shtml

[jackelope]

wow...thats pretty effing awesome of Bowtech.

[PacificNWhunter]

wow...thats pretty effing awesome of Bowtech.

[/quote
 

[MichaelJ]

That is pretty *censored*!

Michael

[MIKEXRAY]

That's a great post Colockumelk,  that is a great lead on a great deal.               Todd Id always has great ideas, that is why I email him with all my archery questions. For a beginner it is hard to go wrong with any of the bow packages available. What ever you can get at the best deal and feels good shooting. Once you shoot for a couple of years and get to know more of what you want out of equipment then you can upgrade. Have fun & good shooting. Mike

[colockumelk]

Thanks Mikexray.  I totally agree.  That's why this deal is so cool for him.  He can get a flagship bow for cheap bow prices. 

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Bowtech will also ship it to you at your APO address. 
Spot Hoog also offers some great Military discounts.... so if you decide to get a different sight check them out!

[Shootmoore]

Nice advise all the way around. 

Here are two cents that I would throw in as well.  As in learning to shoot a rifle I always suggest learning to shoot iron sights first, then learning to shoot with a scope.

Archery I always suggest learning to shoot instinctive first then learn to shoot with sights.  This is just my oppinion.

Shootmoore

[fire4effect]

I kind of disagree.  I am a big believer in train like you fight just my  . 

after reading your particular imput, i looked on bowtechs site, found the diamond marques and it by far is the best deal ive found for a top of the line bow. being active duty and over here in germany, there are zero chances to touch and fire a bow before purchasing. we have a rod and gun club that has two bear bows but the manager wont let us shoot them because then he cant sell them as new. seems kinda backwards to me.

any whoo i do plan on upgrading the sites to perhaps a 5 pin setup. with a tru ball short-n-sweet release. any suggestions for arrow weights and browadheads?

[colockumelk]

That's cool fire4affect.  So I take it from your screen name your a F.A.G then (Lets see how many guys get that joke)  

Before we can tell you your bow set up we need some info.  Go to this link and as Todd ID what you should do.  He's the subject matter expert and can help you out.  God knows he's helped me out lot.  Good luck and have fun.  Plus if you can send us pics of your new bow when it gets there.  

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,43087.0.html

[Todd_ID]

I've always got some input on most subjects, but I'm the master of none!  If bowhunting is your goal, then I don't think you'll be at all disappointed with the Marquis.  I've never played with one, but I've also never heard anything bad about them; it was phased out in 2009, however.  If that is your pick, and hunting is your goal, then I'd look strongly at getting a 29" Easton ST Axis Nano 340 arrow with a 125 grain broadhead.  You'd be getting about 257 fps on a 463 grain arrow with 13.5% FOC and 68 ft-lbs KE.  None of those numbers mean too much to a beginner, but suffice it to say that the bow is tough enough to put an arrow all the way through anything that walks the N. American continent.  If only target shooting is the goal, or if your bow choice changes, then let us know that, and we can come up with a different combination. 

[colockumelk]

I've always got some input on most subjects, but I'm the master of none! 

Okay Todd I know I speak for all of us on here when I say       

[colockumelk]

Okay before I get banned.  F.A.G stands for Field Artillery Guy.  As for you Todd if your not an expert than my names Hillary Clinton and I should forever be addressed as Madam Secretary

[Todd_ID]

Okay before I get banned.  F.A.G stands for Field Artillery Guy.  As for you Todd if your not an expert than my names Hillary Clinton and I should forever be addressed as Madam Secretary

Thanks for the compliments, Madame Secretary!

[colockumelk]

 

[fire4effect]

no, i had no idea what F.A.G. stood for. i know that fire for effect stands for though. todd, that recomedation for those easton arrows whew. jesus you must have some deep pockets. those suckers are expensive.

i know this might sound a bit stupid but id like to see if there is this particular type of arrow out there. id like to have a arrow that has a carbon fibre pattern on the outside. not just black but like a weave pattern. id also like to see if there was this particular arrow with red and white fletchings.

anybody got any suggestions?

[KillBilly]

no, i had no idea what F.A.G. stood for. i know that fire for effect stands for though. todd, that recomedation for those easton arrows whew. jesus you must have some deep pockets. those suckers are expensive.

i know this might sound a bit stupid but id like to see if there is this particular type of arrow out there. id like to have a arrow that has a carbon fibre pattern on the outside. not just black but like a weave pattern. id also like to see if there was this particular arrow with red and white fletchings.

anybody got any suggestions?

If you get arrows with carbon fiber pattern on the outside, you have a carbon fiber arrow. In my opinion, they don't hold well. if you bend them you can actually see miniscule pieces of resin popping off  and they can and will shatter on impact sometimes and leave carbon fiber in your game meat. I personally won't use them and it is just my opinion. As far as the color of fletches, buy raw shafts and fletch them your self or have the archery shop fletch them with your preference of colors. You don't have to buy pre-fletched arrows. On another note, you might just step up and use FOBs.

[Todd_ID]

PSE Radial X-Weave has the pattern your looking for.  Carbon Tech Cheetahs do to some extent, also.  You get what you pay for with arrows.  In a matter of two months of practicing it's likely that you'll be able to shoot better than your arrows can fly if you go for the super cheap ones. 

[colockumelk]

If the Axis are too expensive then go with the Easton Epic's.  They are about $40 a dozen cheaper than the Axis and are almost as good. 

Your a Field Artillery Guy and you never heard the term F.A.G used before?  You must be pretty new then.  Hell you guys used to carry around these bags that you referred to as FAG bags.  I only know this because my immediate boss is a proud  "FAG"    And yes I know what Fire for Effect means.  I've been to Iraq twice and used the hell out of arty. 

[colockumelk]

Let us know if you run into any snags getting a bow, or if you need any help or questions etc. 

[colockumelk]

I came across this bow review for the Diamond Marquis.

2008 Bow review: Diamond Marquis