Diamond Outlaw - opinions please

[Band]

I'm considering buying a faster bow with more poundage since arrows out of mine can't seem to make it to the far side of the body of an elk.  The bow I shoot has an IBO rating of 295 fps and maxes out at 60 lbs.

The leading contender for me is the Diamond Outlaw which I have tested at my local archery shop.  I really like the feel and the way it shoots and it has an IBO rating of 330 fps and goes up to 70 lbs.  The thing that is holding me back is the components that this bow comes with--an Octane Hostage rest and an Apex 4-pin sight which seems sort of cheap.

I would appreciate opinions on the bow and particularly on the components mentioned.  Anyone use these components and have some input to help me with my decision?

[h20hunter]

Can you not buy the bow bare?

[GoldTip]

My buddy shoots a Diamond and he has been extremely pleased.  Only problem I see with Diamond bows, but really this applies to all new bows is that they have completely changed models every year.  Always wonder if a guy will be able to find parts for a bow say 3-4 years down the line, when it is only made for one year and then discontinued.  But his Daimond would shoot fine.

But that being said, your current set up should put arrows all the way through an elk with ease, unless your shooting expandable broadheads, or to weak of a spined arrow. Or if your hitting large bones, and if it's any one of those conditions, a higher poundage bow will not be your answer.

[Hunter Dug]

The bow your shooting doesnt sound like the problem.  Loss of energy in the arrow after the release is probably the culprit.  This is caused by improperly splined arrows, or a poor tuning of your bow.  Arrows must be flying perfectly straight when they impact the animal to produce the maximum kenetic energy, any wobble, or angle of the arrow  ( not the target )will  absorb the energy into the shaft of the arrow and not the animal causing poor penatration.  This is fix by paper tuning your bow to ensure they are impacting the target true, and not with any angle.  Properly splined arrows cause you arrow to correct more quickly after absorbing the release of the arrow putting you arrow on a true path more quickly which is very important. An arrow that has not recovered from the release upon impact of the animal can loss up to half of its energy resulting in poor penatration.  As for the Diamond Bow you mentions you are paying for the bow not the accessories which are usually cheap, and will be replaced after the first year of hunting if not soon.  Diamond Bows are made in Oregon by Bowtech if Im not mistaken, and Bowtech's are excellant bows. Sorry to say it but POOR PENATRATION has nothing to do with the IBO your bow produces.  But buying a new bow always makes me feel better

[Band]

Can you not buy the bow bare?

It seems to only come as a package deal.

I can tell you this, my bow is finely tuned and the arrows are shooting very straight from the moment they leave the bow.  I have a 29" draw and am shooting at 60 lbs. so I was a little surprised that neither of my arrows passed through when the only bones they hit were ribs.  The ribs on the far side are what stopped both arrows.

I figured the problem was a combination of light arrow weight (I'm shooting 100 grain broadheads) and bow speed but I'm not an expert so I guess I'm really not sure what the problem is.

From the arrow performance I don't see any reason why they would not do a complete pass through on a smaller animal like a deer but they just don't seem to have enough kinetic energy on an elk.

[bowhunter851]

maybe try switching arrows

[RadSav]

Here is what my buddies at Hunters Friend had to say about the Outlaw;

"Oh ... by the way, the Outlaw was the 7th quietest bow we have ever tested (out of 261), and it ranked #5 on our all-time accelerometer test (shock/vibration).  This bow would be a major contender at $699 bare bow.  But at $499 loaded, it's just ridiculous!  And you wouldn't believe some of the names the Outlaw has decimated in performance testing ..."

I personally found it to be a great value at that price. Even if you were to pay that for the bare bow.  If you like the bow I'd go ahead and get it plus the accessories you like.  Use the ones you like that come with it and keep the others as a back up or donate to friends that might be on a tight budget. 

100% of that value is in the bow.  The accessories are just useful freebies.

[Band]

"Oh ... by the way, the Outlaw was the 7th quietest bow we have ever tested (out of 261), and it ranked #5 on our all-time accelerometer test (shock/vibration).  This bow would be a major contender at $699 bare bow.  But at $499 loaded, it's just ridiculous!  And you wouldn't believe some of the names the Outlaw has decimated in performance testing ..."

That's the review that prompted me to want to go give the Outlaw a "test drive".

Of course, Hunters Friend seems to give great reviews for all of the bows they carry but after shooting the Outlaw I tend to agree with what they said.

[smitty8202]

i see this post is old but i will comment anyways. first thing is what did u end up getting. i have a outlaw and love it. very quiet. shoots very well. they are made by bowtech so you know they are good bows.

[demontang]

I owned a diamond black Ice and It was a great bow, They made it for a few years with minor changes but the cam and all the important things where the same. parts are still made for it and easy to get, Ive noticed that diamond and bowtech seem to not just drop a bow and all the parts like other companies do. As for the rest and sight I have to experiance with them because I put a truglo sight and trophytaker rest on mine.
Not penatrating an elk seems to be an issue, I tested my black ice and with it at 65lbs shooting a ics hunter and crimson talon It would flat go through a block target and just be held in by the last 6" of arrow at 30yds, and it was going 270fps over a chrono as it left the bow. The way your current bow is built maybe the problem because it might not put as much energy into the arrow

[Band]

i see this post is old but i will comment anyways. first thing is what did u end up getting. i have a outlaw and love it. very quiet. shoots very well. they are made by bowtech so you know they are good bows.

I have not yet made a purchase--too many other things keeping me busy.  Since this will be the last bow I ever buy I want to make sure I make the right choice so I'm not going to rush it.

[Tacomahunter]

Great bow for the money! Go for it!

[mtbiker]

Since this will be the last bow I ever buy I want to make sure I make the right choice so I'm not going to rush it.

Yeah, that's what we all say and then...   Just ask my wife. 

[pianoman9701]

I would also suggest tuning and making sure you have the right arrow for your bow. I shot ICS 300s and I should've been shooting 400s. The increase in penetration is immediately evident.

[Mackerson]

If you like the equipment you are using then just shoot a heavier arrow and broadhead.  I was watching a hunting show the other day and their tech tip was that shooting a heavier arrow/broadhead from the same bow will give you much better penetration.  Speed helps but it is all about the kinetic energy.  That might be a cheaper way to get the results you want.