Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: BKMFR on April 07, 2014, 06:47:05 PM

Title: Which Bow???
Post by: BKMFR on April 07, 2014, 06:47:05 PM: Looking to buy a new bow....
Money not being an issue, what would be the best bow to buy for all around hunting, mostly spot and stalk.... any serious ideas or opinions would be appreciated. I know this is like asking which is better Winchester vs. Remington but would value some input here from you guys. Has been 6-7 years years since I've owned a bow, but have taken Deer, Bear, Cougar and a few exotics with archery gear in the past.... Things just change so quickly in the gear dept, trying to get an idea on what to start looking at....
Thanks for your time.
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: nw_bowhunter on April 07, 2014, 07:04:27 PM: I spent many hours researching online, checking out reviews, talking with some of my hunting buddies, etc. Ultimately I ended up selecting Mathews. I did shoot several bows brands and shot 3 different Mathews before picking the Chill. I have owned Bowtech, Martin and Hoyt. To be honest I wanted a Mathew for the most part, kinda like I prefer to buy Toyota so I guess the brand was a big factor. I do regret not shooting the G5 Prime. I knew exactly what I wanted for accessories when I got the new bow set--up. Are you leaning toward any bows or have you shot any lately?
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: hogslayer on April 07, 2014, 07:13:22 PM: Man is this going to be a good one. I personally would select a elite. The draw cycle and warranty is awesome and they can go to a draw weight of 80lbs. But I gotta say those Hoyt carbon bows look real nice but they are also $1200.
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: Rock7 on April 08, 2014, 08:10:49 PM: I just upgraded after seven years on Saturday. I ended up getting the Hoyt Facktor. I took it to the range and everyone there commented on how quiet it was. The draw is smooth, shoots laser beams and it is only 2 ounces heavier than the Carbon Spyder and costs a ton less.
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: jrebel on April 08, 2014, 08:38:05 PM: I have bow hunted since I was 8 years old and have shot many different bows. Currently I shoot a Mathews.

With that being said lets stick to the facts....

1. All major manufacturers have great warranties. (Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtech, etc. etc. etc.)
2. To really know what you want you need to shoot them all. I did just that with my last two purchases and I keep going back to Mathews. I like the back end and I love how little vibration there is following the shot.
3. Any new bow will shoot plenty fast....you don't need the fastest bow on the market. Matter of fact all the guys I know that have bought these extremely fast bows seem to be having limb malfunctions. (I know two guys that have bought bowtech destroyers that have had limb problems). It is why I will not buy a bowtech.
4. The accessories is where you should concentrate your efforts. I have found over the years that quality release, sights, and rest have made my shooting more enjoyable. I made the switch to a single (currently double) pin sight that adjust for yardage and my accuracy improved dramatically.
5. Fit, Fit, Fit is a 100% necessity. Make sure you buy a bow that has the right draw length and feels really good in your hand. I am not necessarily talking about when you are shooting either (though that is important). It has to feel good in your hands....I have learned I like a 30-32" ata....and a little wider grip. I have owned a 28" ata and it ended up being way to short for me...I hated it and lost my butt on it when I sold it a year later.

If you are down in Wenatchee and want to hold, see and shoot my Mathews just let me know. It would be my pleasure.

Johnny
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: BKMFR on April 08, 2014, 10:17:26 PM: Thanks Johnny, I appreciate the words and offer, Where are you getting your Mathews from? anywhere local?
Thanks again,
Steve
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: jrebel on April 08, 2014, 10:26:07 PM: My last one I got from High Mountain here in Wenatchee....though I don't think that is an option anymore. I have bought them from a few dealers on the west side of the state as well. Pretty slim pickings around here at the moment. You can shoot the Hoyt bows at Hooked on Toys. I am hopeful that Sportsman's Warehouse will pick up the Mathews line upon opening later this month.
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: jrebel on April 08, 2014, 10:31:40 PM: Thought I would also offer up a tib bit of info....I have hot Mathews for the last 12-15 years and have never had any mechanical problems. I have owned 5 different mathews bows and have sold them to friends as I upgrade. All of my friends still shoot my old bows and they too have had no mechanical problems. That alone is reason to seriously look at them. I have three friends that shoot bowtech. Two have had limb problems on the destroyer models. The other had his riser break in half (last year) while drawing. The warranty was awesome and they fixed the bow, but he was extremely lucky it didn't seriously hurt him.
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: bullfisher on April 09, 2014, 05:39:05 AM: Nobody makes a crappy bow. Lots of operater error or home bow mechanic horror stories out there. I for one won't shoot a bow less then 33" ATA, I must have the string touch my nose for a good anchor point and the short bow string angle won't allow that for me. Shoot everything you can get your hands on, ask the shop if the bow is in time, the draw weight and the arrow weight before you shoot it. A 500grn arrow will shoot quieter then a 300grn. All of these factors must be equal for a fair comparison.
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: huntingaddiction on April 09, 2014, 06:53:26 AM: I am going to regret opening my mouth on this one. I recently got a Bowtech Insanity CPXL. I love it. With that being said I did shoot a few bows before i decided on this one. Everybody is going to tell you something different it is like a competition to us whenever we see a chance on here. With that being said I will tell you that what you should do is go to every local shop and shoot there bows. Whatever you feel the most comfortable with is what you should shoot. There is just so many good products being made that they are hard to compare. So shoot them and decide what you like. Buy that. I just had a buddy go shoot bows and he decided the best one for him was a $299 Bear. More power to him. Money and a new bow are not going to make the best shooter ever. Only practice can do that!
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: jason stevens on April 09, 2014, 07:06:51 AM: Personaly I have a mission balistic if money wasn't an issue it would be an insanity cpxl. My advice would be to go shoot them all and pick what ever is most comfortable to you.good luck and happy hunting.
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: Old Dog on April 09, 2014, 08:29:03 AM: Quote from: jrebel on April 08, 2014, 10:26:07 PM
I am hopeful that Sportsman's Warehouse will pick up the Mathews line upon opening later this month.

That's not going to happen. Matthew's is a pro shop only bow company. :bash:

When you visit Sportsman's check out the Quest Drive. Smooth draw, pretty fast, with a decent ATA, and brace height. :twocents:
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: bullfisher on April 09, 2014, 09:40:52 AM: Quote from: Old Dog on April 09, 2014, 08:29:03 AM
Quote from: jrebel on April 08, 2014, 10:26:07 PM
I am hopeful that Sportsman's Warehouse will pick up the Mathews line upon opening later this month.

That's not going to happen. Matthew's is a pro shop only bow company. :bash:

When you visit Sportsman's check out the Quest Drive. Smooth draw, pretty fast, with a decent ATA, and brace height. :twocents:
Pro shop? Might want to tell that to sportco/outdoor emporium. They left the pro part out., more like warehouse shop :chuckle:
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: jrebel on April 09, 2014, 10:33:10 AM: Sportsmans in Puyallup carries the Mathews Genesis.....never looked to see if they carried any other Mathews. :dunno:
Title: Re: Which Bow???
Post by: AudiDat on April 13, 2014, 06:06:45 PM: Quote from: bullfisher on April 09, 2014, 09:40:52 AM
Quote from: Old Dog on April 09, 2014, 08:29:03 AM
Quote from: jrebel on April 08, 2014, 10:26:07 PM
I am hopeful that Sportsman's Warehouse will pick up the Mathews line upon opening later this month.

That's not going to happen. Matthew's is a pro shop only bow company. :bash:

When you visit Sportsman's check out the Quest Drive. Smooth draw, pretty fast, with a decent ATA, and brace height. :twocents:
Pro shop? Might want to tell that to sportco/outdoor emporium. They left the pro part out., more like warehouse shop :chuckle:

Yep, I thought Mathews was proshop only thing too, until today. I called down to Outdoor emporium today to see if they carried Mathews, or if they were just a distributor that could order them for you. Steve said "I've got most of them on the rack, as well as most of the Bowtechs, come on down I'll set up whatever you'd like to shoot". So I got to try a half dozen or so bows today side by side to make a more informed choice. In the end I think I like the BT Carbon Knight.

Update WED 4-16-14: Decided to shoot a few more today. Ended up bringing home a MAthews Monster Chill. A little heavier, but a little faster, and quite a bit quieter. OE has a "tent sale" going on right now; there is no tent, but the sale is pretty sweet, picked up the Chill at 25% off.