Compound bow 101- a little help please

[Eric M]

I have a Martin Pantera. It's an accurate affordable bow. Got it a few years ago new. I am able to accurately shoot it out to 50 yards at 60 lbs. So my questions. When I go to the archery range, every other bow I see guys shoot have a stabilizer. Am I losing anything by not having one? Also I wax my string at the end of the season and again before I start shooting it (usually late spring). No issues yet but should I just automatically replace the string every so often? Also it seems a little loud to me when I shoot it. Can anyone recommend a good string "silencer"? Lastly, how long will a compound bow last before you start losing strength in it? This is my first new bow. I had an old Bear bow that was given to me that at max was only pulling about 45 lbs but it was really old. Thanks

[andrew_in_idaho]

One purpose of the stabilizer is to deaden vibration which in turn will eliminate some of the noise. You should probably be waxing your string more often than twice a year.


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[Eric M]

One purpose of the stabilizer is to deaden vibration which in turn will eliminate some of the noise. You should probably be waxing your string more often than twice a year.


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Thanks Andrew. I will wax it more often. How do you pick a stabilizer size? I saw one guys looked like it was a foot long. My old bow had a very short one on it.

[andrew_in_idaho]

For a hunting bow I like a 4-6" stabilizer just because I don't want something sticking a foot off the front of my bow. Others may have different opinions on what is best


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[RadSav]

So my questions. When I go to the archery range, every other bow I see guys shoot have a stabilizer. Am I losing anything by not having one?

More weight further away from the pivot slows down form torque.  So usually if you have a stabilizer you have fewer L/R flyers and the ones you do have are usually less severe.  Also, to a lesser degree, it slows down torque from heal pressure reducing high flyers too.

No issues yet but should I just automatically replace the string every so often?

Every couple years a string should be replaced.  Since they are made of plastic strands they do have a limited shelf life.  If you shoot very little and keep it in a closet where no light hits the string you can go longer.  But usually it's good to observe the two year rule...or sooner if it shows excess wear.

Also it seems a little loud to me when I shoot it. Can anyone recommend a good string "silencer"?

String and cable silencers are not a bad idea on that bow.  Myself, once I tried Sims stuff I never went back to anything else.  String Leach, Cable Leach and Limb Saver/dampeners would all be on my bow if I shot the Pantera.

Lastly, how long will a compound bow last before you start losing strength in it?

That bow should not lose any strength/poundage.  It should remain the same until the day it breaks.  With a club and hinge limb breakage could be tomorrow it could be 15 years from now.  You just never know with that design.

[Eric M]

Thank you for the detailed responses.

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[Eric M]

I don't really know what club and hinge means but I'm hoping it lasts a few more years. I guess I'll get the string changed this year since I'm not hunting I can upgrade the bow with my tag money

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[biggfish]

Field and stream put out a great article on stabilizers last year. The test panel had improvement with stabilizers less than 8 inches. At the same time though at 30 yds or less the groups only improved slightly. In regards to the string silencers I've only used monkey tails and the slip jax that came factory installed on my Martin Afflictor; the monkey tails work but my Drenalin is loud still needs limb dampeners, the Afflictor made almost no sound I have an octane balance x adjustable stabilizer on it and thought it doesn't do much for balance you feel and hear the difference. After I installed a set of limb saver broadbands my bow make no noticeable sound a set for my other bow is in the very near future.