Wanting to get into Compound bows. Need Guidance.

Hey all,

With all this AWB talk, and ammo being impossible to find, I think its time for me to get back into bows. This is mainly for skill development. I'll most likely never hunt just target shoot, unless the SHTF, I want to be able to provide for my family.

I shot recurve a lot when I was younger but haven't touched a bow since I was 14 and I know nothing about compound bows.

I don't really know where to start or what to get. My budget for the bow is $300, and $300 for arrows, sights, rest, accessories.

I know my pull weight is approx 60 lbs, but I feel I can get more. I know that my length of pull will have to be adjusted when I buy the bow at the store, and will probably get arrows outfitted there also.

Any thoughts on this bow?
http://www.basspro.com/Bear-Archery-Encounter-Compound-Bows-(Bow-Only)/product/12040405003817/

or save up a little more for

http://www.basspro.com/PSE-Archery-Brute-X-Compound-Bows-(Bow-Only)/product/261898980/

I do live near several archery ranges, and do have access to family land to practice on.

Any recommendations, links, advice, are very welcome.

Thank you.

 

Subbed..... Been thinking the same exact thing.

 

You will get all kinds of feed back about this. Guys love their bows and mine is a Mathews http://mathewsinc.com/
The best thing to do is go to the archery range/store and hold some and shoot them

 

Which model do you own?

Great post OP, I have been thinking along the same lines as well. I havent shot a bow in years but the silent aspect of them is a big attraction to me and I think it is a good idea to be well rounded in all forms of hunting.

 

Everyone is going to have an opinion on brand (it's kind of like tires, lifts or anything else discussed on here). My advise to you would be to shoot a few and decide what feels best. Stick to bows with a brace height of around 7" as they are more forgiving. The shorter the brace height the more sensitive they are to movement. Also, if your primary use will be target shooting, look at bows with longer axle to axle measurements. Again, more forgiving. Hope this helps.

 

I have this one http://mathewsinc.com/product/mq32/#specs

 

Longer bows (axle to axle measurment) will also help greatly with forgivness and confidence. Plenty of used stuff out there that is just like new. Try some out and pick one that feels good in your hand. Don't go too heavy on the draw weight either. Good luck!

 

Also be advised when you buy the bow you will need some acc for it like arrows, sights, quiver, and a release. Well you really need arrows and a sight

 

Is BassPro/Cabelas a bad place to be outfitted for a bow??

 

I would say not. They have an indoor range at the location near me (cabelas) and hundreds of bows. As long as you talk to someone who actually knows something about them you should be good, for a start. I was thinking of going there mostly because I have two giftcards, but also because it's the only dealer that has a range that I can think of. Problem is there is always a ton of people there when I go.

The gun counter there always has a giant line, you have to take a number like the damn department of licensing to even talk to someone. Its ridiculous.

 

Find a local bow shop, stop in tell them what you are wanting to do and get for how much you wish to spend.
They will have some used bows that will more than handle your requirments.
Best of all good shops will fit the bow to you and get you on target fast.
Bows seem to evolve every couple years. You should be able to find a used older bow that will out shoot you with no problem.
Get good and then move up.

 

i would go into a local bow shop/range and try and shoot a couple different bows and shoot as much as you can and get a feel for what you like. fwiw i live in hawaii and we dont really have any local bow shops where i live. i wanted to get into bowhunting and having never shot a compound bow in my life. searching online i checked out huntersfriend.com and my gf ended up purchasing last years martin sabre for me. i called them up and measured draw length and told them what i would be shooting and they sent me a whole ready to shoot bow kit with arrows, case, bow ready to shoot with sight rest etc for 399$. out of the box i was shocked to actually hit my target at 20 yards. after working on my technique breathing etc. now im stacking arrows at 40 yards. they test everything out before they send it for you so if u ever need extra arrows or anything it comes with a sort of user guide so you know what u need to order again. obviously i would support something local and try stuff out if i could but that wasnt possible for me. just letting u know of me great experience with huntersfriend.com maybe that helps u

 

The last two posts are spot-on.
a 2 or 3 year old used bow will do everything and just as well as a new one, for a lot less money.
Make sure it fits!
Spend the money on arrows and release...That's where the accuracy comes from.
Do not get into the speed race....an extra 30 or 40 FPS doesn't mean a thing in real life.
I started with and still use the best local bow shop in town.
heard too many stories about Cabelas and other big-box stores not getting it right.
Support your small local shop.

 

Looking for a bow as well...But I strictly want it for deer hunting. Anyone got a good suggestion for bows? I'm 6'1" with average length arms for my height.

I would like to try to keep it under $500. Looking at Diamond, Bear, and Hoyt...Anyone got a good one to look into??

 

Bowtech Assassin.
For around $650 ,It's a complete package. Lightweight and compact.
Of course, you still need arrows, broadheads, release(if needed) and some other odds and ends.
As others already mentioned, go with a local pro shop with a good reputation. They'll set you up.
Above all, when you are set up, practice, practice , and practice more.
Make it fun.

 

Releases (as already said) are awesome, I haven't shot my bow in a year but when I did shoot it it was a lot easier to stay on target using a release

 

Buying a bow at a big-box outdoor retailer like BP or Cabela's will be a hit or miss proposition. As mentioned above, it will depend on the knowledge of the sales person helping you out.

Would you prefer to buy a loaf of bread from a supermarket or a local bakery? Sure the bread from the supermarket will be edible, and possibly very tasty, but the local bakery will have better. fresher, and tastier options to choose from.

Get fitted and buy from a local archery shop if you can find one. They will also help with service, accessories, and parts after the sale.

Bowtech, Matthews, Hoyt, Martin, and PSE are all excellent brands.

Chris

 

The hacks at "most" box stores don't know crap, there are exceptions of course. Go to a real pro shop (even a few if possible) and shoot everything they have. One of them will just feel right to you, just like turning on a switch. Every one makes great bows these days, don't get caught up in names, or, like mentioned above the speed game. For the most part it don't matter. Bowtech, Matthews, Martin, Ross, Diamond, Bear, Pearson, Mission, Struthers, Elite, PSE the list goes on and on, shoot all you can.

 

I started off with an Academy off-the-shelf Bear Archery Buckmaster. That was a big-box-store spinoff Bear custom-made for Academy and let academy market it for them.

I shot it for months learning technique developing my form, increasing my range and stamina, worked up to 72lb draw and shot every day for a while. Looking back I can honestly say spending $300 on what I thought at the time was a "cheap bow" was WELL worth it as now I shoot a Mathews Monster ($1100 rig with all the stuff I have on it).

I bought my wife a Diamond Razor Edge and she is learning on it and it's such a forgiving bow its awesome, plus it is highly adjustable for draw length and weight which is important to let the bow grow with you.

don't worry about things like single-cam vs. dual cam, axle-to-axle length, etc at this stage. Go to a pro-shop, shoot everything, and let the tech (assuming he's not a complete moron) observe you and make recommendations based on what he sees and what YOU FEEL. Hope this helps.