Best bow for under 500?

I am new to the bow scene.. I use to shoot a traditional when I was a kid..but other than that.. havent touched anything for about 15 years.

I just went to Bass Pro and shot a PSE Brute and was actually pretty nice I thought.. I am sure its junk compared to some of the bows out there..but hey I gotta start somewhere. They had it as a package deal for 500 bucks with everything to shoot besides arrows.

I am totally ok with buying a used bow.. but need opinions as to what along with what sights accessories I need to buy.

I would love to keep it under 3 to 400 for the bow w/o arrows.

any help?

 

mission eliminator. package for less than $450ish.

made my mathews i think. great reviews, and ranked very high in outdoorlife magazine. editors best buy..i think.

if you have been away from bows for awhile, i think buying a used bow would be difficult, since you dont know your draw length and other fitment issues yet.

 

Im not sure you size. But if you have a draw length of 29" or under I would look into the Diamond Razor Edge. Its twin cam which mean greater let off and is extremely adjustable 11" of draw length to be exact. Also come in two separate draw weights. You can adjust it at home without need of a vice. Its running right now for $279 for the bow only but it also come in a pretty decent package for $329. Diamond is made by Bowtech. Its got a ton of good review and seems to be one of the most recommended for people who are looking to get started. Here it is to check out.

http://www.outdoorsexperience.com/diamondrazoredgepkg.html

 

I am a 28.5 to 29" draw length.. would prefere a 50-60# as I am a weak ass it seems!

I ended up shooting a Hoyt Turbohawk and loved it.. and of course I loved it because the bare bow was $550.

 

I would look on ebay for a new bow. I found a guy selling new Hoyt Alpahmax 35 for $501 plus $20 shipping about a month ago. It looked like a dealer selling more than just 1 bow.

 

just had a guy pm from another site... 400 bucks on a new in the box turbohawk.. I think that may be the way to go.

 

I like the PSE Stinger package for under $400. Got it from Gander Mtn with $50 off and free shipping....to my door for $349.99. Probably not the highest quality accessories, but they work for me. Came with whisker biscuit, sights, quiver, and leeches.

 

I shot the stinger also when I was Scheels... while it was a good bow, it felt heavier and a little more clanky than the turbohawk.

The PSE Brute LT package at Bass pro was nice and I did like the way it shot/felt for 500 bucks.. but I am just not sold on it yet.

I think for very close to the same money I can have the turbohawk.. as you can tell, I love the turbohawk...

I just want to buy the right equipment the first time and then not have to worry about wanting to upgrade to better because I didnt buy the right stuff the fist time.

 

I know that sticker shock sucks, but remember to shoot it before you buy it, no matter where you buy it from. You will thank yourself later. I bought my first bow off ebay because it was cheap, that was mistake number one. Shoot it before you buy it, to make sure you like it.

 

ebay, you can get a steal there. people will be selling them now that season is over. make sure you get one with all the accessories on it. those can really add up if you buy them seperate.

 

I own a bear lights out ready to shoot package for $500. Love the bow, very smooth, accurate, quiet. all around great bow for the price. You should be able to shoot one at bass pro.

 

Ebay is the way to go. Have bought my last 2 on there. Go with Mathews. They hold there value and in a year or two you can change if you want. Go used. You can buy the size cam you need even if its different from the one on the bow. Find a local who works on them. Its not that expensive to get fitted to any bow. Just my 2 cents. Good luck. There is no better way to take big bucks!

 

how does a newb buy a used bow, knowing little about his draw length, and tuning? hell, getting the peep sight in the right place isnt easy for a firsttimer. i got set up from the get-go. it did wonders to my newby confidence level, knowing my bow could shoot. it allowed me to focus on my anchor point, and being consistent. buying from some private seller, or some mega-store wont have a pro around to help make the right decisions. i got a mathews new a few years ago. the pro, set everything "right in the middle". he even helped me choose arrows that were right in the middle of my settings on the arrow charts. my bow will push pretty much every broadhead right where my fieldtips go. even entry level bows, shoot great nowadays. but the thing needs to fit like a glove.

 

simple, do what i did. go to bow shop, get draw length measured and determine which poundage you want to shoot. then look on ebay and get the same bow fully loaded for $200 to $300 less, with acessories. then take bow to shop and get peep put in for $15. i am on my 3rd mathews
10 years, never bought one new. sq2, outback, and now dxt.

 

DXT= great bow. i found first time out...i didnt even know what i wanted. you hear people taking, trophy taker this, ripcord that..QAD, b-stinger...yada yada yada. got confusing for me as a first time shopper. your stategy is totally workable. keep in mind, mathews doesnt warranty the limbs for anyone except the original buyer.

i am gonna shoot my SBXT until i cannot resist the siren song of a speed bow.