Anyone here know compound bows?

S

SlackStatic

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Nov 17, 2009
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I know their are probably better places to ask, but I really respect alot of your guys opinions on outdoor and survival so figured I would start here.

Grown up with archery, mainly traditional long bow, some recurve. Anyways, not the best bow to take hiking, back packing, or camping as its usually atleast 5-6 feet long, and unless you feel like spending a $1000 on a good two piece longbow, dont pack well.

I dont know much about compounds, other then I REALLY like their size. Anyone know of a good bow that is on the smaller side but doesnt have a childs length of pull?

Would appreciate anyones insight.
 
I'm a avid traditionalist as well as a compound bow shooter.

Don't know what you mean by $1000 takedown longbows, they're are plenty mid-end price range longbows that are take down.

They are even kits to make recurve/longbows take down.

There are even bowyers who will install take down kits on your favorite bow!

Also don't know what you mean "child length's" pull. Most compound bows come in adjustable draw length models or come in models that are set in your draw length.


What's your price range? Do you have a local shop to try out several bow models? IF you buy off the used market (which I prefer, as you can get good deals. You just have to know what your doing, like all things.) Do you have a local shop that can tune/tech your bow?
 
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not something you will find everyday. but a cupla yrs ago i found, at a guys shop out in the country who's been in the biz for many yrs, what is referred to as a "hungarian horsebow". designed for using on the back of a horse obviously. lovely little traditional recurve yet very short. shoots accurately, has a pull of 52lbs and easy to backpak with. have even carried on the bicycle in the woods.
 
i have 4 Mathews bows. Some are really expensive but if you are serious, thats what you want. Id start and stop at Mathews.
 
Price range? If you get in to a Mathews after it's all said and done you'll be at your $1000.

It's not uncommon for compound bows to be 33" axle to axle or even less and they're all available in standard draw lengths.

Depends how serious you are about it. If you're used to traditional archery and still like it, I'd stick with that route. Much lighter bows for packing around that's for sure.

Bows are like vehicles. There are guys out there that swear by one brand and those who have owned that same brand and didn't like them. Mathews, Hoyt, Bear, Ross, Bowtech, all of them. Mathews, Hoyt and Ross are some of the nicest bows I've looked at and shot, but the truth is if you aren't planning on shooting 50 yards hunting or 3D, these days a $400 bow and a $1200 bow both shoot arrows fast and straight.

Used bows can be a good deal too. If you're wrong handed (lefty) Shotgunner11 has a nice bow for sale.
 
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I honestly think you'll regret it. I was in the same boat, trad shooter all my life and wanted to give a compound a try......

Now it's for sale with 5 arrows off of it.

It's an awesome bow, insane power but it's just not for me. Trying to go from instinctive shooting to sighted shooting is crazy hard and totally different.

I wish I had just taken my $500 and bought a nice takedown or recurve.

DSC06596.jpg
 
I shoot pretty much everything that slings an arrow. Compounds and trad bow are really quite different from each other and you can pretty much find anything you want in either category at a huge range of prices. I typically enjoy the lightweight of trad bows and simplicy of shooting with them. I don't find instinctive shooting with trad bows to be as accurate as shooting a well tuned compound, unless you put in a lot of time, but within typical hunting ranges it's not hard to become proficient. With the trad gear, I spend a lot less time fiddling with equipment and more time shooting and focusing on your methodology. That said, it's also fun to sling some arrows out of the compound from time to time. They're just totally different to me, none of them are what I'd call ultra-portable in size compared to a firearm.
 
I saw a wierd little compound bow a couple weeks ago but I can't remember what it was called. Looked like someone just stuck a couple regular compound bow limbs together without the riser. Odd little critter.
 
You guys are awesome!

Well after more research I think I am gonna go the traditional route.

Price range is around $300-400 I have more experience with longbows granted, but what are some pros and cons between them and recurves, as I know recurves are a bit smaller and that is what i am looking for.

EDDKA- Sorry for my ignorance man, but the only bows I had seen that were takedown were ones like black widow and they are a BIT out of my price range ya know?

I like the traditionalist route as I feel like a natural shooting them, just got turned onto compounds for two reasons....1 they are made of modern materials( I trust more then wood) and 2 they all seem to be very backpackable.

Good points so far though guys

byrd- Looking up those models now man thank you.
 
Do you have a local archery store? Any good archery store will let you shoot, handle & give advice on a bow. I personally would never buy a bow without shooting it first. If buying on advice alone, I would recommend first & last a Mathews bow.
 
brizuch said:
get a new matthews bro!! you wont be sorry
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http://www.recurves.com/takedown_recurves.html

Quinn also has some very decently priced bows. I'm a fan of the stallion. Lots of people have fallen in love with this bow even over expensive ones.

http://www.quinnsarchery.com/quinn's_archery_012.htm

I've heard nothing but great things about checkmate bows.

You have to choose if you want recurve or longbow.

I can't shoot for darn with a longbow, but they shoot alot smoother for me. Recurve's are usually faster.
 
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AZWaterRat said:
Do you have a local archery store? Any good archery store will let you shoot, handle & give advice on a bow. I personally would never buy a bow without shooting it first.
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have to agree here
look in yr yellowpages under sporting goods
(1st yellow pages listing is free-ya gotta pay for listing
under more than one heading-for some listing under sporting goods
instead of archery is their choice for free listing...)
ya might just get surprised
and find one of those old coggers
lurking in the country somewhere in yr area
who's been at this for yrs

even the local cableas has an indoor shooting range
good luck and have fun!
 
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There are also lots of used bows listed at www.stickbow.com
They also have a forum called the leatherwall from which you can gain all kinds of traditional archery info. There's also trad archery info on paleoplanet and few other aboriginal skills type forums out there.

I agree that it's definitely best to shoot a bow before deciding to buy it. A great place to do that is at an archery shoot. Some of the bigger traditional archery shoots have vendors too.
 
If you like heavy stuff that gets snagged on things with a bunch of unneccessary bulk, I suggest just getting a rifle. The beauty of the bow is its simplicity-why add 10 different cables, a bunch of bearings and cams and fancy addons that need to be calibrated? Get yourself a Martin Hunter or a Howard Hill... you'll thank yourself. Fun passtime but as far as outdoors use I think they are a bit rediculous (and I own two compounds)
 
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