Should I get a new bow?

dhnut1973 · 09-28-2006, 04:10 AM

Right now I am shooting a 2000 or 2001 Hoyt MT Sport 28" DL 70# with Beeman ICS Hunter carbon arrows and Rocket Arrowhead 100gr. at 250 fps. Last year I killed a nice 6 pointer with this set up but I would like to get a little more speed. I really like this bow but I have been lookin at the new Bear Instinct as a possible replacement. Do I really need more speed or am I just gettin caught up in the speed hype? Is there anyway to speed up my current set up without an overdraw?

DaveC · 09-28-2006, 04:29 AM

Depending on how much "stuff" you have on your string & your peep style there might be small room for a speed increase.

If your beman ICS are shooting good for you then it would indicate that they are spined correctly and you won't have much room to fudge the results by switching arrows,point weight or fletching.

Are you shooting off the string or using a loop or metal loop?

Any speed you gain will be minimal IMHO.

250 is plenty fast enough as long as you know the distance to the target and are shooting a quiet bow. Quiet is what counts the most. A lot of deer fall victim each year at arrows flying slower than 250.

A new bow on the other hand

- if the funds are there why not treat yourself and keep the hoyt as a back-up.

JoeBHunting · 09-28-2006, 05:02 AM

I'll agree with Dave. You've got a good bow, with enough speed to do the job. Having said that, if you have the money, buy another bow. Technology hasadvanced so much in just 6 years, especially in the bow industry. Bows oozing with speed and smoothness abound out there! You only live once, and if you've got the itch, scratch it.

Joe

Straightarrow · 09-28-2006, 05:18 AM

Speed is absolutely the most irrelavent part of hunting success. In fact, the things manufacturers do to get the extra speed are usually a detriment, or have a downside. Ignore speed, and choose features designed to give accuracy if you want to kill more game.

dhnut1973 · 09-28-2006, 06:46 AM

Thanks for the replies fellas. DaveC in response to your question I shoot a loop. As far as funds go I am a Soldier which means I am not rich. As I am currently deployed to Iraq I already treated myself to a brand new ArmaLite M-15 carbine. I'm sure my wife would appreciate it if I didn't treat myself to a new bow as well. I was just wondering about a speed boost cause I dont have a rangefinder. I thought it would help with any wrong estimates of range.

Campo · 09-28-2006, 07:11 AM

Take it from someone who is trying to get a bow to shoot for him...

If it aint broke, dont fix it!

Enough said.

Ps.250fps is MORE than enough speed!

DaveC · 09-28-2006, 07:18 AM

Well it would to an extent, but being a bowhunter we should train ourselves to properly estimate range. (I'm one to talk- I missed a public lands 8 point last year because the rolling hills threw me off- I was used to hunting flat land)

IfI were you I would enjoy your ArmaLite M-15 carbine as this years toy and then make the new bow next years toy. One nice toy a year should keep both the wife& yourself happy (at least that's what I try to do).

Your current bow sounds like it is shooting what speed it was designed to.
You could fork up some change for a rangefinder which would be way less than a new bow and come in handy for years to come; both while shooting bows & guns.

Keep safe over there in Iraq, you are in our prayers.

Arthur P · 09-28-2006, 08:55 AM

Do you 'need' more speed than 250 fps?? Considering that mankind has hunted with bows and arrows for at least 50,000 years and that it wasn't until the mid-1980's that many bows could break 200 fps, just imaginehow many deer have beenkilled witharrows doing well under 200 fps.

The only guys who 'need' fast bows are those slobs/morons who routinely take long shots where their range estimation is pure SWAG*. And I'll bet they stillwind up only shooting good enough to wound more deer than they kill. [:@]

Good huntersonly take the shot whenthey KNOW the distance, and that goes as much for rifles as for bows. Speed has no bearing on that rule.

So, rather than spending your money on a faster bow, I suggest youspend about half that on a decent rangefinder. You'll be in a far better situation, both in the woods and with your wife as well.

*SWAG = Semi-educated Wild A$$ed Guess

Campo · 09-28-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Arthur P

Do you 'need' more speed than 250 fps?? Considering that mankind has hunted with bows and arrows for at least 50,000 years and that it wasn't until the mid-1980's that many bows could break 200 fps, just imaginehow many deer have beenkilled witharrows doing well under 200 fps.

The only guys who 'need' fast bows are those slobs/morons who routinely take long shots where their range estimation is pure SWAG*. And I'll bet they stillwind up only shooting good enough to wound more deer than they kill. [:@]

Good huntersonly take the shot whenthey KNOW the distance, and that goes as much for rifles as for bows. Speed has no bearing on that rule.

So, rather than spending your money on a faster bow, I suggest youspend about half that on a decent rangefinder. You'll be in a far better situation, both in the woods and with your wife as well.

*SWAG = Semi-educated Wild A$$ed Guess

I like this post

sigfla · 09-28-2006, 09:32 AM

All great advice. However, I have to put in my 2 cents. If you have to question whether or not you need a new bow then in my opinion you already need a new bow. The current set up may be more than adequate but hell the very idea that my equipment isn't up to snuff would cause me to stay up at night until I bought a new bow. The psycholigical affect on your shooting demands the best equipment money can buy. That having been said I would get a new rangfinder as well. Once the new bow gets here you will need it to dial it in and take advantage of the extra speed and performance. A new sight also, since the extra speed will render your old 4 or 5 pin sight useless. A brand new fiber optic 2 or 3 pin would work so much better with the bow as would a new rest to take advantage of the new stronger spined arrows you will have to buy. Last but not least a new quiver to fit those arrows. You owe it to yourself and the deer to have the best equipment available.

A bit tongue in cheek I know, but if you have the coin I always say go for it. It is the benchmark of a capitalist society to spend and acquire more than we need. Nothing wrong with it. Also, never skimp on what you really want if you can afford it. I have done so many times in the past and I always end up wasting more money in the long run.