I know I promised some sort "official" update of the Liberty after I got some time behind it so I think I have a nice opportunity to do so now.......I haven't done the customary technical ins and outs ,shooting thru the chronograph etc. and I am going to pass on any formal "Bow Report" (Jeff is better at it anyway[&o]), but I will give you an example of how the bow is performing for me.
I shot my first winter league 3D shoot this morning with the Liberty. I have a Pro40 on order , but until that bow gets here I figured that I will have to "Make due" for 3D with the Liberty until then.
I have to chuckle at that thought now.
For those of you NOT in the North Eastern USA right now it's not exactly what you would call balmy weather.......on the way to the shoot at 7AM the bank thermometer was registering 6 degrees F.!!! [
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What better way to test the forgiveness of a new bow! (I should have been testing the forgiveness of my nice warm pillow)
So I was bundled up complete with gloves , chemical handwarmers, knit hat and a Carter thumb trigger!! Numb fingers and back tension........NICE.
For those of you that are not 3D shooters we shoot IBO Hunter Class rules with unmarked yardage targets (30 total) set out to a max of 35 yards.......The scoring uses the pressed outlines on the vitals of the target. The "Lung" area scores an 8, the larger circle in the vitals scores a 10, and the smallest inner circle score an 11 or "X".
Anywhere in the body outside the entire lung area scores a 5. (The "Double Bogey" of 3D shooting.[X(]
So here I am, 1st shoot of the season with no practice, Freezing my butt off in 6 degree weather and a 33" ATA hunting bow set at 71# and I shot a 310/330 possible score. 292 w/ 18X's (X's scored 11)= 310
Only shot (4) 8's.
When I was done and tallying up the score I thought......"Holy Crap, this is my HUNTING bow!"
If I had a stupid baseball hat on I would have had a shot at cleaning the entire course ,but I shot all 4 of my "8's" in a string of 5 targets right in the beginning that were positioned right in front of the bright winter sun. That was tough.
My buddy Frank shot very well with his Liberty as well......A couple "Cold weather zingers"
but overall very good.
This bow does not feel or shoot ANYTHING like a short ATA bow.....it feels every bit as stable , accurate and forgiving as my Pro40 Dually from last season.
Even at 71# and over 30 targets in near zero weather it drew like a a 60# target bow on a warm spring day. It's going to be a cold weather hunter's dream.
Before the start of the shoot at the warm up range I was paying attention to other bows and our 2 Liberties were easily the quietest bow on the line even at just a hair above 5grs/lb.
My set-up for today's shoot:
BowTech Liberty
30"/71#
Spot-Hogg "Hogg-it" sight
Trophy Taker "Shakey Hunter" rest
Stealth 8" "Hunter" stabilizer
Tru-peep,loop around 2 tied in nock sets
Hush kit
Carbon Express CXL 350's w/4" feathers @ 357grs.
Carter "Just Cuz" release.
I am so THOROUGHLY pleased with the performance of this bow I can't further describe it without sounding like I'm a nut job. Too late huh?
It's just the most impressive bow I have ever owned.
I'm not implying that the Liberty is the best choice in a 3D target bow, what I am trying to get across is that this bow WILL do double duty even better than I would have expected. As a short ATA hunting bow? WOW.
What I can't help but wonder now is how well my Pro40 Freedom cam and it's longer ATA and 8 1/4" brace height is going to do as a 3D rig?[:-]
**Bowtech Liberty....Forgiveness/Accuracy put to the test.**
