I think I'd go with a bow that had the longer brace height and shorter axle length for hunting. I think most forgiving bows are the ones with the longest axle to axle length and longest brace height. The longer axle length tends to help tighten groups at longer distances for me. I dont think i've answered any of your questions yet. Right now i shot an MQ-1... when i was shooting diferent bows i also shot the MQ-32 which those of you familiar with mathews now is pretty much the same thing as an MQ1 only 5 inches shorter. and 1 inch longer brace height. my groups at 20 yards were consistently tighter with the MQ1 than the MQ32. but that could have just been me and what works for me is not necessarily what works for everyone else.