RE: Is the lack of hand shock over hyped?
Hand Shock and Vibration are not the same thing.
I don't want either in my hunting bow. I like a fast, quiet bow, that just sits there at the shot. I don't want it to jump forward (hand shock), and I don't want it to buzz in my hand (vibration).
I don't know anything about target bows, but for my hunting bow, the less hand shock, and the less vibration, the better.