Vic,

I found the info on the other thread (page 20). You're right...it wasn't completely "apples to apples". The arrows on the CM were 31/100 of a grain per pound lighter. The Widow's string was 2 strands less. The CM outshot the Widow by 3 fps, but with the very slightly lighter arrows (relative to draw weight) I figured them as "neck & neck". Here it is.......

New Chek-Mate Hunter II, deflex riser, Coco riser, Yew limbs, 62", 62# @ 31" (reweighed it on two different scales), braced at 8 1/2". 14 strand Dyna97 endless string, two 1/2 pairs of catwhisker silencers, Flipper II rest. Arrows are 32 1/2" Beman ICS Camo Hunters, four 4" feathers, 125 grain points, total arrow weight 500 grians (thought they were 490, reweighed when I got home) (8.06 grains/pound).

Black Widow SAIII (new design), deflex riser, actionwood riser & limbs, 62", 52# @ 31", braced 8 1/2". 12 strand endless dyna string, two 1/2 pairs of catwhiskers, Flipper II rest. Arrows are 32 1/4" Gold Tip Hunter 7595, 100 grain points, total weight 435 grains (8.37 grains/pound)

Also tested was an older Palmer Classic, straight riser, actionwood riser and limbs, 60", 63# @ 31", Fast Flight string (unknown # of strands), beaver ball silencers, shot off the shelf with a rug rest. Arrows used were 500 grain carbons for the above Chek-Mate.

All shots through the chronograph were done at about 7 feet.

Chek-Mate average speed: 208 fps. Kenetic energy: 48.05 foot pounds (can you say "dead bear"?)

Black Widow average speed (results from previous shooting with the same chronograph at the same distance): 205 fps. Kenetic energy: 40.60 foot pounds

Palmer average speed: 214 fps. Kinetic energy: 50.86 foot pounds (HOLY CRAP!)

After taking into account the fact that the arrows for the Black Widow were slightly heavier with respect to grains/pound, I figure they shoot the same relative speed.

The total shock was the Palmer, which outshot the Chek-Mate by six fps. That bow is a flat-out speed-demon. Not only that, but it was shot off the shelf too. Granted, it's got a straight riser, which will shoot a little faster, but not THAT much faster.

JRW

Edited by - jrw on 01/05/2002 23:36:43