Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Looking at picking up a 'new to me' bow in a month or two...possibly brand spanking new, but I doubt it. Obviously I've checked out the Mathews line, and they are ok, but I am by no means dead set on getting one 'cause they are the fad as of late.

I am in need of fairly short limbed bow with very low overall weight. I've recently had back surgery, so the lighter the load (even if only a pound), the better. Speed isn't that huge of an issue, but a bonus if 275 or better.

Looking at spending no more than 500 beans, and that is for all the bells and whistles too. Obviously used (which I have no problem with) will probably be my best bet, as I've already come across a few Mathews (F2, featherlight) interest me.

Thanks for your input fellas.

Chad

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

--Albert Einstein

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Oregon, I have to say this because for me I couldn't be happier. This is the 3rd hunting season with my Martin Cougar Magnum. Its 36 1/2" axle to axle, 65% or 75% letoff adjustable(mine is at 65%), shoots very accurate, shoots fast, is quiet, reliable and can be purchased new for around $400. I was seriously considering trading for a new bow this year but it shoots so well I could not see the point in it just to have a brand new bow. Its a top of the line bow and in my opinion the best Martin has to offer for me. In fact I am so pleased I am buying another one next yr. Just my personal opinion and choice.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

My dad just picked up a buckmaster hypertech, they go for about $280. A step down from there top of the line but IMO a great bow for the price. It has a very managable brace, 33" a-a, about 300 fps IBO and 75% let-off. It also looks and shoots very impressive.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Oregonhunter,
most every bow manufactured today is of high quality. The trick is to find the one that works for you and your shooting skills. If light is the only way to go look at the HCA carbon 4runner.
On a side note their a lot of changes going on in the industry right now and some of the problems that have been around since the start of the one cam craze are being addressed. Shoot every bow you can get your hands on then make a decision.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Well I like my PSE BEAST. I only paid 300 for it with a quiver, six carbons, true glo sights, peep sight and knocking point. Shoots 300 fps stock from factory. I like it but it is all in personal preference.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Thanks for your input fellas....I will continue my search and check the specs on all those you mentioned.

If anyone else has a bow that they absolutely love, that didn't put them in the poorhouse, I'm all ears!

Oregon

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

--Albert Einstein

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Chad,

I would be looking at BowTech's line of bows.

They are among the best in the business, have a lifetime warranty, and have several bows in your price range. You will also be supporting your local economy. They are based in Creswell Oregon I believe. If you ever have a problem and need to send it to the factory your turn around time should be very short. You won't get that with a used bow plus you won't have to hope you can find a used one that fits you. Where in Oregon do you live (I'm about 35min west of Salem)? You can give BT a call and they will give you a list of dealers in your area.

After doing a lot of research (over a year) I believe that, for what I was looking for, my BowTech Stalker was one of the best bows I could buy for the money. I paid $329.00 and had plenty of $ left over to purchase the accessories I wanted.

Just looked at your profile. Call Hook and Arrow Archery in Springfield. It should be in your phone book for Eugene also. Ask for Jamie, he is the owner. He is very knowledgeable and can set you up with something I'm sure you will be happy with.


Kirk

Edited by - notavegetarian on 11/05/2002 01:33:39

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

OH don't forget to look at Darton line especially the mag33. It is light and has just about the smoothest draw around for your sore back. they make great bows. Good luck

brian

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

I love my Martin Panther Mag-it's 33" and is extrememly smooth. If you are looking at weight, I don't see how you could go wrong with a Parker. Their ultralight series (31" & 35") are well regarded.

The most important bloodtrail leads right to the foot of the cross

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

I bought my first new bow in about 12 years and settled on the Buck Saber (part of the Champion line). They've cut some corners to make it a very affordable bow (molded plastic limb brackets for example), but it's a light, short reasonably fast bow that has I've been very pleased with during my shooting over the summer. The brace height is less than 7" which makes it a little less forgiving, but has not been a big issue to this point. I was able to get into a full custom setup with a lifetime warranty and several top of the line accessories (rest, sights, stabilizer) for right at $400. This was the first big-ticket item I've purchased online but the folks at www.huntersfriend.com really were good to work with.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

The Parker Ultra Lite 31, weighs in at 2.9 lbs,axle to axle 31 inches.Amo speed -240fps(30" 60# 540 grain)IBO speed- 310fps (30" 70# 350 grain)
The Parker Ultra Lite 35,weighs in at 3.1 lbs, axle to axle 35 inches.AMO speed - 234fps ( 30' 60# 540 grain) IBO speed 300fps( 30" 70# 350 grain)
I have been very pleased with the performance of the UL31.I was able to pickup a new UL31 for just under $500.00. I had surgery on my release wrist a few years back and found that I can no longer comfortably use a wrist strap release. I found a release that I love and has worked well for me on harvesting many deer and shooting 3D comp. Its called the Winn Free Flight Glove Release, they advertise that it makes you feel like you are drawing back 10 pounds less than you really are, And it really does feel like Im drawing back less weight, it might be something for you to look into after your back surgery.Good luck, I hope you find the right bow for you.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

2003 Hoyt MT Sport or Magna TEC.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Thanks fellas and Lady Forge, you have all given me plenty of research to do.

Thanks Kirk. I have only lived here two years, and have mainly gone to The Bow Rack, which is a very nice place, but high prices and mainly fellas who are more concerned about the name on their bow then how they shoot it.....err, as you can probably guess, mostly Mathews in that shop.

Bent Arrow. I just sold my Magna Tec a few months ago. It was a pretty good bow, a two cam Intruder with all the top of the line bells and whistles, but was a pretty heavy bow. I sold it to a buddy in the hopes of finding a lighter bow with a shorter axle to axle length. I bought it back in the midwest (obvoiusly stand hunting) prior to coming out here, and after hunting western oregon (very thick), the less to hang up on thorn bushes, the better! ;-)

I guess the thing that irks me off about some bow hunters out there is how they become so concerned with the name brand so they can impress their friends, when in actuality, they may have shot an 'off' brand much better.

Thanks again everyone!

Chad



"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

--Albert Einstein

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Oregon....I have a PSE Thunderbolt. 36" ata. 300 fps IBO. IMO, it is a very nice bow for the money(usually around $300 new). I really like mine. It was a breeze to tune, and shoots great.
It's all in personal preference...look at a bunch and decide what YOU want, and what works for you best. It makes no difference what others think...or even what brand you get.
Also, if you do decide on exactly what you want...check ebay. You can get some super deals there....sometimes. Good luck:)

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Check out the Martin's. You'll easily be under $500, and they have some sweet bows...Altitude, Tracer Mag, Cougar Mag, and a new SE limb option this year cuts down on shock and vibration. See the 2003's at their website.
Here's a pic of the 2003 Cougar III SE

http://gra.midco.net/gingerichs/moose.gif" >



Edited by - Dacotah on 11/05/2002 15:34:07

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Hoyt MT sport or the Magna Tec fast,light and dependable.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Right now I would say the 2003 PSE Thunderbolt. It has PSE's new Lightning cam 3 on it shoots 300 fps and weighs under 4 lbs and 36" A to A. And they dropped the price too!!! $299 brand new.

"What we do in this life echos an eternity"

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Check out the Buckmaster G2. I just got one on a friends recommendation (my first bow) and I'm very happy with it. Its inexpensive, accurate and at just over 30 inches axel/axel its great for tree stand shooting. My friend just shot his third P&Y buck with it and a 54" moose earlier in the season. Can't argue with success.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Chad,
I'm going to check out the Pearson Pirahna tomorrow. List price is $329, axle to axle is 30.5" and weight is 3.2 lbs. Sounds like what you are looking for also.

The brace height is 9" so it should be very forgiving also. I found it on www.huntersfriend.com/bowselection which has a compound bow comparison chart that is really helpful.

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

The buckmaster and Pirahna both sound great as well. I am coming to the conclusion that there are a crapload of great bows out there that can fufill my needs. 30"....that is amazing. Who would have thought 10 years ago that you could find a bow that is more forgiving, shoots around 300 f.p.s., and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay shorter. Unreal. Back then I was shooting a wooden limbed Pearson. I killed a lot of deer with that bow, and it still may be the straightest shooting bow I've owned. The only major differences were noise and the fact that I was lobbing arrows in there at 30 yards!!! I wonder how many f.p.s. that ol' boy would register at....probably so slow I wouldn't want to know. But those bucks sure didn't seem to know!

Anyway, thanks again to all for your input. I am in the process of selling my rifle so I can have some funds to make my purchase. Hopefully I can seriously start looking in a matter of weeks.

Chad---Oregon

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

--Albert Einstein

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Hey Fred, I came across that site as well...here is the address as your link was a few digits short:

http://www.huntersfriend.com/bowspecs1.htm



Edited by - oregonhunter on 11/05/2002 21:26:54

RE: Input please....best bow for my buck
 

Martin.