Magnesium riser are cast out of a mold,or more correctly,a die.AND yes,they are not as strong as billet aluminum risers.I have seen them break in 2 at the grip.Glad I wasn't hanging on t it.


BUT,let me add that the technology today is leaps and bound above what it was just a few years ago.The newer hoyt magnesium riser are practically bullet proof.

Aluminum risers are cut out of extrusions,not forged.I would personally like to see a forged, aluminum riser.That would be the most stable and strongest riser one could get.


I believe forging will be the next technological advancement in riser design.Might even be a dropped forged riser.

Arthur,where you at? I know you have some valuable input on this subject.

BowTech's risers are forged and then machined.

Dan

I know that Bowtech and , pretty sure Martin, claim their risers are machined from forged billets of aluminum.

From Bowtech
Martin advertises this on numerous magazine back covers.

BUT,they are not forged,they are cut from forged billets.

To my knowledge,most still use 6061 extrusions.

I was not aware that these companies were using forged billets.Might be a step in the right direction.

I had a Hoyt Ultra-Mag at one time and it was mag. I never had an issue with it and it seemed durable as can be. I have never heard of any of the newer Hoyts made from Mag breaking but i have heard people talk of older bows breaking in the riser.

I believe the PowerHawk, and the SuperHawk are still made from magnesium. The SuperHawk has laminated limbs as well.

Derek

The problem with the casts/molds is stuill one of air pockets and other imperfections. Start taking a good look at the Reflex Growlers/powerhawks/superhawks at full draw- you will see the occasional one that flexes (for lack of a better term- bend) at full draw. Jimmy Despart started to notice this (he runs Flying Arrow Sports II near Albany)- and now my my local shop (original FAS) is keeping an eye on all of them when they come in.

This is nothing new however- my first Magnatec (Powerflex w/ C cams) had this issue. At full draw you could see the limb pockets lean to the left as cable tension was reduced at full draw.