Need your help!!!
 

I have posted a few times and I hope I get some input on this matter. I have looked through several reviews and watched a lot of videos and I have my two choices in bows. I am hoping I can get your thoughts between the two.

The first is the Bowtech Assassin

and the 2nd is the Hoyt Rampage XT

I know the names I just have never shot either of them.

If those are the 2 you have selected as your final choices I recommend you shoot both if possible and see which one feels better to you.

How much should I buy into the IBO on these bows?

Use the IBO ratings only for comparison between the two bows. Do not be disappointed if the bow you choose never achieves such speed. Virtually nobody shoots a bow set up as the factory does for speed ratings. Common hunting setups might get as much as 40-50 fps less.

My other issue is that the bow shop down the street will not unzip tie the bows and at least let me draw them. Should I go elsewhere, or is this how most bow shops are?

I take Ibo stats with a grain of salt. They use a super light arrow and nothing on the string with the bow maxed in poundage and draw to achieve it. Sorta similar to car company's using crank HP unsteady of rear tire HP numbers.

I am going to have a dloop and peep on my string along with some cat whiskers.

My hunting arrow weighs 417 grains. I use an arrow calculator to find what setup gives me the most fps as well as kenetic energy for hunting.

Normally anything over 300 Ibo will be enough to kill anything in the lower 48.

Shoot both and buy what feels nice to you. If given the choice to use a harsh drawing fast bow or a smoother slower bow.. I would take the smoother bow.

Go elsewhere if they won't let you shoot it.

Never draw a bow without an arrow in it. Accidents happen and you don't want a bow blowing up in your face.

Exactly, If he won't let you shoot it go elsewhere. If anything, he should have demo bows to shoot. I would have told him that you were taking your money and making a purchase elsewhere.

Like others have said, they should let you shoot it if you're going to buy it. My local shop will let you shoot them if you're seriously looking. Also if you buy you get an hour of range time with one of the owners who will set everything up and sight the bow in for you and let you shoot. It's a big help to first time owners or people who don't know how to set up or tune their bow. If a shop won't be helpful, find someone who will.
-Jake

I would agree that you should shoot both of them and see which one fits you. I have a Assassin and its shooting IBO right on the money. It does have an aftermarket string and was tuned good but I was surprised because it has the stock silencers, d-loop, and kisser button. From everybody I have talked to theirs are achieving IBO or close to it also. Same thing goes for the Hoyt. I don't think you could go wrong with either one but pick the one that feels good in your hands.

Both companies are good reputable bow producers. I have worked in bow shops for the last 15 years and I would agree with the advice others have offered. Don't get stuck on a name brand, draw and shoot some options for bows and buy what feels comfortable to you. IBO ratings are so each company has to compare apples to apples. The bows have to be shot at 70 pounds, 30 inch draw length and a 350 grain arrow. Unfortunately most people do not shoot this long of a draw length or light of an arrow so they experience a significant less arrow speed. Also, anything added to the string for accesories will also slow down the bow. As far as the zip ties go, if they do not have a place for you to shoot then they are afraid of a dry fire. At the shop I work at now, we have had 2 bows blow apart this fall by customers who claimed they were experienced archer and ended up dry firing the bows. Different bows have different draw cycles and some might not be prepared for it and string slips out of fingers and results in bow hanging in pieces and possibly an injured customer that now wants to sue you for their mistake.

Originally Posted by ckeifer
How much should I buy into the IBO on these bows?

My 2012 Bear Encounter is rated 310 fps “IBO”.
That’s based on 70lbs. pull, 350 grain arrow, 30 inch draw, point blank Chrony.
“AMO” rating would likely be about 240-242 fps. That’s based on 60lbs. pull, 455 grain arrow, 30 inch draw, point blank Chrony.
I’m shooting 66lbs. pull, 565-570 grain arrow (33”), 32 inch draw (+.75” Dloop and Peep on the string), point blank Chrony – 237-238 fps
At 12 yds down range still @ 233-234 fps, 68.73 ft Lbs of Kinetic energy at that point. That’s plenty for the largest NA game. If I ever hunt Kodiac, I’ll Crank it up a few pounds. I’m happy with that.
I'm pretty sure that if I cranked it up to 70, set the draw at 30" and shot a 350 grain arrow out of it, She'd Chrony right about 310. I couldn't hunt with it though.

I would go elsewhere.
Find a place that let's you shoot their bows.
Its not a matter of which bow is best,
Both good bows.
But a matter of which feels best to you.