Does Speed Matter?
 

I'm buying my first bow... looking at the General and an Alpine Silverado. I like the accuracy and speed of the Silverado but also like the accuracy and zero noise of the General. My hesitation with the General is that it is on the slower side of speed. I will be using this mostly for hunting. Shouldthe 25 fps difference in speed difference worry me as much as it is? Also, color really doesn't matter to me but I can't stand the RT Hardwoods Green HD. Specifically because I feel like the green in it is neon compared to the muted greens of the Pac Northwest. Anybody get this bow in APG? I saw the Mossy Oak Brush and would like that for the open areas out here.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

to be completely honest, Ive shot my general at 301 fps, and 266 fps, and the difference in point of impact is very minimal with the different arrow weights - within an inch or so, so the speed wont really be an issue.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

I wouldn't worry about the 25 fps.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

Won't notice a difference, speed doesn't kill it just makes the gap between your pins smaller:D(ok it has more advantages then that)

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

nope, shot placement does.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

Sure SPEED matters, but not nearly as much as placement. And if you are buying your "FIRST BOW," I think you'd be well served to go and SHOOT as many as you can, and look at something with a 7.5" braceheight or longer, and a forgiving speed closer to 300fps IBO. Jumping into this w/ a SPEED BOW will probably leave you a frustrated archer, wondering "Why in the $^Y& did I get into this in the first place????" Just my $.02 though.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

If speed didn't matter, we'd just leave the bows at home and throw our arrows at game. It matters, but it has been exceedingly over emphasized over the past 15 years.

Speaking of over emphasizing and such... Don't trust "IBO ratings". For one thing, it is not and never has beenan industry standard. It's a bit of marketing, based partly on AMO standard and partly on IBO tournament rules and partly from stuff pulled out of thin air.Since it is not an industry standard, the manufacturers can - and many do - manipulate the tests, or just pencil whip the numbers toinflate their ratings numbers.

In case you're interested, thetrue AMO/ATAindustry standard for comparative speed testing is ASTM F1544-99. It has a 2-level test, both with the bow set at 60 pounds and 30" draw. The heavy arrow test is done with a 540 grain arrow, or 9 grains of arrow weight per pound of draw weight. The light arrow test is done with a 360 grain arrow, or 6 grains per pound. Don't bother looking for speed data according to the standard though. Few manufacturers will publish it.

Anyway... Once you get over 250 fps -real world speed, not IBO ratings -you won't see much, if any, difference in arrow flight or point of impact between a 250 fps arrow and a 300 fps arrow within typical hunting distances. Meaning 30 yards and less.

You want to by the bow that feels the most'friendly' to you.... the one that feels likeit wants to be your bow.If you are comfortable with the bow, you will shoot better with it than you will with any other, no matter what speed it puts out.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

This post should be framed and hung on the wall of every archery pro shop.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

When selecting a bow I always consider speed, but I don't base my decision soley on the speed factor. I love my Guardian and General they have very good speed plus all the other positive things I look for in a bow. On top of that they are a blast to shoot!;)

For a speed bow I have an Airborne on order and the one I shot was pretty amazing in the noise and hand shock departments for the speeds it is capable of generating.:D

Dan

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

Get the bow that feels the best to you. It may be the fastest and it may not. Many game animals have fallen to traditional equipment and 200 fps was once considered fast for the early compounds.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

If every bow company out there is willing to dump tens of thousands of advertising dollars to tell you how fast their bows are...somebody must think it matters.

...and if my bow had a "speed dial" on the limbs, you can bet your ass thatI'd be leaving it set on MAX.

Faster arrow = Flatter trajector = More margin for error on yardage estimation.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

You still say this even though you really know better.[8D]

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

Drubie - take a look at the chart below. Make your own conclusions.

ARROW TRAJECTORY (in inches) - Zero @ 20 Yds.

YARDAGE 10 20 30 40 50

S200+4.30-13-34 -65
P225+3.40-10-27 -51
E250+2.80 -8-22 -41
E275+2.30 -7 -18-34
D300 +1.90 -6-15-29
325 +1.6 0 -5-13 -24
350+1.40 -4 -11 -21
375 +1.20-4 -10-18
400+1.1 0 -3-9-16

** Just to be clear - this is where your arrow will hit, if you hold on the bullseye at X yards, while using your 20 yard mark. **

TFOX - Seriously bro, how many times does your speed envy have to rear its ugly head? How slow is your bow again?LMAO Pack a lunch homeboy.



For what it's worth, I say speed matters.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

Not hardly speed envy,I could be over 300 fps but I shoot 255-260 because as I have shown you that it just doesn't matter.The only consideration I put on ibo numbers is the amount of energy I can translate that into penetration with a bit heavier arrow(notice I don't say heavy).I use moderate speed bows along with moderate weight arrows.


In case you haven't noticed,I have a pretty good deal setup on bows and I can shoot just about any bow I want but choose to shoot the moderate speed because of obvious reasons.


And I have shown mister silver that if you want to use 1 pin you do not set it at 20,you set it at 25-27 depending on the setup and the numbers are very close on the hit miss area on a 30-35 yard shot compared to his speed bow.That is real world hunting situation and the rest is just ego.[8D]

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

I used to be a speed demon when it came to my bows but I am more interested in cutting a hole in the side of a deer now. I really couldn't tell you how fast my bow is shooting. I look for a good brace height 7" inches or more and short axle to axle. I love the small bows in the stand and still hunting. I have been shooting my Parker UL31 for years now and I know it is no where near the speeds of the new bows but the buck I killed this year did not seem to care about the speed. Go to the shops and shoot every bow you can and if it is quiet and a pleasure to shoot and in your $ range buy it and be happy. Some of the most frustrating times of my bowhunting life was spent chasing speed.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

Speed does not matter to much in bows, I have shot a bow that had about 125 fps and now one that is 302. It did not make to much difference to me

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

I agree with OHbowhntr. Shoot as many bows as you can. I think the feel of the bow and the way it shoots for YOU is more important than minor differences in speed.

RE: Does Speed Matter?
 

Speed matters when you want the most momentum you can get out of the same weight arrow. ;)
That being said, don't buy a bow based on the numbers that the manufacturerposts. Shoot every bow you are interested in and pick the one the feels the best for you. Most of the bows are pretty close in speed with the same DL and arrow. The General is supposed to be a very nice bow.