Kingman Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 I enjoy the PSE bow I have. It is a Carrol Dominator, one of the short unforgiving bows. I like PSE stuff for speed. The Hoyts I used to shoot were comfortable to shoot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritinUSA Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 My Dad does some archery in England. He uses the standard recurve bow, but every now and again he and his friends will break out the longbows and see how close they can get to a target 100-200 yards away. My Dad makes his own longbows, gets the wood, sticks the different types of wood together to form a laminate and then shaves away the excess with a hand plane. Makes the ends out of animal horn, the grip is some string wound around the bow. They shoot great.... simplicity is best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrettone Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 Matthews, Bowtech, Hoyt....They'll all do the job if you practice. I'm a Matthews man myself. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uscbigdawg Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 The practice I'm not worried about. Ranked nationally in the adult brackets at 12, I can get back to where I was. I just want good equipment without all the extra goofy stuff. I will say this...these dang things ain't cheap. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 I got pretty heavy into 3-D for a while back in the late 90's. Shot a Golden Eagle and won just about everything I entered for a season. Chronographed it and was only running about 235 with 530 grain arrows. Sold it and went to the newest high speed version of the same bow, 277fps with the same arrow, and a LOT harder to shoot. Still got a huge kick out of beating the guys with very expensive very specialized equipment with a 'hunting' bow. Kind of like the guys shooting Glocks in Limited or L-10. It isn't that it can't be done, it is just easier if you use specialized equipment to race. I have been out of competitive archery for a while but here is what I believe. Aluminum is still more accurate, if you can afford the arrows use aluminum. Skill is still a valid factor and the most important factor, but not quite as big a factor as it used to be. The faster the bow the less forgiving it will be, PERIOD. I have shot mine at 320, it if flat and very accurate, but there is NO margin for error whatsoever. I really enjoy archery, but not as much as USPSA shooting....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 I enjoy the PSE bow I have. It is a Carrol Dominator, one of the short unforgiving bows. I like PSE stuff for speed. The Hoyts I used to shoot were comfortable to shoot. Shoot the PSE X Force. IBO rating of 350. The bow is awsome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 350 wow, that is fast. The dominator was a tick over 300 chrono'd. I can't imagine 350 those 100 yard bear targets would be simple with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Friday Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 350 wow, that is fast. The dominator was a tick over 300 chrono'd. I can't imagine 350 those 100 yard bear targets would be simple with that. Not really, anything over 280fps, you start getting weird wind plaining effects off of a broadhead. A field point for target shooting would probably be OK (as long as you are shooting a tree-log stiff carbon arrow). The trade off for speed on all bows is they become real finniky to shoot accurately; recessed risers, overdraw arrow rests, high poundage, extreme cams, small axle-to axle lengths, all make it that little bit-by-bit more difficult to accurately shoot the bow. Anything over 280 (real world) is excessive in my opinion. 240-250 seems to be the right speed area for all of my bows, but my Z-Max still loves the 280 fps zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 When I hunted with a bow and knew my bow was launching them over 300 I never used a normal broadhead. I used one of the ones with retractable blades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted August 7, 2007 Share Posted August 7, 2007 I used to shoot regularly from 80-120 yards in practice. My bow was actually easier to shoot at extreme distances with heavy arrows in the 275-280 fps range than it was at 320. The light arrows bleed energy so fast it isn't funny, they are wicked flat and the wind doesn't get them until about 50, then they fall off really fast. The heavier arrows arc more, but carry a lot better. I used Spitfire retractables to hunt with, and at 275fps they will go through a whitetail like it is made of paper on a 460+ grain arrow. Getting a fixed broadhead to fly with the straight fletch most use now is really a tuning challenge where with offset or radial fletch it is a lot easier. Even with a spinning fletch the fixed broadheads would plane some and shoot a lot flatter than field points or retractables. Side to side plane is easy enough to tune out, but I never got them to shoot the same trajectory as field points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixgun Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 Rich, For finger shooting shooting I'd try to find the longer axle to axle bows. I don't think they make it anymore but the Mathews Conquest comes to mind as a great finger bow. You get too much finger pinch if the a to a gets too short...but that's drawlength dependent. The shorter your drawlength the shorter a to a bow you can comfortably shoot with fingers. Looking at the Martin site..I'd pick the Scepter or the Cougar with dual cams. Looking at the Hoyt site...You're right on with the Montega. Just my $.02 Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrettone Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I will say this...these dang things ain't cheap. Rich Well, at least you get your ammo back! (most of the time anyway) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Friday Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 When I hunted with a bow and knew my bow was launching them over 300 I never used a normal broadhead. I used one of the ones with retractable blades. Ya, that's the cure for it, but don't try expandibles on elk or mulies, etc. Even seen them fail on white tail shoulders. I'll just keep arcin my muzzies in there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameron Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 350 wow, that is fast. The dominator was a tick over 300 chrono'd. I can't imagine 350 those 100 yard bear targets would be simple with that. Not really, anything over 280fps, you start getting weird wind plaining effects off of a broadhead. A field point for target shooting would probably be OK (as long as you are shooting a tree-log stiff carbon arrow). The trade off for speed on all bows is they become real finniky to shoot accurately; recessed risers, overdraw arrow rests, high poundage, extreme cams, small axle-to axle lengths, all make it that little bit-by-bit more difficult to accurately shoot the bow. Anything over 280 (real world) is excessive in my opinion. 240-250 seems to be the right speed area for all of my bows, but my Z-Max still loves the 280 fps zone. I completly disagree. The bows and aluminum arrows of yesteryear would fit this description, but not by today's standards. I have fabulous groups from my APA, shooting broadheads, and that is at 320 FPS. Technology in archery have made a huge jump. Shoot some new stuff and you will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhunter Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I have been using a Mathews Z-Max since the first month they came out. OUTSTANDING bow. Not very forgiving. Your technique better be good, otherwise they can be difficult to shoot. I find mine VERY accurate. Matter of fact, I have purchased some other bows along the way for specialized hunts, but I ALWAYS go back to my Z-Max. I shot the Cape Buffalo with a Mathews Legacy. Hated it!!! Traded it to the Professional Hunter for a deposit on my Lion hunt. Shot the Lion with the Z-Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I am currently shooting a Bowtech Commander and love it. Very smooth and accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Friday Posted August 8, 2007 Share Posted August 8, 2007 I'm slingin with a Z-Max and my back up is a Bow-Tech. Not the most current, but not totally outdated. I'm good with my gold tips, muzzies, and 280 fps. Besides, I'm spending all my extra cash shootin USPSA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 I've been very happy with my Z-Max since '99 but the new Mathews Drenalin has me very interested. The cam on the Z is getting hard for me to roll over and I just can't bring myself to give up my speed by backing off from 70 lbs. I drew the Drenalin in a store @ 70 and it felt like 50 lbs compared to the Z at 70. I have a old McPherson Mag 500 set up @ 80 and it is easier than the Z. I can shoot it all day but I'm done with the Z after about 20 shots. I don't seem to have any problem with my arrows planing and I shoot Muzzy 90g 4 blades on 400g total weight carbon arrows at 318fps. I guess I might be loosing some punch after 40 yrds but I will never know. What I do know is inside of 40 yrds they pack one hell of a wallop. As far as accuracy is concerned, I quit shooting at the same spot twice on the target years ago. I can't afford it. I think its more than just a coincidence that so many of us here chose the Z. I frequent a Bow hunting forum and I have not met any other Z owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDave Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Before I got into USPSA in 2001 I was 1/2 a hair away from buying a Hoyt AccuTec (wheeled not cammed) and a Toxonics Nail Driver for 3-D, indoor 300 and Field archery. This thread has me thinking about that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Knight Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 http://www.kyudo-wa.org/ I got to try this when I went to Japan. The dojo was in Tachikawa. Very cool!! The dojo's range was Open to public viewing from the side, not that I really wanted arrows flying past my head but I was confident they wouldn't hit me. Some of the students saw my group's interest and let us take a turn at it. It was very difficult but I was able to hit the target at about 15 meters. No bullseye for me though. I even found a picture of the Dojo!! I love the internet!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/529/32251088/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhunter Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Yeah, the Z-Max is the business, but... I am going to go Hoyt for my next bow. They have an 80# bow this just smokes, yes it is radical, but it is also more forgiving than the Z-Max. I want to shoot it at about 77#s. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SA Friday Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 yes, a lot of the new Hoyts are pretty good. the same time the z-max first came out, Hoyt was having issues with their limbs shattering while shooting. They seem to have gotten over that issue and now I think they are the only ones that can compete with Mathews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 I never really cared for the Matthews bows, the Z was wicked fast but it also was 'harsh' in my opinion both in pull quality and shot quality. If I needed to heave phone poles at BIG biting critters it would have been near or on top of the list though. For deer, elk and targets I didn't feel the need for the extra speed. My BIL got a new Switchback a year or so ago, it is a REALLY nice bow especially for sitting in a tree. Short, quiet, smooth in pull and shot, plenty fast and surprisingly forgiving. It was the first Matthews I had shot in a couple years and it is VERY refined. It certainly put Matthews back on my short list of bow companies I would look at if I were to get a new bow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 yes, a lot of the new Hoyts are pretty good. the same time the z-max first came out, Hoyt was having issues with their limbs shattering while shooting. They seem to have gotten over that issue and now I think they are the only ones that can compete with Mathews. I have a Mathews Sticker in the rear window of my truck. The other day a fellow walked up to me in a parking lot and said "nice sticker". I said thanks and he said "wanna see something?". He reached in his truck and pulled out a shattered Hoyt limb from a '06 bow. I never really cared for the Matthews bows, the Z was wicked fast but it also was 'harsh' in my opinion both in pull quality and shot quality. If I needed to heave phone poles at BIG biting critters it would have been near or on top of the list though. For deer, elk and targets I didn't feel the need for the extra speed. My BIL got a new Switchback a year or so ago, it is a REALLY nice bow especially for sitting in a tree. Short, quiet, smooth in pull and shot, plenty fast and surprisingly forgiving. It was the first Matthews I had shot in a couple years and it is VERY refined. It certainly put Matthews back on my short list of bow companies I would look at if I were to get a new bow. I agree, it is very harsh IMO. Before you buy a Switchback, shoot a Drenalin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlin Orr Posted August 11, 2007 Share Posted August 11, 2007 Baahhhhhh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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