Maybe time for a new bow?

I'm shooting a PSE Diablo I bought new around 10 years ago. Been thinking about getting a new bow for awhile. But I'm having a really hard time justifying putting $1200 down on a new setup that won't kill an animal any better/faster than my old bow.

So, say I do want to get a new rig, I'm partial to the PSE because I like the grips better than anything else I've tried. But I'm wary of these FPS claims out there, 340-350 FPS? Really? With a hunting arrow? C'mon. Am I living in a cave? My bow right now is lucky to get 280 FPS. I guess I'm more curious than anything about the new stuff out there.

Any thoughts?

Smitty,

I shoot a 2014 Hoyt and just shot it through a chrono a couple days ago. My hunting setup was running at 318 fps. It helps that my draw length is 32 and I have my bow maxed out and 74.7 lbs but you'd have to be about the same measurements.

Those IBO ratings are tested at 70lbs, 30 inch draw, 350 grain arrow and nothing on the string. If your hunting set up has a shorter draw, heavier arrow, a peep, string loop and string silencers it will shoot slower. I think most hunting set-ups are in the 275 per foot range, but many are approaching 300 FPS with the newer bows.

I upgrade every 2 or 3 years just because its my passion. If you buy one of these $1,000 bows you can usually sell it for about 700 2-3 years in so its not costing much more than $100 per year to use the bow. I think the Hyot's and Mathews hold their value pretty well. Not sure about the other brands.

If you redo all your accessories that obviously adds to the cost, but I'm sticking with the same sight, upgrading the rest and changing quivers.

I'm shooting a Bowtech Experience set at 65 lbs. with a 392 grain arrow at 305 fps. I have a 29.5" draw. I really like the Experience. I also recently had a Bowtech Assassin that I really liked. Both bows have very nice grips on them. Depending on the set up, you can get an Assassin on eBay for about $400 and an Experience for about $650, and I think you would like either one - especially if ridiculous speed isn't a huge issue. I would rather have a bow that has a little more valley and doesn't feel like it's going to tear my arm off at any moment. I rather be able to hold longer when I'm waiting for a bull, buck, or tom to clear whatever branch it happens to be standing behind than gain 20-30 FPS that probably isn't going to make that much difference on target. I hunt with a rangefinder, so I don't see a lot of point in having a super-flat-shooting bow as I generally will know how far my shot is going to be to within about 5 yards.

I had a 15 year old bow that I sold this year before I got the Assassin and the Experience, and there is a huge difference in the performance that has occurred in the last 15 years. The new bows are smoother, faster, lighter, way quieter, and have almost no hand shock compared to my old one. I'm very glad I upgraded, and I think you would be too.

Just for comparison I now shoot a 2008 PSE X-Force. It's set at 28" draw and I shoot a 396 gr arrow and it flies 312 fps. I really like it and I definitely feel you on how the grips are designed, very nice. Never had any issues with and never seems out of tune so hopefully in the near future I will buy a PSE Omen but I am curious about the black mamba...

Ryan

Hey smutt, come shoot my new rig I got from your buddy. You'll love it and then you will go buy one from him. True story!

No I won't. Shut-up. When we going sheddin? You're in charge of bringing snacks.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-14 AT 00:54AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-14 AT 00:36?AM (MST)

Bow: Hoyt CRX 32
Draw Length: 27"
Draw Weight: 65 lbs.
Hunting Arrow Weight: 335 Grains
Speed: 305 fps

I have always shot Hoyt with no regrets. The bow is very smooth, quite, and gets the job done. This year I had a clean double lung path through shot on an antelope at 76 yards and last year I had a clean pass through on my deer at 63 yards. My old bow was a Hoyt Razortec with the same setup I was shooting 290 fps. With the increase in speed there is no play in at the end of the draw cycle with my new bow, but that is why it is faster. I have had no problems with it and definitely recommend shooting a new Hoyt. Like Muley 505 said it is harder to hold then my old Hoyt but shoots flatter. You should go shoot one and see what bow feel comfortable. Even with my old bow I smoked a deer at 56 yards with a pass through so if you are worried about penetration that is no a problem with any of the bows now days.