What bow to buy and is rangefinder site worth it?

Buglelk · Jul 5, 2018

I am sure I will get a lot of different opinions here but thought I would ask.

I am looking to get a bow and had a deal come through I was not expecting so I want to buy the best bow I can and have the funds to get the best out there. I drew a Wyoming non resident elk tag.
What are some suggestions for top of the line and are the new scopes that have the range finder in them good. I know expensive but anyone shot with them and like them or not?

fullthrottle · Jul 5, 2018

Mathews triax is where I would spend my money. Although bows are one of those things that really need to feel right in your hand to achieve your best accuracy.

eVerbrowns · Jul 5, 2018

Get out and shoot a bunch of different brands if you can , you'll know when you find the right one. Any of top name brands will be good though. Good luck

lundellhunting7 · Jul 6, 2018

Go out and shoot as many brands as possible. This year I am going to be hunting with a Realm X. Last year I ran an Impulse 34 and a Carbon Defiant. Everyone is different with bows so you need to find one that you like.

Rangefinders I run a SIG but the new Nikons have me interested.

Dryfly · Aug 3, 2018

If you have a tag for this year, and are planning on using a bow you haven't even purchased yet, and aren't even sure what to buy...Then it is very likely that you have no business shooting at big game animals with that bow this season.

My apologies if I am misunderstanding, but it sounds like you don't know a lot about archery. It is absolutely not something you start a month or three before you plan on hunting.

If you start now and are persistent, you may be proficient by this time next year. IMHO

Just curious...what type of range-finding scope is it that you are wanting to put on your bow? Never seen a bow with a scope, been bow-hunting north of 40 years.

You have no need for a top of the line bow. Any major brands mid-tier bow will likely be much more accurate than you are.

elktaker · Aug 7, 2018

I shoot a cheap PSE Stinger. I just shoot it better than any other bow. Go to a shop and shoot a bunch in your price range. Pick the bow you like and Wyoming requires 50 lb for elk I believe.

With that said the season is pretty close so if you are planning to pick up a bow for the first time and hunt in a month, you better get it and shoot a lot and limit your shots to your ability. My rule of thumb for hunting elk is you should be able arrow in a 6? circle everytime in various position at a said distances. That could be 20 yards could be 70 yards (these are just random numbers, we do not need to get into ethical ranges).

I am not going to say you can't pick a bow up and ethically hunt in a month, some probably could do it ethically but you will have to make a standard for your accuracy and stick with it.

You do not state that your experience other that what we assume by your question

BUGLEnmIN · Aug 15, 2018

Hoyt man! If your going to sink a decent amount of money into a bow just buy a hour! The new redworx are awesome!

tracker12 · Aug 28, 2018

Go buy a crossbow. Little late in the game for a vertical bow.

Zero_Pts_Huntr · Aug 29, 2018

Hey, I LITERALLY just had the same thing happen to me - and I'm new to archery. Luckily, a mentor of mine recommended that I go shoot a bunch of bows.

I'm just like everyone else, and am a sucker for marketing so I expected to really fall in love with the hoyts. I shot a RX-1, a hyperforce, and a Mathews Halon 32. The shop set them all to my draw length and let me have at it.

From that I found out that I actually prefer a slightly heavier bow so the carbon bow wasn't for me. I liked the hyperforce better but my clear favorite was the Halon 32 (triax is a shorter ATA bow and tougher to shoot - for a newbie like me).

Anyhow, that's what I came home with and I love it. You gotta TRY a bunch and you will know know right away what the right one is for you.

No bad bows at this point, just preference. Hope that helps and congrats on having that bluebird deal hit. what do you sell btw?

adamhoward · Sep 21, 2018

You can try this one Tectectec Pro Rangefinder.
Here is a product review: https://rangerexpert.com/tectectec-pro-wild-hunting-rangefinder-review/
Adam Howard

BOHNTR · Sep 22, 2018

The best advice was given above, IMO.......shoot as many bows as you can and pick the one that feels good to you.

There is a new sight that has a laser rangefinder built in. Have heard mixed reviews of how accurate it is and ease of use. Just keep in mind, that if you shoot a big critter with it, and desire to have it entered into B&C or P&Y, it will not be eligible for entry into the records programs. If that's not important, then disregard, and rock on! Either way, have fun and practice often.

BOHNTR )))---------->

Lhedrick1 · Dec 9, 2018

Do yourself a favor and do not buy NEW. I purchased two bows this fall; a Mathews Heli-M and a Mathews Creed. The Creed is a smoother shooting bow but both are phenomenal shooters and they are 5+ year old. If you don't mind buying used, (specifically with Mathews) you will spend at least 50% less buying used and still get a hell of a bow.

Can't speak for other brand's but I would venture to say the technology is all.about the same across brands. Mathews is known for their smoothness and shootability.