Bow Comparison

[Nick559]

I'm getting back into Traditional Archery after a few years off from shoulder surgeries and I'd like some recommendations on bows and arrows.  I have three now that I can't use because of the pounds and ordering new limbs costs as much or more than most good used bows.  If anyone out there has any thoughts on these bows that I've been looking at I'd greatly appreciate it.

I'm interested in recurves, takedown or one piece, such as the Blacktail Elite, Brackenbury(s), Great Plains, Assenheimer(s), Cascade(s) and the Black Widow lines.  I've owned these in the past (still do) and am wondering what's out there.

Mostly for hunting and maybe some Traditional 3D and of course practice, practice and more practice.  Quite, stable and smooth are more important than speed (of course).  I'm looking at 62" in length at around 50# and 29 inches.

Any thoughts and recommendations?
Thanks!

[Bjorn]

Add ACS to the list and they are all winners.

[joevan125]

Black Widow PSA X 62in its the best shooting bow i have ever shot, period.

[joevan125]

Yep you can add a ACS to the list.

[Nick559]

How about arrows available today?

[Dusty Nethery]

Many good arrow choies available today, some may say too many!

Very abbreviated carbon list:

Arrow Dynamics
Carbon Express
Carbon Tech
Gold Tip
Easton
Beeman

All are good ones!

Dusty

[GREASEMAN]

My choice for consistency,quality and field hardness is Carbon Express Heritage Classic 90's or 150's.Ya just can't go wrong with them!

Your Bow choices look solid!

[Nick559]

Thanks for the info on the arrows.  I'll check the online selector(s) and see what pops up.

[coaster500]

Robertson ?

[summit]

Morrison is the best in my opinion

[thunder1]

Add Dale Dye bows and ACS bows to your list.

[MikeBurns]

Bruin!!

[George D. Stout]

There are no "bests" that can fit everyone's idea of best.  Don't get caught into, "the best is the most expensive" idea, because that is not so.

What you need to do is shoot some of the bows available nowadays, and there is a ton of them. Just look at the tradgang classifieds, and you can find a lot of high dollar bows for sale; if you just have to have one of them, that would be a place to start.

If you have an open mind, look at all the offerings out there....including lesser known, but well designed bows, and you will be better off in the end by getting a bow that works "best" for you.

I won't even tell you a brand name I would suggest.....it may lead to a bad marriage.  Look around and shoot a bunch.

[Lil Red]

Being from MO. I'd talk to the guys at Black Widow. You can try out a few bows be for you buy one. Mike

[jomama]

Zippers would be a great choice.

[Nick559]

Thanks Red, I did.  I had a Black Widow.  I shot it better than most any other I had at the time.  My brother has it now collecting dust in his basement.  If I can trade something else to him I'll do it and look for some other limbs.  I'd order limbs for my Brack (2 year wait) or my Cascade but then for the same cost I could probably buy a great used bow.  I just need something in the 50# range nowadays and any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[LBR]

Although one bow may "fit" a person better than another, the monkey behind it is what makes the difference.  Any good archer can shoot most any bow well.

I agree that cost doesn't make a bow.  I've shot (and owned) expensive bows that were very nice, and I've shot expensive bows that, to me, weren't worth $5.  The adage "you get what you pay for" doesn't always apply to bows.  

A friend of mine payed through the nose for a bow that had twisted limbs from the start, and the bowyer won't warranty it.  One of the less expensive custom bows on the market has one of the better warranties, and the bowyer stands behind it 100%.  'Course these aren't always the case--point being is check each one out for yourself, and don't accept word of mouth as a guarantee (that's the mistake my friend made).

If you aren't sure, my bet is you'll do better buying used.  Some bowyers warranty their bows after they change hands, some don't--you might take that into consideration.  At least if you get a bow that doesn't suit you, chances are you can get your money back or close to it vs. taking a 25%-50% loss as is common when selling a bow you bought new.

Good luck,

Chad

[cacciatore]

You can also try to trade your limbs for something that you like most.It doesn't cost more than the shipping.

[Nick559]

That's true and I've thought about that.  However I can't make any posts for that yet pursuant to the new rules.  I haven't been a member long enough.  
Thanks.

[luvnlongbow]

If you get the chance check out the Fox High Sierra. That said, George and Chad are correct. Each of us has our likes and dislikes and the price you pay for a bow does not gauranty that you will like it. Try as many as you can before your purchase.