REAL Martin Jaguar specs please

briandean · March 21, 2010, 10:04:00 AM

Does anybody have REAL specs on the Martin Jaguar take-down. I've seen the ads that say 220-250 ft/s. I think those specs may be at 30" with a mechanical release. My draw is 28" split finger. I am wondering whether the 50 or 55lb version will launch a 650gn arrow at 200 ft/s. I need an affordable recurve to hunt an Eland. My shoulder can't take long-term abuse from a heavier bow - I presently shoot a 45lb longbow 175 ft/s.

JRY309 · March 21, 2010, 12:55:00 PM

I really doubt it,I haven't seen any trad bow that will shoot at those speeds unless you are shooting 5 or 6 grains per pound and have a longer draw.A 650 gr. arrow out of a 50-55# bow I think you would be closer to 140-150 fps.Even an A&H ACS won't shoot an arrow that fast.Where did you see that add? That sounds like wheel bow spec's at 30",I believe Martin made a Jaguar compound bow also.

wildgame · March 21, 2010, 01:11:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by JRY309:
I really doubt it,I haven't seen any trad bow that will shoot at those speeds unless you are shooting 5 or 6 grains per pound and have a longer draw.A 650 gr. arrow out of a 50-55# bow I think you would be closer to 140-150 fps.Even an A&H ACS won't shoot an arrow that fast.Where did you see that add? That sounds like wheel bow spec's at 30",I believe Martin made a Jaguar compound bow also.

i agree with jry. i have a 50lb jaguar and ive never put it on crono but it dont shoot as fast as my 50lb hunter and it shoots 190fps with 510gr arrow at 27.5 draw!!

Jeremy · March 21, 2010, 01:34:00 PM

Funny, most of the ads I see say it shoots 280 fps :D

I got to shoot one of these last year - a guy brought it to one of the bow hunter ed courses I was teaching, so I didn't spend a lot of time with it, but did empty my quiver.

I'd put it on the low end of average speed. Fit and finish were a bit rough, but for the price... you decide. It'll break 160fps with the weights you're looking at, but not by much.

If I were going after something as big as an Eland I'd want to be pulling more weight, but either way be sure to take some pics! That's about the only way I'll get to see 'em!!

motorhead7963 · March 21, 2010, 02:28:00 PM

I had a Martin Jaguar takedown at 50lb, and I shot through my chronograph, with a 485grn. arrow, all I got was right at 175fps and I have a 28in draw. I checked it with several shots and took the average.

Spectre · March 21, 2010, 04:08:00 PM

The ads are referring to the Jaguar wheelie bow.

briandean · March 21, 2010, 04:29:00 PM

These guys say it shoots at 280 ft/s (not the compound - that, they say, shoots at 320 ft/s)
http://www.archerybowsandarrowsonline.com/Martin-Jaguar-Take-Down-Recurve-Bow-p/mjagbow.htm
These guys say 225-250 ft/s
http://www.nzap.co.nz/martin_jaguar_2009.php
Hearing what you guys are saying, these ads could be stretching the truth slightly - or not so slightly :-)
The recommended ft/lb to hunt an Eland is 60. This equates to 650gn @ just over 200 ft/s. However, a friend of mine hunted one with a 50# bow shooting a 485gn arrow at around 150 ft/s. The Eland went down after about 40 yards - arrow protruded about 8 inches through. But then he did finish 2nd at the 2008 world trad longbow championships - so his shot placement was 100%.
OK, what poundage recurve would you recommend to get to my requirements. I have time - the hunt's in July. Thanks for all the answers.

L. E. Carroll · March 21, 2010, 04:53:00 PM

Who ever is advertising those specs. to you, is hoping you'll never actually measure the speed thru a cronograph

Gene

Spectre · March 21, 2010, 05:02:00 PM

280 is a mighty big claim. Sounds like false advertizement to me. The wheelie won't even but barely shoot that---even shooting slivers for arrows.

Wow. My opinion of Martin has gone downhill a bit.

L. Perry · March 21, 2010, 08:27:00 PM

My 76lb. @ 29 carbon limbed Bears Paw recurve shoots a 655 gr. Easton full metal jacket Dangerous game arrow at 196 fps. I would love to see a Martin beat that!

nkw880 · March 21, 2010, 10:00:00 PM

my wife has the jag coumpound 50 at 27 and it shoots 205fps and thats with a 369gn arrow so there is no way that bow is shooting anywhere close to that

briandean · March 22, 2010, 04:23:00 AM

To be fair to Martin, I couldn't find specs on their site (I suppose that's not so good). But the 280 claim is made on the archerybowsandarrowsonline guys and the lower claim is on nzap - a New Zealand site.
OK, so to get to my 60ft/lbs, I'll have to go compound - it's not going to happen. I'll get a 55lb recurve locally and make sure I can group on a paper plate at 30 yards (which I can do with my 45# longbow), then shoot it at 20yds or less. How does that sound?

Earthdog · March 22, 2010, 05:00:00 AM

I emailed NZAP about this,,,I hope their just going from figures supplied by Martin,,,but I call total BS on those figures.

Brian,I have a pic' of a young man that kiied a Kudu bull with a 35lb compound resently,,,a good 55lb curve will do the job for you if you do yours.
Don't forget those pic's man.

ED.

larryh · March 22, 2010, 02:06:00 PM

martins have never published or gave fps specs on a recurve or longbow to my knowledge. they do publish compound bow speeds rated at 70#, 30" draw, 5 gpp.
they represent the jaguar t.d., the l-100 and l-150, as being just what they are, servicable inexpensive bows for someone wanting to try traditonal shooting.
they do not have a jaguar compound in the 2010 catalog.
the fastest compound speed they publish that i have found is for the warthog mag at 350fps.

FrankM · April 02, 2010, 05:32:00 PM

OK guys, just got back from the bow shop. Here are my specs for my 27" draw with a 51# draw:

o157 fps w/528 gr.
o174 fps w/409 gr.

K. Mogensen · April 02, 2010, 08:01:00 PM

Not to rain on the parade, but if you are looking at purchasing one, I strongly advise you against it. Do some research on it and you will see that many people have had problems with limb failures and twisted limbs. I think one guy went through 3 or 4 sets of limbs before he asked for his money back.

However, some people have had no problems and really like them.

FrankM · April 02, 2010, 09:14:00 PM

I didn't have any trouble. I don't know if it has anything to do with it being the 2010 model. For 140 bucks, I was trying to find something worthy and cheap. After I got it, my wife says that I could have got one of the better ones for 300-400. A little late! Anyway, I'll try it and see how it goes. If it doesn't exactly cut it, well, I got the green light from the spouse! All in all, if you're scraping by, it might be an option, if you can't find a good used bow.