Bear Montana Questions

[DesertDude]

Just thiking about this bow. Did a search first to see if I could find any info.  

1. Do they come close to weight marked on the bow, high or low?

2. How well do they perform/shoot?

Thanks..........

Mark

[Pete W]

I have one and it shoots quite good after a string change.The rope it came with is terrible.
 The grip was a bit square, so I rounded it off and now the Montana is a nice shooting bow.
The weight is as marked.
 I also reduced the Tip's a lot and this was a waste of time. It did nothing for performance , or the feel of the bow. Changing the string did lots.It now sports a 10 strand DF97 with 16 strand loops.
 Pete

[Kenneth]

I had one that was my first longbow and loved it but didn't have anything else to compare it to besides my Martin recurve.  The Montana was IMO smooth drawing, and very quiet.  It had a pretty good thump to it but it didn't vibrate in the hand like a tuning fork.  Mine was marked 60# but scaled 63# but I'm not sure of the accuracy of the scale.  IMO, they are a great value.  I'd love to get my hands on another one now that I'm a little more experienced.

[PAPA BEAR]

mark, i bought one for my womans son..he liked it overall but wanted to shoot recurves.i shot it for a little while to check its performance.it was not the worst i have ever shot.nice and smooth.had to put silencers on string to get rid of vibration but thats pretty normal for a lot of bows.overall not bad for the money.never checked the poundage but it felt pretty spot on.

[coyote1956]

Bear Montana one of the best bows for the money made.  they new 2011 models have better contoured grip andway slimmer limb tips, Plus flemish twist FF string included.  Can't go wrong with one of thses.  look or MLB-11 on the riser that will be the 2011 model older ones are different in regards to tips , grip contour, a few oher details as well.  I own 3 supreme Montan's and my son has the std. edition. good reliable workhorse. for $329.00 new can't beat it. Ken

[Zmonster]

I have a #45 I keep around, and it's a diamond in the rough. I also have a few high dollar customs, but when ever I mess around with the Montana I start to question whether I shoul keep the customs around. The Montana point and shoots where I look, and isn't fussy about the arrrows I put through it. It's a mule of a bow, that just plane works. I think everyone would be served well to have one for a back up.

[Bow Bum]

I shot one once...Not sure if the brace was off or my release was that bad. But I didn't think much of it at the time. Shot a Martin savannah right after and liked that bow pretty good.

They are priced right, and I do think my release left little to be desired at the time.

I'd be up for trying another one again.

B

[mmisciag]

It was the second bow I bought. Good shooter. Replaced the string with a 14 strand flemish. It was faster. Played with the brace height and nock. Fastest arrow as I remember was 193 ft per second. At least that is what I remember. I still have it on the rack but moved to a Leon Stewart custom bow. Wanted a TD. I will always have it. Worth buying.

Martin

[Friend]

The Montana helped me discover the joy of a 'D' shaped bow. I have enjoyed shooting this bow better than bows I've owned that were from 3 to 5 times the cost.

Many a seasoned LB shooter will gobble these up when they become available on the Traditonal Bow sale forum.

[Shaun]

I have one and was pleasantly surprised by the way it shoots. They are a string follow flat bow design with a "D" profile when strung (they are a slight R/D profile unbraced). They are not "fast" - that is not a high performance bow. But they are very "shootable" - easy to place the arrow where you want and forgiving of form/release imperfections. I like mine so much I used it for a glass bow fire hose form and occasionally make one on same. Charlie Lamb also used this pattern for his Sunbear longbow form.

As others posted, a little fooling around with modern string and tuning and you will have a dang nice bow.

[bigbadjon]

This was my first bow. It is a sweet shooting bow and it can be made to shoot almost silently. Unlike some of the other guys on here I recommend going with a lower strand count dacron string and shooting this bow at the lower range of the brace height. Mine is 50# and I use a 14 strand string and 7.5" brace. It has a little thump at that brace but I think it performs better. Its also stout and forgiving, I use it as a loner when I help newcomers.

[ron w]

I had a 55#'er and still have a 50# 'er. I have thinned the tips and contoured the grip to suit my tastes. It shoots a 575 gr cedar arrow as well as anything I own, and I have a bunch...some nice ones to. I painted it camo and it is my back up for most anything. It is almost silent with wool puffs and just a good solid hunting bow!

[DesertDude]

Thank you all for your answers, just seams like a great bow.

Mark..............>>

[gvdocholiday]

Originally posted by Friend:
The Montana helped me discover the joy of a 'D' shaped bow. I have enjoyed shooting this bow better than bows I've owned that were from 3 to 5 times the cost.

Many a seasoned LB shooter will gobble these up when they become available on the Traditonal Bow sale forum.

I echo this statement.  The Montana reminds me a lot of my Sky Trophy Longbow.  Diamonds in the rough.  I've still been scanning the ads hoping to gobble up a good used Montana.  D-shaped yes, but they have just a slight bit of reflex.  

Most people who get them never get rid of them because chances are they found them for under 100.00 and they shoot so well.  Makes ya not feel so bad throwing them around.

[BowHuntingFool]

The Montana is a great bow, it was my first, still own it! I have got rid of a few well know customs and will never sell the Montana! I changed the string, put on a set of Hush Puppies and put on a lace up Leather grip and good to go! You cant go wrong!

[metsastaja]

I really like my Montana. It is the only new bow I have ever bought.  Mine is 50 @ 28 and that is an accurate measure. The handle is a little blockish but I like it for my large hands. Flings arrows just fine. Even with my 30 draw it is smooth enough.

[Mudd]

I have owned more than one and I really liked the ones I had.

I think they might just be one of the most overlooked bargains in the way of hill style bows out there.

God bless,Mudd

[Friend]

JMHO ... If Bear's line-up was as competetive and at such a greater value/$ as the Montana, their other models would be all over this site.

The comment is not directed at the Bear line, but used to demonstrate my appreciation for the Montana.

[Huntschool]

I had one, liked it...  did not spend the time I should have with it (string etc) and now would really like to get it back No,t happening.. ..(I want a "D" shape..)

I will find one or get a new one.  Sounds like the new ones may be a better initial deal...

[ron w]

I bought both of mine used....never paid more than $160 for either of them....I should find a 45#'er!