I was lookig at the old threads on Cape buff bows and noted most models aren't available anymore. If a guy was to set up a new Bowtech bow I would assume I would use the 82nd airbourne model. The highest poundage I found on any site is 80#. I haven't bought a new bow for quit a few years but I assume a 80# bow will go down to 70# or so still on the limb adjustment.My old 70# compound will go to 73# without botoming out the limbs. Are the heavier limbs out there on custom order only or just not needed with these modern bows.

I think Bowtech will make you a 100# by request.
Drop them an E-mail im sure thay will accomadate.

The bowtech tribute goes up to 100#. They do not advertise it, but if your pro shop calls, they can get 80# 90# or 100# limbs.
It appears that the warranty is not valid over 80#

The Tribute was the bow I was looking for on the web site and it seems to have been replaced. Is it now the 82nd airborn replacing this? I will e-mail Bowtech later

In may, without any hassles I bought in France a Bowtech tribute 100#.
My Allegiance 90# is now useless.

I would be very amazed that Bowtech no longer offer 100# tribute?

This might sound stupid but check Ebay. Just saw a Mathews "safari" bow, 80-90 sell for around $600. Basically brand new.

FYI: if your intending to hunt Cape Buffalo or other DG, check the current laws on archery hunting in Africa. They tend to change the "can and cannot" law with the wind.
LDK

Currently trying to set up a Buff Bow myself.

At first I was set on buying a Bowtech, as I have owned a few and like them a bunch. However, Bowtech no longer makes any bow heavier than 80lbs and that is only available in the Guardian, but not the 82nd or 101st (last year they were bought by Savage Arms and have become a Corporate entity - used to be a big Bowtech Fan but don't like the direction the company is currently going in). I called them and asked why they no longer make the Tribute in 80-100lbs, and their Tech person replied that the company wants to stay concentrate their efforts on products with the high volume (deer hunters and 3D shooters).

Also called Mathews and asked if they still made the Safari - their Tech person said that the front office decided that they did not do enough volume (profit) to justify a production run, and special orders were just not profitable enough.

In my search for a bow that could launch an 825 Grain arrow with authority, I found two contenders - 1) PSE G-Force Dream Season and 2) Elite GTO. So, I went and shot both of them. They are both very good bows, and incredibly powerful - the G-Force comes in 80-100lb, and the GTO 80-90. They both launch an arrow with authority. In the end, the build quality of the Elite GTO sold me (at 70lbs it launched a 765 gr arrow at 225fps) So, I ordered an 80lb Elite GTO.

The arrow I'll be using is the PSE Black Mamba (w/weight tube) and a Muzzy Phantom SS 2-Blade - at 29 inches it comes in at 825gr, which I anticipate will be launched at 230fps+ by the 80lb GTO - Good Buffalo Medicine. One of my buddies has taken 5 Cape Buffalo with a bow and arrow, and this is the Arrow/Broadhead combo that he used to take all of them.

Your findings are interesting. I too were looking to see what was out there for big bows and I was not having much luck with big poundage. Everyone talks about Bowtech being the stuff so I emailed them to see about heavier limbs on the 101st and never got a reply. I'm not going to chase them. So I was looking at APA and just recently found Elite, but know very little about them. The PSE is also one I will have to look at. I figure with the efficiency of the new bows 80# is lots of power and 70# should be good on some. With the right set up.

There's a bow company in Biggar Saskatchewan (of all places!) called APA Innovationsthat make the fastest bows out there. I don't know if they make heavy ones, but they might be worth looking into.

I was at the Calgary Archery Center when they brought their line in for Al (the owner) to see. Al's words were, "I've been pretty bored with the new compounds lately, because nothing much changes, these bows are different."

Being a trad guy All I can add is they sure are pretty colors

the chef

2007 was the last yr of the Tribute it was replaced by the Guardian... As of right now Bowtech only advertises one bow with limbs over 70lbs and that is there Guardian with 80lb limbs... The 82nd, 101st, Allegiance, General and Commander there max for th elimbs is 70lbs.... Now if you want 80-90 lbs limbs for the 82nd get ahold Dave Banrsdale and he will make a set of 80lbs limbs for the Airbornes... Also the PSE X ofrce comes with 80 and 90lbs limbs from the factory and the Elite GTO comes with 80lb limbs as well.... The Guardian, General and Commmander are center pivot bows...

I was in the same situation looking for a buff bow for 2009, looked around and compared figures, when I was over in January for the hunting shows I finally decided on the Elite Synergy 70lb, got an extra set of barnsdale limbs 94lb. The quality of the Elite is what sold it to me.

Just for fun compared it with my Mathews Switchbak:
Switchback - Peak weight 65.4, hold weight 15.1, the weight of arrow 451
grains: velocity 250 fps, KE: 62.6 ftps

Synergy - Peak weight 67.0, Holding Weight 13.1, weight of arrow 451 grains:
velocity 271 fps, KE : 73.56 ftps (This the bow as I got it, not the buff set-up)

if you know what you are doing you dont need a massive bow to take down a nice dagga boy. If you do your home work you'l see that your kinetic energy and broad head are key.
the buffs ribs overlap and are quite thick but not unpenetrable. if you know exactly where the heart is and you can break the rib then you are sorted. this business of really heavy bows is a bit silly. I know at least 3 people who take down buffs with 70# bows and less. ive even heard of a 16 year old nailing 1 with a 60#.

Was just notified that the 80lb Elite GTO I ordered last month is on its way - can't wait!

F.C. This business of heavy bows may seem silly to you, but the fact is that different countries have specific minimun requirements for bow poundage.
Also, Kinetic energy is a poor measure of an arrows ability to penetrate. Momentum is a much better measure.
I would agree with you that the choice of broadhead can be crucial.

Well,

My Elite GTO showed up and it is a thing of beauty. At 80lbs it throws a 400gr arrow at 335fps - "smokin!" After my setup is complete, I'll post how is fires my 840gr Buff Setup.

On initial impression - very pleased

Thats a fast arrow. I'm very interested in your heavy arrow speed.

Set up my 80lb GTO today - it doesn't disappoint. At 80lb IBO with a 400gr arrow is 335fps. With my 832gr Buff Setup is comes it at a thunderous 235fps or 102ft/lbs. Not bad for an 80lb bow. Also, when not planning a Dino hunt, I can crank it down to the lower 70s and use it for standard plainsgame/NA big game.

Dino's beware. That sounds like a great setup.