I’m thinking about getting back into bow hunting, I haven’t bow hunted in 3 or 4 years, and if so will be looking at buying a bow. It’s been years since I’ve looked at bows but I know what I’m looking for, something that’s quiet, smooth, forgiving, and easy to tote. I’m not looking for the latest 350fps wonder but a bow I can use to deer hunt and maybe even bear hunt with. Here is sort of what I have in mind.
Axle to axle…34†or more
Brace height…7.5†or more, 8†might even be better
Mass weight…3.5 pounds or less would be about right
Let-off…60 to 75%
Peak weight…60 to 65 pounds would work for everything I’m going to bow hunt
Cash…$400 or less, less would even be better

So what would you recommend?

Mark, hmmm the 34" or more on overall length might be a problem most of the newer bows i've seen average about 32"... I have a bow i really love that falls into MOST of your specifications, and it ran about $250 and came with everything except arrows and a release... it's a Bear Buckmasters Pro, that i got at Wally World. I've let people that shoot $700+ Matthews and Bowtech bows shoot it and they were impressed with it.(almost crapped down both legs when i told them the price too)

Reflex Buckskin, if I would have known about them I would have bought it instead of my Hoyt (BTW Reflex is owned by hoyt).

The Buckskin meets all of your specifications. Cost is $380 on Cabela's.

Thanks. I found it for 349 here.
http://www.yeoldearcheryshoppe.com/reflex-buckskin-p-47...5bb7318191d99e1f8738

I found a pretty good wepbage with a chart showing specs. http://www.huntersfriend.com/2005-Bow-Review/bow-specifications-main.htm

So far I'm looking at and would like to shoot the following.

Martin Quest
A-A 34"
B.Height 8.25"
Weight 3.6#
IBO 300fps
MSRP $399

Parker Extreme Hunter-Mag
A-A 35"
B.Height 7.5"
Weight 3.2#
IBO 305fps
MSRP $399

Reflex Buckskin
A-A 34"
B.Height 7 3/8"
Weight 3.6#
IBO 305fps
MSRP $379

Mathews FX2
A-A 34"
B.Height 7.5"
Weight 3.4#
IBO 305fps
MSRP $419

Darton Vapor
A-A 35"
B.Height 7.5"
Weight 3.7#
IBO 305fps
MSRP $399

Tough to go wrong with a Darton. They have been in business a long time. Their cam system is and has been the best on the market for nearly ten years--now a much copied technology. The grips on Darton bows are the most comfortable I've used. Fit and finish is right there with any of the rest. All of the bows you've listed are fine. None of the companies are putting out bad product--especially in your price range. If you can handle any of these before you buy, that would be ideal.

Mathews

Thanks. I found a PSE I think I'm going to get.

The only thing I was going to add is try to find a place where you can shoot as many bows as possible. That way you will know which bow fits/feels the best to you.

Good luck!

A stick with a string bound tight. No sights and a lot of practice. My two pennies. Or do it the easy way and spend a grand, and hell just slap on a red-dot scope while you are at it. Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by .223 VARMINT-VENTALATOR:
A stick with a string bound tight. No sights and a lot of practice. My two pennies. Or do it the easy way and spend a grand, and hell just slap on a red-dot scope while you are at it. Good luck

By the way I am serious my bow cost appx $ 45 and I kill with it as I am able to. I am not an expert bow shot but IMNSHO I can out soot alot of modern shooters-BEN

Mark,

It's hard to go wrong w/ a PSE they've got some nice bows for great prices.

I was going to Recommend a Pearson as they are about the Quietest I've heard in a while as well as being pretty swift and comfy to shoot. I'm shooting a Bowtech now and my main complaint is the weight.

Good Luck

Reloader

Hoyt