Bows over the years? The real question???

[TnKen]

Bear, PSE, Martin, XI, Hoyt, Darton, and Mathews.
My current and probably best is my Mathews Z7 extreme.

 

[Mr.Bro]

For about 35 years I was a "buy a new bow every 3 years" guy.... The last new bow I bought was a Mathews V3X a couple of years ago...its an awesome bow. That said, somehow, I had never owned or shot a Switchback but after reading so many stories about them over the years, I decided to buy one about a year ago.

I bought a very clean Switchback XT, put on brand new strings and cables from Catfish and had it perfectly timed and tuned in about 30 minutes. Now I'm a believer....I've barely shot the V3X in the past year and doubt I'll ever buy another brand new bow again....I might watch for a really nice Mathews Reezen because, before I owned the SBXT, it might have been my favorite bow of all time.

Be careful. There is a reason Matthew's didn't make the Reezen for only 1 year.

 

[Savage]

Honestly, I have shot newer bows- but something major is going to have to happen tech wise to convince me they will do something my Z3 and switchback won't. I bought the Z3 because it was on the same playing field as the switchback.

 

[Joe2Kool]

My best bow was the last recurve I had in the 80's. Can't remember what it was though. (CRS) My last compound was a "Sabre" made by Newberry Bows in Dunlap, TN. They are out of business now. I sold it to my BIL in 2007. I think he probably still has it.

I thought the Sabre was a Champion Bow? Seems like my FIL bought one about the same time I bought my Champion Buck, in 2001. I never missed or made a bad shot that I thought was due to the equipment.

Upgraded about a month ago to a Mathews Phase 4. All total, it's about a pound heavier, but it is a lot faster. 290 fps at 60# and 382 grain arrow vs about 250 fps at 55# for the Buck with the same arrow. Haven't killed anything with the Phase 4 but have a Kansas tag in my pocket!

 

[Crow Terminator]

It's always been interesting how people gravitate to certain bows to an almost cult like following. Mathews is hands down the Switchback XT. The original Switchback didn't get the love of the XT. In fact, I went with the Switchback over the XT because of the length and I would put the Switchback in the category of worse bows I have had. That's what kept me from ever getting the XT because of my experience with its bigger brother. Elite Archery's cult following is the GT500. Everybody loves it. I didn't ever care for it...the Pure was my favorite of the Elite bows. I used to buy a new one every year...some times 3 or 4 a year. I'm glad I got away from that!

 

[Billboy]

Bear Flare II, PSE Thunderflight Express (with the overdraw), PSE Carrera, PSE X-Force 6, PSE Revenge, PSE EVO XF 30. Still shoot all of the last three. I was always the outcast in a camp full of Mathews guys...

 

[tnbowhunter]

Golden Eagle Z-Fire kept the freezer stocked for many years.

 

[david k.]

Be careful. There is a reason Matthew's didn't make the Reezen for only 1 year.

They actually made the Reezen for 2 years, 2009 and 2010. I remember that a lot of people didn't like them, I suppose that was because it had a much more aggressive cam and, consequently a harsher draw cycle than their prior bows.

The one I had (a Reezen 6.5 at 29" and 60 lbs) just seemed to 'fit" me and so I shot it really well. What was it you didn't like about them?

 

[muddyboots]

My first bow - McPherson GC-2000 I could bust knocks with that thing - it had what the guy here called an overdraw lol. Like 24 inch arrows. Not very safe. lol
Favorite bow was a Mathews feather max with high country safari close second.
I know have a 15 yr old Hoyt faktor. I can pick it up right now and it has a dial sight and I'd bet I can dial to whatever and it's good. Actually wish I had a reason to get a new one. lol. I figure my shoulder give out one of these days. Dread that.

 

[BPhunter]

I had to give up the compound about 10 years ago when I tore both rotator cuffs.
But, I have a question for you all: Have you ever used an "atlatl"?
My youngest son was at the Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous in Raton, NM this year and he found one and bought it for his brother. It is a very interesting predecessor to the bow. And it is a lot of fun to use.

 

[Harold Money jr]

My first compound was a Hoyt pro vantage tracer, I killed my first two or three deer with it is a super bow, people today just think they know what a forgiving bow is. About 10" brace height and 48" ata is another experience.
The bow that brought home the meat and trophies Is my 2002 Hoyt Ultratec with xt3000 limbs, it's a very powerful bow that I still hunt and kill deer with.

 

[OakHillHunter]

My first was a Jennings buck master then after that I've had a switchback and Ill probably use my switchback until it falls apart.

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

Bear whitetail 2, PSE? PSE? And now a bear?. I like this Bear because it is light and fast, I got it set at #60.

Man we grew up around here with bear whitetail 2 and high country. I did buy a recurve but I haven't shot it yet .

The bows of today are about as good or better than the muzzleloader of the late 80 and early 90. What I mean is that they can shoot around 60 yards and be accurate.

 

[Wooden Arrow]

LoneTree longbow that i'm shooting now. trying to work my way into competence with a bamboo-backed osage i've had for years...

 

[RealtreeVol]

Switchback XT that I had bought from a member here was my by far favorite bow

My first was a bear whitetail 2

Have purchased other bows since, and still go back to the Switchback XT.

 

[eyem4vols]

I've only owned three bows in my years of hunting. My favorite was and is my Mathews eZ7. I love that bow. I don't know if I could ever switch.

 

[archer19]

First was Bear Black Mag….killed first deer with it.
Best was my Browning Mirage…..killed a boat load with it.
You name it, I've owned one…..except a Matthews
Bow tech Tomkat great!!!!
Bear Lights-out….. just like the name!!!

 

[East TN Bowhunter]

When I was 15 my Dad bought me my first bow which was a Bear Instinct and the draw only went to 30Inch which with my long arms I quickly outgrew but continued to use until I could afford a better bow. I really set out to try a couple different brands and shot a Hoyt, a Mathews VXR, and a V3 and the Mathews VXR just seemed to have a more consistent backwall and was silky smooth on the draw so I went with the VXR and have had it now for 3 years. I consistently shoot tennis ball size groups at 40 and pie plate size at 60 which is plenty good enough to me.

 

[Gravey]

I still shoot a Mathews Switchback.

Same although I don't really bow hunt anymore. Presidenr Island 3 years ago was the last time it saw daylight.

I've had the following:

-Hoyt Gamegetter
-PSE fastflight (think that was the name)
-Another I can't remember the name. UPS "lost" it when I had to send it back for work.
-Matthews Switchback (still have it and would use if hunting)
-Bought my son a Bear Cruzer G2 probably 4-5 years ago as he wanted to start shooting but then found 2-legged deer and never used it. It's super compact and light.

 

[CharlieTN]

I've only had three bows. My first was a hand me down from my dad when I was a teen, a Bear Flare II. IF I remember correctly it was only 50% let off. Jump forward many years and I picked up a used Bowtech Guardian to shoot when my daughter decided to try competitive archery. And my third, latest, and best bow, is definitely the Bowtech Core SR I bought last year. Absolutely love that bow and don't see myself replacing it anytime soon. Now to get out there and kill a deer with it.

 

[WTNBowHunter]

Switchback XT that I had bought from a member here was my by far favorite bow

My first was a bear whitetail 2

Shoot the halon 32 currently and my favorite has still been the switchback XT. First bow was a or Hoyt or PSE lighting flight
Although…I shot the lift a few times at my local pro shop and had to leave becuase it was very tempting (minus the price tag)

 

[Hoss]

I had one of the Ben Pearson solid fiberglass recurves with the rubber grip since I was 10 years old or so (I still have it!)
Got my first compound in 1975 or so for Christmas a Ben Person Shadow 100 (Still have it!)
Bought me a Martin Cougar Magnum in 1982. Bought another on in 1985. (Still have parts of both, hobbled together to make one shootable bow, shot it just a few weeks ago, dang thing still shoots pretty good!)
Got a Ben Pearson Renegade from Bill Clay's Sporting Goods (Killed several deer with that one, no longer have it!)
Moved on to a High Country Sniper XL from Bill Clay's as well, not sure of the year. It was still made out west Lewiston, ID, I think.
Next was a Hoyt Defiant in the Early 2000's. (Still have that one as well) Took a lot of deer and won some trophies with that one!
But my best shooting bow I have ever owned is my current Elite Energy 35. Whisper Quiet, Fast and will out shoot me everyday of the week!

Now if I just had a place to shoot and/or hunt, so it would stop gathering dust.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

Killed the most with 2003 PSE Nova

Switchback xt and a diamond black ice were both stolen out of my truck. Both were excellent bows.

Have a few years old Revolt X…. it is the "drop the mic" bow for me.

 

[Volbuck777]

Matthews DXT. I love how compact it is. Shortest bow Mathews ever made, and in my opinion very light and quiet compared to most.

 

[1smoothredneck]

First compound was a Bear. Then had a couple of Jennings models and a PSE or two. Then I got my 1999 Mathews MQ32, my all time favorite. Still hunt with it ; indeed, killed a doe opening morning with it

 

[Brokenbow]

80's Hoyt Pro Hunter
90's Hoyt Spectra
2000's Bowtech Patriot/Hoyt Ultra tec
Now Matthew's phase 4