snytrophyhunter:
Here's an article I wrote for Bass Pro Shops a few years ago:
Choosing a New Compound Bow
There are many different types of bows on the market today, but choosing one is not an easy undertaking. The bow-manufacturing industry has been flooded with new innovations and developments in the last decade. Compound bows have gone through many alterations in appearance and architecture, with a number of drastic changes occurring in the past few years. Justifying the purchase of one bow over another these days requires more than just a large wallet filled with greenbacks and plastic. Fortunately, there are a few guidelines and procedures to follow that will help simplify the process.
Choosing the latest advancement in primitive weaponry begins with a decision to shoot a certain type and brand of bow. Draw length, draw weight, accuracy, wheel and cam design, reflex and deflex riser geometry, brace height, let-off, speed and price are all things to take into account when selecting a particular bow. Other factors to consider are its use. Will it be a hunting bow or a target bow? Will the majority of your shooting be indoors or out? Will it require a camouflage finish or not?
Once you have come to these conclusions, the next step is to visit a local pro shop or surf a favorite web site to obtain more information. A bow must “fit" its shooter. Having a qualified individual measure your draw length is the most important aspect of deciding to purchase a particular bow. Most bows offer multiple draw length options and adjustments.
Draw weight is yet another matter of importance. Draw weights are also adjustable and allow for various settings in 3- to 5-pound increasing and decreasing increments. Peak draw weights normally range between 45 and 90 pounds. Taking the time to shoot several bows will provide answers and can help determine the significance of each of the aforementioned considerations. It’s wise to test shoot as many bows as possible before laying down your hard-earned cash.
The current trend in manufacturing designs is to create bows with short axle-to-axle dimensions, reduced mass weight, low brace heights and high let-offs. Many companies have shied away from producing bows that feature round wheels, moderate let-offs or measure over 40 inches from axle-to-axle. This is in direct result of the present demand for more compact bows that possess the ability to boost arrow velocities, increase kinetic energy levels and extend downrange efficiency.
Of all the different makes and models of bows in existence, compounds certainly offer the widest variety of choices for today’s archer. Single-cam string and cable harness configurations, split limbs and ultramodern risers forged from high strength multi-composite alloys are just a few of the available upgrades in current production.
There are many advantages to owning a bow with a contemporary look and feel. As mentioned previously, split-limb and single-cam models significantly reduce mass weight. This quality is beneficial to those adventurous hunters who hike into remote backcountry in search of elk and mule deer. Also, in comparison to their two-cam and two-wheel counterparts, single-cam bows are relatively easier to tune and maintain.
In addition, the lightweight aluminum and carbon material used in the limbs, handles and risers, and the fabric used in the strings and cables of new age bows contribute to overall speed and weight reduction. If speed and weight reduction are the determining factors, choose your bow accordingly. These types of bows are better suited to those who utilize a release due to the sharp angle created in the string when a short-limbed bow is fully drawn.
On the other side of the equation, longer axle-to-axle bows are more accurate and forgiving, although this trend is starting to change with ongoing improvements
