Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Any compounds still setup for a finger shooter?

The last concession I have a hard time making is shooting a compound with a release and not my fingers. Is there anything out there that still can be purchased?

Something with a long ATA.

Oneida Phoenix

Nobody currently makes a true fingers bow anymore. You could probably find a used Hoyt Vantage LTD or a Reflex Caribou. If you are stuck on new a longer ATA Target bow would be the way to go.

How is the Phoenix not a fingers bow?
Thought the letoff could be set at 50%.
Or if not the draw stops set to keep on edge of valley to thwart the 65%.

It is marketed as a fingers bow fwiw.
And is in current production. Yeah the old Black Eagles are favored for fingers.....but they have no warranty....have not been made for years.

A G-rex GSB might work too but i havent gotten a tip to tip measure from.em yet. Custom cam/lever bow. Prices start at a K

Can go cheaper and try an RPM Nitro. Chinese Oneida.
550 bucks base model

I suppose it could pass as a fingers bow! Sub-par design. I would recommend a target bow long before the Phoenix. For that kind of money a guy could find two Hoyt Vantage LTD's or two Reflex Caribou's and have a back up bow. Probably still even have a little cash left over too.

If you want new, a Mathews Conquest 4 with the super soft cam is as good as it gets. Plenty of older bows that are good options as well.

Not trying to be argumentative but the reason most compounds are set up for releases is that there are very few that decide to use wheels and stay 'traditional'. It's kind of an oxymoron, once there are wheels involved you have crossed the technology threshold.

Short ATA and high letoff means no fingers.
Some folks drop the top and run 65% rigs.

Yes, a conventional compound has less moving parts (compared to cam lever bow).
And they can be had for less money, and shoot faster/quieter.

But NOTHING draws like a cam lever bow.
They are super smooth.

And that force draw curve, kinda keeps them feeling "traditional".
That's why some folks stay cam lever bow fans.

Bass Pro Oneida wont warrant/service older CPO (and older models).
There are boutique shops that will, and some even have their own cam/lever bows.

There's a fair bit going on, but they're not really difficult to work on.

Fingers bow w a warranty................think the cam lever stuff about it.

Thought I'd shoot my Hoyt Protec fingers. 65% let off, set at 72#............I did for a while but it was too touchy for me running 3 fingers.
Don't like to drop the top.

Cam lever bows aint for everybody.

If you haven't shot one ya proly ought to, just to see if you like it.
I've had five Oneidas. All shot fingers, all older cast riser models.

There was an LFM on Fleabay this week w a buy it now, and a Black Eagle.
The BE went for less than I expected and the LFM was a bit on the high side, yet sold w a "buy it now".

I'm not sold on the new Oneida Phoenix.
Do not like the aesthetics of the RPM.
Dunno if I'm gonna luck into a 5150 or end up with a G rex.
Have not messed with an LFM........if that's fingers doable will try that route (or BE).
Like the idea of spending 500 vs 1000.

And if an LFM is too short, screw it, will run it w a Fletchunter release

Yes the Conquest 4 is as good as it gets anymore for fingers shooters. But it still lacks the Axle to Axle @ 40-5/8. Ideally you want 43" to 48". Everything these days is 40" +/- 5/8" and that is a target bow.

Not really.

Truth is it is easier to shoot a release. Most don't want to put in the time and I get it.

I shoot both fingers and release. Been shooting archery for 41 years now. I have seen a lot come and go.

used finger bows yes check out Archery talk .com, new maybe Barnsdale Archery ? i had a heck of a time learning to shoot a index finger trigger release also so i tried a 4 finger true back tension release that had no buttons and that helped me alot and got very good with back tension releases.i shot fingers for around 35 years started early at age 7 or 8 so i understand how hard it is to change.so i started shooting indoor winter archery leagues with a release with my small son too that helped alot also. good luck Pete53

I agree 100% on 43+....closest I know of is the Conquest, although it is still on the short side for fingers. It's a shame, those longer bows are so easy to shoot well.

35 here, not far behind you. Basically what I'm saying is that most either choose traditional or compound. Traditional mostly means fingers. Compound, well, have already crossed a technology barrier so a release is less of a thought, again, to most. IMO that's the reason there just aren't as many compounds for finger shooters. It's just not a big segment.

35 yrs here.
Like fingers and release just fine.
Just different stuff. It can all be fun.

Recurves can be tough on old bodies.
New bows can have some harsh draw curves too.

The cam lever bows are comfy.

Not the fastest, but more zip that a trad bow.
I call em the "Handicapped man's recurve".

New Conquest or older Hoyt are your best bets.

I started compound/release but the draw cycle of modern bows was murder on my joints. I am in this for the long haul and don’t think I need all that energy to kill deer at 20yds, so went Trad. Everything was cool and still tinker with mine but the occasional flyer I get that I don’t get with compounds has kept my hunting rather limited. I started searching for a finger bow years ago and a campfire member gifted me two very nice Hoyt’s. I have been smitten with them that last two years and very satisfied with my middle of the road approach of wheel bows and fingers. Challenging enough to require skill and practice, feels real with string in fingers, yet very confident on animals in the field. I even chuck XX75’s with glue on nocks sometimes, brings back lots of memories of my good old days of archery.

Thanks to all for your comments. I have some ideas and will talk to local vow shop owner when he gets back from his CO elk hunt. Still on the fence with either a Chastain, Bighorn, Black Widow or a confounded compound contraption. Its all fun though!

If Trad is in play I highly recommend a Dan Toelke Whip.

You can call the boys in Nixa and test drive a Widow (or two, or three).
Personally, I like the balanced riser look of the PSA.
The PCH looks a little short on top.
If going 58" I'd opt for the PSA.
Go 56", the PCH.

My first was an MA2 and 62". Have had 60"...........and settled on 58" for hunting.
Have had three HS (old metal riser) in 58" and it is my fave.
Took 3 yrs to find a FF rated/radiused riser end of the model run type.

Paid 400 and redid the riser paint. Looks brand new and is great in feel.
Only downside...........can't get limbs for it should she have a prob.

Black Widow customer service is fantastic.
I damaged a bow in a tumble and they took very good care of me.

If I get a new one, proly another PSA 58".Greybark w big red stripe delete (keep lesser red stripes).All three of my built Widows have been greybark.
Might as well have the last one done the same.

Dunno how much longer I'll be shooting bows.

I like the look of the Widow takedown riser, and the mass weight too.
The limbs are kinda skinny, which some folks don't like the looks of.
Which is fine.

They have a different feel, in the hand and on the draw.
They are my preferred bow.

Have shot a bunch, they're all fun. Some just more fun than others.
Like my Bud's Chastain fine.
Bighorn was OK.
Way back I also liked the Appalachian........bowyer was super cool dude.

I buy only from cool people.

Got my first BW when Ken Beck still owned BW and shot next to him on practice range at Cloverdale.
A perfect gentleman.

Only dealt w Roger at BW since, and he's been great too.
Heard Toby and the others cut from the same cloth.

I might order a riser for Xmas.
The ol lady says just buy the whole bow, now..........at lesser # than I am wanting LOL.
Thinking 50#, she says 45#.
My back is trashed no matter what.

Thanks again for the discussion.