I have decided that I want to get a bow. I registered at archery talk and took a quick look at the classifieds and was overwhelmed. I know I need a 29" draw and that I don't have any problems gettting a middle of the road used bow. Will some of you experienced bow hunters suggest a bow for me? Ideally, I would like to buy something that is all set up and ready to go and would like to spend somewhere from $250 to $400. thanks.

compound bow?

I don't know what kind of area you live in, but for me, craigslist is eat up with used bows for sale in your price range.

You can get really into details and speed and all kinds of stuff that really doesn't matter a whole lot. In my opinion, most reconizable name brands in a single cam bow will be fine.

I know where you can get a 63# Dan Quillian Red Elm LongHunter Longbow for about $300

Get an older Mathews or Hoyt and you'll be all set.

I'd look hard at a Mathews Switchback or Switchback XT.

Have a Hoyt Ultratech 29-30" available. Excellent condition. Has all Hoyt accessories, dropaway rest, sight, quiver.
$400. My personal bow, I ordered from Hoyt years ago. Don't use anymore.

Thanks, TG

I have a PSE Stinger I think it�s a 2009, its 29 ��� with a loop set at 60lbs. Has a Spot Hog 5 pin sight and Quality Archery Designs rest. Very good condition. I will sell it for $375 shipped if you are in the lower 48. Let me know if you would like to see pictures?

X2

I've owned and set up more than a few compounds in my years.
The one "economy" bow that impressed me the most was a Bowtech Tomkat. Easy, smooth and fast! Never should have let it go!

Always and I mean always try before you buy. No two different bows feel the same. You need to get something that feels good (right) for you. Once you know what make and model you like best then start shopping. I am a hoyt guy and could tell you all the great things about hoty bows. However if a (Mathews, Bowtec, Martin, ect) feels better to you then I am really not helping you out.

Craigslist sucks for bows around here.

http://modesto.craigslist.org/spo/3103223452.html

This one made me laugh ^ 5 years old, my butt.

Though this is a good deal

http://modesto.craigslist.org/spo/3113011834.html

If anyone wants it you can PM me and work something out...

Shoot as many as you can before anything else. It will be just as confusing as first, but you will soon begin to pick out the factors that work for you. Each of us here has a "favorite" but they may not be what "feels right" to you.

I picked up a Mathews switchback a couple years ago in your price range and have no regrets. I'm far from a bow nut and don't know a lot about bows, but this bow does everything I ask of it. You don't need 400fps to kill a deer just accuracy. Ask an Indian.

you can get on archerytalk.com and find anything you want. they have decked out bows for like 350 and 400 on there regularly

X3

X4.

I have a 29" 60# Mathews Outback that's rigged with a lighted PSE sight, Octage Hijack rest, "No Peep" peep, and a custom Mathews slim grip. I'll be ready to sell this to you in about 20+ years!

All set up? I guess some folks would be satisfied with that, and it probably will work just fine for you; I would hate to miss out on all the fun of trying to tune my longbow by adjusting string length, nock height, getting the right arrow spine for ME.

Someone earlier said something to the effect that we are all different and that is very true. I just truly enjoy shooting my bows and trying to get the best flight I can.

Good luck with your shopping and hope you find what you want- and enjoy it. It is a great sport and is a passion of mine.

Thanks for all of the input. I am going to try and shoot a few different bows to see if I like 1 more than another and then keep my eye on the classifieds.

I see this guy is still trying to set new records for post count with his foolish posts. All like this with X2 or X3 or other simple quickies. DUH

But to get back to the question. Try many different bows. They all shoot a bit different. I have several left over bows myself. Hoyt Ultratec, Bear, even an old York; my first compound bow back from the 80's.

Get into some shops and shoot the bows, as many different brands and models that you are interested in and are within your budget. Only you can decide if the bow you are shooting feels good to you drawing the bow, holding the anchor, during the release and after the release.

Hopefully, you have a good shop near you to also provide some shooting form pointers to try and level the playing field for you.

Disregard. I found the answer to my question.

After months of telling mice elf that I'd go to a shop and shoot a few different bows and not doing it, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a bow. My buddy bought a Mathews Heli m last year and really likes it. I saw that MK257 had a used one for sale in the classifieds. I exchanged several messages with him about the bow and he took about 30 minutes out of his day to visit with me on telephone about the Heli M and various other bows. I explained to Matt that I was new to the sport and wanted something that I could unwrap and get started. My new bow arrived today, two days earlier than I thought it would, and I am pretty excited about trying this stuff out.

I hope to be able to post some pictures of some arrowed creatures in the near future, so that will probably have to be a javelina or axis.

Thanks Matt.

sold?

Diamond by bowtech seem to resale really cheap and are great bows as good as mathews or hoyt and i own all 3

Amen on the Switchback or even a DXT

More people post about the regret of selling a switchback then any other bow I know of.

I did it myself. Came to my senses and bought another one right away. Guess what, still using it 8 years later.

Me too. Some bows are just easier to shoot WELL than others.

Buy a Martin. They have the best calendars.

The best bow is the one you can shoot accurately. A 15 yr old, 200 fps bow that you can shoot 3" groups at 30 yds is infinitely better than a new 350 fps, brand-x that makes 10"-12" groups. Whatever you decide on, just make sure you can shoot it well!

With a $400 budget, you can easily get into a quality gently used Mathews over on AT and do it right the first time. Just get plenty of pics and look at feed back over there.

I bought my last 2 Mathews bows from AT members after carefully shopping to find what I wanted.

As advised on this tread many times..get a Mathews Switchback or Swithback XT. Mathews makes some of the best Bows on the market and have for years. I have own 4 differant models, up grading as the "latest and greatest" came out. They had it right back in 2005 with the Switchback. The Switchback is a perfect balance in all things for a hunting Bow.IMHO They can be found in the $300-$500 price range.

Louie

Drenaline

I think you should buy a Dan Quillian Red Elm Longhunter at 63# and 68". Because I am going to list one for sale on Ebay tonight, and you should bid on it.

Says the dbag from CT

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...9/Re_Homeboy_sights_get_some#Post7550259

I shot one his bamboo bows back in the 90's and sold it a few years ago.

Great bow- fast and reasonably priced. I bought from him at the MI long bow shoot if I remember correctly . Used money to pick up a Border bow

Black Douglas

http://www.borderbows.com/field.html

Why? They were, and still are, nice bows.

Edited Brent


I have been considering this bow on here.

Getting very good reviews

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...10508/Re_2012_HOYT_VECTOR_35#Post7510508