Been a couple of threads lately asking for bow recommendations and opining on bow prices, so let's cut to the chase for the new guys.
Very few newbies sink a grand into their first bow, so give your opinion on the best available for under $500. I'm talking new here, no copping out and recommending a used one from the Classifieds!
I'm a TD recurve guy, so my vote goes without hesitation to the Chek Mate Hunter 2, currently costing $465. Considering how beautiful & smooth the H2 is, I'm still amazed that Cujo can sell them at this price.
My Honorable Mention is the Bob Lee TD Hunter, going for a bit under $500 with a Durawood riser and brown or black glassed limbs right now. Beautiful lines but not what you would call pretty, the Lee Hunter handles like a dream and is fast. Mine has accounted for several deer since I got it a few years back...
I would have to say save them money for arrows to and go with Mike @ Maddog. :thumbsup:
JK Traditions Kanati RD longbows - $495. Even if they were well over $500, they would still be a great buy and a great bow. They are smooth, quiet, stack free, shock free, and deadly accurate, not to mention great looking bows.
Check them out at jkbows.com. Scroll to the bottom to see a couple of rough looking customers with Kanati-killed Iowa bucks.
Bear Montana. Saves them enough for a couple dozen arrows on the side. Or a dozen arrows and a glove and a decent arm guard. Or six arrows, two gloves (cause they'll shoot out one so quickly), a decent arm guard and some string silencers. Or six arrows and..........
;)
Montana is a great bow for the money though.
Maddog, Holm Made, Quinn, etc etc.
Lots of good ones on the classifieds.
Treadway!!! :thumbsup:
Bill
Thunderstick, Jim makes a fantastic longbow. I'd save the extra $15 and get the MOAB, but that's just me... Well the MOAB I have on order came in closer to $700... But you don't need all the bells and whistles to get the fine shooting aspects of a great bow!
Chek Mate Falcon,Bear Montana or Quinn Stallion.You get a lot for your money and pretty good performance from all of them.
Check these links!
http://www.siegeworkcreations.com/longbows.htm
http://www.maddogarchery.com/
That's a great price for a nice looking takedown. I'd say the checkmate has my vote- Steve
I think Howard Hill bows fit into the mix.
God bless,Mudd
Lost Creek
You don't need to buy new to get a good shooter, there are plenty of real nice bows in the classifeds and also on the auction site
QuoteOriginally posted by Mudd:
I think Howard Hill bows fit into the mix.
God bless,Mudd
I was JUST looking at HH's today for the first time. I was very surprised at the reasonable prices for a new bow.
Samick would be good for the person on a really tight ($200-$300) budget.
Under 600 is easy but under 500 really narrows it down. If i could only own one bow, it had to be brand new, and had to cost under 500 I would struggle between a Martin Dreamcatcher, Predator hunter model, and JK Traditons Kanati. Im thinkin the kanati just because it would be the only custom bow in the bunch where you could pick and choose length and wood choice.
Recurve - Martin Mamba
Longbow - Martin Savannah
You could get ether one of them new or used off auction sites fairly cheap.
Some folks didn't read that part about no copping out by saying buy a used one from the Classifieds. That doesn't help a newbie with zero to limited knowledge... :knothead:
We're talking new and a specific make & model, and even why you feel it's one of the best for under $500 here...
QuoteOriginally posted by NDTerminator:
Some folks didn't read that part about no copping out by saying buy a used one from the Classifieds. That doesn't help a newbie with zero to limited knowledge... :knothead:
...
which is exactly why newbies need to get educated
BEFORE buying the wrong stick bow. WAY more important than hitting them with bow brands and models, imo.
TRAD ARCHERY NEWBIES (http://www.tradgang.com/docs/newbies.html)
....
Double that for the Howard Hill Bows 575.00 for a new Osage Big Five, should arrive today or tommorow, great bow for the price. Heck that's cheaper than buying a pair of Bob Morrison limbs.
If you are looking for a recurve, look at the Hoyt Excel, the riser with a pair of decent limbs should be under 500.
oh yes, and please do remember that the ARROW is WAY more important than the bow.
newbies should start off with alums or carbons as they will remain the most consistent during their initial learning curve, so that errors will best be attributed to their form and not inconsistent arrows.
budget for the arrows first, then the bow. :readit:
MOHAWK
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
QuoteOriginally posted by NDTerminator:
Some folks didn't read that part about no copping out by saying buy a used one from the Classifieds. That doesn't help a newbie with zero to limited knowledge... :knothead:
...
which is exactly why newbies need to get educated BEFORE buying the wrong stick bow. WAY more important than hitting them with bow brands and models, imo.
TRAD ARCHERY NEWBIES (http://www.tradgang.com/docs/newbies.html)
.... [/b]
Thus the purpose of this thread, and the request not to just say "get one from the Classifieds"... :rolleyes:
With $500.00 you can buy a great bow and if you dont like it you will have no problem getting your money back.
I agree with what everyone says about arrows also.
QuoteOriginally posted by NDTerminator:
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
QuoteOriginally posted by NDTerminator:
Some folks didn't read that part about no copping out by saying buy a used one from the Classifieds. That doesn't help a newbie with zero to limited knowledge... :knothead:
...
which is exactly why newbies need to get educated BEFORE buying the wrong stick bow. WAY more important than hitting them with bow brands and models, imo.
TRAD ARCHERY NEWBIES (http://www.tradgang.com/docs/newbies.html)
.... [/b]
Thus the purpose of this thread, and the request not to just say "get one from the Classifieds"... :rolleyes: [/b]
i think this thread might be putting the horse before the cart, particularly for newbies reading it. anyone can search through just the trad gang sponsors and find bows under $500 - all will be more than worthy for a newb. what the newb really needs is solid
information and guidance about trad tackle and shooting. even so, if they stick with the game, they'll be changing form and tackle soon enuf.
what we really need is a list of good coaches/mentors across the usa and worldwide.
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
QuoteOriginally posted by NDTerminator:
QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:
quote:
Originally posted by NDTerminator:
Some folks didn't read that part about no copping out by saying buy a used one from the Classifieds. That doesn't help a newbie with zero to limited knowledge... :knothead:
...
which is exactly why newbies need to get educated BEFORE buying the wrong stick bow. WAY more important than hitting them with bow brands and models, imo.
TRAD ARCHERY NEWBIES (http://www.tradgang.com/docs/newbies.html)
.... [/b]
Thus the purpose of this thread, and the request not to just say "get one from the Classifieds"... :rolleyes: [/b]
i think this thread might be putting the horse before the cart, particularly for newbies reading it. anyone can search through just the trad gang sponsors and find bows under $500 - all will be more than worthy for a newb. what the newb really needs is solid
information and guidance about trad tackle and shooting. even so, if they stick with the game, they'll be changing form and tackle soon enuf.
what we really need is a list of good coaches/mentors across the usa and worldwide.
WE HAVE A WINNER FOLKS!!!
At EFA we try to give new archers a range of used or inexpensive new bows to choose from and an opportunity to shoot them and work out any problems. Usually they will buy a lower priced bow, shoot it for a few months, and then come back for something nicer. Just this week someone bought a Savanah longbow that we had sold last year and bought back last week. That's typical of our business.
I think that it's not a good idea to hype someone up on a new bow that may be over their budget. As was already said, it's more important that the arrows be consistant and match the bow they are being shot from. Some customers will buy more bow then they should and then try to use some overspined arrows from their tech bow.
Another common error is that a customer will want more bow than he can handle. Especially the tech bow shooters who previously shot 75# and thinks he can handle a 75# longbow. Fighting a bow that's too heavy is a sure way to take the fun out of shooting.
Thunderstick, hands down.
The Martins and Bear bows are top notch in that price point. Savannah is a solid shooter as is the Mamba... but I really think the Grizzly takes the cake in the recurve dept.
Look at stikbows by don dow. Real nice lookers for $255-300. I hear they shoot great as well. I would not mind having one of these in my collection.
get a good used bow.
Recurve:
1. Predator Hunter
2. Great Plains Kiowa
3. Martin Mamba
Buy a Quinn Stallion, have enough money left over for some arrows, this years license and tags, and a quiver of some sort. Metal handles might not be pretty, but these bows shoot, smooth, fast, and not stack or hand shock. Easy to tune,cut past center and all the AMO holes for acc.
used
Bob Beeler hybrid.
Holm-Made
I really think you'd have a hard time finding a better performing bow, that looks as pretty and has world class craftsmanship as one of Chads bows.
I would look at Kanati and also Lost Creek!
Those boys from Iowa really know how to make a great bow for a good price.
Jim Gainey makes a very nice take down longbow for a little over 500.00 or a one peice for 475.00,,, blackcreekbows.com
Mild r/d- Mohawk
Highly r/d- Kanati
Holm-Made by Chad Holm on this site, EXCELLENT Bows & Some in stock @ Great Prices, ALOT of Bow for the $$$ & A Super Fella that puts everything he has into building these FINE pieces of ART .....
Samick Sage. At 130.00 you'd have a tough time finding a better starter bow.
(http://peteward.com/2009photos/samick.sage/samick6.jpg)
http://peteward.com/2009pages/test.Samick.sage.html
Chek out the Chek mate site in the sponsors section. Can't beat the price for quality you get, great service and lots of options available to customixe your bow.
465 for a Hunter II takedown and their one piece bows are priced in the 250 to 350 range. I have on eof each.
For a Longbow; Mohawk without any second thoughts. :thumbsup: :archer:
Check out RER.
rerbows.com
JK Traditions Kanati RD longbows!!
Under $500 ? Thems newbies got some sweet jobs ! ;)
Chek-mate, RER, Dwyer, Holm-made, Bruin, JK, Habu ... :knothead:
You might want to look at http://www.lonesomewindlongbows.com/
I shoot a Lonesome Northern and have a Mortifera on the way. Both shoot great and look great.
Just my 2 cents
Tom
First go to a few trad shoots and handle as many bows as you can. Find one that feels good in your hand and stick with it till you learn to shoot. Don't keep trading every month :saywhat: Find an educated trad shooter to shoot with and don't fall into the magic bow trap.
A few I have had are Mohawk, Whisperstick, and Kohannah. Those 3 offer the basic designs so you can find what you are comfortable with.
Hi - as a relative newbie I was curious why the Bear Grizzly hasn't showed up here? Information I have gathered and a number of reviews point to this as a good and reliable starter recurve... any thoughts or advice?
Carl ;-)
QuoteOriginally posted by cjw:
Hi - as a relative newbie I was curious why the Bear Grizzly hasn't showed up here? Information I have gathered and a number of reviews point to this as a good and reliable starter recurve... any thoughts or advice?
Carl ;-)
griz is a fine trad bow. heck, all the bows mentioned so far, or yet to be mentioned, are all goodies.
way too much overthinking about bows.
if yer new to trad, you have no idea what'll work for ya unless you TRY.
get help from friends, go to a club, a store, a shoot.
can't try? yer gonna spend a some serious time and money and i guarantee you will make mistakes ... the classifieds prove that to a fair degree at least.
so, after all yer tryin' out, make a choice on the style of stickbow that suits yer fancy and get one in a poundage that suits both your draw length and ability to hold shake free.
now the REAL decisions and testing begins - finding an arrow that'll fly well for you and your new whiz bang stick bow.
make sure to budget well for your arrows - arrows are FAR more important than the bow. read that again, please.
Excellent thx, I do have an old Bear '76er take down with metal riser, #45 @ 28 (paid $50 CDN 20 yrs ago!) and can put 29" Easton Legacy with 5" shields into an 8" group at 15 yds (last weekend in -30C). Also have a longbow from a local bowyer but can't get tight groups, I have straight and helical fletched arrows from 2 sources and found the straights are real tough to get tight groups. I am re-fletching the straights to RW helical. So, I was leaning to a newer recurve to get shooting form down. Can't do the club thing due to kids schedules and other stuff...
Carl ;-)
I second what Rob said. Go to Trad events and shoot some bows and see what is best for you. You have so many things to consider, type of bow?Longbow, Recurve, one piece or takedown. Bow length, etc. Consider buying a lower poundage bow that you can learn to shoot well without learning bad habits that can occur when someone is overbowed. Price isn't the biggest issue its more a personal thing for each of us. One person may love one bow and another may hate it. You really need to shoot some bows before spending a lot of money on your first bow. Just my opinion.
RER bows,they are 500-600 dollars to start and you will not find a better performing or better looking bow anywhere!! Shawn
Any Apex Predator longbow! Your choice of two woods in the riser, your choice of veneers under clear glass, riser and tip overlays, and laminated bamboo cores. Some exotic woods would run it over $500, but not many. I build straight profile, mild R/D, and pronounced R/D longbows. The Pronounced is becoming my favorite!
Bob Lee
I think the comments about not being overbowed and figuring out what you like is more important than any advice about a particular bow.
I'm pretty much a newbie myself, after years of not shooting, it feels like starting from scratch.
So here's my story...
I picked up a Dwyer Dauntless #61, a great bow, but it was too heavy and I started getting frustrated.
Well, I picked up a 45# Browning Wasp for next to nothing on ****, and really enjoyed shooting and started actually hitting with some consistency. That led me to trade the Dwyer for a Chekmate 54# since I was enjoying the recurve.
The Chekmate has been great, and my shooting continued to improve. As much as I liked the Chekmate, I missed the challenge that the Dwyer presented, so I bought it back. Now, I have all three bows and enjoy shooting them all, but I definitely shoot the Chekmate the most consistently.
Lastly, I have a total of about $700 in all three bows. So, my advice find a bow you can shoot comfortably, then buy used based on what "feels" good, and eventually buy (no matter the price) what you want when you know what you want. I haven't reached the last part because I'm still learning what I want.
How pretty does it have to be? I have two Widows, both bought locally for under $450 a piece and in beautiful shape. Bought a used Reflex Nomad two weeks ago and can't put it down. Quiet, quick, shoots where I'm aimin', bullet proof, and cheaper than my used Widows If you buy a new one.
Mike Steliga has a Bruin Huntmaster takedown on his site right now for $450. Or you could orede his one-piece Woodsmaster for $525. The Bruins are about as stable and nice shooting a bow as you can find.
I have really enjoyed the Bob Lee Signature takedown and Hoyt Gamemaster takedown that I have. The Bob Lee is one of the smoothest bows I have ever drawn. I find the Gamemaster to be very fast and accurate.
Big Jim's buffalo bows start out with a lot of extras at $475.
Bigjim
You must go to an archery shop and try the bows instead of shopping for a brand. There you'll find everything you need and all the help you can handle.
Rice&Bows
i don't read everythings , but for a longbow, think about Dwyer Longbows, a friend of mine get already 3, they are beautiful, fast and very good hunting bows and the price start under 500 usd
7 lakes longbows-!!!!!!
Samick Phantom $229 delivered and it's a very nice takedown Recurve.
Then, after you learn what you need, you can buy a custom, and give the Samick to a kid.
I would also mention that it is very important to learn how to set up a new bow. This isn't mentioned much. Brace, nockpoint,different strings, different silencers, different way(s) to grip, different arrows, ect. all go toward the proper tune.
To address the original question:
For a new shooter how wants to buy new and limit to $500, I feel the following would be good guidance.
TradTech 15" Black Onyx Wood/Phenolic ILF Riser $329.99
TradTech Black Max ILF Long Limbs
$129.99
This a a very good shooting bow and the price is hard to beat.
This also provide a platform for future limb options which include longbow limbs.
Bow length can also be changed from 56" - 60" with ILF standard limb lenghts. I believe non-standard ILF limb lengths (longer and shorter)are available from some sources.
If the new shooter is inclined to stay with a recuve, the options for future limbs is almost limitless.
Freeze
Well, I AM the "newbie" you guys are talking about. If I had to do it all over again, this is what I would recommend:
Pick a new bow in a very comfortable price range. A new guy like me couldn't go wrong with ANY of your recommendations.
Get with an "oldie" that really knows traditional shooting.
Purchase arrows based upon the "oldie's" recommendation.
Shoot it until your arm falls off, you are out of arrows or it breaks.
Start lusting for your next bow (this may occur sooner than later).
I make good money so I purchased a highend T/D recurve. I didn't get with an "oldie" so I had no idea what I was doing. I was just having fun and not hitting a damn thing. I still don't have the right arrow set up but I joined this forum and one other one.
There isn't another trad shooter withing 50 miles of me so my learning curve is very expensive.
I should have gone with inexpensive gear, learned about shooting, arrows, and bows before laying down serious cash. Keeps the frustration down and your compound buddies from shaking their heads. But I did get a pig!
My 2 cents
Purehunter
For a person with a 28" draw length, the Martin 60", X-200 would be my choice. Comes in poundages from 25#-55#.
http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/X-200+Recurve/part_number=X200/189.0.1.1.2466.0.0.0.0?
There are af ew different Kohannah bows at $500 or less.
Kanati , Big Jims buffalow bow , Treadway , Thunderstick , just to name a good few .
Take a close look at White Wolf Custom Bows. Reasonable for the quality. I recommend the Beowulf recurve.
An excellent Samick can be had for around $200.00. They have longbows, recurves, T/D recurves, all for a decent price.
More important than the first bow brand, however, is to not overbow the new archer. That can lead to bad habits that may take a while to overcome.