I HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN THESE BOWS FOR A WHILE NOW, AND THINKING ABOUT ORDERING ONE. BUT I HAVE NEVER SAW ONE IN PERSON,LITTLE ON GOT TO SHOOT ONE. I HAVE NOTICED THEY ARE VERY RARELY FOR SALE IN THE CLASIFIEDS.WHICH LEADS ME TO BELEIVE THERE MUST BE SOMETHING TO THEM IF EVERYBODY KEEPS THEM AFTER THEY BUY THEM.I WAS WANTING TO HEAR SOME OF THE PRETADOR OWNER'S OPINIONS ON HOW THEY SHOOT AND HOW THEY PERFORM. AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME PIC'S OF DIFFERENT WOOD COMBINATIONS OF SOME OF YOUR BOW'S. THANKS WINDELL
I just got my first one a couple weeks ago... Have not shot it much yet but here is what I've noticed.
1. I like the grip, wider than most. fits well in my hand
2. solid weight of riser makes good shooting platform w/o being too heavy
3. low rest, points where I aim
4. Smooth draw, that would be quality limbs
5. Thwap thud! Flings them arrows w authority, fast and hard.
I tried them first in Kazoo at the TBH expo. The design caught my eye. After trying one, I liked 'em. Now having one, picked up used, I can see me paying full price for a custom down the road.
P.S. If you get one, try it, and dont like it, it seems you'll have no problem re-selling it.
hi, i have an older 1995 predator that i just had ron and mike refinish and i got to shoot there newer models at kalamazoo.... i am very impressed with there products and there customer sevice is outstanding.... what i really like about there recurves is the weight (they are on the heavier side) and there handle design is unique and brings the arrow very near the top of your hand .....of coarse like any bow you need to see one and shoot it if you can... and there limb design makes for a fast hard shooting bow.
I have had my Predator Super Classic for 3 years now and love it.It is 47#@28" and its very quiet,smooth and smokes an arrow.I shoot 29 3/4" 2016's with 100&125gr heads.The bow is really forgiving and I get comments about how fast it is.I dont think you can go wrong with a predator and Ron/Mike at huntersniche are great people to deal with.I highly recommend them.I even got a 56" Predator for my 6yr old from them it is 26#@28" and I even shoot it some it shoots great even at my 29" draw.
Hope this helps,i'm sure you will get some more positive info from the other Predator guys on here. (http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm196/2elkhunt/101_1140.jpg) (http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm196/2elkhunt/101_1142.jpg) (http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm196/2elkhunt/101_1148.jpg)
I have always been interested in trying one my self, good luck
I`ve been a Predator shooter for over ten years now.
I only own two bows that I actually use. A Martin Lynx recurve for bowfishing, and my Predator Classic for hunting.
I had two sets of limbs in identical draw weight, and just recently sold the second pair here on Tradgang. My plan was to order a fancy new one this spring.
I shot two dozen arrows out of my old friend today, and have decided to keep it as my go to for another year. It has everything I look for in a bow. It looks good, feels good, and shoots where I look. It is whisper quiet, and loves heavy arrows. It is a bow built to hunt.
I have owned Martin(s) a Black Widow, several Bears, and a Bighorn. All of them could be considered great bows. My Predator has always been my favorite. I could just FEEL myself be a better shooter shortly after getting it. The arrow is so close to my hand, that it points naturally. I do not always get to shoot as often as I would like, and always rely on my first arrow of ANY practice session to be the real test of my shooting ability. I can pick up my bow, after a couple weeks layoff, and build my confidence with one shot.
I`ll try to get my wife to post a picture of my old friend in action.
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/cherokeevisions/DoeOct8th.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/cherokeevisions/10000002.jpg)
(http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b166/cherokeevisions/DadsPics003.jpg)
The last photo is of my fourteen year old son, who forked out his own money for his Predator Classic. If HE will spend HIS OWN money on ANYTHING, it`s got to be good. He is tighter than bark on a tree.
Seriously, bows are a personal preference, but used Predators are rare, and it IS for good reason.
What bone buster said and more! They are absolutely the best value in a traditional Bow out there ! Ron and Mike are fine fellas to boot.
I had one and loved it. The only thing was it was so loud. I tried everything heavy arrows, extra string silencers etc... i had a beautiful buck jump the string and then a squirrel! I sold it, and do miss it. I would get another one in a second if i could quiet it down. Just an opinion. I probably should have called Ron or Mike and talked to them , because they are great to deal with. I think i sold it too soon!
My local archery shop is now carrying them.
One of the trad shooters that comes in tried a couple (and ended up buying one). He then handed one to me to give a try. After putting three arrows in the target that were touching, I handed it back and told him to "take this away". Just what I need......another bow!!!!! lol
I really like the way they look, feel and shoot. Like others have said......they fling an arrow pretty quick. Granted these were bows right off the rack with no silencing, but as maxfit noted, they were both fairly noisy. Nothing outrageous so I don't think it would be difficult to remedy that situation.
All-in-all, very nice bows. Given the price that I was heard......they are a great deal in today's market.
I have nothing bad to say about them. I own two.
Be aware that the size of the grip varies and that turns some folks off. One of my bows has a nice narrow grip, which I seem to really prefer. The other is much wider and uncomfortable. I bought the second bow for the limbs so it is not a major concern for me, but if I had received the second bow first. . . I would not be shooting a Predator today.
Mine is fast, quiet, points really well, hits where I point. . and looks really good too !
ChuckC
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorClassicRecurve012.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorClassicRecurve013.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorClassicRecurve016.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorClassicRecurve017.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorClassicRecurve018.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorClassicRecurve019.jpg)
Specs are below. This is my second Predator. The first was too much draw weight. This one is perfect and I love the osage!
Great bows
Sharp looking Predator Doug.
Thanks Tom. It's the bow like I've always wanted.
:)
Now here's the one I used to have but it was too much draw weight for me to shoot well for very long periods. It's a Predator II from Darton, which was overseen by Pittsley several years ago when Darton picked up the Predator line of bows.
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorII014.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorII013.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/PredatorII010.jpg)
This is my Predator, bought it at Denton Hill last year after shopping for a new recurve. I have shot and/or owned pretty much every brand curve out there, I shot over dozen different makers bows side by side at Denton, and I can tell you this. You will not find any that will out shoot it for a combination of accuracy, smoothness, QUIET,speed,durability and stability under different shooting positions.
Plus they are gorgeous.
Here's mine.
(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f138/bill_schultz/IMGP1102-1.jpg)
I have two Predators with an extra set of limbs. They are excellent shooting bows, fast and quiet. They hit where you are looking. As for the grips, Ron and Mike will work with you to get the grip you want. This is my 58" Black Phenolic and Maple 48# @28". My other is a Bocote and Maple with a pair of 60" limbs, 42# and 52#.
(http://i852.photobucket.com/albums/ab86/bmacskennel/Jan%2017%202010%20Trad%20Bow%20Squirrels/2565d9ffe282.jpg)
Tigerwood and Bubinga, 62" 49@30, Zebrawood limbs. 60 arrows at 20 yards. Smooth, fast and accurate. Great bows.
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e173/Yellowdog3822/P2230344-1.jpg)
Great shooting, Dog!
Renaissance Man, that is a gorgeous Predator you have there. What are the woods? Do have pics of the limbs too?
THANKS GUYS FOR ALL THE RESPONSE'S. THOSE ARE ALL FINE LOOKING BOWS. AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THEM. I GUESS I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE THEM A CALL AS SOON AS I CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT WOOD COMBINATIONS I WANT. KEEP THE PICS COMING IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS ANYMORE. THANKS AGAIN WINDELL.
Windell, think I saw one in the classifieds this morning??
THANKS,BUT IT SOLD FAST. LOOKING FOR A FEW MORE POUNDS. AROUND 48# OR SO AT 27.
I've got 2 now, both 60", both factory camo dipped, one is 54#, the other 52#, I've got $285 in both of them! They are shooters, smooth drawing, no hand shock, blistering fast, and quiet if you set 'em up right.
Wow, Randy! You got a couple of good deals on those.
Wish I could have made it to the shoot Saturday. Me and the wife and our boys just couldn't resist the urge to go fishing instead. It was a beautiful day for either one and it was a tough decision. Did you make it to the shoot?
Those are some nice looking bows.
Like the lines of them.
Have not heard any bad on them.
Tim
I'm going on my 2nd year with my custom classic, I have been shooting recurve bows for nearly 40 years and have shot some of the best. this bow ranks right up there, it is a great shooting bow, the riser is just heavy enough to make it a very stable bow, I use the bikini string from hunters nich, it is 12 strands of TS1, With cat whiskers it is very quiet, I use about a 1/3 more whiskers than normal. One of the best things I did with my bow was to send the riser to Silvertip Bows and have Dave checker the grip, This bow is rock solid and the checkering made it a better shooting bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/134sawney/checkeredgrip007.jpg)
Wow! I really like the checkering on that bow. :thumbsup: :D
QuoteOriginally posted by ishoot4thrills:
Wow, Randy! You got a couple of good deals on those.
Wish I could have made it to the shoot Saturday. Me and the wife and our boys just couldn't resist the urge to go fishing instead. It was a beautiful day for either one and it was a tough decision. Did you make it to the shoot?
I gotta admit, one I bought used for $275, the other I got brand new for $10, as in 1 raffle ticket !
I made the shoot at about 2 PM, shot one round, and rushed home for my grandson's 3 rd birthday party. Glad I made the shoot, thats where I picked up #2 !
I bought the Predator from Maxfit; 59#@28, cocobolo with shedua. I think it has bubinga overlays at the tips of the black limbs. Sorry I can't show a picture.
Interesting that you were having trouble with noise,Chuck, I guess that is why it has the Limbsavers?
Anyway, to give an update on that noise issue, I have switched to an SBD string, with Hush Puppies and Bow Hush. Seems pretty quiet to me...I am considering taking off the Limbsavers just to see if they are even necessary or helpful.
I have not hunted with it yet, but was out one day shooting stumps and had a buck come along. I let him come to about 20 yards away and shot a stump right next to him. He turned and sniffed at the arrow sticking in the stump, and then trotted off. That seems like a pretty good result so far, we will test it some more in August.
I don't have experience with a lot of different bows, but I really like this bow. It draws very smoothly, shoots fast with no shock, points and balances well, and is real easy to look at.
(http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx225/hybridbowhunter/post-5437-1243518208.jpg)
Great bows, and lot of game down with.
My only concern was the black finish on the back side of limbs which came out on little areas on both of my predators, but didn't affect the performance according to Mike @ hunter's niche.
I will sent back the limbs one of theese days to re finish it.
I love the Predator. I've bought three of them, one for my son's 31st birthday. This is the only bow that I have bought more than one of. I have the Custom Classic and the Anniversay, in left-hand. I love the retro look but the modern high performance. The bow is very smooth drawing (Righ now I'm shooting 4 brands of recurves almost every day as I perfect my traditional form -- The Predator is without question the smoothest and the Custom Classic costs about $400- $500 less than two of the others. Ron Pittsley and MIke are a joy to work with to boot. They have slimmed down the riser a bit since I bought my first one four years ago, it fits my smaller frame hands very well. I heard Traditional Bowhunter did a performance review of the bow some time ago. I heard the PRedator outshot the others tested (203 fps). I didn't read the article. I've only seen one for sale and it was the Classic.
I like mine. Definitely a high performance bow (it will let you know when you screw up).
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z304/Owlgrowler/tradgangb-bucks/DSCN0924.jpg)
Hi, I had a Ballistik, now I shoot with Gamemaster2, Black Widow PSAV and Bob Lee Signature Td recurve/Longbow ... do you think the Predator is too fast ...?? I'm looking for a Fastest Bow, in same poundage of my 45# GM2, to use with light arrows, I shoot 350/370 grain Arrows for 3D games at my 29" draw.
Thanks
Carlo
You'll love them. One of the better deals out there. Fast, quiet, shock-free, and some great wood combo's. Ron and Mike are great to work with as well.
Predators are absolutely Fast, stable and Quiet. all of mine seem to like a low BH of 7 1/4" . again these bows are absolutely the best value on the market today! Did I forget to mention that Ron & Mike are Super guy's and not bad hunters other than Ron , who has the unique ability to really irritate a bear to the point of coming up his tree several times! Said he shot it in self defense !? lol (http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x132/recurvehunter_2007/P1010904-1.jpg) here is one of mine :campfire:
Very high quality bow that shoots as good as it looks at a great price,what more can ask for.
Love a Predator. One of the best and fastest bows I've ever shot!
Here's your bowyer Ron Pitsley on a bowfishing trip a few years ago to Ky Lake. Couldn't find a better guy to deal with!!
(http://www.orba42.com/photopost/data//555/medium/DSCF01901.JPG)
HOWLER I LOVE THAT CHECKERED GRIP. GOOD LOOKING BOW. THANKS AGAIN GUYS FOR ALL THE INFO AND INPUT. WINDELL
I have one cheap bow and one good bow. All I've every shot besides a RH Grizzly. (I'm LH).
My "good" bow is a early 90's (I think that's right) Predator.
The grip, weight, balance and draw I LOVE. It "Feels" a pound or two heavier than my cheap 50#...and it's marked 62#!
I like it well enough I'm saving up for another set (or 2) of limbs.
I emailed Ron about quieting it down (I bought it used). Product Support is there and it's solid.
HHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECK!!!
Just Buy One!
You know you're gonna. :)
If you don't like it...it's pretty clear you can throw it on the classified and let us fight over it!
Thanks for the compliment on my Predator, and yes Ron is a great fellow to deal with.
Someone asked what woods were in it. I believe it is tulipwood though I am not %100 on that, it is gorgeous, the other wood is bubinga
I had a predator for a while.Nice bow really beautiful but I had two Bob Lees with a bunch of limbs longbow and recurve.The predator was neither better or worse than my Lees so I sold it b/c I was more versital with my Bob Lee.It is a good bow.Kip
Great looking bows.
I shot a Predator 1 year ago-outstanding performer.
I had one last year and like a dummy sold it, going to get another one, shot great, workmanship outstanding, customer service one of the best, like Arnold said ! I will be back!
(http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/drr324/th_DSC04035.jpg) (http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/drr324/?action=view¤t=DSC04035.jpg)
Fast-check, quiet-check, great quality-check, great bowyers-check, what more do you need to know???
If you want to see some more technical specs, have a look there:
http://www.bowreports.com/recurve-bows/predator/classic.htm
awesome bows.
TTT
Recurve TakeDown Bow
Right Hand
62", 51# Limbs. Hunter riser. Classic Zebra Wood Limbs.
Minor scratches. Still in 100% shootable.
$575 (It was 700$ new)
Will email pics when requested. (mikeirwin@hotmail.com)
Thx!
They have a classified section to advertise your bow.