I've realized my 60# black widow is a bit much to really enjoy myself and work on form so I've decided I need a second bow. Looking to buy something in the 45-50lb range, reasonable and smooth to shoot. I've shot my dads Kodiak and I guess i've gotten spoiled with my Widow as the vibration and noise drives me crazy!
Looking for input on recommendation on a smooth shooter in the $200-250 range (used is fine).
Some ideas of what I've found are PSE Kudos, Kiowas, Martins, etc. Can I expect these to shoot well or will they be more like the old Kodiak?
I know its tough to answer but has anyone found a make/model they would consider a "diamond in the rough" - a great shooter at minimal cost???
Why don't you see if you can buy a second set of lighter limbs? Widow could possibly decr the weight of your limbs by ~ 5# if that would help, they can make an estimate if you call them and give them your serial number.
I'd go with a second set of limbs too...or try and get a few pounds shaved off the ones you already have.
Otherwise, lots of good used stuff out there for the price you are looking for. If you don't mind a metal riser, the best "cheap" bow on the market is from Quinn Archery, in my opinion. For under $275 you can get a really fine shooting recurve, brand spanking new.
Quinn Stallion
Thanks David I got that same info in a PM. I'm going to look into reducing the limbs which will put me at 55. Still like to find something in the 45lb range so I can work on form as well as enjoy myself shooting a lot (plus be a beater for small game!). Now it seems a dozen arrows and I'm shakey - not ideal for a newbie trying to develope good habits.
New limbs would be great but I believe they are pricey - $400 or so I think.
I'll look into the Quinn too, first i've heard of 'em. Prefer wood tho but shootabilty comes ahead of looks...
Second hand Martin Hunter or Super Kodiak. Your dad's old Kodiak probably just needs to be tuned.
If your draw length is under 28in i would look at a Kodiak hunter. You can find one in new condition for less than $200.00.
Check out Mike at Maddog Traditional Archery. For the money you can't beat his bows! click here for bow info (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=087111)
www.recurves.com (http://www.recurves.com)
I get quite a few old Bear bows and they are big shooters,accurate and quiet.The Super kodiak is one of the best bow I own and I have 90 bows 40 being some top end customs.I nothing is wrong in that old Kodiak try to tune it better.IMO
Samick Phantom
Thanks guys! I'll look into tuning the Kodiak either way as my dad shoots it often and isnt one to complain. In fact he's out of town and I have to pick up the mail so I'll have to grab his bow too!
Thanks for the input on bow recommendations - I'll have to look into them.
Is there a section I can go to read up on tuning a Kodiak or do I just do a search on Pow-wow???? ;+)
I have a PSE spider longbow,It was the predecessor to the Sequoia longbow and I love it quit and smooth and cheap.
Quinn Stallion, about #43, unbelievably smooth. I like mine as well as my Widows! I would also recommend an older Bear Super Kodiak. I wouldn't call either a cheap bow, though, and won't part with mine.
ron
I have the deer master take down, only costs 205, and that is my go to bow. I absolutely love the thing. But then again I have never shot a widow!? The most expensive bow I own is a Martin Hunter, but really price doesnt make the bow, the bow makes the bow. And so far I have been lucky, all of them shoot great!
You can find an old Browning recurve, too. I LOVE them, they don't enjoy much limelight.
1967 Bear Grizzly... Cost me around $100.
... mike ...
I am shooting a 43@28 Kodiak Hunter and puling it to 31, smooth as silk.
Another vote for the Quinn Stallion, My 62" #50 was super smooth out to 30", still wish I'd never sold her.
Tough to go wrong with a decent used Bear.
From what I've heard, the Quinn Stallion is awesome. I got a Martin Jaguar Takedown for my birthday. At $ 140.00, ain't bad. Then again, while this was sitting in the closet waiting for my birthday, I was looking at 300-400 buck bows. My wife says, "You can have one of those if you want". Arrrgggh!! The Martin is already in the closet! LOL.
Neil, look for a nice shooting longbow. I have a Northern Mist Baraga 40# and Northwind 32# bows. Both easy to shoot and have fun with. With a longbow you can go to the Michigan Longbow shoots and have a great time.
NOTE: I killed last years deer with the Baraga using a wooden arrow and a stone head.
Quinn all the way.
Not a recurve, but a used Bear Montana is bullet proof and as cheap as they come.
I venture to say you'll be hard pressed to find a "cheap" bow that you'll be happy with. Save your money and get new limbs to go with your Black Widow.Quality bows like BW have a way of spoiling the avid archer. :banghead:
Mike at maddog archery makes a nice bow at a cheap price. We have two of them and really like them.
Quinn stallion is cheap in price but shoots as good or better then the high dollar custom bows!
the pse's are very fine bows for the money, shoot very good , and fast shooters, they been doin it a longtime..
I have to agree with the above,my Quinn Stallion shoots right along with my best custom bows.
Yeah baby, Quinns ruuullllee!! I have a bunch, and I, personally, shoot them better than any bow I have ever shot, no matter how custom or expensive. They are smmoooth, fast and about bomb proof. I shoot daily, and hunt hard, and my bows arent babied, easy to tune, and a lot of dead critters cant be wrong. I ended up selling my 2 BW's because I couldnt justify keeping higher dollar bows that I wouldnt hunt with, or shoot as much, because the Quinn was more accurate for me. I have 3 Risers, 7 sets of limbs, and set for life, I do believe.
I have to add my opinion on the Quinn bows as well. I bought a used Stallion from a fellow tradganger and absolutly love it. I got it for under $200, in the original box with the manufactures CD and two (count 'em) two factory high speed strings. The limbs are 48# at 28". I draw to just past 31" and it is smooth all the way back. Are they fancey with lots of exotic hardwoods, nope. Plain Jane just like me.
It was already tuned pretty good and I tweaked it only a little for it to settel into my draw lenth and shooting style.
Got a Safari Tuff take down bag for my birthday this month. That bow never leaves my truck now (under the seat, out of the sun and heat).
New or used, it's hard to beat a Quinn and additional sets of limbs are easy to get and inexpensive as well.
Yes, there are far prettier bows out there, but I doubt they shoot any better. Even a brand new one is far less expensive than many lesser quality bows.
To me, there is still something beautiful about a well designed tool that does the job excelently.
OkKeith