I would like some input about the Hoyt Buffalo. Also is there anyone in NC that has one I could possibly shoot?
I've been shooting one since April and I really like it. I have two sets of limbs for it, 45# and 50# for 3-D and hunting. Also have the bow quiver and hunt with it on.
I recently sold my 62" 55# rated Buffalo. The only thing I disliked about the bow was a lack of tuning and setup instructions. The DVD that comes with the bow has very basic information and Hoyt has no other documentation. My bow did not come from the factory properly set up and figuring out how to get it dialed in was a chore.
Best thing I did with that bow was buy a SBD string. The factory string is junk.
I was lucky and had a friend who owned one for a couple of months and worked with me to tune and quiet it. They tune easily but you will wind up tuning the arrow to the bow not unlike shooting an old Bear or other non adjustable bows. We both love them.
I was looking in the 3 Rivers catalog and they have it in 58" & 60" however, when I looked at the Hoyt site they have it as 60" & 62". I really like a shorter bow. So if they don't make this in a 58" then I am going to look at the Bob Morrison ILF's
I am a one piece longbow guy, but that hoyt buffalo is simply unbelievable. butter smooth-feels 15 pounds lighter than marked, selfbow quiet, set in concrete stable. Simply the easiest bow to shoot accurately I have ever shot or witnessed in 38 years as a bowhunter. Not sure about the limb attachment system under hunting conditions, but it is better than ILF IMHO. I highly recommend you shoot one. 3rivers has a 30 day money back guarentee
The only problem I have had with mine is the handle is cracked but other than that is its awsome. I wish I had started in trad archery back 3 years ago when I bought my first wheeled bow. I have learned alot from this site and still am. Love this bow only good things about it. Mike
Herndondt, I have one and your more than welcome to shoot it. Not sure where Stokesdale is but we have an indoor 3D range here in town if you wanna get together and shoot sometime. Let me know.
My opinion echoes Michaelschwister sentiments. Anyone who has even given it a thought of owning one of these Hoyt Buffalo's owes it to themselves to give it a fair shake. I have had mine a little over three months now and I can't seem to put it down!!! I love it. Managed to harvest a nice Michigan Whitetail doe with it in the middle of October. Silent, and quick!
It casts an arrow quite nicely out to 30 yards. Mine is 50# and it feels like its low to mid 40's when in fact it scales at 54#@28", very smooth on the draw.
I will say that it prefers a heavier spined arrows, by 12-18# in my experience.
ckanous thank you for the invite. I am located right outside of Greensboro, maybe an hour from you. I'll pm you later and see if we can't get something together.
I want to thank everyone for there input and it hasn't gone unnoticed. I can really tell that everyone really thinks highly of this bow and I am going to give it a try!
I really like mine. I pull 31" and it does not stack. I also have the short limbs. I also wished me had come with a manual instead of a dvd.
Side question how many turns from bottomed out can you safely back off the limb bolts?
I owned one and sold it. It was quick and smooth for sure, but I found it felt very heavy, and mine was pretty loud and I couldn't get it to wear I wanted it. I ended up picking up a Dorado a couple of weeks ago and I find it to be Lighter, as quick, as smooth ( i have a 30" draw") and mine is very quiet!. I'd take the Dorado over the Buffalo any day.....but that was just my experience.
:campfire:
There are a few things that must be done to silence a Buffalo. Rubber washers under the limb bolts, proper brace height and a SBD string :)
Thanks I'll keep that in mind limbow
QuoteOriginally posted by ESP:
I really like mine. I pull 31" and it does not stack. I also have the short limbs. I also wished me had come with a manual instead of a dvd.
Side question how many turns from bottomed out can you safely back off the limb bolts?
I'd call Hoyt on that one. I shoot mine bottomed out.
Had one for 4 days. Liked everything but the grip and the fact had to shoot Hoyts limb system. Grips are changable and if you do not want to use the ILF system-go for it. Riser shape is curvy and bow is a joy to shoot. I went back to a Titan. One opinion, Roy
I have been trying to figure out what bow I have/had that the Buffalo geometry and smoothness reminded me of.
It wasn't until I strung up my 62' Bear Kodiak that the light went off!!!! The grip feels similar to my 62' Kodiak, just slimmer.
I love the Buffalo I got one that is 55# and one that is 45#. They shoot great super smooth and shoot quiet. They like heavy arrows and skinny strings. They come with a pretty fat string both of mine now have skinny strings fast flight 8 strand on my 45# and 10 strand on my 55# I shoot a 500 spine arrow that total weights around 500 grains for the 45# bow and a 400 spine arrow that total weight is around 625 grains for the heavier bow. You can adjust about two pounds of pull with the limb bolts I think you can turn those limb bolts two turns out from the bottomed position. they are intended for tiller adjustment more than weight adjustment. You will not be dissapointed if you buy a buffalo just be patient and get the bow and arrow tuned for you and with a little practice you'll be happy. I wish I were in NC so I could hook up with you and ckanuos and do some shootin. PM me if you have any questions I tend to ramble on when I get the chance to talk about the Buffalo and someone will listen.
Herndondt, Just read where you were looking for a shorter bow, I have never found a 58" buffalo only 60 and 62 . but you might consider trying a Hoyt Dorado I have a 58" one and it shoots great too. Plus its a little cheaper.
macksdad thx for the info I may check the Dorado, but it isn't the same. 60" may work if I like the bow. I hunt mainly out of blinds, so that's why I wanted a shorter bow. I have looked at the Dorado, but that one just doesn't call out to me like the Buffalo. I'll keep you informed on my decision.
When I first got my buffalo it was difficult for me to love it I was to attached to my wood handled bows :)
I was not getting the best arrow flight I had the right arrow but the bow needed some love
I got the tuning info on here I have been shooting it lately and using it to hunt because of all the rain I hate taking my wood bows swimming
It is growing on me and I am starting to like it and I might hunt out the year with it
They are not the fastest bows but I have had no problems with noise and I have done nothing in the limb pockets I am running 8 1/8 on brace height 16 strand fast flight string Navajo wool silencers
I shot one today at bow shop. It was very smooth bow. I did hear some noise and it sounded like it was coming from the riser at the point where the limbs attach. Has anyone heard this before? Anyway I shot my arrows in a chrony and it avg out the same as what my widow was shooting. Both are the same draw weight. It was whole lot lighter than my widow. Overall I was happy enough to put some money down on it.
So... anyone that has one let me know what all you did that helped you when you were setting it up. I am already thinking about ordering a SBD 8 strand string for it.
Put rubber washers under the limbolts, that will clear up any excess noise. Congrats!!!
I was just reading past post on page 1 and saw where you said that. I was wondering what brace height is right for this bow? Thanks for your help.
I got mine back in Jan and loving it! In fact love it so much I am selling all my BW bows as I do not see shooting them again. Faster, smoother, quieter, no shock and just fits me well. I also changed out the string and shoots much better with a smaller diameter string and picked up some more speed as well. I have the 60in 55# model. I did not like the low grip on it and changed that out with a grip off 1 of my Dorado's and it feels much better to me.
Do a search and you will find alot more information on them.
Mine is a 60" 50#, skinny string and it likes 8 1/8" for the brace height. I find the speed to my eye is above average, it holds a pretty good cast out to 30 yards.
LOL Yep mark land that is what I am doing as we speak. Selling everything and I am going to concentrate on one bow.
limbow thx that is what mine is 60" 50# so this is some great info!
My two cents after shooting one a while. Pro's: (1) not super expensive (relatively speaking of course); (2) easy to shoot well; and (3) seems like it would be easy to tune to variety of arrows.
Con's: (1) kinda heavy (some may like that); (2) looks take some getting used to (a lot of people could care less); and (3) seemed a little slow.
It also has more of a compound bow grip (slim and low) on it, which can be good or bad depending on what you are looking for.
Love the slim grip, appreciate the weight, definitely not slow for me compared with my others bows and it is very easy to fine tune for your particular shooting style.
I shoot my nock at 9/16 and brace around 8 1/8-8 1/4in seems to work just fine for me.