Bear Montana Or Samick Viper

[MarkM]

What do you guys think of these two long bows? My budget is right around $250 dollars and these bows are right in there. Is the Montana a better bow than the Viper? I am a bit concerned with the 64 in bow legth of the Monatana. I have a 30 in draw (im 6'6").

Mark

[John 4]

Samick doesn't make the Viper,it's made by internature.
The bear is definately the better of the two.

[portugeejn]

I have a Viper.  Hunted with it and shot it for a year.  I like it.  

I have not shot a Montana, but have handled one and the grip was very blocky.  I have heard they shoot well.  With the exception of the blocky grip, the Montana had better fit and finish (but it should be as it cost $80 more).  

I did replace the Viper string with a fast-flight, on the recommendation of some folks on this and other sites.  

My draw is 27" so I can't give my opinion about a longer draw on the Viper.

I did find the folks on this site were more interested in giving me good advice, pros and cons, rather than slamming the Viper as a "cheap foreign bow".  


If at all possible, try to shoot both and then decide.  If  you ever get up to Eugene, I let you try mine!

RonP

[portugeejn]

I know it is not the same as shooting with a 30" draw, but I just strung up my Viper and drew it back to 30" a few times.  It didn't seem to me to be any different in feel, other than I was pulling it back farther.  It felt just as smooth at the end as it does at my normal draw length.  FWIW.

RonP

[mike g]

I would say get the bear, I knew a couple of folks who have them and they like them....
   Get the bear and redo the grip and slim down the tips....

[arrowslinger22]

The Viper is more of a flatbow, the Montana has a deeper core is is more to my liking.  I have owned both and I wouldn't bother with a Viper again.

[MI_Bowhunter]

I would get the bear if I had to choose between the two.  if you don't like it then the resale will be probably be a little higher.    

For your price range you can get some much nicer bows in the classifieds here. (you might need to be patient but there are good deals)

I've picked up a few pretty nice bows for around $250 from the classifieds.

[chesapeakeblend]

Look in the used bow section of this forum.  I think you can do better than those.

Just my .02

[MarkM]

Thanks for the replies guys, I think I will go with the Montana. I have been looking in the classifiedsa but I am a lefty and there doesn't seem to be as many adds.

Mark

[George D. Stout]

Shoot one if you can.  My friend Dan had a Montana and his long draw gave him fits with that bow.  He went to a 68" and it fixed everything for him.  He also has a 30" draw.