by Jackson | Oct 22, 2013 | Reviews
When you’re shooting a bow, the release is one of the most critical parts that often get’s overlooked. Using a mechanical release to reduce any extra movement can drastically increase your performance. These are the 5 best bow releases that I know of and I’m sure that you’ll see for yourself that you’ll find something to fit your price range.
The way a release works is by holding the string for you. It simply closes around the string and barely moves to loose the arrow. You have a trigger like on a gun that lets you decide when to shoot. The arrow won’t hit your fingers or anything else so you don’t have to worry about it knocking your arrow off course. That’s why you want to use one of the best bow releases you can get.
1.
Tru-Fire Hardcore Buckle Foldback Release – This release features a swivel on the head so you don’t have any torque on the string when you pull back. It’s made with a fully adjustable trigger so you can have an extremely sensitive trigger for those adrenaline pumping moments. This release uses a hook to hold the string during draw back. Priced Between $85-95 you get a very solid and durable product.
2.
Scott Archery Shark Release Buckle
– This is a highly adjustable release that uses a double caliper close to hang onto the bow-string. You get the options to adjust the trigger pull sensitivity and it also allows you to have a longer draw length on your arrow. Priced between $50-85 you won’t be sorry with this one.
3.
Allen Company Adult Caliper Release with T-Strap
– For those on a budget or just wanting a low-cost product that will perform well, look no further. It is a double caliper release style without all the fluff. You can’t adjust the trigger or anything, but for the price around $10 you get a good and durable start.
4.
Tru Ball T-Handle Thumb Release Standard Caliper Jaw
– A swivel head lets you pull back any way you want with this release. You don’t have a wrist strap to pull back, but you do get a very smooth trigger action. Priced at $65-80 you get a great product. A neat trick is to leave the release attached to your bow so you don’t have to look away from your target which isn’t possible with wrist straps.
5.
Mossy Oak A.X. Caliper Release, Unknown, Black – A less expensive release that works well for people with larger wrists. The trigger is preset, but the length is adjustable. It’s another good choice for those looking to start using a release to improve their accuracy. You do have to push the trigger back into place to close the calipers. Priced around $15-20 you’ll get good value for your money.
Using a release will definitely help you increase your accuracy. These are some of the better releases that you’ll find and you’ll also see that there are many styles. I’d recommend seeing if you can’t get your hands on a few to see which one fits you the best.
These links go to Amazon so you can check these products and you can read all the reviews on Amazon as well to help you decide what you would like.
by Jackson | Sep 25, 2013 | Compound Bows
The Genesis bow is one of the most popular bows for young archers. For many, this is the product that bridges the gap from child’s toys to a real bow. I shot one of these when i was young and it was just as easy back then as it is now. I always recommend getting a kit when you’re getting your first real bow. It comes with everything needed to start shooting right out of the box. That’s why it makes an excellent gift.
Bow specifications
- Axle to Axle – 35.5″
- Brace Height – 7 1/2″
- Draw length – up to 30″
- Let off 0%
What’s included
- arrow shelf rest
- 5 aluminum arrows
- arm guard
- two paper targets
Not included
- bow sight
- stabilizer
- bow case
- release aid
Special notes
- comes in right and left hand options
- draw weight is changed with an Allen wrench
- comes in 6 different colors
Genesis bow kit – Lime
Most kids can handle this bow starting around 2nd to 3rd grade. You should adjust the draw weight for them too. It adjusts easily and you’ll have no problems using it between adults and kids. The bow is made of aluminum and can stand up to years of enjoyment. The 0% let off means that it acts like a traditional bow. This is so that you can use it at any draw length.
If you need any other recommendation, the National Archery in Schools program recommends this bow for kids and it’s because it’s sturdy, light, and will work for all shapes and sizes. You can always add-on other accessories to make the bow fit your needs better. I’m sure you can find another genesis bow kit review, but honestly they’ll all tell you how awesome it is.
Genesis Bow Kit, Right Handed, Blue Raspberry
by Jackson | Sep 13, 2013 | Compound Bows
For those who want to get a good compound at lower prices, you should definitely consider this package. You’ll find that PSE has taken a good bow and put together a package that lets you get going right away. Very little needs to be done other than a checkup with a bow shop to get your settings checked out and sighting it in.
Bow specifications
- Axle to Axle – 32.5″
- Brace Height – 7 1/8″
- Weight – 3.5 lbs
- Draw length – 21.0″ – 30.0″
- Arrow speed – 308-316 fps
What’s included
- Bow sight
- arrow rest
- 6 arrow quiver
- stabilizer
- peep sight
- nock
- sling
Not included
Special notes
- comes in right and left hand options
- comes in different draw weight ranges
What you get is a bow that is almost completely ready to shoot. The stinger line has been around for a long time and is known for being a rugged bow that will stand up to lots of use. It’s small and light weight make it a great choice when you have to carry it with you for a long time. There’s also a lot of rubber on this bow. You’ve got the stabilizer, limb dampener and a string dampener. All in all, it makes for a very light, fast, and durable bow that will get you started extremely fast.
You have aluminum risers and with the cam, you can adjust your draw length without having to take it into a bow shop. Lots of reviews online mention how quiet this bow is and that’s one thing you can be sure of. You aren’t going to hear much at all. The 75% let off helps you wait for that perfect moment and the smooth action helps you have better accuracy and tighter groups at all distances.
Here is the link for the PSE Stinger X 70 on Amazon so you can check it out.
PSE Stinger 3G RTS Review is brought to you by me. I don’t endorse any specific product, yet, and I didn’t receive this or any product for any kind of reimbursement. All words are my own.
by Jackson | Sep 9, 2013 | Reviews
Let’s get down to business. You need a good bow case to protect your super awesome, jaw dropping, mind blindingly cool gear. Well, that’s what you’re looking at. I hope these will help you pick the best bow case for you. I broke a bow once because I didn’t keep it in a case. It made me so mad, I just couldn’t stand it. So do yourself a favor and get a bow case. It’ll be a great decision.
There are links to Amazon so you can check it out yourself and see the price and reviews. These are just my thoughts on the 5 best hard compound bow cases.
1.
Plano Protector Compact Bow Case (Black)
– Priced between $40-45 this is the best value for the money if you just need a basic hard case. It’s not a waterproof behemoth, but you’ll get the right kind of protection for storage and taking it to the range and back. It’s a quick assembly and at 43 inches long, it’ll fit a majority of bows out there.
2.
Plano 108115 AW Bow Case Black
– Priced between $125-145 you’re looking at a much bigger, heavier, and weatherproof case. This case is much larger and is also TSA approved for flying. It’s 48 inches, that’s 4 ft, long and weighs in at 19 pounds of thick plastic protection. Some people have had issues with the locks so be sure to check them when you get the product.
3.
SKB Hunter Series Bow Case
– Priced between $120-145 you end up with a very high quality compact bow case. It’s very weather proof and a lot lighter. At 39 inches, it’s going to be a tight fit and there’s not extra room for much. I also know that several people have had to remove quivers or stabilizers to get the their bow in it. A high quality compact case.
4.
Flambeau Compound Bow Case
– The first thing you will notice when you get it is, this thing is huge. It will definitely fit just about any bow you can throw at it. It is a good, durable case that suitable for anyone looking for a larger bow case, however, the size may be an issue for some people.
5.
Plano Molding Company Parallel Limb Hard Bow Case
– Priced between $65-90 you get a good compact bow case at 41 inches . This one comes with a storage box and a holder for your arrows (six). This one is supposed to be designed to keep the quiver on the bow. The case is supposed to be designed so that the quiver can remain on the bow.
There are tons of bow cases out there and I’m sure you can find bigger and better, but as far as value goes. These are my top choices for taking care of your bow and other gear
by Jackson | Sep 1, 2013 | Choosing a bow
Unlike some of its predecessors a compound bow is a modern bow that uses a leveraging system to bend or pull the limbs with pulleys and cables. When compared to a longbow or a recurve bow the limbs are much stiffer. This stiffness is what enables the bow to shoot arrows quicker and with more power because of the energy that is stored in the limbs. If you have decided to pick from the variety of compound bows that are available there are some considerations to think about.
Just like most pieces of sports equipment these bows can vary widely in price. You can see a variety of bows ranging from anywhere of $50 upwards to $1,500. A new upper entry to mid-level quality bow typically runs between $350 to approximately $600. Higher and bows typically start around $600 and go up from there.
Choose the bow weight
The first consideration is the power of the bow. Bows actually convert energy they do not create power. You need to find a balance between the power and your ease of use. If you find a bow with a 30-inch draw it may not be the best choice for you. You will get more power and strength from a longer draw, but you could be sacrificing a significant level of comfort and control with each shot that you make.
If you force yourself to draw too far the muscles in your arms tire quickly and will cause your aim to shake. The best solution for this is to choose a bow that has adjustable draw-stops. These stops are rubber-coated blocks to provide a limiter for your draw. This keeps you from overestimating your draw as well as underestimating.
Adjust for your strength
The bow you choose needs to fit properly and adjust to your strength. You want to be able to maximize the amount of energy that transfers to your arrow. A heavy draw stores higher energy and results in a higher arrow velocity. However, you need to find a draw weight that is as high as possible but still allows you to be able to practice regularly. You need to be able to draw for hours of target practice.
Find the let off
The “let off” of the bow is also important. When you draw a standard bow you need to release the arrow quickly otherwise you will begin to shake. A compound bow allows you to hold your draw for a longer period of time. This is called “let off”. Many bows come with interchangeable cam modules that allow you to switch between different let offs. Typically, the higher the let off percentage is the longer you will be able to hold your bow and maximum draw length comfortably.
Check limb design
Limb design is also an important consideration. When you start looking at compound bows you will notice that they have both split and solid limbs. People that choose to use split limb bows claim that they have less shock and are more durable than the solid bows. People who choose solid limb bows claim that they offer better stiffness and are more accurate.
There seems to be no significant evidence to support either claim. It comes down to personal choice. A significant part of the design revolves around recoil. Some manufacturers have designed a higher limb angle and they are called a parallel limb bow. This type of bow may or may not be more accurate, however they are very popular.
Decide on brace height
Brace height is also an important consideration that is often overlooked by an inexperienced archer. This is the distance between the top of the handle grip to the bowstring. If you are a beginner and want to shoot a bow that has a high forgiveness factor then you should have a brace height of seven inches or greater. More advanced and experienced archers typically use a bow that has a brace height below seven inches because it is not very forgiving.
Overall size of the bow
If you will be using your bow for hunting you need to consider your axle to axel factor. If you hunt from a tree stand you would typically want a lower axle to axel bow that is usually 32 inches or less. If you typically hunt from the ground a higher axle to axel will probably work better for you. The smaller axle to axel works better for carrying, going under tree branches, and small spaces but it does have the drawback of not being accurate at long ranges.
These are just a few of the many considerations to think about when choosing a compound bow. Your best bet is to try as many manufacturers and bow designs as you can before making your final choice. Eventually you will find the bow that feels right for you.
