Bows.(Gearing Up Special: Equipment For The Modern Sportsman/Buyer's Guide 2004)(Buyers Guide)

1 BOWTECH LIBERTY VFT This ultraquiet 33 1/2-inch-long bow is vibration-free and inherently accurate. With an IBO speed rating of 308 fps, it's also very fast. Features include BowTech's Freedom Cam and a shooter-friendly 7 1/2-inch brace height. It's a dandy hunting bow and one of the very best I have shot this year. $730; 541-284-4711; www.bowtecharchery.com

2 REFLEX GRIZZLY This bow is quiet, accurate, and reliable. But perhaps the coolest thing about the 37 1/2-inch axle-to-axle Grizzly is its price--about half of what some other " name" bows cost. $350; 801-363-2990; www.reflexbow.com

3 MARTIN SLAYR This 38-inch speedster with twin cams is super fast at 325 fps IBO. Yet, with a 6 3/4-inch brace height the bow remains very shootable. It's built around a long, sweeping riser design with short limbs. $650; 509-529-2554; www.martinarchery.com

4 ALPINE FATAL IMPACT At home both in the trees and on the ground, the smooth-shooting Fatal Impact has a 34-inch axle-to-axle length, a brace height of 7 1/4 inches, and an IBO speed rating of 300 fps. $640; 208-746-4717; www.alpinearchery.com

5 JENNINGS CK 3.5 This easy-to-shoot bow has excellent balance. At 35 1/2 inches, it shoots a quick arrow (308 fps IBO). The Carbon Kinetic chamber engineered into the limbs stores energy for better performance. $499; Escalade Sports, 352-376-2327; www.jenningsarchery.com

6 ARCHERY RESEARCH AR-34 The 8-inch brace height makes the AR-34 one of the easiest bows to shoot that I have tried in a long time. The chambers on the riser guide vibration away from the hand--another huge plus. $600; 520-884-9065; www.archeryresearch.com

7 PEARSON DAGGER The 32 3/8-inch axle-to-axle Dagger may be short, but it balances well. Another plus--the new "frequency-ridged" aluminum riser controls vibration. The Dagger features split limbs and a smooth cam. $660; 251-867-8475; www.benpearson.com

8 HOYT VIPERTEC This 32-inch bow is very shootable and hotter than a firecracker. It features Hoyt's new Cam& 1/2 system, their unique TEC riser, and split limbs. It has an IBO speed rating of 300 fps. $750; 801-363-2990; www.hoytusa.com

9 MATHEWS MUSTANG Designed for small-framed shooters, this 31-inch high-tech package is no toy. It has a peak draw weight of 50 pounds and draw length range of 19 to 26 inches, yet an IBO speed rating of 250 fps. $550; 608-269-2728; www.mathewsinc.com

10 PARKER PHOENIX 34 Parker bows have become quite popular with serious bowhunters in recent years, and the Phoenix is a shining example of why. It features Parker's smooth parallel limbs and a riser that makes tuning a snap. $625; 540-337-5426; www.parkerbows.com

[BOX:]

TIP SHEET

BOW DESIGN

(a) Axle-to-axle length: Short bows are easy to maneuver but can be harder to shoot accurately.

(b) Brace height: The shorter the brace height, the faster the bow. But this can also make an accurate shot difficult.

(c) Single cam: The most popular bow style uses one cam to provide energy storage. --B.R.

Source Citation:Robb, Bob. "Bows." Field & Stream (West ed.) 109.8 (Dec 1, 2004): 22S. Academic OneFile. Gale. BROWARD COUNTY LIBRARY. 15 Aug. 2009
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