Archery is incredibly popular. A compound bow is one of the oldest and most popular compound bows used throughout history. The noticeable increase in bows in popular movies like Avengers, Hunger Games, and TV shows like Arrow and Revolution has helped to grow interest in the weapon.
But, there are other, more important reasons the compound bow is prominent. First, they are compact and extremely powerful, which makes them ideal for hobbies including target shooting and hunting. However, there are many different types of bows on the market.
In this guide, we will recommend the five best compound bows on the market and we will go over many popular accessories as well.
By checking out this guide, you can learn what to look for when buying a guide, a list of pros and cons of each bow on the list, and thorough unbiased reviews of each product.
When we break down the best compound bows in this buying guide, we will be basing our opinions on the six features that are most important to bow hunters.
We will quickly go over what makes a bow one of the best here, to reduce the need to repeat this information in each of the five product reviews later in the guide. First, lets start with speed.
When considering what compound bow will be great for your hunting season, you need to consider speed. All bows have a Feet Per Second (FPS) rating. The International Bow hunting Organization (IBO) standardizes the approach that manufacturers use to measure speeds.
Currently, the standard for measuring speed is 70lbs., 30 inch draw length, and a 350-grain arrow. It is important to know if your compound bow is using different standards then this, the speed results will be different.
It is best to choose a compound bow with the highest speed possible. The faster the speed of your arrow when shooting, the harder it will be for your prey to escape before the hunting arrow hits it. Additionally, the speed of the arrow also affects how hard the arrow will hit the target, which can result in whether your kill gets away or ends up in your freezer.
After you have narrowed down the compound bows that meet your needs in regards to speed, it is time to think about draw weight. Draw weight is the amount of weight you feel when you retract your bow string. For many reasons, it is important to choose a bow that has a maximum draw weight. It is important to point out that if you plan to hunt deer, you will need a bow with at least 45lb. draw weight. But most hunters choose a draw weight of at least 50 to 70 lbs.
While hunters should always choose a draw weight of at least 45 lbs., it is important you do not choose a bow with a draw weight that is too much for you. If the bow you want has a draw weight that you can handle, it can lead to poor shooting techniques.
Draw length is the distance between positions of the compound bows bowstring at rest and full draw. Draw length correlates with a persons stature. The best way to determine your draw length is to measure your full arm span and divide that number by 2.5. All of the bows we will discuss in the buying guide have adjustable draw lengths.
Now it is time to talk about let off. The cams of a compound bow are held at full draw by a small percentage of the draw weight. Let off is calculated by taking the percentage of the peak weight you can hold at full draw. For instance, if your compound bow is set at 70lb. draw weight and you have a 75% let off, your full draw is 17lbs., which means you need at least 17lbs. to keep the bowstring at full draw.
A compound bow with a low let off increases arrow velocity. A higher let off can lead to bad shooting forms, but is rather useful in hunting scenarios where you require the perfect shot to get a buck.
The brace height is the distance of the bowstring from the shooters grip on the bow. Short brace heights result in better stored energy and better arrow velocity. However, brace heights less than 6.5 inch or less can create flaws in shooting techniques. It is best to start off with a brace height at 7 inch the standard.
Lastly, when considering the five best compound bows presented in this buying guide, it is important to keep your budget in mind. It is best to choose a bow that meets as many as the characteristics above, but is still within your budget. When shopping for a bow, it is important to realize whether accessories you will need to shoot are included in price or must be purchased separately.
The Cruzer G2 Compound Bow from Bear Archery is sold as a ready to hunt bow package with six Trophy Ridge accessories. It has been tested, designed, and manufactured to meet the needs of any age or skill level. The draw length ranges from 12″ to 30″ and features adjustable draw weights that start at 5lbs. and top out at 70lbs. The Cruzer G2 is extra lightweight, weighing only three pounds. And with improved load distribution and a maximum speed of 315 feet per second, you willl be amazed at what you can achieve with this compound bow.
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Conclusion: All things considered, the bow package is great for beginners. It offers more experienced bow hunters a relatively affordable package, but may not be sophisticated enough to provide them with the shooting experience they desire.
Leader Accessories Compound Bow 30-55lbs with Max Speed of 296fps is quality archery hunting equipment. With this bow, archers will enjoy 30-55lbs of draw weight and a draw length of 19″ to 29″. The maximum arrow speed from this bow is 296FPS with a 70% let off. The compound bow weighs just 3.3lbs, and is very easy to carry on long hunts.
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Conclusion: The Leaders Compound Bow package includes everything a hunter needs when they're starting out. It is a great bow for beginner bow hunters and newbie archers.
Southland Archery Supplys Rage compound bow comes in several sleek colors and has a draw weight of 55 to 70lbs. This compound bow has an adjustable draw length of 25″ to 31″. Bow hunters and archers enjoy this bow because it offers an affordable entry-level option for those looking to get into the sport. The durable compressed ABS limbs will ensure that you get plenty of shots from this compound bow. All adjustments can be performed with an everyday Allen wrench, which makes tuning this bow a breeze. With this bow, you can achieve arrow speeds up to 270 feet per second.
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Conclusion: The Southland Archery Supply Rage bow is a great choice for those just getting into bow hunting or archery who want to invest in a durable, accurate bow without spending a fortune.
The Archery Lithium Bow from Martin is a great bow for avid hunters and target shooters. The compound bow features a 33.25&″ axle to axle and has a 7″ brace height. The Nitro 3 Cam on the bow is adjustable and the draw length is 38″ to 31″. Carbon arrows are shot at 335″ per second.
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The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package is a great ready-to-hunt option for new and experienced hunters alike. Along with 7 different shooting accessories, this bow package also features an extended 31″ draw length and infinite draw setting with 5 to 70lbs of draw weight built in. For an extra competitive edge, this compound bow also includes a specialty stabilizer and solid back wall.
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Archery is a fantastic sport, and we hope this list of best compound bows has helped you find something that will perfect your skills. Whether you are hunting or just shooting targets, there is nothing quite like the feeling of a good compound in your hands.