Question about buying a used Bow

[thegarbrah]

Hey guys, thought I'd ask here since I haven't really gotten much of a straight answer on the topic. I'm new to bow hunting and am on the market for my first bow. I've gone to a couple different shops and have received great info and insight from guys at the shop. My issue is this :all guys are saying not to buy a used bow but that I should drop around $1k for a decent entry level set up for hunting.

Ok, fair enough. However no one has proposed the counter and offered to let me try any used bows. With all the advances in the bow market, I would think that a two year old bow fitted to my level would be just as good as a medium level bow today.

So how should I go about buying my first bow ? I've been looking at higher end bows used around $400 and could score one, if it doesn't work out I could sell it without much loss and then try another. Or should I just sack up the money and drop it on a new set up ?

My end goal is to put in my first season with the bow chasing elk in CO, and maybe chasing deer up high if I draw the tag. I'm open to all suggestions and opinions on this. I'm not expecting success with the bow, but I do plan on preparing for it.

 

[Slugz]

So here is how I did it a few moons ago......when I started bow hunting a friend of mine upgraded his bow and sold his Bowtech Black Night or 82nd Airborne.....not sure which one it was but put out the names of the names of them so you get the idea/timeline of technology. I bought/used that bow and had zero issues. I knew where it came from so I knew it wasn't misused or abused.

Fast forward I think 2011-2012 timeframe and my sons first bow ( Bear something) needed to be upgraded so he could pull 70. We decided we would go shoot all major manufactures bows and see which one he liked. We shot them all and all of the newest models out or past years model. I also shot them to see/check the feedback he was giving me. We both agreed in the end that they all felt and shot the same. Technology was too close between them to even say, smoother, faster....blah blah blah. They all felt good and shot well IMO.

We were a Bowtech family so we went and got him an Overdrive. QAD rest with a 7DP Spott Hogg. He immediately started to out shoot me......so Dad was like whoa!!! After him outshooting me for a week I went back to the shop and said set me up with a Overdrive I want to test it....the guy didn't have one but he had the latest model that came out...RPM360. I shot it and bought it the next day.

So....what did I learn. Used bow is fine, just like all things at some point you will want to upgrade it.....by the time all that is said. I think you just look at the cost you want to spend. U can find some really good deals on high end bows for sale on Ebay/Craigslist at a reduced savings of 30-40%.

I would highly suggest at a minimum you go to all your local shops and shoot their latest models so you can have a base line to compare to an older one and or used.

 

[siwulat]

I would continue to pursue the used bow option. You don't buy a brand new floor model vehicle when you turn 16; same thing here. You need something that's safe and reliable that will allow you to get out there and figure out if it's something you want to drop a grand plus accessories on. I've been to a few shops where the employees are salesmen first and archers second. You just need to find one who isn't a salesman first! There's absolutely nothing wrong with a started used model then jumping up like slugz stated above!

 

[hoshour]

I've got a 5-year-old Elite Pulse bow that was recently updated with all new limbs, string, cable and cams. It's basically a new bow except for the riser. It's a very fast (rated at 340 fps), smooth-drawing bow with a solid back wall and has an 80% let-off. I've shot it very little while I've had it, though I killed several deer with it, and have only shot a dozen arrows through it since I got it back with all the new parts.

One of our sponsors gave me a new bow and that's the only reason I'm selling it. I'd sell it for $350 TYD. You might want to put your own rest, sight and quiver on it. It has a whisker biscuit and single pin sight now.

 

[go_deep]

I have a 1999 Matthews solo cam, it shots great out 60 yards. I wouldn't waste money on a new bow, they all use to be the latest and greatest at one time.

 

[Horsenhike]

Hoshour is offering a nice deal there.

My wife and I are in a similar situation. Three used bows with tuning from our local Scheels. Very happy.

 

[ando_31]

I've purchased my last two bows new and have had them for a combined total of around 10+ years. With that being said, my next bow will be a used bow only because I don't care for how quickly bows depreciate. A brand new bow is only sightly more advanced, if any, than a 2 or 3 year old bow and quite a bit more expensive. I shoot my bows till I notice a huge difference in technology from new bows to my current bow.

 

[hoshour]

Here are pics of my Elite Pulse

 

[thegarbrah]

I'm definitely going to try and shoot as many models of bows that I can. Problem is that its harder to try and shoot an older version of a bow, and shops only want you to shoot the latest and greatest. I'm definitely planning on going with a used bow, unless I get a really killer deal on last years model or a lightly used demo unit.

I guess the real answer to my questions is: shoot, shoot, and shoot some more.

hoshour, I appreciate the offer. I'll do some homework and try to narrow exactly what I want from my first bow. $350 is right at my price point for a basic set up.

 

[hoshour]

The main things are:

speed
reliability
accuracy
feel
quiet with minimal hand shock
forgiveness (not super-finicky about perfect form - normally, the higher the brace height the more forgiving it will be)
warranty
smooth draw cycle (no tough to draw part of the cycle, what people call a bump)
solid back wall (the draw comes to a complete stop and does not try to creep as you hold it)

Some of these things are dependent on the equipment you put on it, like the rest, and the tolerance of the arrows you shoot

 

[JarredS]

In your situation, I would lean towards buying a used bow. It is true that technology certainly changes in the compound world, but the difference between a better bow that is a couple of years old versus new, particularly at the price point you want to be in, I would get a better used bow before an entry level new bow. I also think that after you shoot and get more comfortable, it will give you a better idea of what you like and dislike, so if in a few years you want to drop a larger amount on a new bow, then you know exactly what you want.

Again, all things considered, for your current situation, I would look for a good used bow, make sure it is well tuned and practice, practice, practice! Good luck!

 

[HuskyMusky]

can buy used or a newer lower end model.

can buy quality accessories and when you get a new bow add those, but I find when you get a new set up you usually buy new accessories for it.

I went new lower end for my first bow, had I gone top end I may still have that bow, up to you, your money, the cheaper older bow will be out of date sooner.

 

[go_deep]

I killed a whitetail buck back in 2008 with a 1957 recurve, paid $20 for it at a garage sale. Age/price have nothing to do with it, find one that fits you, and shoots right.

 

[lostriverproductions]

There are plenty of entry level bows you can get into for way less then a $1000. Take a look at the mathews mission line. For less then $500 you get a new bow, rest site and quiver.

But if you want a higher end bow and are ok with used, need to look the string and cable over good, also need to check for cracks in the limb.

 

[ivorytip]

diamond infinite edge is a solid classic veristile bow. package deal for $300 bear attitude bow is a sweet bow as a package for about $350. id upgrade sight and quiver on most package deals though. Hoshour made a sweet deal

 

[hoshour]

diamond infinite edge is a solid classic veristile bow. package deal for $300 bear attitude bow is a sweet bow as a package for about $350. id upgrade sight and quiver on most package deals though. Hoshour made a sweet deal

Thanks, but no one has spoken up for it yet. Let me know, guys. I'll also throw in a soft case and a few bloodline arrows but with shipping included, I would be silly to price it any lower. BTW, it is set up at 28.5" or 29" draw (don't remember which) and 50-60 lbs draw weight.

 

[nv-hunter]

You might hang around archery talk, i bought a new one year old bow for about half price. This was a while ago but bought 3 or 4 bows off there for different family members.

As for new or old the animals dont care as long as you practice practice practice
I killed my antelope this year with 2008 bowtec general . Granted it was from a blind at 5 yards but it still did its job.
Just my 2 cents

 

[Maxhunter]

I'd go to Archerytalk or EBay a lot of good deals. If no picture don't buy. Make sure you know your exact draw length. I've helped a few friends buy off Archerytalk and eBay.

 

[BKhunter50]

I've been bowhunting 39 years and am currently looking at used bows right now. Granted - I'm doing my homework to make sure i find the right model, draw weight and draw length - but if you do your homework you can save 30 - 40% like someone already mentioned. There are a lot of great options in the $500 range out there both new and used (Hoshour has a pretty good deal above). The key with archery is consistancy and mindset. Consistancy meaning all of your arrows are the same, and you shoot the same way every time (the shooters form). Mindset meaning you visualize your arrow hitting the bullseye before you even pull back your bow. Your mind is completely focused on what you are doing at that moment. If you can do those things - you will succeed. Starting out I would recommend you have someone knowledgeable show you the proper form for shooting a bow. Start those shooting habits off on the right foot. It's kind of like a golf swing - you want to start off with the right form so you make good habits. When I was 11 years old I went into my first archery pro shop with money I saved from my paper route wanting to buy my first new bow. The guys in the shop were so excited to see a young guy paying for his bow from money he earned - they took me to their indoor range, set me up with a bow, and then watch me shoot giving me all sorts of pointers for free (pointers for free - not the bow). It was pretty cool. Still remember that experience 39 years later. And still shoot like they taught me 39 years ago.

 

[mallardsx2]

I've been bowhunting 39 years and am currently looking at used bows right now. Granted - I'm doing my homework to make sure i find the right model, draw weight and draw length - but if you do your homework you can save 30 - 40% like someone already mentioned. There are a lot of great options in the $500 range out there both new and used (Hoshour has a pretty good deal above). The key with archery is consistancy and mindset. Consistancy meaning all of your arrows are the same, and you shoot the same way every time (the shooters form). Mindset meaning you visualize your arrow hitting the bullseye before you even pull back your bow. Your mind is completely focused on what you are doing at that moment. If you can do those things - you will succeed. Starting out I would recommend you have someone knowledgeable show you the proper form for shooting a bow. Start those shooting habits off on the right foot. It's kind of like a golf swing - you want to start off with the right form so you make good habits. When I was 11 years old I went into my first archery pro shop with money I saved from my paper route wanting to buy my first new bow. The guys in the shop were so excited to see a young guy paying for his bow from money he earned - they took me to their indoor range, set me up with a bow, and then watch me shoot giving me all sorts of pointers for free (pointers for free - not the bow). It was pretty cool. Still remember that experience 39 years later. And still shoot like they taught me 39 years ago.

What he said.