2025 Cold Bow Challenge

[robby denning]

Update 6/2/25: Winners' List

• @KevinInID drew for the Black Ovis Arrow ID package
• @NEPkaspot be punching big holes with the @G5_Prime Broadhead Package: Megameats & T2s
• @bergie takes the @mtntough Subscript & Merch
• @Mag_7s will be burning the forest with the Pyro Putty Firestart package
• @Okie-hunter grabs the Phoneskope Digiscoping Package
• @HighUintas is the proud owner of the @skregear Torrid Hoody
• @BunnyThumper will be navigating for free with the @onX Hunt Elite Subscription
• @Wyatt.Carter wins the Iron Will Precision Machined Custom Arrows
• @ResearchinStuff takes the Total Vise 40% off Ultimate Bow Vise
• @CMF drew for the Ultimate Bow Vise
• @Randle takes the grand prize: Swarovski STC Spotter!!

Congrats! If you made the list, PM @robby denning with these:
1) Prize won
2) Email address

All trades must be handled between members. If you do the trade before you contact me, Sponsor will ship directly. If not, members handle the shipping. You have until 6/12/25 to claim your prize.

Be sure and subcribe at "Watch" upper right to receive updates, prize announcements... there is a QnA thread open here

This challenge is designed to test your realistic Maximum Effective Range (MER).

The Challenge will start Saturday, May 10th AT 8:15 AM MTN TIME on this thread.

You shoot one arrow each day of the 3-day challenge with no warm up or follow up shots and no practice between days, hence the name, Cold Bow Challenge. Broadheads or Expandable Broadheads only--no field points.

Below are the entry rules. READ THEM ALL OR DON’T PARTICIPATE (they’re long because Roksliders are pro’s at finding loopholes)

We delete ineligible posts without notice. If you have questions or comments, post those on the Q&A/Comment thread here so this thread stays clean.

1) Please shoot and post in real time! Start a post in this thread after you shoot (one post per shooter) on your first shooting day (you don't have to start on day one, but you do have to be done within 4 weeks (June 6th) or within a few days when 100th shooter finishes to qualify for prizes. No reserving post slots! Start your post once you start the challenge. Most years, you need to shoot within the first week to have an open slot.

2) Call the range that you think is your REALISTIC maximum effective range (MER). You must shoot your personal MER, so if it’s 60 yards, you can’t shoot 20 because that's all you have in your backyard! Push yourself and make the effort--that's the spirit of the challenge.

3) With no warm-up shots, shoot one arrow with broadhead or expandable at your MER (you do NOT have to shoot 3 days consecutively, but there is NO PRACTICE between shooting days.)

4) Post a photo of that arrow's placement on a target that represents the kill zone size of your intended species. It's a three-day/three-arrow challenge, so post a photo each day in your original post so all arrows appear in one post. (Just use the "edit" button—bottom of your post on full-site, or if on Tapa Talk, hold your finger on your post for a few seconds to see Edit option)

5) Be sure and mention the conditions, wind direction, and it’s fine to call your shot (“pulled left" for example) and give us a quick summary on your equipment. This is a gear site and we all want to know what our buddies are shooting.

6) To qualify, you must be a member posting on your own account. If you want your kids to shoot, they need to post on their own account. (Sorry, just too messy for the judges to figure out what’s going on.)

All Traditional and Compound shooters are welcome (but there will not be separate divisions). You can shoot both Traditional for three arrows and Compound for three arrows to double your odds, (put all 6 arrows in one post and it's OK to shoot both bows on the same day—this is the only exception to the “1-arrow/day” rule )

How Points are Counted:

--Every qualified participant who finishes the challenge, gets ONE name in the hat

--For every member who has at least 300 posts (on the day we qualify you), we'll give you an additional name in the hat -it pays to be an active member!

Please copy/paste this template into your post:

Each Shooter will need to copy/paste this completed table into his post:

User Name :

Bow Brand :

Bow Model :

Sight Brand :

BH Brand :

MER :

Hit (X/3) :

This is not a competition, but because we're generous and we have some great sponsors, we’ll be DRAWING for some killer prizes for our qualifying members (Rokslide staff, family can shoot but can't win the prizes).

Our staff will be watching the thread to make sure entry rules are followed. If you don’t fix your post in a reasonable amount of time, we’ll delete it (sorry, we don’t have time to chase!)

We will draw from those who complete the challenge according to these rules posted above

 

[robby denning]

Swarovski is in with a STC 17-40x56 Spotting Scope



Total Vise Company is in with (2) Prize offers:
1) Howard's Ultimate Bow Vise to one winner
2) 40% off an Ultimate Bow Vise to second winner



Iron Will Outfitters is back for another CBC! This year, one winner will take home this package:

• 6 Pack of Precision Machined & Custom Built Arrows here

Featuring: Iron Will RIP TKO Elite V1 Arrows, precision machined arrow cutting and squaring, Iron Will HIT Inserts, Iron Will Impact Collars, Iron Will Field Points, Iron Will 2.5 Vanes, AAE IP Nocks, plus a consultation to learn your bow specs, arrow goals, and hunting goals, guiding the custom setup to your ideal specifications.


@onX Hunt is in for an Elite Membership here

SKRE Gear is back again offering thier newest release - Torrid Hoodie. Designed as the prefect balance of lightweight protection and tactical functionality in the early season.

Phone Skope is always a big supporter of the CBC: This year they're offering a Phone Skope Bundle valued at $150 here


Pyro Putty is in for a $50 firestarter package here



MTNTOUGH Fitness is back with a 1-Year MTNTOUGH+ Subscription to their hunter-specific fitness training app, plus a Merch Package (shirt, hat, hoodie, and gym flag)! here MTNTOUGH



New CBC Sponsor this year: G5 is in with one Expandable prize pack of thier
T2 Two Blade Broadhead 3 Pack here & Megameat 3 Blade Broadhead 3 Pack here

 

[robby denning]

Black Ovis is back again! These guys have supported this challenge since day 1. For 2025, it's a Dozen Custom Arrow Build in Arrow ID here (up to $300 value--thanks Black Ovis)

 

[Howard Mee]

Saved the worst for last!
The pain is over for another year but the embarrassment lives on forever

User Name : Howard Mee

Bow Brand : Hoyt

Bow Model : RX-7 Ultra

Sight Brand : Option Archery

BH Brand : SEVR

MER : 60 yards

Hit (X/3) : 0/3

 

[thegoosano]

User Name: thegoosano
Bow Brand: Prime
Bow Model: Inline 5, 31” DL, 80lbs, 304fps
Sight Brand: UV Slider 3 Pin
Arrow: RIP TKO 250 (478gn)
BH Brand: Evolution Hyde 125gr
MER: 60yds, kill zone is the 6.75” green circle on my 18-1 target.
Hit (X/3): 2/3

Day 1: Beautiful first day of the challenge after crazy rain the past week in Santa Fe, NM. No wind, 49F, birds chirping, what a morning. Managed to get this solid in the kill zone.

Day 2: Another beautiful day, 62F, 4mph wind. Just a hair outside the 6.75” kill zone but the blade did deploy and hit the kill zone on entry, does that count I think I will replace the polymer retention pin for tomorrow, the broadhead was much louder today and I’m wondering if the blades slightly opened during flight, they are definitely looser.

Day 3: 66F and clear today with a slight right to lift breeze 5ph or so. Shot felt good, I tightened up the pivot screw on the hide to lock down the blades better and the arrow was much quieter which fixed the issue from yesterday. Hit just a hair high, good shot to close the challenge.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kccarver1]

User Name : kccarver1

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Reezen 6.5

Sight Brand : Black Gold Rush

BH Brand : Grim Reaper Micro Hades

MER : 40ish

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

I tried going past 40yds the other day and my groupings fell apart. I hope these 3 days will help me settle down a little. Target species is elk so I'm calling the green ring the vitals.

Day 1: I hit slightly right (normal as you can tell) I think I put the end of my pin next to where I want to hit.

Day 2: The Wind was calm. I took the shot from 41.5 yds, floating my 40 pin slightly high.


Day 3: Today's shift ended up about 39 yds uphill with uneven footing. I hit low left, but still solid in the kill zone.

 

[TX_Diver]

Trad Bow
-
User Name: TX_Diver
Bow Brand: RMS Gear / Stalker Stickbows
Bow Model: P2P 19" Riser w/ Uukha Gobi Limbs ~52lbs at my draw length
Sight Brand: N/A - Gap Shooting
BH Brand: RMS Gear Cutthroat 3 Blade - 200gr
MER: 25 Yards (up from 20 that I was planning to shoot as of last night...) Touching the center insert which is 9" I believe.
Hit (x/3) - 2 of 3 miss hit hit

Compound
-
User Name: TX_Diver
Bow Brand: PSE
Bow Model: EVL 34
Sight Brand: Black Gold Mountain Lite 5 Pin
BH Brand: Sevr 2.0
MER: 50 Yards. Must be touching the center insert which is 9" I believe.
Hit (x/3) - 2 of 3 hit hit miss

Day 1
Good shot but bad aim with the stick bow for a miss. Breezy. I normally shoot in the evenings and realize that I'm shooting straight into the sun in the mornings. Regardless of the sun & wind I executed a decent shot but my gap was too big and I hit low.



Compound is in for day 1. Still windy, okay shot but it’s in there so won’t complain.




Day 2
Nice day and 2 good shots. Still need to shrink my gap a bit for the trad bow.




Day 3
Good shot with the recurve today to go 2/3

Poor shot with the compound to go 2/3 as well.

 

[CMF]

User Name :CMF

Bow Brand : MATHEWS

Bow Model : V3X 29

Sight Brand : BLACK GOLD MOUNTAIN ASCENT

BH Brand : SEVR 1.5

MER : 70

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Arrows - Element Storm 4mm with Nexxus outsert, 125grn tips, 460-470grn total arrow weight, 3° helical.
Shooting from Luling, Louisiana. Shooting 8.5” paper plate vital for Bighorn Sheep.

Shot - 1, Slight breeze from the left, holding slightly lower left because last practice at 70 was a little high right. 1/3

Day 2
Got home with just enough light to get a shot off. Felt like I released low, and anticipated a miss, but hit good. 2/3

Day 3, got a shot off early before heading to work. Again holding lower left quarter of plate. 3/3

 

[colby12]

User Name : colby12

Bow Brand : Mathew’s

Bow Model : Lift29

Sight Brand Spot Hogg

BH Brand : Iron Will

MER : 50(8 inch kill zone drawn with sharpie)

Hit (X/3) :1/3

Arrows are Easton Axis shooting with a 10gr impact collar and 100gr broad head. Wish I could give you all stats but I’m terrible and have forgot them. I shot the CBC using a knock 2 it release.

Day #1: 65 deg, no wind.

Day #2: Same weather, choked, got wobbly(pic with arrow to he right) sun in my eye, punched the trigger and missed.

Day #3: Great weather, terrible bow shot.(pic with arrow to the left) shot same time as day before, adjusted hat for sun, still choked. Shots were all downhill with a small rise in between me and the target. Although wind was not a factor and it was nice weather sun angle was a factor which I didn’t really consider.
Better start practicing!

 

[robby denning]

User Name : robbydenning​

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : Phase 4

Sight Brand : Axcel 5-pin

BH Brand : SEVR 1.5"/100gr Ti

MER : 60 yards. Vital is breaking the line of center module

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

Day 1: Hit. Wind was so calm I felt like I was cheating. Shot broke just right

Day 2: Hit. A little more wind so I took my quiver off and knelt down. I cut the line!

Day 3: Hit! Pin floated just as a pin should, but very light wind (lucky me, but I'll take it!)

My best CBC in years. I've dropped at least an arrow a year since about 2021, and this is furthest I've challenged myself at (formerly 55yds). If you heard the podcast I did with @Billy Goat , the switch to a faster arrow was all I changed (from 454 gr/268fps to 390 gr/283 fps--roughly--and one degree of lighter spine ) & as he explained, this allowed for a little more forgiveness with my mediocre form. I really don't care to hunt beyond 60 so I think I'm good on MER and am just going to continue to hone in. Also, gotta say I had very light winds for day 1 & 3 and that makes a difference.

 

[doverpack12]

User Name : Doverpack12
Bow Brand : Elite
Bow Model : Synergy 2017 model, new string in February from Catfish customs
Sight Brand : Black Gold 3 pin G, Y, G 0.010 bottom slider pin
BH Brand : Iron Will Single Bevel Solid 100 grain
MER : 67 yards
Hit (X/3) : 2/3, missed day 2

Shooting my primary bow at 70 pounds. Installed a new Catfish Customs string in February and have really been working on my shot execution to get better. Started close and just a few arrows a day. I struggle collapsing my front shoulder so as I pull my front shoulder gives any amount I pull. I’m not shooting as well yet as I have in the past but when I execute a good shot there is no doubt and the arrow hits where it should. Still using a UV thumb barrel on my wise choice this year and feel that is helping my shot execution, in the past my thumb would slide over the barrel instead of firing. Bowmar grip tape has been a nice improvement over my old standard of stair tread grip tape and athletic tape.

2025 first shot
Vital is the center module on my matrix target. It’s around 8” across on the flats and if I’m in that there is some margin for additional shooter error on an elk in the heat of the moment. Using Iron Will solid single bevel 100 grain, gold tip pro/xt arrows with 40 grains of weight behind the insert, AAE Max Stealth 3 fletch with Arizona EZ fletch and 3” arms giving a hard helical and Bohning double lock nocks with top hat nock collars.
Sunny, calm and about 50 degrees
Shot execution: felt pretty good pulling through and keeping front shoulder down/relaxed. Pin was just a hair low when the shot broke
Impact: low and right of aim but in designated vital zone of the center module.





Day 2 calm, sunny 55
Shot broke well, aim wasn’t the best but execution was good.
Impacted just outside the vital low. Blade was 1/2” from cutting the line pulling it. 1 for 2



Day 3 calm, overcast and around 60 degrees. Ideal conditions.
Poor execution, was fighting pulling through and should have let down. Barely cut the bottom line but it’s back to shot execution training for me. I believe that’s why they keep dropping toward the low end of vital zone.

 

[CorbLand]

Haven’t shot much in the last two years so I backed the MER to 35 as I was all over at my usual 45 to 50. Paper plate is the target.

User Name :CorbLand

Bow Brand :Elite

Bow Model : Impulse 34

Sight Brand :Black Gold

BH Brand : G5 Montec

MER :35 yards

Hit (X/3) : 2/3

Day 1 = Miss


Day 2 = Hit


Day 3 = Hit

 

[ND1612]

User Name : ND1612

Bow Brand : Mathews

Bow Model : LiftX 29.5 - 70# - 28"

Sight Brand : Spot Hogg Boonie 2 pin

BH Brand : QAD Exodus 100gr Full

MER : 50yd - 9" dia insert

Hit (X/3) : 1, X, 3

Forgot to add earlier - Arrow: Gold Tip Airstrike 300, factory insert and collars, 4 fletch AAE Max Stealth and Onestringer wrap. Nock2It release, Ripcord Ratchet limb driven rest.

Shot 1 - 5/10/25 - Sunny & windy, gusting 15-25 out of the south (R to L)
Underestimated the wind drift, held just on the block side of the right edge of the target and watched my arrow wag around and drift as the wind gusted. Just barely caught the edge of the insert.

Shot 2 - 5/11/25 - Was hoping the wind would die down overnight and I could shoot early this morning. It did the opposite though and is supposed to be a steady 30-40mph later. Still blowing R to L. Tried to time the gusts again and between that and cold morning muscles, it was a swing and a miss. Barely kept it on the block for this one. 50yd is definitely not a good MER on a windy day this fall in Montana.

Shot 3 - 5/13/25 - Waited until right at sunset and still had a 15-20 mph wind from R to L. In, but just barely. Arrow is pointed probably 20° tail left of where I shot from, and not where I would have guessed based on where I was holding. Definitely need to do more practice in the wind with broadheads this summer.

 

[Wheels]

User Name:Wheels
Bow Brand: Mathews
Bow Model: Lift 33, 28”, 65lb
Sight Brand: BG Mountain Lite
Arrow: Easton 5.0 Match Grade, 388TAW
Broadhead: QAD Exodus Full 100gr.
MER: 60yds at Glendale Buck 3D kill zone.
Hit x3: Day one hit kill zone
Day 2: hit kill zone
Day 3: hit kill zone
Summary: All 3 shots felt good, dropped a bit on day 3 but still hit the heart. Weather was ideal all 3 days, a little left-right wind on day 2 which I allowed for but didn’t need to. Overall, happy with how I’m shooting.

 

[thisguy]

User Name : thisguy
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : VXR 31.5
Sight Brand : Black Gold Mountain Lite 5 pin
BH Brand : Sevr 1.75
MER : 70
Hit (X/3) : 1/3

First year shooting in the CBC and I've been counting down the days! I love a good challenge.
Was going to shoot 60 since that is my bottom pin without dialing, but truth be told I'd take a 70 yard shot if conditions are right so figured I better try that and see if I can actually back it up.
Kill zone is the area between the 4 dots on my dice target.



Day 1: Shooting into the morning sun with an 11 mph breeze quartering from behind me. Didn't think it was bad until I drew back and it kicked up a notch. Couldn't settle the pin due to the wind, and the arrow looked left right out of my bow. The wind pushed it a little farther left but I got lucky and managed a hit.



Day 2: Beautiful 70° afternoon. Sun at my back, 10 mph wind in my face. Shot felt good but landed 3" right of center and just outside of my sharpie line for a miss.



Day 3: 10 min before sunrise, 40° and calm. Shot felt good but once again just outside the line for a miss. Almost the same hole as Day 2.

Conclusion: Overall pretty happy to put all 3 shots inside of an 8" circle but I need to be better. With the challenge completed I did send a followup field point shot and hit about a 1/2" from center so it's likely a broadhead tuning problem. First time shooting broadheads on this arrow build. Thanks Rokslide for putting this on, sure was fun!

 

[jonesn3]

User Name: jonesn3

Bow Brand: Bowtech

Bow Model: RevoltX, DW 70lbs, DL 29.5”

Sight Brand: Black Gold Verdict Ascent Assault, 5 pin slider, dual indicator, 0.10” lowest pin

BH Brand: QAD Exodus 125gr full blade (non swept)

MER: 70 yds

Hit (X/3): 2/3 (in progress)

Target 8.5-9” diameter insert

Arrow: AW 512.4 gr, Easton Axis 5mm 300, standard insert, 25gr IW collar, about 13% FOC, 3 fletch max helical left, V0 274.4 fps with Field Points (Garmin had a low velocity today with the BH?)

Day 1:
05/10/2025
Weather sunny clear
Temp 57 deg F
Wind Calm
Write up: practically no wind, slight cross slope descending right to left, shot felt good and arrow hit behind the pin, but had some difficulty leveling bow, POI was 0.75” low, 1.5” left of center, within insert (hit!)

Day 2:
05/12/2025
Weather overcast, cool
Temp 50 deg F
Wind calm
Write up: 1.5” low, 4” left, HIT but barely. I’ll take it but not a good shot. Pretty sure the cross slope and difficulty leveling (cant) is effecting the left impact. Might adjust for that more on the last day…

Day 3:
05/18/2025
Weather warm, 70 deg F, clear, windy 8-10 mph from right to left, occasionally straight 12 o’clock
Write up: impact was high right, didn’t measure but based on the picture it was 5-6” off of center. Shot actually felt decent, was trying to account for the wind and tendency of hitting left, maybe over corrected some. I haven’t shot in nearly a week, so it was good to see a realistic mid-day shot, different lighting and with some wind. Overall, made 2 of 3 shots with plenty of room for improvement next year!

 

[littlebigtine]

User Name :littlebigtine

Bow Brand :mathews

Bow Model :lift 29

Sight Brand :spot hogg boonie

BH Brand :sevr

MER 70, vitals on the deer

Hit (X/3) :3/3 First shot, no wind, little high, release felt good Second shot, light wind at my back, surprise release, honestly though I could have landed a bit left, ended up right next to the 1st Third shot light cross wind, let down the first draw, shot broke clean, just snuck the arrow in the bottom

1) 5/10


2) 5/15


3) 5/18

 

[skmartin]

Day One:
Winds light 5-10 mph from left. Shooting at an 8" circle for vital area. First shot compound (pink and white vanes) landed a bit low on the circle. First shot with recurve (White feathers) felt good on release and landed near center

Day two: winds light quartering in from left. 2nd shot shot compound felt good but landed at 2, 2nd shot recurve landed at 9, though I'm generally happy with any hit within the circle



Day Three: winds 10-20 quartering in from rear on right hand side. Felt like I was getting blown around lot, and landing on target involved a fair amount of luck. 3rd shot compound was blowing back and forth left to right. I tried to focus on not punching and follow through, and it just happened to break at the right time. 3rd trad arrow same thing, release was actually off the right side, but it drifted onto plate and just caught the right hand edge, so both are hits!

User Name : Skmartin

Bow Brand : Samic

Bow Model : Sage 54 lbs at 30"

Sight Brand : none

BH Brand : Magnus Black Hornet 100 gr

MER : 27

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

User Name : Skmartin

Bow Brand: PSE

Bow Model : Mach 34, 72 lbs @ 31.5"

Sight Brand : MBG 5 pin Ascent verdict

BH Brand : Magnus Black Hornet 100 gr

MER : 80

Hit (X/3) : 3/3

 

[NDGuy]

User Name : NDGuy

Bow Brand : Hoyt

Bow Model : Nitrum 30

Sight Brand : Black Gold

BH Brand : Slicktrick Vipertrick

MER : 60

Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Day 1: Beautiful morning no wind. Shot a hair low but dead centered.

Day 2: Gorgeous Mothers Day here in North Dakota. Smoked it…

Day 3:
Another gorgeous morning, gonna be 90s the next two days. Breezy and pulled my shot a bit.

Always love this event thanks @robby denning, team and sponsors!

 

[Zork]

User Name : Zork

Bow Brand : bowmaker Jim Renyolds. 25th year using this longbow.

Bow Model : 53lb at 28", Thunderstick

Sight Brand : na

BH Brand : 200 gr Grizzly single bevel

MER : 22 yards

Hit (X/3) : 0fer3 Shot 1. Cold bow/bore is hard. Calm and overcast. Shot felt good. Always have a tendency to hit low on my first longer shot. Fml. Shot 2. Calm and perfect conditions. Low again. Rushed the release a tad. Maybe should have had another cup of coffee. Truly an embarrassing display but really it trends with what I've seen in 25 years of instinctive shooting when trying to increase my range. Shot 3. ******* embarrassing. Hate even posting but truly captures how much of a struggle a cold shot with even a tiny bit of pressure is for me. Challenge over I center punched the next shot but missed a couple more. Then moved up to my actual comfortable range of about 17 yards and shot a 4 inch 6 shot group. That next measly 5 yards has been a struggle my whole life. I've never shot at an animal beyond 15 yards so at least I've kept true to my effective range, but I would like to feel confident to 25 on an elk, which are my focus now during bow season. Other that just not sucking, I may experiment with reducing my arrow weight just a tad. Several years ago I went the ultra heavy arrow and single bevel route. At only about 180 fps, these 700 grain arrows fall off the earth past about 18 yards and I struggle to adjust on the fly.