Backcountry setup?

[a_staud13]

I've been in the market for a new setup. I plan to do some more backcountry elk/ mule deer hunting as well as 3d shooting in the upcoming years. I live out west so longer shots will most likely be taken. I have been reading about the elite energy 35, Mathews Halon x, and Halon 32. I realize that I should shoot all these bows before making my decision but just looking for first hand experience in the field and range.

Here are some features I would most likely like.

-70lb. Max draw
-28 in. Dl
-Slider sight (probably single pin)
-longer stab (10"+)
-quiet
-longer ata

The setup I am currently leaning towards is an elite energy 35 with a qad rest, tommy hogg single pin sight, tight spot quiver, 12 bee stinger hunter stab, easton axis arrows, slick trick viper trick broad heads 125 gn.

I may have left some things out about my setup so feel free to include anything extra. I am open to all opinions and would like to hear about your setups from top to bottom (arrows/broadheads included). I currently plan on purchasing a Spott hog wiseguy release and am fairly concrete with that decision, however as I have previously stated I am open to suggestion.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and sharing your opinions with me.

 

[Dameon]

Looks like a good setup up to me. I personally prefer a longer ATA bow like my Hoyt Vector Turbo which is also 35 inches, but I wouldn't rule out a smaller bow if it felt right. The accessories are really a personal choice thing but your picks reflect my own. I also run a QAD HDX, tight spot quiver, and a Tommy Hogg. However, my Tommy Hogg has 5 pins so I can have greater flexibility in my setup. I have confidence in any shot within 50 yards with my fixed pins and have the option to move my sight to dial in the yardage if the shot opportunity affords me more time to do so. So as far as accessories go, I think you picked some very solid choices. As for the bow, try them out if you can, but I would also wait till after the ATA to make your decision. Used bows will be selling like hotcakes and you'll have the pick of the new bows as well.

 

[theleo91386]

All things being equal (I know that's subjective) I would take the Halons off the list for a back country bow because they're flat out heavy. There's a number of bows out there with similar specs that are a half to nearly full pound lighter. The accessories youre looking at are solid choices although for hunting I'd go with a multi pin housing on the Tommy Hogg. The Wise Guy is a great release but I'd buy a second one to leave in your pack should something go wrong with it. Mine died on me after 2 years while I was in the middle of a 10 day backcountry hunt, having a spare release saved me about a day worth hunting that it'd have taken me to go to a store to buy one.

My personal setup is a 2015 Expedition Perfexion (36" ATA) set 28.5", 74lb, with a Trophy Taker Smack Down rest (pulled off of my old backup bow), an Option 8 with 6 pins for the sight, and a Quivilizer with 5 BEA Spartans tipped with 125gr Shuttle T's (total arrow weight of 445gr). All totaled it weighs in rite at 6 pounds, which is about a 1.5 pounds lighter than the Halon X with the accessories your looking at.

 

[FlyGuy]

I bought the Halon last spring and it is incredible. I don't at all feel qualified to review or make recommendations on bows, there are a ton of folks on here that are far more knowledgable than I am on the subject, but I shot the two bows you are considering side x side before buying, so I'll just tell you why the Halon was the right choice for me over the elite My buddies all shoot elite and I actually went into the archery shop with the full intention of buying the new Elite Impulse, but after shooting both it bows the Halon was a no brainer.

1) At the same draw weight, The Halon had a far smoother draw and required significantly less effort. The elite seemed smooth to draw at first, but just when you expected it would begin to break over and ease up, there was instead a "hitch" that kind of stopped your progress and required an extra bit of effort to get past. After hearing all about Elite's "Shootability", I was quite disappointed.

2) The Halon was remarkably more quiet/had less vibration. This wasn't something that I was too worried about going in, but it was a night and day difference.

3) At the Same draw weight, the Halon was significantly faster. I don't remember the FPS difference anymore, but I think it was like somewhere around 7-10.

Anyway, #1 really made the decision for me, the other two just reinforced it. I couldn't be happier with it my choice. The only drawback I can find (besides price) is the weight. It is probably the heaviest bow on market. I wish it were lighter, especially on mile 7 at 10K', but not if that meant sacrificing any of the performance.

Can't speak to the rest of your set up, but I went with the tight spot quiver, wac'em 100gr 2 blade expendables, maxima blu RZ, shrewd stabilizer, drop away rest, Axcel 7 pin.

 

[Beendare]

Shoot em......
Then pick the one that feels best to you.

.......thats what will work best for you in the "Backcountry"

 

[wncbrewer]

I would rule out the halon x for a backcountry bow because like someone above said, it's a very heavy bow. Probably make a great 3D rig though. I also agree that single pins for hunting seem like a disaster waiting to happen, when you can have a multi pin and still reap the benefits of a slider. I'm also running the 5 pin tommy and love it. As much as I love sport products. I hated the wise guy. That release is so sensitive it's impossible for me not to punch it. That largely comes down to personal preference, though.


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[a_staud13]

I bought the Halon last spring and it is incredible. I don't at all feel qualified to review or make recommendations on bows, there are a ton of folks on here that are far more knowledgable than I am on the subject, but I shot the two bows you are considering side x side before buying, so I'll just tell you why the Halon was the right choice for me over the elite My buddies all shoot elite and I actually went into the archery shop with the full intention of buying the new Elite Impulse, but after shooting both it bows the Halon was a no brainer.

1) At the same draw weight, The Halon had a far smoother draw and required significantly less effort. The elite seemed smooth to draw at first, but just when you expected it would begin to break over and ease up, there was instead a "hitch" that kind of stopped your progress and required an extra bit of effort to get past. After hearing all about Elite's "Shootability", I was quite disappointed.

2) The Halon was remarkably more quiet/had less vibration. This wasn't something that I was too worried about going in, but it was a night and day difference.

3) At the Same draw weight, the Halon was significantly faster. I don't remember the FPS difference anymore, but I think it was like somewhere around 7-10.

Anyway, #1 really made the decision for me, the other two just reinforced it. I couldn't be happier with it my choice. The only drawback I can find (besides price) is the weight. It is probably the heaviest bow on market. I wish it were lighter, especially on mile 7 at 10K', but not if that meant sacrificing any of the performance.

Can't speak to the rest of your set up, but I went with the tight spot quiver, wac'em 100gr 2 blade expendables, maxima blu RZ, shrewd stabilizer, drop away rest, Axcel 7 pin.

Which brace height did u purchase? I have read numerous times that brace height doesn't effect forgiveness but just arm clearance. That's why I was considering the 6. It seems to be a good compromise between clearance and speed which will allow to shoot a heavier arrow.

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[FlyGuy]

I went with the 6 b/c that's what the archery shop recommended. I didn't shoot the 5 or 7 so I can't really help you there.

 

[boom]

you kinda described my bow. and mine is an Energy25. Admitedly, i got it because my wife gave me the angry eyeball stare down when i was holding a carbon bow with a 4 digit price tag dangling from it.

the E35 is a great shooter for me. it's Achilles is the weight. not super heavy, but i wouldnt describe it as light either. i trimmed weight where i could, like a lighter Stab.

that bow is the first bow to open me up to the fun of shooting out to 100 (for fun).

 

[boom]

i'm also happy i like my bow, because i am done buying the latest and greatest. i just dont think you get a bump in performance anymore with a new bow. and dumping that kinda cash bi-annually is insane at my pay-scale. less gear and more actually hunting trips is my focus.

(unless i find the need to change to a left handed bow..which is coming )

 

[fiskeri1]

Buy the bow that you like and will shoot the best. If it happens to be heavy, save some ounces elsewhere. My own lightweight carbon bow is a tank after adding a Hogg Father and a stabilizer to balance it out.

Speaking of which, the only item on your list I'd question is going with a single pin slider. Unless you have overriding reasons to stick with it (ala Cameron Hanes) I'd consider moving to a multi-pin version. The Gritty Bowmen go into this in detail on Episode 148.

 

[PantherCity]

I have a similar set up to what you are looking at.

Elite Energy 35 with a QAD rest, Titespot & a 5 pin Spot Hogg Hogg-it sight. Its a great set up. Mine is maxed out with 70lb limbs, 28.5" draw, shooting 495gr Black eagle Carnivores with Slick Trick Magnums at 270fps. I took a Bull with a frontal shot at 40yds and the broad head penetrated to back by the pelvis. Also 2 whitetails both easy pass-throughs.