Bow Durability

[LineandBuck]

I’m shooting a Bowtech Realm SS, initially when I bought it I was impressed by the ability to change draw length and the draw curve profile (power disc) with just an Allen wrench. Also being able to yoke tune seemed convenient.

Last week I drove 800 miles to Colorado and rode 12 miles on horseback with my bow in a pannier on the packhorse and when I got my bow ready I noticed the screws on the draw modules were loose, I didn’t want to locktite them but they were torqued when I left. Next thing I noticed was how the “convenient” yoke cables seemed to catch on ..well everything.

Maybe I’m overthinking it but something feels really fragile about cables outside the limbs, screws on the cams.. I wanted to hear some opinions on this because I’m starting to think Hoyt or Matthews’ style would be a little more resilient in the backcountry?

 

[PathFinder]

Hoyt also has a yoke (on top). It's can be obnoxious, but I've never seen it be a real issue. Really should loctite everything on a bow anyways. No reason no too, and every part experiences a lot of vibration.

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[LineandBuck]

Hoyt also has a yoke (on top). It's can be obnoxious, but I've never seen it be a real issue. Really should loctite everything on a bow anyways. No reason no too, and every part experiences a lot of vibration.

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I put locktite on everything but the mods only because I do occasionally flip from comfort to performance but that feature is getting locked down now.

My bow just seemed much more delicate than my partners Mathews which he frequently laid on the ground/bush/tree without concern

 

[Trial153]

Not loktighting mod screws is a no no, bowtech or anything else for that matter. Same for draw stops and just about every screw on my bow. Blue loktight is your friend.

 

[wildbill34]

I have a Matthews SQ2 I bought used 13 years ago...tough as nails.

Last season I got back from a hunt and put the bow on the roof of my truck, forgot about it and drove off...went back and found it in the ditch with nothing broken but the quiver mount.

Pulled out the target and the thing was still dialed in other than some scuffs on the cam I had to sand down later to keep from fraying the string.

Simplicity is king out there.

 

[TheCougar]

I’ve been impressed with my Centergy. I dropped it right on the top cam from the bed of my truck and it didn’t even bat an eye. A little black sharpie on the marks and it was back in action.

 

[5MilesBack]

I would definitely make sure the yokes and string, cables, and cams were all well covered in the pannier. That way they won't catch on anything. I put my PSE Freak on the ground or in the weeds all the time without concern, and carry it in my hand 100% of the time when hunting. Never had an issue except maybe the stabilizer catching on stuff.

I actually have my old Bowtech Old Glory that I would use as my saddle bow if I ever went on a horseback archery hunt. That thing has been through all sorts of abuse and rough stuff and it just keeps on shooting.

And I also never Loctite any screws on my bows.......tighten them down and they've always stayed put for me.

 

[LineandBuck]

I have a Matthews SQ2 I bought used 13 years ago...tough as nails.

Last season I got back from a hunt and put the bow on the roof of my truck, forgot about it and drove off...went back and found it in the ditch with nothing broken but the quiver mount.

Pulled out the target and the thing was still dialed in other than some scuffs on the cam I had to sand down later to keep from fraying the string.

Simplicity is king out there.

This. Yes simplicity is king- I did something similar with a Benelli shotgun, actually it got ran over twice, still shoots like a dream.

Thanks for the opinions guys.

 

[Blockcaver]

I don’t Loctite any screws on my bow...never had any bow parts loosen although quiver and sights have over a lifetime of bowhunting.

In fact I go the other way and use anti-seize on steel screws that go into aluminum cams and riser....prevents breaking off screws or damaging the heads when attempting to get them loose.

Good luck!

 

[MattB]

You are defintaley overthinking it.

 

[TheCougar]

This. Yes simplicity is king- I did something similar with a Benelli shotgun, actually it got ran over twice, still shoots like a dream.

Thanks for the opinions guys.

Haha. I ran my SBE with my quad after accidentally going airborne. Other than some scraps in the coating, there was no damage and it had no issues.

 

[LineandBuck]

So what is the Benelli SBE of compound bows!?

 

[isu22andy]

Id say your overthinking it as well unless you are literally dragging it through thorns and using it bust brush .

 

[RosinBag]

I also think you are overthinking it. The bow you have is a great bow.

Constructively though, I wouldn’t pack a bow in a pannier, you are asking for trouble. Either carry it or top pack it in a hard case. And if you are messing with mod screws frequently, you probably wore off the factory Loktite, so you should probably use some. This just seems like some poor decisions or not knowing that led to the issues.

 

[LineandBuck]

This just seems like some poor decisions or not knowing that led to the issues.

My ignorance. I'm relatively new to bowhunting and that was my first horseback experience, hunting or otherwise.

 

[RosinBag]

My ignorance. I'm relatively new to bowhunting and that was my first horseback experience, hunting or otherwise.

You will never do it again since you went through this experience.

 

[dkime]

Reasons like this are why my hunting bows have always been either a hoyt or an elite. Both offer a high degree of durability compared to other models of bows I've owned in the past. I'm not a big fan of having 5 piece string systems as I feel like it's just more places for cables to stretch. I've shot elite for awhile and have beat the ever living sh*t out of them, they continue to take a licking. Almost every failure I have ever had has been my fault, but when I am out in the thick of it I expect all my gear to keep up through my poor choices. I know that's not exactly the best criteria for decision making but It works for me.

 

[OXN939]

I’m shooting a Bowtech Realm SS, initially when I bought it I was impressed by the ability to change draw length and the draw curve profile (power disc) with just an Allen wrench. Also being able to yoke tune seemed convenient.

Last week I drove 800 miles to Colorado and rode 12 miles on horseback with my bow in a pannier on the packhorse and when I got my bow ready I noticed the screws on the draw modules were loose, I didn’t want to locktite them but they were torqued when I left. Next thing I noticed was how the “convenient” yoke cables seemed to catch on ..well everything.

Maybe I’m overthinking it but something feels really fragile about cables outside the limbs, screws on the cams.. I wanted to hear some opinions on this because I’m starting to think Hoyt or Matthews’ style would be a little more resilient in the backcountry?

Were you using anything like this? If I ever get to do a western bowhunt, I'll for sure take one of these. I'm sure we, whose necessarily overthink every detail of a trip like this, are prone to assume bows are more fragile than they are in reality, but you're certainly right that those yokes are relatively thin filaments under a lot of pressure. Doesn't hurt to have something between them and the elements.