Buy a package or build from a bare bow? (First time bowhunter)

[airlocksniffer]

I've been doing a lot of research in the past few weeks on what setup to get to start bowhunting this fall. As a n00b, I have no brand loyalty, etc, just want a good shooting bow that gets me comfortably into the sport. My budget to start slaying is between $600-$800 with all of the fixin's. A lot of the packages I see look like they come with decent components but I'm the type of person that would probably upgrade in the future. Would you rather buy a package deal and upgrade over time or buy a bare bow and get the components you want as you find them? I've seen a lot of G5 stuff on Camofire lately, which if the suggested MSRP means anything, would generally be better than any components I'd get on a RAK package. Cheers!!

 

[Bighub1]

First and best shooting bow I bought was a package. Had it dialed in to shoot through a pop top tab at 20 yards. Never should have sold it. Great way to get into archery.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Good to hear. Would you say that as a n00b, I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a $30 and $100 sight?

 

[Outwest]

I would say don't dump a ton of money into your first rig, unless you have a few grand to play around with, then go to a proshop and go nuts. First bow i ever bought came setup with arrows and I shot it for years.

Check out hunters friend.com. They build the bow for you (with arrows, release, case, etc...) to your specs and its ready to shoot out of the box.

Other than that, i would say go to a proshop and either look at a package bow or have them set one up for you.

Get ready, its about to get real addicting and real expensive, real fast.

 

[SDHNTR]

Build. You can get better parts and pick and choose what you want and what works for you. I understand you are new and might not know the difference now, so find a trusted pro shop.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I agree, find a decent proshop or a friend with some knowledge and let them help you build one. In my opinion the package bows are typically lower end bows with plastic components.

For $700 bucks you can get a pretty nice set up... especially if you find someone that can help you figure out what to get that is slightly used. If you are willing, you can build a used bow with year old components that will be a great set up for many years by looking at the Archery Talk classified ads.

Nothing wrong with package bows... I just find that people that get them end up wanting something better/nicer almost immediately and the resale is very low.

Joe

 

[Nick Muche]

Bare bow, (one you like and shoot well!) and build it with good components. You just can't find a package bow that has great accessories...

 

[squeekieslayer]

Good to hear. Would you say that as a n00b, I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a $30 and $100 sight?

Even a noob can tell the difference between stripped screws and plastic parts. You have to have something you can trust. A toothpick with a painted end stuck in the riser could be very accurate... but if you are hunting and beating the brush you want to have confidence that when you get that shot youve been working for, you will not get to full draw and have a bent pin or a broken rest.

Joe

 

[djsmith46]

I'd build it at a pro shop. A lot of times you can try different parts out on your bow and see how you like them.....at least with the stabilizers. If you're new you might want a forgiving brace height and maybe a single cam (this is certainly debatable). I might own a fancy pants Hoyt if there was a pro shop near where I live. But tuning a bow that's that complex scares the hell out of me.

My friend has a brand new hoyt and has to drive 70 miles to find a guy he's comfortable working on it.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I hate to be a nay sayer... but the myth that the single cam cannot be out of tune is just that... a myth. In reality, for a cam system that stays in tune the best, look for a binary cam system as is found on bowtech, elite, strother... etc. These typically have identical slaved cams that keep a tune very well. Living in Helena, he will have no problem finding someone that will work on any of the big name bows.

Joe

 

[squeekieslayer]

PS: that scott wildcat on camofire right now is a good release for the money, very accurate, adjustable and durable.

Joe

 

[goinhuntn]

Check out the hoyt charger great bow & can be purchased as a package deal. They are reasonably priced & as a newbie you will get a lot of years use out of it until you want to upgrade to a more expensive bow. Just my 2 cents, but the charger has got great reviews!!

 

[ssliger]

I have an 2009 Hoyt Alphamax 35. 28.5 draw, 70lbs. Brand new winners choice strings for sale. PM me if your interested. It's a great bow for a beginner archer with its long ata.

 

[Curtis C]

A good bow with a cheap rest and sight will shoot better and be more enjoyable to shoot than a cheap bow with top end components. I say spend your money on a good bow and build from there. Lots of folks in forums like this have components laying around they might send as a pay it forward type deal.

 

[OR Archer]

Most bows set up in a package are going to have cheap gear on them. The best ready to shoot package is the Hoyt Charger in my opinion. It comes with a good rest, decent sight, and a decent quiver.

I highly advise not going to a big box store for your first bow purchase. Ask around about pro shops in your area. Visit them and see who can help you best and buy from them. Having a cheap bow or a high end bow that doesn't fit you or is set up improperly will make your new journey a miserable one.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

A good bow is only as good as the accessories. I've finally got to the point where when I switch bows, all of my accessories will be put on the new bow. I wish I would have bought the best from the beginning.

 

[Manosteel]

This being your first bow I would go with a package deal. You may not like bow huning, its a lot harder then expereince guys make it look. Against my advice a buddy laid down over $2000 to buy the greats and nicest set up two years ago. I'm primarly a bow hunter and have been doing it since the early 1990's and more often than not I tag out, my buddy seeing this year after year thought he could pick it up easy and be succesful. Well he practiced, shot lots, did some 3 d course but found out that harvesting an animal was a total different ball game, after only half a season his bow is now collecting dust. He recently tried selling it but was sad to discovery resale on 2 year old archery gear is not the greatest.

Don't go overboard on a first purchase. If you fall in love with bowhunting, like all of us, you will upgrade anyway no matter how good your original purchase was.