Cold Bow 2026 QnA Thread

[Billy Goat]

A trad bow is just unforgiving.


I gave up punishing myself that much.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

A trad bow is just unforgiving.


I gave up punishing myself that much.

I sort of agree... With trad you're either in it for the full experience, or you're better off with wheels. That said, they're a lot like revolvers. You can get freaking good with them if you put in the time, and you get some coaching. And it's incredibly rewarding when you start consistently making good shots at 20-30 yards with a stick bow, even if it's just on foam.

Most guys that flirt with trad don't actually expect enough accuracy. They sell the system short, and give up cause they think the weapon can't be precise. Really it's the operator that needs some teaching.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

On the tuning topic... I wasn't happy with broadhead flight at twenty, so I've been messing with bareshafts and I think I got it dialed in. Dropped 50 gr of point weight and messed with brace height. Shooting stupid fast for a trad bow now. It was at 175 fps previously. Not sure that it'll ever hit 200fps, but it's zipping.

 

[Billy Goat]

I sort of agree... With trad you're either in it for the full experience, or you're better off with wheels. That said, they're a lot like revolvers. You can get freaking good with them if you put in the time, and you get some coaching. And it's incredibly rewarding when you start consistently making good shots at 20-30 yards with a stick bow, even if it's just on foam.

Most guys that flirt with trad don't actually expect enough accuracy. They sell the system short, and give up cause they think the weapon can't be precise. Really it's the operator that needs some teaching.

They can be accurate, and at distance. Just takes a lot of discipline. That's the part I struggle with.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

I’d say the broadheads are behaving again. Cold shot from 20. I’ll have to transport the target somewhere to shoot max range

 

[lak2004]

This comes up fast each year and I'm never ready. Haven't shot my bow in a year but really trying hard to get back into shooting more often and in more field type scenarios. Me and some friends also recently started a non-profit archery club and are working on a public range in our area as we are severely lacking anything of quality or with distance.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Been shooting broadheads every morning, and while the tune is money, I don't know that I can push my MER past 20 yards without a couple weeks of honing in the new shot. Tuning always makes me get some mild target panic, and broadhead tuning exacerbates it. Will have to make a decision in a couple days I guess.

 

[realunlucky]

Who shot the 3D course in Colorado? Heading up Saturday if anyone else is going

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[cq0302]

Hopefully be able to get in on this one, seem to miss it every year.

 

[cq0302]

Any data from last year similar to cold bore?

 

[robby denning]

This comes up fast each year and I'm never ready. Haven't shot my bow in a year but really trying hard to get back into shooting more often and in more field type scenarios. Me and some friends also recently started a non-profit archery club and are working on a public range in our area as we are severely lacking anything of quality or with distance.

That’s a big reason we do it. Gets us wannabes shooting sooner

Who shot the 3D course in Colorado? Heading up Saturday if anyone else is going

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

I shot @CO Backcountry Precision course last night. Good course, very challenging and mimics steep mountain hunting as well as any course I’ve shot, including Big Sky TAC. There are 30 new Rineharts (sp?) from 12 yds to 100+. I averaged 7.3 points/target
Roksliders can shoot free 5/7-5/10 in support of the CRWM fighting for our hunting rights.



^That would be @CO Backcountry Precision owner Tim Andrews and his son “Hambone” testing out his new Mathews and Swaro’s.


I stayed in his cabins ^last night after the shoot. He’s offering great rates to Roksliders tonight and Saturday. If you’re serious about attending or renting a cabin, DM me and I’ll get you in touch with him.

Any data from last year similar to cold bore?

Can’t find any. @realunlucky did we run them?

Here are ‘24/‘25 stats post 433

Thread 'Cold Bow 2025.... QnA Thread'

Mar 7, 2025

The 2025 Cold Bow Challenge will start Saturday, May 10th AT 8:15 AM MTN TIME on the Challenge Thread Here.

(You’re currently on the QnA thread)

Hit the "Watch" button upper right on both threads to receive the notification when someone posts.

and get your bow ready

For 2025, it's again 3-arrow, broadhead-only challange (expandables counted as broadheads)

I'll be updating prizes on the Challenge Thread over the next few weeks, but let's just say we're not gonna let the Cold Bore Challenge rifle crowd win the only Swarovski Spotter this year...just sayin...And...

• robby denning
• Replies: 458
• Forum: Archery

• 
• 

Only about 60% hit their MER very similar to previous competitions and amazingly similar to the cold boar rifle challenge stats too.

And 2026 Cold Bow Challenge thread will be open tomorrow morning. Please shoot in real-time (same day) and post up! No reserving slots (unless your shooting the course above this weekend-only exception). Can’t wait!!!!!!!!

 

[dylanvb]

Hope I can get my compound dialed in today. Either way I’ll be slinging them. Trad bow is feeling better this year. More confidence.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I'm continuing my annual tradition of completely falling apart right before cbc. Never freaking fails.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

I'm continuing my annual tradition of completely falling apart right before cbc. Never freaking fails.

It’s a good simulation for falling apart right before hunting season! Target panic is an insidious thing (Yes, I call shot anxiety/yips/hitches/nerves/meltdowns target panic… stress just magnifies the default state of the human body, and the solution is always the same… moving the trigger slow enough the shot break surprises you).

 

[Jstumbaugh]

I'm sure everyone has free time to try to fit one more thing in but I will say that my wife and I joined an indoor league to shoot with our kids over the winter. We've been with it for a couple years now and it does get boring shooting at a Vegas face at 20 but it makes you work on your form or you are quickly humbled.... Plus, if you are as competitive as I am you work at it like it's your job. Great way to get reps in over the winter and keep at.

 

[Billy Goat]

Great way to get target panic over the winter

Fixed it for you


Everyone is a pro in their backyard. Playing the dot game around people that keep you honest, that will really push you to improve, or ruin you.

 

[Alpineelk]

Cbc definitely gets me shooting broad heads earlier and more consistent. And helps me work on my grip. Which seems I can never quite get figured out puts a surprising amount of pressure on me can't wait

 

[patagonialuke]

Feeling less confident (or, more realistic) this year, but looking forward to the challenge.

Broadheads are hitting at 40 when I'm doing everything right ... but lately, I only do everything right about half the time. Afterward, I'm looking forward to more focused practice, and tuning my bow for the arrows I just built up.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Never has the fluctuation in trad bow talent been more apparent to me than coming into this cbc. I’ve shot higher, more consistent scores this spring at various tournaments than ever before. But one week of retuning broadheads (always makes the ol target panic spike) has led to significant degradation in consistency of my precision shooting. I think I’m going to try and push for thirty yards, in spite of the rough shooting this week, cause I still know how to execute one clean shot.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

Since I have a house full of kids, I snuck out early this morning to kick off my CBC. I know the thread won't open till you mountain time boys have your coffee, but I figure the NFG's might want a demonstration of how to fill out a template, lol.

User Name : Trumpkin The Dwarf

Bow Brand : TallTines

Bow Model : Stickflinger

Sight Brand : Mark 1 Eyeball

BH Brand : QAD Exodus (Swept) 125 gr

MER : 35 (oops )

Hit (X/3) : Wouldn't you like to know!

Btw, as my vital zone I'm just trying to keep it in the 8x8(ish) square on the Rinehart 18:1, but won't be happy unless it's in the green.