I’ve never had a nice bow but I’m buying one tomorrow - what do I need to know?

[ChrisAU]

Traveling a couple hours to a reputable shop who has hidden what seems to be the last left handed Mathews Lift RS in AL/GA, or close to it anyway. I’ve had a few bows but they’ve been ordered off the internet and I’ve finagled my way into killing a few deer with them. Never had a single person at a Bass Pro counter, much less an actual archery shop, ever set up anything for me. I trust these guys to do right, but any tips? I plan on leaving with everything I need and trashing everything I have right now, outside of my 2021 Bear Legit which hopefully they’ll give me $50 for trade in lol

 

[sndmn11]

Don't leave without shooting bare shafts through paper so you don't have to go back and play with top hats. Even better if you can shoot bare at distance.

 

[ChrisAU]

Don't leave without shooting bare shafts through paper so you don't have to go back and play with top hats. Even better if you can shoot bare at distance.

They told me today they’d fit it to me and then paper tune. They also have an indoor range.

 

[sndmn11]

They told me today they’d fit it to me and then paper tune. They also have an indoor range.

With bare shafts!

 

[Mighty Mouse]

Try a few different draw length mods to see what fits you best. Get it paper tuned before you leave the shop. Take your own release and arrows with you for setup and tuning.

 

[Skerhunter]

start with the correct spined arrows and plenty of time to set it up correctly!

Make sure specs are good before you paper tune (ata, timing, correct mods in correct spot and screws are tight).

Paper tune take your time and get it right with shims.

Double check the specs before you leave.

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

How did it go?

 

[ChrisAU]

How did it go?

One of the shop pros spent nearly 4 hours solid with me, we tweaked and tweaked and tweaked. He would watch me shoot then do things like put it on the press and undo serving just to move the peep a hair. He wasn’t happy with the paper tuning results until way after I was. He corrected some flaws in my “technique” (I’ve never had any instruction from anyone at all). Impressive experience, highly recommend the guys at Archery Unlimited in Prattville Alabama. I haven’t taken it past 20 yet - but - I didn’t know there was such a thing as a steady bow . It feels amazing compared to everything I’ve ever used.

 

[blackveltbowhunter]

Awesome!! Nice bow!

 

[Upstatepe]

I wish I could shoot one of those. I've had too many shoulder surgeries.

 

[rds1865]

Great setup and cool experience for you. Happy shooting!

 

[Swamp Fox]

One of the shop pros spent nearly 4 hours solid with me, we tweaked and tweaked and tweaked. He would watch me shoot then do things like put it on the press and undo serving just to move the peep a hair. He wasn’t happy with the paper tuning results until way after I was. He corrected some flaws in my “technique” (I’ve never had any instruction from anyone at all). Impressive experience, highly recommend the guys at Archery Unlimited in Prattville Alabama. I haven’t taken it past 20 yet - but - I didn’t know there was such a thing as a steady bow . It feels amazing compared to everything I’ve ever used.

View attachment 1030041

A great bow shop is hard to find.

Sounds like you chose well.

Keep them in business!

 

[Roboz]

I found a bow shop like that near me last year, i spent 5 hours there shooting every brand of bow they had before i decided which one i liked. Pretty rare to find shops like that these days.

 

[Sizthediz]

Keep one for a backup. You just may need it one day...ask me how i know

 

[rclouse79]

My local shop has gotten pretty big and I have found my experience depends on if I get the guy who has worked there for ten years and knows what he is doing, or the high school kid they hired a week ago to keep up with demand. The last bow I bought, I got stuck with a guy on his first day. He no joke asked for help tying a D-loop. At that point I almost felt like taking the bow home and setting it up myself watching Dudley videos.
Don’t let them talk you into an underspined arrow that shoots fast. I wasted a couple years trying to get broadheads to shoot. I had moved the rest so far out of whack to get them even close, that the guy at the shop looked at me like I was crazy. Bought a slightly overspined Easton Axis and it has been easy peasy ever since.
If it has been a long time since you bought a bow and are stepping up in quality, you are in for a treat. I kept an old PSE for a decade plus and when I finally picked up a new Elite bow I was blown away. Going back to shoot the old one made it feel like a toy.