For the last 5 years, my backpack backcountry elk hunting has been done with my 2016 PSE Drive R - 70#, 28" draw. It has gone 4 of 5 on elk, all under 20 yards on 4 shots. Before this season, one of my limbs splinted 2 weeks before the season opened. I had previously purchased an extra set of limbs, so got it back in service in time.
It's been a great bow, near ideal for my use - lightweight (3.8# bare), plenty accurate, plenty powerful (336 IBO and gets 330), compact (30" ATA) etc.
There isn't a place to shoot all the potentially fitting bows, so I'm trying to narrow the field and then get to stores that carry them for testing.
If I keep a bow similar in spec to what I have, the following would be good fits:
- Mathews ARC 30
- Hoyt RX-10
- PSE Mach 30
- Xpedition NexLite 30 (intrigued by this bow, never held one or any magnesium/magnesium blend for that matter)
- Bowtech Alliance 30
If I stayed in the budget category which the Drive R was, I'd look at:
- Darton Consequence SD (only goes to 60#, if it went to 70#+ I'd probably buy it if it tested good for me)
- Find a used Drive R (boring, but smart & effective)
- Bear Whitetail Int or Resilient
If I opted for a longer ATA for a wider range of western hunting applications, these are on the list:
- Mathews ARC 34
- PSE Mach 33 or Sicario
- Xpedition NexLite 33
- Bowtech Alliance 33
- Prime Divide 33
I'd default to Mathews, although I've never owned one, just due to having parts availability and resale value should I need either. Otherwise, I'm open to feedback. While I'll spend time testing bows I can get my hands on, I would prefer to limit the list before doing in person shopping. I'm hours away from full service shops with reasonable inventory.
Specs I'd prefer, sub 4.25#, shootable over speed (although both are a bonus and I don't mind going up in draw weight), packable, reliable. Have full service shop at my house. So tuning and other features are great, but not deal makers or breakers. If you have experience with these in your own quest, would love to hear the feedback.
It's been a great bow, near ideal for my use - lightweight (3.8# bare), plenty accurate, plenty powerful (336 IBO and gets 330), compact (30" ATA) etc.
There isn't a place to shoot all the potentially fitting bows, so I'm trying to narrow the field and then get to stores that carry them for testing.
If I keep a bow similar in spec to what I have, the following would be good fits:
- Mathews ARC 30
- Hoyt RX-10
- PSE Mach 30
- Xpedition NexLite 30 (intrigued by this bow, never held one or any magnesium/magnesium blend for that matter)
- Bowtech Alliance 30
If I stayed in the budget category which the Drive R was, I'd look at:
- Darton Consequence SD (only goes to 60#, if it went to 70#+ I'd probably buy it if it tested good for me)
- Find a used Drive R (boring, but smart & effective)
- Bear Whitetail Int or Resilient
If I opted for a longer ATA for a wider range of western hunting applications, these are on the list:
- Mathews ARC 34
- PSE Mach 33 or Sicario
- Xpedition NexLite 33
- Bowtech Alliance 33
- Prime Divide 33
I'd default to Mathews, although I've never owned one, just due to having parts availability and resale value should I need either. Otherwise, I'm open to feedback. While I'll spend time testing bows I can get my hands on, I would prefer to limit the list before doing in person shopping. I'm hours away from full service shops with reasonable inventory.
Specs I'd prefer, sub 4.25#, shootable over speed (although both are a bonus and I don't mind going up in draw weight), packable, reliable. Have full service shop at my house. So tuning and other features are great, but not deal makers or breakers. If you have experience with these in your own quest, would love to hear the feedback.
