Rokslide 2026 Cold Bow Challenge

robby denning

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
Messages
17,398
Location
SE Idaho
Rokslide logo.png

Be sure and subcribe at "Watch" upper right to receive updates, prize announcements... there is a QnA thread open here

This challenge is designed to test your realistic Maximum Effective Range (MER).

The Challenge will start Saturday, May 9th AT 8:15 AM MTN TIME on this thread.

You shoot one arrow each day of the 3-day challenge with no warm up or follow up shots and no practice between days *, hence the name, Cold Bow Challenge. Broadheads or Expandable Broadheads only--no field points.


Below are the entry rules. READ THEM ALL OR DON’T PARTICIPATE (they’re long because Roksliders are pro’s at finding loopholes :ROFLMAO: )

We delete ineligible posts without notice. If you have questions or comments, post those on the Q&A/Comment thread here so this thread stays clean.

1) Please shoot and post in real time! Start a post in this thread after you shoot (one post per shooter) on your first shooting day (you don't have to start on day one, but you do have to be done within 4 weeks (June 5th) or within a few days when 100th shooter finishes to qualify for prizes. *No reserving post slots! Most years, you need to shoot within the first week to have an open slot.
(*Except for those who shoot the @CO Backcountry Precision course to help defeat the Colorado Fur Ban here. See "How Points are Counted below)

2) Call range that you think is your REALISTIC maximum effective range (MER). You must shoot your personal MER, so if it’s 60 yards, you can’t shoot 20 because that's all you have in your backyard! Push yourself and make the effort--that's the spirit of the challenge.

3) With no warm-up shots, shoot one arrow with broadhead or expandable at your MER (you do NOT have to shoot 3 days consecutively, but there is NO PRACTICE between shooting days)

4) Post a photo of that arrow's placement on a target that represents the kill zone size of your intended species. It's a three-day/three-arrow challenge, so post a photo each day in your original post so all arrows appear in one post. Copy/Paste the table below and fill in blanks

5) Be sure and mention the conditions, wind direction, and it’s fine to call your shot (“pulled left" for example) and give us a quick summary on your equipment.

6) To qualify, you must be a member posting on your own account. If you want your kids to shoot, they need to post on their own account. (Sorry, just too messy for the judges to figure out what’s going on.)

All Traditional and Compound shooters are welcome (but there will not be separate divisions). You can shoot both Traditional for three arrows and Compound for three arrows to double your odds, (put all 6 arrows in one post and it's OK to shoot both bows on the same day—this is the only exception to the “1-arrow/day” rule, *except Colorado Fur Ban fighters )

How Points are Counted:

--Every qualified participant who finishes the challenge, gets ONE name in the hat

--For every member who has at least 300 posts (on the day we qualify you), we'll give you an additional name in the hat -it pays to be an active member!

--Anyone who attends the May 6/7 Colorado Wildife Commission meeting in Grand Junction receives an extra name in the hat

--Anyone who shoots the @CO Backcountry Precision course any day between Th. May 7-Sun May 10 gets an extra name in the hat. Send a DM to @realunlucky with a time stamped pic of you at the course.

Please copy/paste this template into your post:


Each Shooter will need to copy/paste this completed table into his post:


User Name :
Bow Brand :
Bow Model :
Sight Brand :
BH Brand :
MER :
Hit (X/3) :

This is not a competition, but because we're generous and we have some great sponsors, we’ll be DRAWING for some killer prizes for our qualifying members (Rokslide staff, family can shoot but can't win the prizes).

Our staff will be watching the thread to make sure entry rules are followed. If you don’t fix your post in a reasonable amount of time, we’ll delete it (sorry, we don’t have time to chase!)

We will draw from those who complete the challenge according to these rules posted above
 
SFLinfield-1000x667.jpg
Grand Prize is a new pair of Zeiss 12x50 SFL Binocluars! HERE

Read all about them in @Matt Cashell 's review: https://www.rokslide.com/zeiss-sfl-12x50-review/

Screenshot 2026-04-06 093643.png
Iron Will Outfitters is in for a 3-Pack of their Custom Engraved Broadheads HERE

Screenshot 2026-04-14 082205.png
SKRE just put up a head-to-toe clothing kit:
Venture Flex Pants (shown), Torrid Hoodie, SKRE Hat

Screenshot 2026-04-20 082013.png
@Wiser Shane from Wiser Precision is in with their BA-7 Sparrow Bino Adapter here

G5!.pngG5.png
G5 is back for 2026 with an Expandable prize pack of thier
T2 Two Blade Broadhead 3 Pack here & Megameat 3 Blade Broadhead 3 Pack here

PS.png
Phone Skope is probably our longest term sponsor of the CBC and is in for a Phone Skope Bundle valued at $150 here


Screenshot 2026-04-21 091744.png

No CBC would be complete without a subscription to @onX Hunt Elite 1-yr membership here
 
Alright Rokslide, looks like I'm first in the ring for CBC '26.

Decided to push my range to the distance I'd probably take a crack at a giant mule deer, no matter what MER I told myself was true beforehand, so 35 yards ( :rolleyes: Tradbows, am I right?) kill zone is the 8x8 square on the Rinehart but I will be disappointed in anything that doesn’t get the green.


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 :unsure:)
Hit (X/3) :1/3

Day 1, muggy AF, 75 degrees on this fine foggy Texas morning. No wind. I hurried through my grip sear just a touch and nearly payed the price. Still got the line, and a fist pump! (Would like to apologize for the lack of a zoomed out picture... apparently I didn't actually hit the red button on the zoomed out image first).

IMG_9824.jpeg

IMG_9827.jpeg

IMG_9828.jpeg
 
First year taking part in the challenge. Love this @robby denning

Day 1: Perfect conditions. 52 and and sunny here in southern Wisconsin. Slight tail wind. Distracting chickens are distracting.


IMG_1573.jpeg


User Name : well_known_rokslider
Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : Nitrum Turbo
Sight Brand : Black Gold - Mountain Ascent Lite
BH Brand : Sevr 1.75
MER : 60y - 8” paper plate
Hit (X/3) : 1/1
 
User Name : jones3
Bow Brand : Bowtech
Bow Model : RevoltX
Sight Brand : Black Gold Ascent Verdict Assault, 5 pin, dual indicator
BH Brand : Iron Will 125 SB
MER : 70 yds
Hit (X/3) : 1/3 (in-progress)

AW 511.8 gr, Easton Axis 5mm 300, standard insert, 25gr IW collar, about 13% FOC, 3 fletch max helical left

Target 8.5-9” diameter insert

Day 1:
Date: 05/09/26
Time: 07:15 am pacific
Weather: Sunny/clear
Temp: 63 deg F
Wind: none
El. 666 ft

V0 (BH) 272.3 fps (avg), V0 (day1) 270.5 fps

Write up: first shot, morning sun slightly in eyes, but no wind, level ground, shot broke OK, used site tape mark 71.5 using field point site tape, shooting for top target, impact center circle about 2.5-3” left, good height

3F6E0550-BA31-4BD2-9DC4-6FCA791105C5.jpeg
Edit: added pic of arrow/broadhead after shot 1
 

Attachments

  • 17AFE919-6D32-4670-9DE7-FFC25111A721.jpeg
    17AFE919-6D32-4670-9DE7-FFC25111A721.jpeg
    646 KB · Views: 4
Im back in again this year. I love participating in this challenge it's changed the way I practice and evaluate where im at going into the season over the years.

Ive been shooting some this spring and Ive switched several things up with my arrows and built a new set. Did a bunch of tinkering with vanes and helical earlier in the year. The bows tuned well right now so im really going to push my MER. Im calling it at 70 yards and trying to keep arrows in the insert circle on my target

User Name : Chad E
Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : Axis Ultra
Sight Brand : Black Gold 5 pin slider
BH Brand : Day six Evo 125 grain
MER : 70
Hit (X/3) : 1/1

Day 1
Dead calm 48 degrees really nice spring morning. Shot felt good. Hit

20260509_071139.jpg
 
User Name : dylanvb
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Vertix
Sight Brand : Black Gold
BH Brand : Grim Reapers
MER : 40 yards
Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Alright first shot felt great but I knew the wind was gonna push my shot. 15mph blowing left to right. My duct tape square is 14”x13” so anything within that I will be happy but definitely will be working on getting it closer to my black duct tape.
IMG_3751.jpeg
IMG_3752.jpeg

Trad Bow
User Name : dylanvb
Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : Satori
Sight Brand : God/my eye
BH Brand : Dirt maps
MER : 25 yards
Hit (X/3) : 1/3
Great shot, the wind just played with me.
IMG_3749.jpeg
IMG_3750.jpeg
 

User Name : brentr9
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Lift 33
Sight Brand : HHA Tetra
BH Brand : SEVR 2.0
MER : 50
Hit (X/3) : 1/1

Day 1: overcast and calm in South Georgia. Goal is to keep them in the black. I plan to continue to improve on my MER. I’ve been fighting target panic for a while. Hope to add 10-15 more yards by the end of summer IMG_0316.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0317.jpeg
    IMG_0317.jpeg
    680.3 KB · Views: 4
User Name : Austin Kaufman
Bow Brand : Tbow
Bow Model : satori clone
Sight Brand : instinctive
BH Brand : magus black hornet
MER : 22 yards
Hit (X/3) : 1/3

Day 1 hit wind blowing about 15 mph right to left no issues with the stick bow
a3630b374c5d5f076bc598cda73fbcd9.jpg


User Name : Austin Kaufman
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : lift 33
Sight Brand : spot hogg 7 pin
BH Brand : sevr 1.75
MER : 60 yards
Hit (X/3) : 0/3

Day 1 blowing 15 mph right to left and missed low
c637be221a1cef599ca6f2039d5bae12.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Look forward to the challenge every year. Gets you working on shot execution early. I served my cables this year in February after new string and cables in January or February 2025. Had to make a few small adjustments when I started shooting in March.

User Name : Doverpack12
Bow Brand : Elite
Bow Model : Synergy
Sight Brand : Black Gold
BH Brand : Iron Will solid 100 grain SB right
MER : 60 yards moving in from 67 in prior years
Hit (X/3) : 1/1

Good shot for day 1. Sunny light breeze 50 or so. Drew back settled and shot broke well with good follow through.

MER kill zone is the center hex module on the Matrix for Elk vitals. It’s a little small but provides some margin for error and nerves on a real shot.

Day 1
IMG_9319.jpeg

IMG_9320.jpeg
 
Jumping in! Looking forward to it!

User Name : evan97
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Lift XD, 32in draw, 70lbs
Sight Brand : Axcel Driver with Dark Owl Archery Scope
BH Brand : Sevr Hybrid 1.5 125grains
MER : 70 yards
Hit (X/3) :1/3
Shooting a classic Rinehart face, picture of scale. Only seriously chasing elk this year, so counting the green as a hit.

Day 1 here in sunny Colorado, slight breeze right to left, but not bad. Returned my rangefinder to Leupold after a warranty issue, so I guessed on yardage based on previous practice shooting spots. Would guess I was within a yard.

Bummed I couldn't make it to Grand Junction, but little kids make it hard to get away sometimes.IMG_7871.jpegIMG_7884.jpeg
 
User Name : king402
Bow Brand : Darton
Bow Model : Tritech 35
Sight Brand : Axcel Driver 5 pin
BH Brand : SEVR 100 grain
MER : 70
Hit (X/3) : 1/3


Perfect conditions here in SE Idaho. No wind. 70 yards.

Darton Tritech 35 with Goldtip Airstrike 300 arrows. Hamskea R7 rest. SEVR 100 grain arrow. I’m really liking this setup.

Shot/Day 1: perfect elevation. 4” left of bulleye.

IMG_5174.jpegIMG_5173.jpegIMG_5171.jpegIMG_5175.jpeg
 
User Name : Stank.243
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Lift X 33
Sight Brand : Black Gold Dual Trac
BH Brand : QAD Exodus 125 gr
MER : 60 yards
Hit (X/3): 1/3

I haven’t shot much at distance and just broadhead tuned last weekend😬. New setup for me this year, so we will see how this goes!
The black circle, about 5”, is my main focus on the target but the 10” yellow cube is what I’d call “elk vitals”

Day 1: 48*, virtually no wind. Very happy with the result
IMG_7612.jpeg
IMG_7611.jpeg
 
Shooting 100 yards at a full size elk target
Bow: Mathews ARC 75lb
Arrow: Iron Will RIP TKO 250, Iron Will 2.5 Vanes, Iron Will HIT & Impact Collar, 520gr TAW
Broadhead: Iron Will Prototype
Sight: HHA XV3
Rest: Hamskea R7

Shot 1: 100 yards, light wind, 10 ring, double lung

shot1.jpeg




 
IMG_6430.jpeg

User Name : Wheels
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Lift 33 28/70
Sight Brand : Black Gold
BH Brand : G5 Striker 100 gr
MER : 60 yds
Hit (X/3) : 1/3
Beautiful morning, slight R-L wind. Shooting an old G5 Striker(I think) that I found in the pile that spins true.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6431.jpeg
    IMG_6431.jpeg
    705.5 KB · Views: 8
  • IMG_6427.jpeg
    IMG_6427.jpeg
    933.7 KB · Views: 7
  • IMG_6429.jpeg
    IMG_6429.jpeg
    1,006.7 KB · Views: 7
  • IMG_6428.jpeg
    IMG_6428.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 7
  • IMG_6426.jpeg
    IMG_6426.jpeg
    1,018.1 KB · Views: 7
Excited to participate for my first time! Light, steady rain, slight left to right wind, 69 degrees out, shot felt great, 6” circle. My old bow still gets it done!
IMG_3732.jpeg

User Name : ThickPines
Bow Brand : Bear
Bow Model : Assault
Sight Brand : Extreme
BH Brand : Muzzy 100 4-blade
MER : 40 yards
Hit (X/3) : 1/3
 
User Name : CorbLand
Bow Brand : Elite
Bow Model : Impulse 34
Sight Brand : Black Gold
BH Brand : Montec M3
MER : 50
Hit (X/3) : 0/3



Truly cold bow this year as I haven’t shot my bow since last year. You can see the results of that. Think next year we can get someone to donate a shed door replacement?

IMG_2790.jpeg
 
Was nervous the second I picked up my bow!!!! Geez.


User Name : Robby Denning
Bow Brand : Mathews
Bow Model : Phase 4
Sight Brand : AXEL Accustat II
BH Brand : SEVR Ti 1.5”
MER : 60 YDS on a 9” vital
Hit (X/3) : 1/3

IMG_2427.jpeg
Day 1: Vital is middle hex. Light wind, standing, hit back wall and squeezed through the shot.
 
User Name : Okie-Hunter
Bow Brand : Hoyt
Bow Model : VTM 31
Sight Brand : CBE
BH Brand : QAD Exodus 100g swept
MER : 60 / 8.5” circle
Hit (X/3) : 1/1
IMG_2288.jpeg
IMG_2289.jpeg
Day 1: Hit
IMG_2287.jpegSunny with minimal wind. Shot felt & looked good. If I would have started this challenge 3 days ago I would have missed every shot as I discovered I was hitting about 5”-6” low @60. Now to get the other 2 shots on paper…
 
Back
Top