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Speed Freaks?
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in your Inbox
July 09, 2009
Speed Freaks?
By Scott Bestul
Fresh back from the 4th of July holiday weekend, I received a letter from a Mr. D. Keezer, who had taken the time to read the FS bow test, which appeared in the magazine’s July issue. Mr. Keezer noted that he’d also scanned recent advertisements from bow companies, and that these companies were posting arrow speeds significantly faster (in one case 47 feet per second) than the ones we posted in the bow test.
Were these companies, Mr. Keezer wondered, making false advertising claims?
The answer is a qualified “no.” When bow manufacturers post the speed of a bow to post in ads, they are testing the bow according to IBO (International Bowhunting Organization) standards. This apples-to-apples test requires a manufacturer to shoot a 350-grain arrow from a bow set at 70# with a 30” draw length. That’s the “no” part of the answer.
Here’s the “qualified” part. Most bow makers do adhere to IBO standards, but they may also tweak their test to achieve the hottest arrow speed possible. They’ll fling a bare (unfletched) arrow shaft, and use a naked string; no nocking point, and certainly no peep sight or string silencer, all of which will slow an arrow. If possible, they’ll set the bow at the lowest option for let-off (65% vs. 80% for example), forcibly over-draw the bow, and shoot dozens of arrows. Then they’ll post the best FPS rating, rather than an average.
In a nutshell, bow makers wring every possible ounce of speed out of a test model, so they can advertise and appeal to all the speed freaks out there. Does that mean the bow you buy will match the arrow speed pronounced in an ad? Highly unlikely, if not impossible.
But here’s the main reason the speeds in the FS bow test were so far below manufacturer’s claims. Every bow we shot sported a 28-1/2” draw length; we chose this draw length as an average among our test-team members, since we were as concerned with how a bow felt to the shooter and wanted as natural a fit as possible. This draw-length drop results in an automatic loss of some 15 fps. Also, the arrow we shot through our chronograph weighed 446 grains, another automatic speed deduction, since heavier arrows are slower than lighter ones. And who knows? Maybe our chronograph wasn’t calibrated perfectly.
Basically, the only factor of the speed equation we were interested in was relativity; given our setup, where did each bow rank in arrow speed? And we achieved that goal. If you haven’t guessed by now, speed is only factor in my decision about which bows are “best.” Sure, I appreciate a decently-fast bow...but as a hunter I’m far more concerned with a half-dozen factors that have to work together so a bow feels right to me.
And that, my friends, is my long-winded answer to Mr. Keezer’s question!
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Comments (19)
Scott-
Ah,ahh ... I always wondered about that, since I have a "speed freak" friend, who always insists on gettin' the latest,fastest bow available.
I think you may have a little of the late great "Paul Harvey" in ya Scott. I thought you were going to end this article with,"And that,my friends,is the r-e-a-l story ...,...,...g-o-o-d, day!"
Speed is nothing if you do not have accuracy. Hell, you can battle against speed by just making your bow quieter. But I will admit, it is nice having speed on your side but it is not necessary.
I always wondered what the specifics of IBO ratings were. Good info.
The term "speed kills" applies to bowhunters. Speed kills your accuracy, noise level and your arm. A razor sharp fixed blade going 230 fps will blow through any game animal in North America except griz and pulling 60 lbs will kill an animal just as dead as pulling 70 lbs.
Any bow manufacturer who trys to sell you speed isn't doing you any favors.
Well said, Scott. I don't know what speed my arrows fly. I have a chrono, but refuse to check ... the darn bow is quiet, accurate, consistent, and relatively shock free, and it will kill deer farther than I care to shoot. If I found out the speed I might rationalize that it isn't enough.
This is interesting info. I agree that there is a lot mroe to a bow setup than just the arrow speed. Thanks for posting this information, Scott!!
great info, but for me speed isn't everything, cause i shoot a stickbow which is about 120 (fps) so you can tell i don't need speed, just a steady hand & eye
2poppa, I thought Paul said "and that is the rest of the story.....Paul Harvey..good day".
Scott, For some time now I have been preaching the virtues of a smooth shooting QUIET bow over sheer velocity. My Mathews Switchback XT is quiet as a rat pissing on cotton. I added an extra string suppressor which makes a total of 3. Set at 62 pounds my 400 grain arrows fly 262 FPS and usually get pass thru shots with Rage 2 blade broadheads. The deer look like they were run through with a broad sword. Result is heavy blood trail that is very short. Five out of six deer fall with in sight. But I digress, with modern rangefinders speed is not so important anymore. Stay tuned for more deer photos this fall.
one friend will shoot a new bow with his hunting arrows into a box of the weeks newspapers and periodicals. then shoot a exact copy of the box with his current bow. if he gets better performance it is good to go. he says i still keep my old one till the new one made 3 seasons of kills.
I still use my bear polar II, it might shoot 250 but has killed deer every year since I bought it in 1993 for $60.00. I don't like the new bows, they are way too short, any little movement throws the arrow off, and speed means nothing if your arrow doesn't hit the target.
Walt,
I loved the old bear bows. Wish I still had mine.
Del-
Paul harvey did say that!
My lovely wife was trying to get me to hurry up so we could go out to dinner ... and well,I knew it started with an "R!"LOL
Kudos to ya Del!
Give me a bow that has decent speed, an easy draw and (most importantly) is quiet and I'm good to go.
The rest is advertising hype, IMHO.
Jim
Walt Smith, You obviously have not shot a Mathews Solocam.
Del-- Don't need to, for $8oo.oo-$900.00 I can buy 20 years worth of deer tags, three dozen arrows and 60 replacement blades for my Muzzy 3 blades and still have cash left over. I did try a Mathews once but after shooting a 45inch axle bow then shooting a 33in axle bow showed me everything I needed to stick with my bear. That and Mathews grip sucks compared to the old Bear.
My hunting bow is a old Mathews Q2XL. This bow has accounted for a lot of deer and small game. I use carbon arrows and 100 gr Thunderhead at 265-70fps. I simply can't ask for more. This bow is quiet, fast, smooth to draw and smooth to let down and most important,very easy to tune for perfect arrow flight. I like a moderate speed but the 320fps bows are not pleasant to try to tune with broadheads if you like to shoot fixed blades. I'll add this-when I ran my gun shop(archery range) I had to tune literally hundreds of bows. There is, in my opinion, no easier bow to tune than a Solocam.
I was aware of the IBO standards, and the fact that advertised bow speeds are just that,...advertisements. I was not suprised to find that my new bow, set to 62lb, shooting a nearly 400 gr. arrow with 100gr. broadheads, at a 28.5" draw, was only getting 256 fps. Not blazing speed by any stretch, but it was enough to confuse the hell out of the only deer i shot with it. He stood there, bewildered, after i passed that arrow through his lungs. He had no idea what just happened as he casually ambled off before falling over 25 yds later. As far as hunting bows go, my set up is very average. I know my peep, string loop, kisser and silencers slow my arrow, but as long as that arrow is going where i intend it, i'm good. Guess i'm no speed freak either.
And now the news! My Mathews Switchback XT with rage 2 blades blow through the deer! Just like Del N Kansas. Whisper quiet! It's not about speed. Just accuracy! Short blood trails to all bowhunters!
What is the deal on speed? I will take my reliable and accurate slower single cam bow anyday. I do have a question, when does speed become a hinderance? Does an extremely fast bow have problems or drawbacks? (no pun intended)
Post a Comment
2poppa, I thought Paul said "and that is the rest of the story.....Paul Harvey..good day".
Scott, For some time now I have been preaching the virtues of a smooth shooting QUIET bow over sheer velocity. My Mathews Switchback XT is quiet as a rat pissing on cotton. I added an extra string suppressor which makes a total of 3. Set at 62 pounds my 400 grain arrows fly 262 FPS and usually get pass thru shots with Rage 2 blade broadheads. The deer look like they were run through with a broad sword. Result is heavy blood trail that is very short. Five out of six deer fall with in sight. But I digress, with modern rangefinders speed is not so important anymore. Stay tuned for more deer photos this fall.
The term "speed kills" applies to bowhunters. Speed kills your accuracy, noise level and your arm. A razor sharp fixed blade going 230 fps will blow through any game animal in North America except griz and pulling 60 lbs will kill an animal just as dead as pulling 70 lbs.
Any bow manufacturer who trys to sell you speed isn't doing you any favors.
Well said, Scott. I don't know what speed my arrows fly. I have a chrono, but refuse to check ... the darn bow is quiet, accurate, consistent, and relatively shock free, and it will kill deer farther than I care to shoot. If I found out the speed I might rationalize that it isn't enough.
And now the news! My Mathews Switchback XT with rage 2 blades blow through the deer! Just like Del N Kansas. Whisper quiet! It's not about speed. Just accuracy! Short blood trails to all bowhunters!
Scott-
Ah,ahh ... I always wondered about that, since I have a "speed freak" friend, who always insists on gettin' the latest,fastest bow available.
I think you may have a little of the late great "Paul Harvey" in ya Scott. I thought you were going to end this article with,"And that,my friends,is the r-e-a-l story ...,...,...g-o-o-d, day!"
Speed is nothing if you do not have accuracy. Hell, you can battle against speed by just making your bow quieter. But I will admit, it is nice having speed on your side but it is not necessary.
I always wondered what the specifics of IBO ratings were. Good info.
This is interesting info. I agree that there is a lot mroe to a bow setup than just the arrow speed. Thanks for posting this information, Scott!!
great info, but for me speed isn't everything, cause i shoot a stickbow which is about 120 (fps) so you can tell i don't need speed, just a steady hand & eye
one friend will shoot a new bow with his hunting arrows into a box of the weeks newspapers and periodicals. then shoot a exact copy of the box with his current bow. if he gets better performance it is good to go. he says i still keep my old one till the new one made 3 seasons of kills.
I still use my bear polar II, it might shoot 250 but has killed deer every year since I bought it in 1993 for $60.00. I don't like the new bows, they are way too short, any little movement throws the arrow off, and speed means nothing if your arrow doesn't hit the target.
Walt,
I loved the old bear bows. Wish I still had mine.
Del-
Paul harvey did say that!
My lovely wife was trying to get me to hurry up so we could go out to dinner ... and well,I knew it started with an "R!"LOL
Kudos to ya Del!
Give me a bow that has decent speed, an easy draw and (most importantly) is quiet and I'm good to go.
The rest is advertising hype, IMHO.
Jim
Walt Smith, You obviously have not shot a Mathews Solocam.
Del-- Don't need to, for $8oo.oo-$900.00 I can buy 20 years worth of deer tags, three dozen arrows and 60 replacement blades for my Muzzy 3 blades and still have cash left over. I did try a Mathews once but after shooting a 45inch axle bow then shooting a 33in axle bow showed me everything I needed to stick with my bear. That and Mathews grip sucks compared to the old Bear.
My hunting bow is a old Mathews Q2XL. This bow has accounted for a lot of deer and small game. I use carbon arrows and 100 gr Thunderhead at 265-70fps. I simply can't ask for more. This bow is quiet, fast, smooth to draw and smooth to let down and most important,very easy to tune for perfect arrow flight. I like a moderate speed but the 320fps bows are not pleasant to try to tune with broadheads if you like to shoot fixed blades. I'll add this-when I ran my gun shop(archery range) I had to tune literally hundreds of bows. There is, in my opinion, no easier bow to tune than a Solocam.
I was aware of the IBO standards, and the fact that advertised bow speeds are just that,...advertisements. I was not suprised to find that my new bow, set to 62lb, shooting a nearly 400 gr. arrow with 100gr. broadheads, at a 28.5" draw, was only getting 256 fps. Not blazing speed by any stretch, but it was enough to confuse the hell out of the only deer i shot with it. He stood there, bewildered, after i passed that arrow through his lungs. He had no idea what just happened as he casually ambled off before falling over 25 yds later. As far as hunting bows go, my set up is very average. I know my peep, string loop, kisser and silencers slow my arrow, but as long as that arrow is going where i intend it, i'm good. Guess i'm no speed freak either.
What is the deal on speed? I will take my reliable and accurate slower single cam bow anyday. I do have a question, when does speed become a hinderance? Does an extremely fast bow have problems or drawbacks? (no pun intended)
Post a Comment