I never get tired of driving up to my house and seeing a Hoyt-branded box leaning against my front door, and knowing this particular package contained the new-for-2019 Hoyt Carbon RX-3 Ultra, a little pep was put in my step as I exited my truck.
Hoyt’s 2018 Carbon RX-1 Ultra was a smooth, quiet, oh-so-dependable tack driver. In fact, on Nov. 2, 2018, I took my largest whitetail to date with the bow from a distance of 46 yards. Having shot Hoyt bows for a number of years, I had no doubt the RX-1’s successor would be a joy to test.
First Impressions
Of course, the bow is flat sexy. Hoyt rigs just have racy, eye-catching appeal, and for me at least, the intricate weave of the carbon riser is just the cherry on top. Being that I’d done my online research ahead of time, my eyes instantly shifted to the bow’s grip. Regular readers of my bow reports know how much emphasis I put on the grip, and knowing that Hoyt designed an Adjustable Grip System specific to the REDWRX RX-3 system, I just couldn’t stop myself from going there first.
The grip boasts a deep throat that allows the grip to come up under the bow’s shelf before swelling out slightly on each side. The grip’s back is flat and measures just under .75 inches across. On the grip’s bottom is a small, black-headed 3/32 Allen screw that when loosened, allows the grip to be shifted left and right laterally. This grip shift allows for ultimate tuning and center-shot alignment based on how each individual shooter grips his/her bow. Genius!
Side of the grip, other standout features included the ZT (Zero-Torque) Pro Cam, all-new Shock Pods and accuracy-increasing StealthShot. Designed to create a balanced side-to-side load with the patent-pending Spit-Cable system, the cam system eliminates the need for a flexible cable guard. In addition, the mods allow (on this specific model) for draw-length adjustments in half-inch increments between 29 and 32 inches. Shock Pods, which rest in a slight recess between the bottom of the riser and the limb bolt, pulls vibration from the riser, and StealthShot Technology kills noise and vibration while increasing accuracy.
Performance
With the grip adjusted to my preferences, the 34-inch axle-to-axle Ultra RX-3 paper-tuned and bare-shafted tuned easily. The bow pressed like a dream and the limb bolts turned smoothly without chatter, which suggests a perfect limb-to-riser connection.
Set at a draw weight of 65 pounds and a draw length of 29 inches, the RX-3 Ultra spit my 476-grain Easton 5MM FMJs downrange at 269 fps. I also fired a number of 415-grain Easton 5MM Axis arrows, which achieved an average speed of 285 fps. Max ATA speed for the RX-3 Ultra is noted by Hoyt to be 334 fps, which when set at maximum draw length and weight, I fully expect the bow could produce.
Draw weight builds rapidly early in the draw cycle and transition to letoff, though not abrupt, comes quickly as the ZT Pro Cams rollover and the draw stops contact the inner cable. The backwall feel, being the stops contact the cable and not the limbs, isn’t rock hard, but isn’t at all spongy. For me, the feel was great, and I felt balanced at steady at full draw.
At the shot the arrow is just gone. This 6.75-inch brace height bow is super hushed and is just flat-out dead in the hand. Side of the great fit, feel and hushed nature, this bow proved to be a tack driver. Of course, much of my consistent sub-2-inch three-arrow groups at 80 yards can be credited to the 4.1-pound bow’s longer axle to axle, but the bow’s “system” also deserves a hat-tip as well. Let me explain: The riser, cams, limbs, adjustable grip and StealthShot work as a functioning unit to boost shot-to-shot consistency.
I can’t wait to get the Ultra afield this spring and see what bowhunting dreams it helps me fulfill. I highly recommend you visit your nearest Hoyt dealer with someone looking to put a special holiday gift under the tree for you.
The REDWRX RX-3 is also available in a 30.5-inch axle-to-axle model as well as a 31-inch axle-to-axle Turbo model. Camo hunting patterns are numerous.
For more information, visit www.hoyt.com.
