Bow Reports

An aluminum riser counterpart to Hoyt’s Carbon Spyder series bows, the Nitrum line - including the Nitrum 30 - is a noticeably well balanced and exceptionally smooth shooting bow.

With blistering speeds and a wealth of desirable features, the Stealth FX4 from iconic crossbow manufacturer TenPoint is sure to please those who insist on only the best quality.

For hunters who favor a bow that is fast but highly tunable, light in weight and moderate in length, the PSE Dream Season Decree is a bow that deserves serious consideration.

Few bows generate the controversy that Mathews’ new Monster Wake has stirred. The combination of a $1,700 price tag, a trend-defying mass weight of 5.38 pounds, a 5-inch brace height and an IBO of 352 fps at 85 percent letoff gets a lot of attention. How did the bow perform for this tester? Read on to find out.

The Prodigy reflects Bowtech's commitment to an overall approach to bow design that is reflected in the shape and relative proportions of the riser, limbs and cams, as well as any technologies intended to reduce torque or noise.

The Barnett Wildcat C6 name harkens back to the classic original wooden Barnett Wildcat from a generation ago, but apart from the name, the affordable price might be the only thing this latest incarnation has in common with the original.

More tried and true gear ready for your next bowhunting excursion.

Bear advertises the H15 Cams as being even smoother and easier to let down while achieving speeds comparable to Bear’s previous-generation cams.

At the heart of the Synergy’s smooth performance is the Synergy Cam, a new cam that follows Elite’s tradition of twin-track cam systems.

Having just mounted the scope, I fired offhand at a deflated balloon on a very large 20-yard target in preparation to sight-in. To my astonishment, I pinned the balloon to the target. Assuming it was a lucky shot, I fired another bolt with the same result.

TenPoint’s reputation has been built on top-quality, no-compromise crossbows with some truly innovative, cutting-edge features, some of which are found on every TenPoint model in production.

The Z5 Cam & 1/2 is touted as producing the same speeds as the earlier Rocket Cam, with an even smoother draw cycle. Anecdotal evidence supports that, as does the draw force curve.

After nearly five years since the introduction of the original 3800, the designers at Darton have managed to develop a bow that is both tried and true and cutting-edge new.

Can a bow that sells for just shy of $1,000 be called a bargain bow? For shooters who want the stability, durability, light weight, and look of a carbon riser bow with the high-tech features, speed, and shootability that BOWTECH is known for, the Carbon Overdrive is certainly a great bow for the money.

Hunters will appreciate the Barnett RAZR’s light weight, compact size, accuracy, and speed, but in particular those hunters who enjoy spot-and-stalk hunting and therefore spend a lot of time carrying their crossbow, will find that the RAZR compares favorably to any crossbow in production.

Hunters who place a premium on pleasant shooting properties and low noise, with more than enough speed to hunt effectively for any species at any range, will find that the Bear Venue fills the bill nicely.

Any crossbow shooter who is a fan of ARs will probably love the Carbon Express Intercept Axon. And because it won over a non-AR fan like me, I suspect it will appeal to a wide range of crossbow shooters.