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AR15.COM
11/22/2013 10:06:34 AM EDT
Never used a bow before but its time to get into a new hobby over the winter since I won't be doing much shooting or reloading. I have been thinking about getting into archery over the past few months and have been looking at compound bows but don't know anything about them. I would probably just set up foam block in my yard and shoot at it for an hour or so each day; don't plan on hunting or doing anything crazy. Just want something that I can learn the basics with and then maybe down the road I could get something better. Don't know if there are different sizes/ weights but I'm 5'11" 175. I would prefer something that comes as a kit/ package and has everything I need to get started. Don't know if this is possible but hoping to stay under $250.
11/22/2013 10:21:50 AM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
Never used a bow before but its time to get into a new hobby over the winter since I won't be doing much shooting or reloading. I have been thinking about getting into archery over the past few months and have been looking at compound bows but don't know anything about them. I would probably just set up foam block in my yard and shoot at it for an hour or so each day; don't plan on hunting or doing anything crazy. Just want something that I can learn the basics with and then maybe down the road I could get something better. Don't know if there are different sizes/ weights but I'm 5'11" 175. I would prefer something that comes as a kit/ package and has everything I need to get started.
View Quote


Just out of curiosity, if you aren't going to hunt with it, why would you want a compound bow and not, say, a recurve bow?

Quoted:Don't know if this is possible but hoping to stay under $250.
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Good luck with that. Most low-end beginner compound bow packages start around $400-$500. Sure you can probably buy just a single cam compound bow for $250, but then once you add the components its jumps up a lot, fast.

Edited to add: yes there are different sizes and weights. Low(er) end bows tend to be heavier. You pay more for a lighter bow (after all, if you are trekking around the wilderness hunting you want to lighten your load as much as possible). Also, there are different draw lengths and weights. Those translate into a faster feet per second arrow travel.

IMO you should hit up a store like Cabelas or an archery store and talk with a sales rep. Most of them bow hunt, are knowledgeable, and would be able to fit you and help you determine draw length and weight.
11/22/2013 10:35:51 AM EDT
[#2]
With your $250 price range, you may want to hit up the pawn shops.
11/22/2013 10:46:56 AM EDT
[#3]
Wife and I recently got into bows.  We went through a few of the major brands and shot a number of bows and settled on what felt good and of course, cost.  My wife got a PSE Chaos package that had basic sights and a few other add-ons for ~300 bucks.  If you have a long draw (more than 28") it won't work for you though.  It's a great bow, especially for 300 bucks.

If you want a decent bow, you'll need to increase your budget to 500 bucks or so or go to your local bow shop and peruse their used bows.  Cheap arrows are 70-80 bucks for a dozen so you'll need to factor that in.  A release is 30-75, etc, etc.

11/22/2013 11:26:03 AM EDT
[#4]

I second the recurve.  Go with a samick sage. Its about the cheapest you can go and still get a decent quality recurve. It will keep you close to your $250.  The bow runs about $140.  Arrows will be $80. Shooting glove or tab 25.  You will need also need a bow stringer.

Start low poundage 35# should be good. You can get heavier limbs later if you want for cheap.

Read up!  You have a lot to learn.   Good trad shooting sites are tradtalk.com and stickbow.com and archerytalk.com is the biggest one and covers all forms of archery.

11/22/2013 11:37:56 AM EDT
[#5]
@ $250 your looking at a used bow. Which isn't bad if you can put your hands on it first.



A decent starter is about $400 - $500    Bear, PSE, Diamond to name a few brands.
11/22/2013 11:42:11 AM EDT
[#6]

Double post.





 
11/22/2013 11:46:50 AM EDT
[#7]


You will need to up your budget or buy used. In the mid range budget, I like the Hoyt Charger. For the price, its a real nice shooter.







11/22/2013 11:50:54 AM EDT
[#8]
Ready to shoot bargain compound bow with quiver, whisker biscuit arrow rest and sights = $350 on sale Black Friday

A dozen crooked (bargain) carbon arrows = $60  (you can get the guy at Bass Pro or Cabelas to cut them to length and install the inserts.)

A pack of field points = $7

An entry level wrist release = $40

A basic foam target = $30

Budget about $500 to get you started, if you want new stuff.
11/22/2013 11:52:22 AM EDT
[#9]
You'll have no problem finding a good bow for $250. Don't know why in the world all this folks are say 4-500 when you say you want a beginners bow. hit the archerytalk.com classifieds or craigslist. Best thing you can do is find one that is already outfitted with sights, arrow rest, and arrows, etc. because that stuff will end up costing you just as much as the bow itself.
11/22/2013 12:00:46 PM EDT
[#10]
I just got a pair of these for my boys for Christmas. It's a bit above your budget, but it's a great bow. They used them (and various others) when they took lessons over the summer and that's the one they decided they want.


ETA: That price is for the package deal.




11/23/2013 8:26:10 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:

I second the recurve.  Go with a samick sage. Its about the cheapest you can go and still get a decent quality recurve. It will keep you close to your $250.  The bow runs about $140.  Arrows will be $80. Shooting glove or tab 25.  You will need also need a bow stringer.

Start low poundage 35# should be good. You can get heavier limbs later if you want for cheap.
View Quote


I'm thinking about one of those for myself.


11/23/2013 8:38:03 AM EDT
[#12]
Whats wrong with shooting instinctive?