Bow hunters, need an opinion!

[ronin069]

My current bow is 15 years old and it is time to upgrade.

I am a left handed shooter who is comfortable shooting up to 35 yards; though I can't take a shot at that range due to the noise and lack of speed in current set up

After Christmas I am planning to get brand new setup - everything.

Limitations - I need to purchase the bulk of my equipment from Cabela's (gift cards are stacking up). They do have an indoor range so I will be able to try some different styles.

Based on the info provided, any suggestions on a set up?
Budget will be about $800

[FJ540]

Shoot a lot of bows now. Whenever you're in a store with them, try a couple new ones out.

Then, when you're ready to settle on one, you'll have an idea what's out there and what you like or dislike about them.

Keep an eye on the bargain cave too. There's been some sweet deals in there on bows.

[hunterfreakhd]

Sell the gift cards for cash and go to a pro shop..

[rugershooter6823]

Sell the gift cards for cash and go to a pro shop..

+1
last te i was at cabelas there was a small range that people were testing bows on.

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[rugersol]

I was in a similar boat, last year ... ordered a Quest/G5 from Cabela's ... the serving near the cam keeps wearing off ... but the consensus is, it's no big deal ... it's a single cam ... I love the bow!

... it was also $100 off, before the gift cards!

I would avoid any "package" ... unless that's all that's left ... I don't think I have a single bit of it left, on my bow!

FWIW, I've had the bow into Capra's, high five, and Bwana ... no issues working on a bow I didn't buy from em! ... jest minor stuff!

if ya do sell the gift cards, I'd check out a mission venture ... LOTTA bow fer the money!

ETA: I'd probly check out this one, too! ... http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hunting/Archery/Bows/Compound-Bows%7C/pc/104791680/c/104693580/sc/104235480/i/103967280/Strother-Wrath-Bow/1369826.uts?

[CarryCauseICan]

2 cents....I was in the same boat a few years back. Went to the local shop after shopping around and decided to pay a little extra and get a bowtech sniper. Buy paying the extra he set it all up and gave me 6 range times for free. Been a good bow, taken the abuse and I shoot league with it too. Digressing.... after the fact I would have went with a diamond bow. Made by bowtech but cheaper in price.

[goalie]

Digressing.... after the fact I would have went with a diamond bow. Made by bowtech but cheaper in price.

I'm a lefty as well. I went with a Reflex Grizzly several years ago. It is also the cheaper option from a more expensive company.

Bow technology is such that anything reasonably current is going to be quiet enough and fast enough if set up properly. Shoot a bunch and get the one that fits.

[DitchDR]

Im a lefty too. I started with a Mission Maniac (made by Matthews). Then I was at a pro shop with some friends using the indoor and 3D range and tried out a Bowtech Assasin. I ended up taking that home with me and selling the MIssion.

[sgruenhagen44]

Im a lefty too. I started with a Mission Maniac (made by Matthews). Then I was at a pro shop with some friends using the indoor and 3D range and tried out a Bowtech Assasin. I ended up taking that home with me and selling the MIssion.

Just go to a pro shop and shoot a few. Most companies now make a great bow. In reference to the post above, I just think matthews charges too much, still a good bow though. Just be wary of where you buy your bow because some now days are not adjustable and may not fit properly, you're better off buying new and having an expert setting it up for you. Not meant to be an insult, but a 15 year old bow is ancient and there are o lot of advancements since then. The days of over draws are over!!! But yea, they're just like guns. If you do your part it will get the job done. I would also agree with Rugersol about buying the packaged bow. You will most likely end up parting out the bow anyway so just buy everything seperate.

[fishdude]

A couple years ago I was looking for a new bow and I really liked the Bowtech Assasin. It comes in a package for about $600, but you'd have to replace the rest. The one it comes with is terrible. I ended up getting with a Diamond Rock 2.0 because of budget and I found a closeout one that was a really good deal.

If I had $800 to spend, I would buy the Assassin and put a Ripcord rest on it.

ETA - Buy it from Cabelas since you have all those gift cards to use, but you WILL need to get it set up properly from a regular bow shop. Cabelas doesn't have the time or the skills to properly tune a bow.

[yukonjasper]

I have been thinking of getting back into the sport after a 20+ year layoff and was told by several of my active bowhunting buddies that virtually nothing I remembered about the sport and the equipment was valid any longer. I was advised to go to a pro-shop to get the right set up for me. I haven't done it yet as I'm trying to amass a warchest to be able to affort a decent set up. I was told to go to Schaeffer's in Burnsville - west of hwy 13 on Cliff Road.

[stottingmuley]

Schaeffers is expensive, but so worth it. John is a bowhunting genius, even engineering his own revolutionary parts. If you are going to a pro shop, get a Mathews. They cost alot, but you get what you pay for. They are complete, nothing rushed in development, and indestructable. Haters welcome to tell me I am wrong! If you are stuck going to Cabelas and cannot afford to go all out on the set up.... Diamond. I've shot them, I know guys that shoot them, they are impressive. Especially for the price and the adjustability they are a pretty good deal. Just make sure its a solo cam. You're hunting, not racing. You can do that later when you decide to sink your savings into archery gear.

[yuppiejr]

This?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Diamond- ... 202665.uts

[sgruenhagen44]

Schaeffers is expensive, but so worth it. John is a bowhunting genius, even engineering his own revolutionary parts. If you are going to a pro shop, get a Mathews. They cost alot, but you get what you pay for. They are complete, nothing rushed in development, and indestructable. Haters welcome to tell me I am wrong! If you are stuck going to Cabelas and cannot afford to go all out on the set up.... Diamond. I've shot them, I know guys that shoot them, they are impressive. Especially for the price and the adjustability they are a pretty good deal. Just make sure its a solo cam. You're hunting, not racing. You can do that later when you decide to sink your savings into archery gear.

He is right, matthews are good bows no doubt. But like he said expensive!!! If you're budget is $800 bucks you better plan on doubling it. If you buy a high end matthews you better put a decent drop away rest on it which will run you $100. A good sight is also about the same. A decent release is in the $50-$200. Arrows end up being a $100 bucks a dozen for some upper end but not top of the line. And if you're hunting you better plan on spending upwards of $60 for a quality quiver that is quiet. I recommend Alpine Archery. I don't know all of what the orignal OP has as far as equipment goes but if his bow is 15 years old I bet his gear is too. Not tryin to rag on your gear or anything, plenty of game is killed with just a stick and string. Basically I just wanted the orignal poster to get an idea of what stuff will really cost once you're totally prepped. I have not shot much in the last couple years buy I doubt the gear got cheaper!!! The bows sure as hell didn't. Not to mention I didn't even get into stabilizers, peep sights, and after market strings, and other random dampening rubber things they sell.

[ronin069]

This?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Diamond- ... 202665.uts

I like that! Just under 4#??? Holy smokes have things changed!