The compound bow is easier for some people to shoot because it uses a system of levers and pulleys to bend the limbs. The compound bow uses arrows that are not as stiff or do not have as much spine, because of the way the bow disperses the arrow.
The best compound bow is determined by a number of factors. The first thing that our experts told us about choosing the right bow was learning about axle length and how it applied to the intended purpose of the bow.
Our panel of experienced hunters and archery enthusiasts looked at a large number of compound bows. They put the bows through strenuous testing and then they chose the following five as their top picks.
The 5 Best Compound Hunting Bows Reviews
1. RAPTOR Compound Hunting Bow
This is an amazing compound bow with an adjustable draw length. You get a draw length between 24.5 and 31 inches. This makes the bow perfect for families who might share the bow between members, or for young archers who have not grown to their adult draw length.
You can adjust the draw weight between 30 and 70 pounds. You do not need a bow press or any special tools, or skills to make this weight adjustment.
This is a light bow that weighs only 3.6 pounds. The axle to axle length is only 30 inches. It is also equipped with a split yoke tuning system. That means that you are going to be able to make precise adjustments to create impeccable arrow flights.
The bow has fiberglass limbs and an aluminum riser. The limbs are made in the USA.
The drawback to this bow: The peep site for the bow is already installed but you have to install the foresight.
2. Siege SAS Compound Bow
This is a serious compound bow with serious capabilities. It has an axle to axle length of 41.5 inches and a draw length of 29 inches. The draw weight for this bow is between 40 pounds and 50 pounds. That makes the bow ideal for hunting large game, but not ideal for a beginning archer who might be a child or a teen.
The bow comes complete with a five pin bow sight, a stabilizer, and arrow rest, a bow sling, a tube peep sight, a sight light, and a paper target. The manufacturer suggests you use 30 inch carbon and aluminum arrows.
This bow has limbs that are sturdy and durable. It is designed for hunting and heavy usage. It is light, easy to use, and dependable.
Drawback to this compound bow: It is strictly for right hand shooters.
3. Leader Accessories Compound Bow
The adjustable draw weight and adjustable draw length makes this bow capable of growing with you if you start shooting as a youth. It also allows a man and woman to share the bow and both have comfortable bow weights and bow lengths. You need no bow press or specialized tools to change the length or weight.
It has draw weight capabilities between 30 pounds and 55 pounds. It can be used for target practice, small game, or large game. The draw length can be adjusted from 19 inches to 29 inches.
This bow has an axle to axle measurement of 28 inches. It has a let off of 70% and a maximum speed rating of 296 feet per second. This is a serious weapon meant to bring down the game you shoot at.
The manufacturer recommends a 30 inch arrow with a carbon or aluminum shaft.
Drawbacks to this bow: It is designed specifically for right hand shooters.
4. CenterPoint Archery Elkhorn Youth Compound Bow
The name explains that this bow is designed to be used by younger archery enthusiasts. It is designed to help a youth archery enthusiasts learn the skills they need and develop the muscle strength they need to engage in archery.
This bow is crafted from quality materials so it can withstand the punishment of a new budding archer. It has a low draw weight and a low draw length so the young person can be comfortable while they shoot. If a young person begins learning archery on a bow that is too large they will learn improper methods of standing and shooting. Those improper methods will stay with them for the rest of their lives, and their shooting accuracy will be affected.
The sight window is larger so the youth have an easier time sighting their target. It is ideal for beginners who are 12 and older.
Drawback of this bow: It is a set size and does not have adjustable bow weight or draw length.
5. Genesis Original Bow
This bow is a great learning bow. It is the officially chosen compound bow of the National Archery School Program. It is designed to be used by all ages, all skill sets, and people of all athletic abilities.
This bow does not have aa specific draw length so it is a great beginner tool. It is also a single cam device so it presents without tuning issues, and it has less recoil and shoots more accurately.
The limbs are made of sturdy composite materials. The bowstring is made of high strength materials. The result is a durable piece of equipment that will allow you to learn, make mistakes, and have no equipment damages from those mistakes.
This is the perfect child bow because it grows with the child.
Drawback of this bow: This bow does not come with arrows. You can purchase a kit and arrows are included in it.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Best Compound Bow
How to Choose the Right Bow
There are several things to consider about a compound bow. Each thing in itself may seem small, but small changes in draw length, weight, and such factors can cause you to not be successful in making the arrow hit the target.
Some of the considerations you should make concern:
The Weight of the Bow
An inexperienced archer is going to need a lighter bow than an experienced archer. With experience you develop the muscle strength that allows you to carry a heavier bow.
You do have to remember that lightweight bows have vibrations when the arrow is shot, and they produce more noise when you shoot the arrow. This noise can warn prey if you are using the bow to hunt wild game.
Length and Weight
The draw length is going to play a major factor in the decision of what compound bow you should buy. The draw length is determined by your physical size. Some measurements calculate your gender and weight along with your age, but the draw length measurement method listed below will help you choose the right bow.
To make sure that you get a bow that you can properly hold you should measure your draw length. This is easier to do if you ask a friend to help you make the measurements.
- Stretch your arms out straight to the side. You are going to measure your wingspan.
- Have your friend measure from the tip of your middle finger on your left hand to the tip of your middle finger on your right hand.
- When you have the measurement you simply divide that number by 2.5
The number you come up with is the perfect draw length for your size.
Draw Weight is another critical consideration in choosing a bow. Heavier draw weights allow the arrow to shoot faster, but heavier draw weights are not possible for everyone.
The beauty of compound bows is they allow you to lessen the weight that you have to hold the string at to achieve a full draw. This is the let-off, and it is usually noted by the bow manufacturer as being 70%, or 80% let off.
You should match the draw weight to the strength you have. You want to be able to pull the string into a full draw and hold it in that drawer for a period of no less than 30 seconds.
You can also buy a compound bow that has an adjustable draw weight. The adjustable weight allows you to set your bow precisely to the weight that is most comfortable for you.
Budget
You are the only one that really knows how much you can afford to spend on your bow. If money is no object then do not even consider the price of the bow you like.
If you are like the rest of the world, and money is an object, then the first thing you should do is set a budget limit. Decide the maximum amount that you can afford to spend on your equipment.
You can purchase some very nice compound bows in the $400 to $500 dollar range. If you spend less on your first compound bow then you will be able to upgrade later after you know what features you want in your archery equipment.
When you are shopping on a budget it is wise to look for bow kits or packages. When you buy a package you can often get accessories like the arrows included in the price of the bow. In the long run these kits can save you a lot of money.
What is the best compound bow on the market?
This question depends on the features of the bow that you are looking for. The best compound bow for youth is different from the best one for adult men. The best bow for target practice is different from the best bow for shooting large game. The determination of the best bow is reliant on so many factors that the question cannot be answered at this time.
How far can an arrow travel from a compound bow?
A compound bow can actually shoot an arrow 1000 feet. The longest distance that a compound bow has been recorded to shoot an arrow that hit the target it was aimed at was 930.04 feet. For the average archer a compound bow should be accurate between 30 and 60 yards.
How to increase poundage on a compound bow?
To adjust the compound bow you will need to tighten the bolts that hold the limbs on until the limbs are held firmly against the bow riser.
Final Words
The compound bow makes it easier to pull the bowstring back, so more people can use the bow. Other bows rely fully on the strength of the archer, but the compound bow relies on the pulleys and levers to help the archer create the bow weight needed.
Buying a compound bow is not something you do on a whim. These are serious pieces of hunting equipment that can be dangerous if they are not used properly. You want to make sure that you have a true interest in archery before you start to invest in these bows.
Once you have started to shoot a compound bow you will get more joy out of your archery because your equipment will be lighter, and more of your shots will be bullseyes.