New Bow or Not?

[MTLabrador]

First, I’m the furthest thing from an archery expert on Hunttalk for lots of reasons, and the last few years I’ve gotten away from archery hunting a little. I’ve missed it, and am looking to do a lot more shooting and will be applying for an archery elk permit this year.

My current bow is a 10ish year old Bowtech carbon icon. I’ve always liked it alright, and it generally shoots pretty well. It’s always been a bit of a pain in the ass to get tuned to punching perfect bullet holes and to keep it that way. Again, I don’t nerd out about archery, and I’m a 40 yards and in hunter, exclusively hunting for elk in the timber.

I’ve considered an upgrade for a while, and I recently found a couple 2024 Mathews lifts at a good discount. Even at a discount it’s still more than I want to spend once you factor in a new sight, rest, etc. However, if it really would be that big of an upgrade from my current setup, I’m considering spending the money. I just want a bow that I know will be as accurate as possible and that I have more confidence in. I want to kill elk without drama. I’m not completely sold on the Mathews and am open to suggestions, but I am looking for a deal if I get something new. Will I really see that much of a difference?

 

[Dave N]

No idea of the difference but you can switch all of your parts over to the new one and sell your old bow. Save some money that way.

 

[Sheltowee]

Have you shot the Lift yet? That will tell you how much difference you see.

I'm always in favor of buying new toys, though.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Dont quote me on this but, if I recall the 2024 lift is the one that was having limb issues.
I'd hate for you to buy something new and it suck.

 

[Forkyfinder]

When i went new bow shopping - i found the things i had liked since i bought my first bow to be different. Seems like shooting a taller 33"ata + and more generous brace height made a way bigger difference than the name on the side to me.

 

[LuketheDog]

First, I’m the furthest thing from an archery expert on Hunttalk for lots of reasons, and the last few years I’ve gotten away from archery hunting a little. I’ve missed it, and am looking to do a lot more shooting and will be applying for an archery elk permit this year.

My current bow is a 10ish year old Bowtech carbon icon. I’ve always liked it alright, and it generally shoots pretty well. It’s always been a bit of a pain in the ass to get tuned to punching perfect bullet holes and to keep it that way. Again, I don’t nerd out about archery, and I’m a 40 yards and in hunter, exclusively hunting for elk in the timber.

I’ve considered an upgrade for a while, and I recently found a couple 2024 Mathews lifts at a good discount. Even at a discount it’s still more than I want to spend once you factor in a new sight, rest, etc. However, if it really would be that big of an upgrade from my current setup, I’m considering spending the money. I just want a bow that I know will be as accurate as possible and that I have more confidence in. I want to kill elk without drama. I’m not completely sold on the Mathews and am open to suggestions, but I am looking for a deal if I get something new. Will I really see that much of a difference?

I'm not an archery nerd either and I don't think you can go wrong with any of the top tier bow companies, but I've found confidence is definitely king so find something you're comfortable shooting. I've got a great Elite bow that about gave me an ulcer, not because of anything the bow did wrong, but just because I couldn't leave well enough alone and stop screwing with my arrow and broadhead setups. Definitely snag that a past-season deal though if you're going to do it, I got mine at cost from a shop who was bringing in all the new hardware. There isn't any good reason to buy a 2025 bow over anything made in the past 3-5 years, the technology just doesn't change that quick.

When i went new bow shopping - i found the things i had liked since i bought my first bow to be different. Seems like shooting a taller 33"ata + and more generous brace height made a way bigger difference than the name on the side to me.

Mine is 35", stable as heck...

 

[rustednuts]

I did this exact same thing last year. Upgraded from 10 year carbon icon to a lift at a rmef banquet. The lift shoots very different so be sure to try it out first. I might suggest waiting a year for the lift X to go on sale. Their new system that allows you to tune without too hate would be nice.

 

[TheTone]

Dont quote me on this but, if I recall the 2024 lift is the one that was having limb issues.
I'd hate for you to buy something new and it suck.

Mathews will warranty Lift limbs for life regardless of ownership and at some point during 2024 changed the manufacturing process on them

There are tons and tons of great bows out there. I’d have a really hard time buying new or current model year anymore. So many good deals to be had on lightly used ones or leftover previous year models

 

[Alpine01]

Anyone have experience with the PSE Mach 30 DS or Mach 33 DS?

 

[Steiny77]

I'd take a hard look at the new Bear bows.