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Bow speeds

Volbuck777

Volbuck777

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I've got a Mathews dxt and I love it. I believe as long as I hit the intended target it'll for sure get the job done. It's not the fastest but it's very quiet. But a member here and a friend of mine got me thinking about speed. One thing I said was, I don't know many people that shoot a bow faster than 350 fps. My buddy bought a newer Mathews a couple years ago and it does shoot 344 fps. To me that seems extremely fast. I bought my bow years ago from a guy that told me he was getting 302 fps with it, whether that's true I'm not sure buts it's a killer. So how about it. What do you guys believe the speed of your bow is.
 
This is my Invasion CPX I have hunted with since 2011.
Bow speed.webp
 
Everything with archery is a trade. You trade something to get something. If you want a fast setup you can have it but you're giving up a few things to get it. If you want a heavy arrow or a high FOC setup you can get it, but you trade some things to get that. Thats the fun of it. I love experimenting and changing things in my setup from year to year. I personally prefer a lower poundage that's comfortable to shoot, I'm currently at 57 lbs. My arrow this year is 409 gr. I'm at 258 fps. Its buttery smooth & very quiet, Killed 3 does so far, all with mechanical broadheads. Another point to consider is I know my bow is in tune. I'm very meticulous about that. A DXT is a very capable bow. I'd put it very high on the list of Mathews. If I were you I'd go to a reputable bow shop, not a box store, but a good shop and experiment with a few different arrow setups, weights etc.. Experiment with your poundage too. A good shop will get you comfortable in your bow, make sure it's tuned, and then help you build an arrow that will meet the needs of what you want. Then just before you leave, put it on the chrono and see where it's at. I love this stuff !
 
I use a chrono to setup a bow, when things are all working together the speed max's out, everything is better. It's a way to measure improvement. Vibration is a loud thief, when things don't pull their own weight something has to make up for it, this causes vibration, lose of speed, increase in noise. Take a turn off a limb bolt, you can like or dislike the result, a chrono tells the facts. Might be faster if the limb you took the turn off of was pulling more than the other, stops the 2 from fighting each other.

I won't turn down more speed if it produces a quiet accurate shot. I'm not paying several thousands for it either. lol

unlike everything else, deer aren't getting faster, if it worked before it still works today. I would like a smaller bow, I still use a 2005 Hoyt Protec, if I remember right it's around 300fps.
 
Robertson Stykbow Fatal Styk recurve, 53 pounds at my draw length, 165 fps with a 640 grain arrow.

My selfbows are around the same speeds, and arrows usually pass completely through deer with fixed two blade heads or stone points.

Slow by today's standard, but compounds are so fast these days that it's just over my head.
 
IBO ratings are notoriously misleading if you don't understand what IBO means. Case in point my bow is IBO rated and advertised to shoot 335fps but even with my 70lb x 30.5"dl I'd be surprised if I bust 300fps with my 415gr hunting arrow. With a 450gr arrow I'm certain it's under 300fps. If you have a lower draw weight, shorter draw length, and/or arrow that's heavier than 350gr then you're not getting advertised speed from your bow, nor should you expect to. IBO is nothing but a baseline standard.


1730135210056.webp
 
You also have to take into account they are achieving these speeds shooting a 300 or 350 grain arrow with the bow set at max draw length and draw weight. As soon as you start changing the draw length or draw weight those speed numbers change and most people are not hunting with the arrow weight they got their speed at.

I don't feel like bow speeds have changed a lot in the last 15 years well maybe the base models but the top models all seem to be around the same speeds but what has changed is the ability to shoot a bow with less hand shock, is quieter to achieve those speeds, and easier tune/balance. For example I have 25 year old PSE Carrera that shoots almost as fast as my newer bows but is probably one of the most difficult bows I have to shoot. Hand shock feels like the bow wants to jump out of your hand, requires perfect form due to the wooden grip, and is not forgiving and is loud to shoot.

Well I had someplace I was going with this but got a phone call at work and lost it. I guess older bows maybe as fast as newer bows but the newer ones can be easier to shoot but if it works for you shoot the older one no reason to change it is already a killer.
 
Ski said:
IBO ratings are notoriously misleading if you don't understand what IBO means. Case in point my bow is IBO rated and advertised to shoot 335fps but even with my 70lb x 30.5"dl I'd be surprised if I bust 300fps with my 415gr hunting arrow. With a 450gr arrow I'm certain it's under 300fps. If you have a lower draw weight, shorter draw length, and/or arrow that's heavier than 350gr then you're not getting advertised speed from your bow, nor should you expect to. IBO is nothing but a baseline standard.


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This is how I've always understood it also. I was surprised to hear the guy tell me over 300 on my bow. I was thinking more around 280s
 

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