The bow is only as good as the person behind the string...

People continually ask the generic question, "which bow is the best." The majority of us realize that the question is extremely subjective and we generally produce a generic answer, "whichever one feels/fits the best." All BS aside, and you boil it all down... the bow is only as good as the person shooting it. Just the same that a nascar is only as good as the person driving it.

If a person is only capable of shooting 250/300 on a 3-spot, it doesn't matter which bow they shoot (obviously assuming that the bow fits the individual). Until that person becomes a better shooter, a new bow will do them no good...

Thoughts?

 

Dude that is 100% right. There are none walking this planet that can shoot as well as any bow made is capable of shooting. We're not machines, we're not perfect. We just don't do the exact thing every time. Oh sure, some of us are much better and much more consistent than others but still...... Today's bows are FAR more capable than any of us can ever achieve.

 

Some people get lazy with an old bow. You take it out shoot some arrows through it and if your sights are on your done. With a new bow like a new toy at christmas it get's used more and that can make a person a better shooter.Of course if their form is wrong they are still going to shoot like crap.

 

Nah, I have to disagree a little. With todays technological breakthroughs w/cam & limb designs, I believe that a bow can influence your shooting capabilities a little. Not saying that it will make you shoot all bullseyes, but it may make you shoot a little bit better by not kicking back as much, more forgivness in the bow, the cam allowing a smoother draw, able to hold weight better w/higher let off percentage. I know when I bought my Tribute in 07, my 4 y.o. bow was lightyrs behind in perfomance. did it make me a better shooter, not sure, but i'm way more consistent w/my Tribute. I think it even adds a little confidence knowing your shooting a new high performance bow.

 

Take your example of nascar. Same driver 2 different cars. if one handles poorly, he will drive differently than if its to his liking. I believe that drivers are constantly keeping the pit crew/chief aware of how the car feels, tire need air, to tight in the suspension, etc. Now granted I'm not talking about someone like Byron Ferguson, or Robert Ulmer, but just us in general.

 

Totally agree with that one. I consider myself a good shot but not anywhere close to being a great target shooter. I have never been into the target end of shooting. Mostly a hunter but do like to shoot some 3D in the off season. That's as close to hunting as I can get until the season opens up again.

I guess I have never put enough time into becoming a great target shooter. Never had the spare time to do it or the proper training. I am mostly a self taught shooter. And am sure I have some areas that I could make improvements on my form and skill level.

The best equipment in the business will do you no good without good form and a steady aim. In fact the best bows will probably make an average shooter worse, just because they can be a bit finicky to shoot consistantly.

 

But they can't win with a junk car.:d

I feel there are certain things that will make a person better with different equipment and just because it feels good to them,doesn't necessarily mean they will shoot it better.Take a grip for instance,many more inexperienced archers like the feel of the fat Mathews grip but very few of them will shoot better because of it,actually the reverse is the norm.


I agree to a point with your premiss but sometimes equipment can be part of the problem.

I knew a guy that was trying to use a lower end bow for competition,actually I knew two guys that did this.They were constantly wearing things out and fixing their bows.Fortunatley,they knew when they went wrong and were able to fix them.The average Joe is not aware when these things happen and are left struggling with a piece of equipment that can't get the job done.

So on one hand,I agree but there are times when the equipment will hold you back.

 

I gotta agree with John

I don't shoot all that well and got a new bow last year and my shooting didn't improve even though I have a much sweeter rig. I love the way my bow shoots but wish I could shoot it better.

 

It's not the arrow...but the Indian behind it :d

 

I agree with orginal post.
If accuracy is an equation of Archer plus bow...Archer has to equal at least 95% of the equation.
Point being...anyone blessed with a steady hand should be able to pick up any bow (that's not broken somehow) and in about 15 minutes be putting arrows into a 3-4 inch circle at 20 yards. Most just need to work on being a better shot.

But I have no problem with guys who want a new bow each year either...this is what we love to do...I just can't justify spending paying a acre of land for a new bow setup

 

Personally, my head gets in the way more than my equipment does.

I still think some people can shoot certain bows better than others. It has to do with confidence and individual taste. I know I have two completely different bows, one is a Trykon, the other is a ProElite. I shoot the ProElite more consistent, but I prefer to shoot the Trykon. The Trykon isn't nearly as forgiving as the ProElite, but the specs of the ProElite and Spiral Cams are something you have to get use to before you can shoot well.

Another huge issue in shooting the best you can is tuning. I really like to know I am shooting equipment that is tuned to it's fullest extent (or what I believe to be tuned). Something mental happens when I feel I am shooting a bow that just isn't up to par. It isn't like I am making excuses for shooting poorly, but shooting equipment that is tuned and specifically tuned to your shooting style will greatly increase performance, confidence, and accuracy.

 

It aint the tool, it's the fool. While todays new bows can help, they aren't the total answer. A person still has to have some level of ability, technique, and form. Without those things. it doesn't really matter what they shoot.

 

Today's compared to when?

 

Rob, expound on this more. We've had this discussion in reference to past bows he has had.

IMO, what makes up a great, well executed shot is dependent largely on the human element rather than the bow. That said, I have a friend who recently bought a Marquis and has been shooting a 1998ish Buckmaster Walmart Special. Could he shoot well with the older bow, yes. Will he shoot better with the new one, I'd lay money on it. Difference in the two being quality and an overall better fit.

BUT, take a top of the line bow in 1998, set it up with today's rest and sight, pair it with a capable archer, and I really doubt that you will see a large gap. Speed, yes, but accuracy, true accuracy, no.

A new bow can help, but it all comes down to shot execution

 

I agree to a point. If you have terrible flaws in your form, it will not matter what bow you shoot. However, if you have a solid form (not saying perfect), I do believe that you may shoot one bow better than another bow. I believe that a person who is a great shot will shoot just about any bow great, but I also believe this is when you start seeing the difference in equipment. I know I wish I could shoot as well as my bow is capable of shooting.

 

I agree with you for the most part but not 100%. The huge let offs In the compounds make them much easier to shoot and be consistent with then with the old let offs of older bows. Sometimes the person Is as good as the equipment he/she uses. Technology has made target shooters better, one can't deny that.

 

If your current bow is any decent model from the last 8-10 years that is properly tuned, fits you, and is in working mechanical condition, then I don't feel that buying a new bow will suddenly make you be able to shoot better...pending comparable accessories. I think they matter as much as the bow.

 

I know that with any of the bows I own now I can shoot much better (10-15 points on a Vegas round) than anything I owned 20 years ago. And even some that I own now I can consistently squeeze 5 points more out of than others but we're talking the difference between hitting a dime or a quarter here not the lungs of a deer or pie plate. While the bow isn't going to shoot any better than the capabilities of the indian behind it, some bows do have higher inherent precision than others.

 

Kodiak, how much of the improvement is the bow and how much of it is the new accs?

 

The A/C/C's aren't as good as the aluminum X7's I shot back then or that I shoot for spots now. Arrow technology, although improved, hasn't experienced near the explosion that bow technology has.