{"id":2440,"date":"2024-05-25T05:55:16","date_gmt":"2024-05-25T05:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=2440"},"modified":"2024-05-25T05:55:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-25T05:55:16","slug":"the-best-compound-bows-for-the-money-of-2024-tested","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=2440","title":{"rendered":"The Best Compound Bows for the Money of 2024, Tested"},"content":{"rendered":"


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With flagship compound bows from all the major manufacturers now costing north of $1,000, there is grumbling within the archery community that bowhunting gear is taxing budget-conscious hunters out of the game.<\/p>\n

There is some evidence of this. At OL\u2019s annual compound bow test<\/a> the PSE Mach 30 DS won the editor\u2019s choice award. It\u2019s an incredible bow for sure, but it costs $1,800. Some folks simply will not spend this much on a bow.<\/p>\n

Luckily, there are plenty of excellent bows available for under $1,000. You absolutely can get a well-built, tack-driving bow for a fraction of the cost of a flagship model. I tested six so-called \u201cbudget\u201d options to find the best compound bow for the money. I can confidently say that you can be successful with any of the six, and they all exceeded my expectations in finish and performance.<\/p>\n

But the winner stands head and shoulders above the rest. It\u2019s a forgiving, smooth-drawing, rock-steady, super-accurate bow that costs $650. And it\u2019s entirely made from high-end materials. There\u2019s no looking down your nose at this \u201cbudget\u201d bow. It\u2019s got it all.<\/p>\n

Best Compound Bows for the Money at a Glance<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bow<\/strong><\/td>\nAccuracy<\/strong><\/td>\nSpeed<\/strong><\/td>\nDraw Weight<\/strong><\/td>\nDraw Length Range<\/strong><\/td>\nLength<\/strong><\/td>\nPrice<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Darton Consequence<\/a><\/td>\n1.63 inches<\/td>\n297 fps<\/td>\n61.8 pounds<\/td>\n26-31.5 inches<\/td>\n29.5 inches<\/td>\n$650<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bear Alaskan XT<\/a><\/td>\n1.81 inches<\/td>\n301 fps<\/td>\n58.6 pounds<\/td>\n25-30 inches<\/td>\n33 inches<\/td>\n$530<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hoyt Torrex<\/a><\/td>\n2.06 inches<\/td>\n302 fps<\/td>\n61.6 pounds<\/td>\n26-30 inches<\/td>\n30 inches<\/td>\n$699<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elite Terrain<\/a><\/td>\n1.96 inches<\/td>\n300 fps<\/td>\n61.2 pounds<\/td>\n25.5-31.5 inches<\/td>\n32.5 inches<\/td>\n$750<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prime Ronan<\/a><\/td>\n2.38 inches<\/td>\n304 fps<\/td>\n61.6 pounds<\/td>\n26.5-30.5 inches*<\/td>\n34 inches\u00a0<\/td>\n$849<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PSE Vengeance<\/a><\/td>\n1.38 inches<\/td>\n301 fps<\/td>\n61.2 pounds<\/td>\n24.5-30 inches<\/td>\n30 inches<\/td>\n$999<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>
All bows tested for speed at 30 inch draw, with the same 350 grain arrow, and at the draw weight listed above. *The Ronan requires a new mod to change draw length.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How I Tested the Best Budget Bows<\/h2>\n
The author shoots the Bear Alaskan XT. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bow Setup and Tuning<\/h3>\n

The bows I tested came in with varying peak draw weights. Some were 70-pound models, some were 60-pound models, and one was a 65-pound bow. So I set them all close to the 60-pound range, with a draw length of 30 inches.<\/p>\n

I timed the cams, set the center shot to the standard 13\/16 inch, and set the nocking point level. Then I paper tuned each until I got a perfect bullet. I achieved that with ease for each bow.<\/p>\n

Speed<\/h3>\n

I shot Easton Sonic 6.0 arrows in 300 spine cut to 28.5 inches with 50-grain field points. The arrows weighed exactly 350 grains, which would be the minimum weight used to derive ATA speed ratings for each bow at 70 pounds. Each bow\u2019s exact draw weight is listed along with its speed in the test results section.<\/p>\n

I used a Garmin Xero C1 Chronograph<\/a> to measure three shots from each bow. I then averaged those three recorded speeds for the final spec. Truthfully, many variables play into arrow speed, including the bow\u2019s tune, the weight of the peep, and the number of speed nocks on the string. The speeds listed for each bow are reference points rather than the final word on each bow\u2019s speed. What was surprising was how close the speeds were on all the bows I shot, and that all hovered around the 300-fps mark with draw weights in the 60-pound range.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Accuracy<\/h3>\n

Using Black Eagle Spartan arrows that weigh 435 grains, I spent several days shooting all six bows at 50 yards. Why didn\u2019t I stick with the Easton Sonics? Well, I only had three of them, as compared to 10 Spartans. Plus, I feel the 435-grain Spartan is a better representation of a typical hunting arrow. These bows are meant for bowhunters. I wanted to shoot them in a realistic hunting configuration.<\/p>\n

I shot the Spartan arrows at 50 yards at an NFAA 50cm field target face, with a 10cm (3.9 inch) center dot. It\u2019s the same target you\u2019d shoot at 50 yards during an NFAA field round.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I shot two three-arrow groups from each bow to measure, and those measurements are shown for each bow. But then I spent time shooting each bow at the same target at the same distance to get a feel for how each felt and performed.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gear I Used for Testing<\/h2>\n