Fastest Bows of 2017: Hunting Bow Speed Test

We recently set up our chronograph to test the speeds of the six bows that are part of the 2017 ArcheryTalk Hunting Bow Project.

Each bow is set with a 60-pound draw weight and 29.5-inch draw length. We used the factory draw length settings - we did not measure each bow's draw length ourselves. We are shooting a 398-grain Gold Tip Valkyrie 4 Fletch arrow.

The bows tested include the Hoyt Carbon Defiant 31, Prime Centergy Hybrid, Mathews Halon 32, Bowtech Reign 6, Xpedition Xplorer SS and Bear LS-6.

[callasoninlawhandyman]

my martin lynx from 1990 with over draw is 320 ps so bows have slowed down, its old and a little heavy but has big cams and kicks ass thats why I still have it, great video. Please do a video on vintage bows that would great to watch!!

[sallen]

Seriously why no PSE? What was the criteria to be chosen for this test?

[bladesandbullets]

If you had the chance to test it, the matthews wake. That is a speedy bow, the 5 inch brace height killed it for me. Speed is good, but accuracy is a must!

[mussersbowsboatsandscience]

fast speeds out of the Bear, was not quite getting that speed, I might need to check my bows later. thanks for the reviews

[coachkennedy]

Bowtec. Always the fastest when compared to what they advertise, and what they actually do. Bear/Jennings use to be built for speed (Carbon Extreme, the Machined Extreme, and the Carbon Express). It looks like Bear is making a true speed bow again. I don't know if I could handle the 5 inch brace height though.

[vfonte]

I would of liked to see the new darton bows included also elite

[l.i.archer]

Albert Archer, you've piqued my interest in a Darton bow.  I'd like to know more about these bows, and I'm especially liking the numbers you put up, since I'm a short draw length and would like to get some more speed from my Easton Axis arrows.  I currently shoot a Bowtech Destroyer 350 at 26.5", 64#, and a 385 grain arrow at 275 fps.  I'd like to get a little more speed with my short draw.  I also tune bows and build my own strings using either 452x or 8190, so I can certainly build a speed string to get even more speed.  How can I contact you?

[neallightle]

Thank you for taking the time to do this. Can you tell us which was the lightest bow of the test?

[knownuthinarcher]

Were any 2017 APA bows considered? I'd love to see an honest review of a Canadian product.

[LuckyTwice]

You Should Have Done Apples To apples. A 5 inch brace height will be faster than a 6 or 7. Mathews Halon 32 has a bow with a 5 inch brace height. Why didn't you use it?

[acmund]

Is it just me or was the Prime bow a bit louder? Did all the bows have the same rest?

[golfishuntim]

Have you been able to test the Elite Option 6? Thanks.

[stevehilligoss]

Was the Reign 6 on comfort or performance?

[obstaclearch]

Are archery equipment some federal stuff or is that just crossbows

[ryancline]

What about the defiant Turbo? Brace hight makes a big difference in speed.

[cameronwiss]

Cant do fastest bows without the full throttle 😂

[jerrywells]

What about PSE FULL THROTTLE or McPherson (Mathews) MONSTER XLR8

[iblongshia]

Why not test the Hoyt carbon defiant turbo?

[Goshawk]

You should look up some of the bow tests that Norb Mullaney used to do for Bowhunting World magazine and pattern your testing after them. This doesn't really tell us much other than 'bows with longer power strokes shoot arrows faster' - which I think everyone knows already(?)

[angargoy]

You have made a good video soon you will have in your hands a new technology that starts now Angel