Are the target shooting and recreational archery your new occupation?
Then you came to the right place. In this article, I will explain what is target shooting, what do you need of equipment to start and to upgrade your skills, and I will provide a list of the best compound bows for target shooting.
5 Things You Should Know About Target Shooting
What Is Target Archery?
Target archery is a sport where archers are shooting the same distance across the open field or indoors. Target is a bull’s-eye of five colors, in size of 31.5 inches or 48 inches, depending on a competition category. For target shooting, it is recommended to use recurve bows or a little bit more popular compound bow for target shooting.
Types Of Target Archery
Although it seems that target archery is a simple sport with the only point of hitting the center of the bulls-eye, there is more to it. You should learn the difference between field archery and target archery. Once you are good with that explore other types like outdoor and indoor target archery, archery at the Olympics and check different competition formats.
How To Choose The Right Target Compound Bow?
The most important measurement that you are looking for in compound bows for target shooting is axle to axle. The taller bow is more stable which leads to steady aiming. With that, the archer is more accurate and precise. Longer axle to axle is the length of 35 and more inches.
What Makes Great Target Compound Bow For You?
Target compound bow needs to fit you perfectly. You have to feel comfortable while shooting with it otherwise you will struggle more than needed. First, measure your draw length and find the bow that is adjustable to that. Choose the poundage according to the type of target shooting you are going to practice.
Practice Makes Perfect
Find a local archery club and get to work. Some professionals can help you to get started. There is always an option to make your target range in the back yard, just make sure that you are not breaking any laws.
Best 5 Compound Bows For Target Shooting
Best Beginner Target Compound Bow
The Siege SAS Compound Bow
Design And Style
When you take a look at this compound bow it may seem more traditional. It has the recurve classical design but it is, in fact, a full compound bow. Its riser has elegant D shape and the cams make it modern and powerful. It comes in three color combinations – camo version, black and combination of black riser and silver limbs.
Build Materials
The riser is made of aluminum what makes is light at only 4 pounds. It is suitable for adult beginners, but for youth and kids, it may be a little heavy. There is a standard aluminum grip, which feels comfortable. Along the length of the bow, you can find pre-drilled holes that can be useful to add accessories in the future.
Weight And Flexibility
The draw length of the bow is 29 inches and draw weight ranges from 40 to 55 lbs. It is a pretty tall bow of 41.5 inches axle to axle which is perfect for target shooting, but not so much for the hunting because it can get in the way during hideout.
Shooting And Power
Like mentioned before this is perfect for target shooting but not for hunting which also proves the shooting speed of just 206 fps. Its let-off is at 70% and combining all these specs, this is a very forgiving bow but you still need to be careful when using it.
Durable Cam System
This target compound bow has a double twin cam system. The timing is synchronized and that is a benefit for the beginners because it doesn’t need much adjusting. Another good thing is that they are made from quality materials and are very durable, but small so they don’t spoil the elegant look.
- elegant D shape design
- built from quality aluminum
- 41.5” axle to axle
- made for target shooting beginners
- sync twin cam system
Best Compound Bow For Target And Hunting
RAPTOR Compound Hunting Bow Kit
Difference Between Hunting And Target Bow
At first glance, they look the same, except for the difference in colors. Target bows are more colorful because they are not designed to hide in nature. Also, the target bows are longer, and the brace height is wider. But that doesn’t mean that no compound bow can do both jobs perfectly.
Highly Adjustable
The draw weight starts low at 30 pounds and it can go up to 70 pounds. The draw length ranges from 24.5 to 31 inches. It is light at just 3.6 pounds and it can shoot up to 315 fps which is very impressive for this kind of bow. It is a little bit short for target shooting at 30 inches, but it takes just some practicing to develop the aiming skill.
Quality Of Production
The riser on this target compound bow is made of machined aluminum, and limbs are made of fiberglass. Unlike on some other models, this compound bow comes with cams made of aluminum also. Accessories that you get in the hunting kit are durable and reliable.
Hunting Kit
The Raptor compound bow comes with needed equipment for the hunting trip. Included in the package are a 5-pin bow sight, a stabilizer, a quiver and a quality whisker biscuit for the arrow rest. If you are new at hunting, this is a great beginner gear package.
- the best target compound bow for hunting
- fully adjustable for different tasks
- made of aluminum and fiberglass
- comes with hunting kit
Best Fastest Compound Bow For Target Shooting
Bear Archery Escape
Durable Materials
The Bear Archery Escape is all made in the USA. This robustly designed compound bow is made from advanced 7075 aluminum so it is light in weight (4 pounds) and durable. A stabilizer that is included in the package is stainless-steel which is a good feature if you are using this compound bow for hunting.
Style And Design
Like many Bear bows on the market, there is not a lot of option in choosing colors, which is ok because they are oriented on producing bows for hunting and you need to be invisible. But what they lack in color they surely made up in the cutouts and hardware that gives this bow a unique look.
Adjustable Features
This compound bow can be adjusted to a variety of archers. The draw length ranges from 25.5 inches to 30 inches, and draw weight goes from 45 to 70 pounds. Axle to axle length is 32 inches and that makes it versatile in usage. With these specs, it is not made for beginners but intermediate and advanced archers.
Noise And Vibration Reduction
This compound bow has a reputation as deadly and silent. That is because it has rubber inserts on the riser, at the top and bottom and that eliminates noise. And Bear Hinge Guard helps to reduce torque so you have more steady posture and precise aiming.
Unbeatable Speed
Bear Archery Escape compound bow is one of the fastest on the market. It can shoot up to 350 fps. With a brace height of 6 inches and let off of 75% this is quite a powerful weapon. The new Hybrid cam system H15 is installed for easier draw cycle without losing the speed.
- aluminum riser
- lightweight
- reduced noise
- shooting speed up to 350 fps
Best Compound Bow For Competition
Elite Archery Impulse 34 Compound Bow
Accessories For The Bow
The Elite Impulse 34 comes with a few handy accessories. You get a 7.25 inches stabilizer which makes your arrow launching more precise. The quiver can hold 4 arrows, and this target compound bow comes with drop away rest and Quick shot wrist strap release to make your shooting more comfortable.
Shooting Speed
This compound bow can fulfill your expectations in the matter of speed with a shooting ability of 340 fps. It is designed that can do great in any type of competition, no matter is it a 3D tournament, shooting targets or even hunting. It is solid, steady and accurate.
Dimensions
The Impulse is a bit heavy because it weighs 4.4 pounds and that is before you put any accessories on it. Draw weight goes from 40 to 80 lbs, and draw length ranges from 27 inches to 31 inches. This compound bow fallow in the category of longer ones with the axle to axle length of 34 inches.
Finishing Design
Elite target compound bows often come in multiple color choices. Because this bow is manufactured for multitasking you can choose from bright color finishes for target shooting or camo finishes for hunters. This one has even a special combination of the entirely black riser and camo limbs.
Target Compound Bow For Wining
Like mentioned before this is a well-rounded compound bow. With all the specifications on the list, it has a good chance to be your winning bow. I should add also that the Elite offers two different grips for Impulse 34. You can choose from the wooden grip or V-Grip option.
- 4.4 pounds weighs, which is on a heavy side
- shooting speed of 340 fps
- two different types of grip
Best Compact Compound Bow For Target Shooting
PSE Evolve 31
Design Features
The PSE Evolve is a simple and powerful compound bow. It is compact in its design, but it still has that rugged feeling. The riser is made from quality material to provide stability while aiming and shooting. Cable guard is RollerGlide and it makes sure that you never miss the target. The whole bow just gives out the feeling of comfort.
Adjustability And Dimension
Like in the previous compound bows, both draw length and draw weight are adjustable. That means that even this one you can customize according to your needs and skill level. Draw weight alters between 46 and 70 pounds, while draw length ranges from 24.5 to 30 inches.
Compact And Practical
This compound bow has length axle to axle of 31 inches what makes it quite compact, compared to the others in this price range that you can find on the market. It is created to be the most comfortable compound bow that you can use not just for target shooting but for hunting also.
Field Performances
PSE made sure that this bow will be big power in small hardware. They integrated VOLVE Cam System that can give up to 90% of let-off and still keep it a smooth shot. Wedge Lock Speed Pocket and Wide Track Limb System are in service of accuracy needed when shooting up to 340 fps. Also, this bow has a built-in stabilizer.
- built-in stabilizer
- compact design
- up to 340 fps of shooting speed
- let-off of 90%
- suitable for target shooting and hunting
Conclusion: Which Compound Bow For Target Shooting Are You Going To Choose?
Archery is a versatile field and it offers numerous options to use your bow and arrow. Try something new and go down to the target range with your new Bear Archery Escape and shoot full speed or take PSE Evolve 31 for its practical features and have fun.
If you want to find out more about archery, hunting, compound bows fell free to read about top-rated compound bows. There is a list of reviews on the subject of the fastest compound bow if you feel adventurous, and the best compound bow for hunting.