What made this bow so great?

[HuntingStudent]

Hunttalk nation,

I've been shooting compound for about 8 years. My first bow was a Bowtech Reign 6. It was a great feeling bow. About 4 years into owning it, I had issues with the limbs. Due to an issue with the warranty I couldn't get them replaced for free. The strings were also old.

I visited a few local pro shops after moving to a new state, and eventually found a shop I felt comfortable with (not a Bowtech dealer). Their cost for limbs/install/strings/tune cost to nearly $600. At that price, I decided to entertain a new bow. I ended up picking up a prev model yr Matthews V3 (new) at a discount where they also bought my old bow off me.

I may have been suckered into it, or that may be a fair price. I don't spend a lot of time in the pro shops to know. Either way, I have been shooting the V3 for 4 years and I just can't get comfortable with it and I am not nearly as consistent, accurate, it precise as I was with my Reign 6. It was a smooth draw, forgiving in the hand, and the break/wall were perfect.

I'm not sorry to say - I'm not a bow pro. I love shooting, but don't have a knack for memorizing the different features/specs. I'm hoping someone is more knowledgeable and can help me understand what about the reign 6 probably contributed to my comfort with it so I can shop for something similar.

Maybe we just overly romanticize our first (bow)....

 

[Rack Daniels]

The answer in a nutshell is to get another bowtech.

Simple as that. You’ll likely have no trouble selling that Mathew’s on here if you needed to.

 

[Sheltowee]

Bow fit is largely a matter of personal taste. The Reign 6 and the Mathews are dimensionally about the same (identical brace height, almost the same axle to axle length) but their draw cycles probably feel quite a bit different. Back wall probably feels a little more firm on the Mathews.

Did you have the Mathews set up for your specific draw length? Kind of sounds like you're getting variable draws. But, as Rack suggests, you're best off with sticking to a brand you like.

 

[HuntingStudent]

Bow fit is largely a matter of personal taste. The Reign 6 and the Mathews are dimensionally about the same (identical brace height, almost the same axle to axle length) but their draw cycles probably feel quite a bit different. Back wall probably feels a little more firm on the Mathews.

Did you have the Mathews set up for your specific draw length? Kind of sounds like you're getting variable draws. But, as Rack suggests, you're best off with sticking to a brand you like.

That checks - I had the 31 V3 and saw similar specs. I wasn't sure if there was a specific spec (besides cam dimensions) that also contributed to a smooth draw. I always kept the bowtech on the "comfort" setting. I was fine with the speed penalty, if I felt better on shot placement and accuracy

 

[Steiny77]

In my opinion ... Matthews are to bows what what Sitka Gear is to hunting clothing.
They are suitable products, but a bit over priced and over hyped. All the latest gadget lovers typically shoot Matthews and trade every couple years.

Plenty of other good bows out there for less money. Just find something you like and stick with it.

 

[TheBenHoyle]

My first, and current, bow is a RealmX, which came out just a couple years after the Reign 6. I would agree with the impression that it is just incredibly comfortable. I also shot a Hoyt and an Elite and it was hands down the best feeling bow.

I have never shot a Reign 6, but I would bet that you would enjoy the RealmX. I would suggest finding an archery shop that carries Bowtech and try out some of their bows. See if you can find the same magic.

 

[44hunter45]

In my opinion ... Matthews are to bows what what Sitka Gear is to hunting clothing.
They are suitable products, but a bit over priced and over hyped. All the latest gadget lovers typically shoot Matthews and trade every couple years.

Plenty of other good bows out there for less money. Just find something you like and stick with it.

Make me an offer on my Hoyt Spectra....

 

[cgasner1]

Hard to say I shoot the realm sr6 absolutely love that bow. It feels same way to me that you mentioned which is why I haven’t sold it

 

[TheTone]

Sometimes you find a bow you just love and shoot well no matter what. I still kind of miss my Hoyt alphamax I had. I wish I didn’t sell it even if it did go to a good friend to help get him back into archery

 

[Wind Gypsy]

The Reign bows are just great bows! I had 2 Reign 7s (primary and backup in case i mess one up as i'm no bow tech). After i bought the first one, i tried the "new and improved" realm x. It wasn't as smooth, vibrated more at the shot, and i struggled mightily to not torque the damn thing. Down the road it went for another used reign 7. I did have limb issues on my first one as well and ponied up to have them replaced. It was about worthless without them so figured what the hay. You could probably find another reign on archerytalk classifieds if you look. None of the newer bowtechs quite felt as good to me but i haven't shot any of the last 2 or 3 years' models.

The one thing with the reigns is the rather narrow round grip that doesn't agree with everyone. I now use a mathews v3x 33 as a primary bow but i'm not sure I shoot it notably better than my reign (still have one as a backup). The mathews is more stable feeling. I'd take the draw cycle of the reign over the v3x 33 any day of the week though.

Note the taped up limb haha!