Your plains Game Archery set up for 2025

[wysongdog]

Mathews lift, bridgelock stabilizer, trophy taker canyon pounder sight. 80# 300’s victory vap ss, with 25 grain iron will Snyder core hit, with 25 grn collar, with 135 grain sb broadheads, total weight 505. For buf same bow set same arrow except 250 spine, 100 grain insert and 25 grain collar, 200 grain broad head, should put my total arrow weight to somewhere around 750 grain. Still trying to figure out what to do about sight tape and pin gaps between the 2 setups

 

[FlyGuy]

I haven’t tried it in Africa, but since 2016 I’ve been shooting a PSE StingerX at 70# and 30” draw (I actually need a 32” draw if anyone has recommendations). I’m currently running RIP TKO arrows with aluminum inserts and 200gr VPA single bevels. I’m in at 553gr with at 21% FOC.

Plan is to go to RSA next year for plains game, and I was planning on renting a rifle (we’re going to vic falls after the hunt). However, I might take my bow instead. That said, I may upgrade my bow and get my arrow weight up to 650 gr. Although I prefer PSE, I’ve been looking at the Mathews Lift XD for my upgrade based on draw length. Potentially a used PSE Bow Madness 32 could save me some pesos for more trophy

I haven’t tried it in Africa, but since 2016 I’ve been shooting a PSE StingerX at 70# and 30” draw (I actually need a 32” draw if anyone has recommendations). I’m currently running RIP TKO arrows with aluminum inserts and 200gr VPA single bevels. I’m in at 553gr with at 21% FOC.

Plan is to go to RSA next year for plains game, and I was planning on renting a rifle (we’re going to vic falls after the hunt). However, I might take my bow instead. That said, I may upgrade my bow and get my arrow weight up to 650 gr. Although I prefer PSE, I’ve been looking at the Mathews Lift XD for my upgrade based on draw length. Potentially a used PSE Bow Madness 32 could save me some pesos for more trophy fees.

There’s no plains game animal in Africa that you cannot kill with that PSE setup.

 

[FlyGuy]

I am a fixed blade guy also. I can say I have never actually even shot an expandable out of my bow.

Mechanical broadheads only have two advantages.

1: You’re too lazy to broadhead tune your setup.
2: Your I.Q isn’t high enough to broadhead tune your setup.

Today’s fixed blades have come a looong way from the old Thunderheads and Muzzy’s from back in the day.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I haven’t tried it in Africa, but since 2016 I’ve been shooting a PSE StingerX at 70# and 30” draw (I actually need a 32” draw if anyone has recommendations). I’m currently running RIP TKO arrows with aluminum inserts and 200gr VPA single bevels. I’m in at 553gr with at 21% FOC.

Plan is to go to RSA next year for plains game, and I was planning on renting a rifle (we’re going to vic falls after the hunt). However, I might take my bow instead. That said, I may upgrade my bow and get my arrow weight up to 650 gr. Although I prefer PSE, I’ve been looking at the Mathews Lift XD for my upgrade based on draw length. Potentially a used PSE Bow Madness 32 could save me some pesos for more trophy fees.

The new Bowtech Proven 34 LD has a 33” Max Draw Length. There are only a couple of long draw bows on the market.

 

[Adipose]

I haven’t tried it in Africa, but since 2016 I’ve been shooting a PSE StingerX at 70# and 30” draw (I actually need a 32” draw if anyone has recommendations). I’m currently running RIP TKO arrows with aluminum inserts and 200gr VPA single bevels. I’m in at 553gr with at 21% FOC.

Plan is to go to RSA next year for plains game, and I was planning on renting a rifle (we’re going to vic falls after the hunt). However, I might take my bow instead. That said, I may upgrade my bow and get my arrow weight up to 650 gr. Although I prefer PSE, I’ve been looking at the Mathews Lift XD for my upgrade based on draw length. Potentially a used PSE Bow Madness 32 could save me some pesos for more trophy fees.

In the 70's and 80's we were all PSE guys. Pete was the man of innovation back then, and I am sure I shot more arrows thru a PSE bow than anything else. I would actually think getting a bow to fit correctly is much more important than what type it is or newer features. A 2" draw difference is huge, and I know I certainly could not shoot consistently with that handicap.
I hope you get a chance to find a 32" and give Africa a try with a bow, you will be pleased for sure.

 

[Adipose]

Already booked for Sept of this year… undecided about the bow right now… but I’d say “probably” at this point… when I take it, I typically take a rifle too and split the hunt days up a bit between rifle and bow

Can I ask where you are going? We will be there for three weeks in Sept this year.

 

[Bowfisher]

Iron Wills and VPA Omega's. Slung by a PSE Fortis and a XF33. Love the draw cycle and performance of the EC2 cam. The grips on these PSE's provide me with very consistent POI's, lefts and rights are greatly minimized. Still have to finalize the shafts, have GoldTip Airsrikes, Axis, and Day Six XD's.

 

[JCharp391]

I'll be shooting a Hoyt Ventum 33 at 65ish pounds. I am down to 3 broadheads and will probably only take 2 ultimately. I have some 200 grain 3 blade RMS cutthroats, a 200 grain Grizzlystik Bison Overkill, and a 300 grain steelforce single bevel. The Steelforce and Cutthroats fly great out to 50. I really like the Grizzlystik's but they just don't fly as well. They are also the widest of the 3 so I would have to do some additional tuning. Setting these up and tinkering around with them has definitely been a lot of fun.

 

[rookhawk]

I haven’t tried it in Africa, but since 2016 I’ve been shooting a PSE StingerX at 70# and 30” draw (I actually need a 32” draw if anyone has recommendations). I’m currently running RIP TKO arrows with aluminum inserts and 200gr VPA single bevels. I’m in at 553gr with at 21% FOC.

Plan is to go to RSA next year for plains game, and I was planning on renting a rifle (we’re going to vic falls after the hunt). However, I might take my bow instead. That said, I may upgrade my bow and get my arrow weight up to 650 gr. Although I prefer PSE, I’ve been looking at the Mathews Lift XD for my upgrade based on draw length. Potentially a used PSE Bow Madness 32 could save me some pesos for more trophy fees.

Check out Gearhead archery out of Wisconsin. I have a few of their bows and shoot 32” including d-loop. They will make you older models no longer on their site. For certain the B-24 and B-36 will fit you. (Former is a tiny 24” ATA stalking bow, the latter a large 36” ATA target/blind bow). With a lot of tuning and gimmicks I also got an M30 to work but that is a very rare, expensive bow made about 8-10 years ago.

 

[BSO Dave]

Same setup since 2004…

Mathews Switchback
29” Draw
70#
Spot-Hogg Hoggit sights
450gr Carbon Express arrow
125gr G5 Striker or Striker V2
Speed is around 270fps
Shot everything from Springbok to Eland
Works every time

The Mathews Switchback is arguably one of the best hunting compound bows of all time... Certainly in the top 3 of all time... It's velvet smooth draw cycle, silence, and forgiveness are the Switchback's best attributes.

I absolutely agree that your particular set-up (assuming it's well-tuned) with more or less 600 grains of total arrow weight, 70lbs of draw @ 29" and a compact fixed blade broadhead is a deadly effective combination for nearly any small to medium-large game animal on the planet.

I've had a bow shop for over 20 years, and if every customer had your perspective, I would be out of business...LOL.. Quite honestly, the technology advancements from the first Solocam design to today's aggressive dual-cam designs are mainly in the form of speed that is paid for by the hunter at the price of a nasty draw cycle and potentially more vibration... In fairness, there have also been some very beneficial tech advancements with the latest bows which have come in the forms of tunability, and much more effective vibration dampening systems than in years past. Interestingly, Mathews was ahead of the curve on that vibration dampening technology as well very early on...

Much of what is on offer with new compound bows is a result of very effective marketing by the manufacturers. Specifically in regard to speed which certainly has a place in the equation, but in my opinion, far too much emphasis is placed on speed which has caused many bow hunters to sacrifice forgiveness, accuracy, comfort, and consistency in the name of shooting one pin out to 40 yards which in my opinion is an over-rated benchmark.

I have many customers who get a new bow every year or two for no other reason than to have the ability to say they have the latest technology and there is nothing wrong with that... However, when it comes down to the basic necessities for an effective hunting set-up, if it ain't broke, don't fix it..!

 

[FlyGuy]

The Mathews Switchback is arguably one of the best hunting compound bows of all time... Certainly in the top 3 of all time... It's velvet smooth draw cycle, silence, and forgiveness are the Switchback's best attributes.

I absolutely agree that your particular set-up (assuming it's well-tuned) with more or less 600 grains of total arrow weight, 70lbs of draw @ 29" and a compact fixed blade broadhead is a deadly effective combination for nearly any small to medium-large game animal on the planet.

I've had a bow shop for over 20 years, and if every customer had your perspective, I would be out of business...LOL.. Quite honestly, the technology advancements from the first Solocam design to today's aggressive dual-cam designs are mainly in the form of speed that is paid for by the hunter at the price of a nasty draw cycle and potentially more vibration... In fairness, there have also been some very beneficial tech advancements with the latest bows which have come in the forms of tunability, and much more effective vibration dampening systems than in years past. Interestingly, Mathews was ahead of the curve on that vibration dampening technology as well very early on...

Much of what is on offer with new compound bows is a result of very effective marketing by the manufacturers. Specifically in regard to speed which certainly has a place in the equation, but in my opinion, far too much emphasis is placed on speed which has caused many bow hunters to sacrifice forgiveness, accuracy, comfort, and consistency in the name of shooting one pin out to 40 yards which in my opinion is an over-rated benchmark.

I have many customers who get a new bow every year or two for no other reason than to have the ability to say they have the latest technology and there is nothing wrong with that... However, when it comes down to the basic necessities for an effective hunting set-up, if it ain't broke, don't fix it..!

100% Dave!

Way too much emphasis has been put on speed.
Back in the day, we killed our game just as dead with PSE Fireflight bows, shooting heavy aluminum arrows and fixed blade broadheads, at speeds that barely broke 200fps. (LOL)

I only have 3 criteria for a hunting bow and 21 years later, the Switchback still offers all three.

1. Smooth shot cycle. (I like to hunt on foot, so the ability to smoothly draw back is critical. Seen many great stalks ruined at the moment of truth by excessive movement, due to the hunters fighting with aggressive cam systems.)
2. Quiet.
3. Accurate.

It's really splitting hairs, but if there's anything that I could fault the Switchback on, it's the fact that it doesn't have a great back wall. The Mathews LX that I had before the Switchback was rock solid at full draw.

 

[rookhawk]

Just a quick anecdote about speed, noise, and arrow weight.

We used the online calculators to predict my son’s arrow speed as we were building his rig years ago. The calculators said 140fps. When we actually shot it over a chrono perfectly tuned he was getting 164fps. Huge difference for someone shooting 585gr arrow at 40lbs!

So where was the energy coming from the calculators didn’t predict?

1.) the heavier arrow was in contact with the string for more time, thus leeching energy from the bow more efficiently.

2.) the heavy arrow weight was absorbing energy instead of surrendering it to vibration and noise that not only made the arrow faster, it made the bow ridiculously quiet.

To his and the bow’s credit, he has had almost exclusively heart shots and deer have not tried to jump the string. Another benefit of a quiet bow.

No point to my post other than you give up less speed than you think with heavy arrows and in exchange you have less risk of string jumping because they are quiet.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Same setup since 2004…

Mathews Switchback
29” Draw
70#
Spot-Hogg Hoggit sights
450gr Carbon Express arrow
125gr G5 Striker or Striker V2
Speed is around 270fps
Shot everything from Springbok to Eland
Works every time

Switchback XT since 2007 for me.

 

[FlyGuy]

Just a quick anecdote about speed, noise, and arrow weight.

We used the online calculators to predict my son’s arrow speed as we were building his rig years ago. The calculators said 140fps. When we actually shot it over a chrono perfectly tuned he was getting 164fps. Huge difference for someone shooting 585gr arrow at 40lbs!

So where was the energy coming from the calculators didn’t predict?

1.) the heavier arrow was in contact with the string for more time, thus leeching energy from the bow more efficiently.

2.) the heavy arrow weight was absorbing energy instead of surrendering it to vibration and noise that not only made the arrow faster, it made the bow ridiculously quiet.

To his and the bow’s credit, he has had almost exclusively heart shots and deer have not tried to jump the string. Another benefit of a quiet bow.

No point to my post other than you give up less speed than you think with heavy arrows and in exchange you have less risk of string jumping because they are quiet.

I also believe that shooting the heavier arrow is easier on the limbs.
Since 2004 my limbs have only lost about 1.5lb.

 

[BSO Dave]

I also believe that shooting the heavier arrow is easier on the limbs.
Since 2004 my limbs have only lost about 1.5lb.

Absolutely...!

And as already mentioned, a heavier arrow also makes the bow much more silent, and shooting heavier arrows will alleviate a lot of the vibration that translates into hand shock.