The HuntStand crew annually delivers one of the best hunting bow tests of the year. It’s not just another bow review. It’s a test for the bowhunter that’s looking for a true machine when it comes to the best of the best gear for bringing more big game out of the woods when hunting season arrives.
The team recently wrapped things up for this annual test, and the results just might surprise you. Take a closer look below…
The Test Bows
The lineup of 2022 test bows included the new Bear Refine EKO, the Elite EnVision, PSE EVO XF 30, Mathews V3X 33, the Prime Inline 3, and the Bowtech SR350.
All bows were competing for one of three awards: The 2022 Best Value Award is a gauge of ultimate bang for your buck, which considered both features and performance. And the coveted 2022 Editor’s Choice is the staff-picked bow from this high-class, premium group if limited to just a single model. The 2022 Silver award could be considered an “Honorable Mention” or “Second-Place” finisher to the Editor’s Choice.
The Test
The team put these six bows through a battery of tests that included speed (with help from a shooting machine and a chronograph). They also tested for mass weight (with help from a digital scale), and silence (with help from a decibel meter).
In addition, they considered things like accuracy, fit and finish, ergonomics, in-the-field maneuverability, letoff, draw cycle, and price point. All of these can be important factors when choosing a new premium hunting rig.
The Gear and Accessories
All test bows were equipped with a proven G5 Outdoors Meta Peep Pro, as well as an all-new Redline RL-1 10-inch Stabilizer, and a Redline RL-3 5-Pin Dovetail Sight. In addition, they used the latest full-containment drop-away UltraRest models from Quality Archery Designs.
Also used in the test were Easton 5mm Full Metal Jacket arrows fletched with New Archery Products’ Quikfletch QuikSpin Vanes. And finally, they shot those arrows into a selection of Delta-McKenzie block-style and realistic 3-D targets.
Watch the video below for a look at who came out on top…
Best Value Award - Bowech SR350
The Bowtech SR350 won the Best Value Award in this year’s test. But don’t think that was due to a lighter price tag. In fact, the bow is comparably priced to the other bows in the test. But the value comes in this bow offering the best bang for the buck with incredible features coming standard.
You’ll see it in the fast and easy tuning opportunities this bow allows for, without the need for a bow press. But you’ll also find it in the Flip Disc Technology that allows you to essentially have 2 bows in 1, with the opportunity to switch from the Comfort setting to the Performance setting.
In fact, in the performance setting, this bow took top honors as the speed test winner in this year’s test.
Silver Award - Mathews V3X
Mathews bows often find their place among the best of the best when it comes to solid bows for the bowhunter, and this year is no different. The Mathews V3X demonstrates Mathews’ ability to continue to make a great bow even better.
The V3X won the silver award in this year’s test with great features from top to bottom. The bow was the quietest bow in this year’s test, which should come as no surprise. Mathews has things figured out when it comes to whisper quiet compound bows over the last several decades.
Despite being among the longest axle to axle design in the test, the V3X was the 3rd lightest in the lineup, thanks to a slick riser design that allows for ample accessory options for a lighter, better balanced bow.
Editor's Choice Award
The Editor’s Choice award is the top prize given out for the bow that gets the nod from the HuntStand team as the best of the best. This year, the award went to the all-new Prime Inline 3. It’s a solid win for the company that made a bold move breaking away from their parallel cam design they’ve been known for from the start.
For 2022, Prime launched the all-new design with a familiar balanced feel, all while in a much simpler cam design that is smooth and sweet. The bow is also the second lightest in the test, despite its 33″ axle to axle length.
It wasn’t the fastest, but the team says the Inline 3 was among the smoothest drawing bows in the test.
A big congrats to all the winners in this year’s test. They represent the best of the best when it comes to the features bowhunters love, including: speed, smooth draw, balance, and accuracy.
Be sure to give these bows a look this summer as you make plans to upgrade your gear for the fall season. You can also keep up with all the latest from HuntStand at www.huntstand.com.
