LAST UPDATED: May 1st, 2015
Like many folks I’m a working man. I can’t afford to pay $1,000 for some of these high end bows you see on the market. At least, not unless I sell an organ or wash a whole lot of cars on the weekends. My blood just doesn’t run that rich. And my guess is many of yours doesn’t either. That’s why we have compiled a list of seven bows that fit the budget of a blue-collar worker. While these bows may not tear up the course in the speed department or feature the newest whiz-bang cam technology they’re more than capable of getting the job done come fall and range in price from $400 to $700.
MISSION Ballistic
Mission, made by Mathews, is a brand made for the working man. These bows have much of the built-in technology found in Mathews bows but at a lesser price. This quick-shooting bow hits where you aim and features the same AVS dual cam system technology found on the Monster series bows. This leads to a smoother draw and faster speed all without breaking the bank.
- MSRP: $499
- Speed: 330 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 30.5 inches
- Mass Weight: 4.18 pounds
- Brace Height: 7 inches
- Draw Length: 26 to 30 inches
- Draw Weight: 50 to 70 pounds
BOWTECH Carbon Knight
This is a really awesome compound. It has everything a hunter wants and it has a price tag that won’t give you a heart attack. It has an 80 percent let off and is perfect for pursuing game from the treestand or hunting from a ground blind. The innovative Knight riser is built from a carbon compound which makes it strong yet extremely light. In fact this bow weighs in at an astonishing 3.2 pounds! Thanks to the Binary Cam System this bow shoots like a well-oiled machine.
- MSRP: $699
- Speed: 335 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 31 inches
- Mass Weight: 3.2 pounds
- Brace Height: 7 inches
- Draw Length: 26.5 to 30.5 inches
- Draw Weight: 50, 60 and 70 pounds
HOYT Ignite
This is a great bow for new and experienced hunters alike. It has a wide range of variability and allows for large changes in both draw weight and draw length. It also sports split-limb technology and is definitely worth the bill. This is a great bow for hunting on the ground. Its short axle-to-axle length (just 28 inches) is a slightly better fit when squeezing into a ground blind.
- MSRP: $499
- Speed: 300 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 28 inches
- Mass Weight: 3.6 pounds
- Brace Height: 8 inches
- Draw Length: 19 to 30 inches
- Draw Weight: 15 to 70 pounds
PSE RTS Surge
This bow is probably the best blue-collar bow that PSE makes. The RTS Surge is a solid bow although a little on the heavy side. The Surge sports a comfortable 32.5” axle to axle length however the let off is only 75 percent. At 320 fps it’s a good bow and will certainly do what you need it to.
- MSRP: $499
- Speed: 320 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 32.5 inches
- Mass Weight: 4.3 pounds
- Brace Height: 7.25 inches
- Draw Length: 19.5 to 30 inches
- Draw Weight: 50, 60 and 70 pounds
BEAR Authority
This new bow from Bear archery may not have all the bells and whistles, but it has everything you need to be an effective bowhunter. Thanks to the smooth drawing single cam and 80% let-off the Authority offers a great feel for both beginners as well as seasoned veterans. If you want a good bow under $400, this is a great option.
- MSRP: $399
- Speed: 315 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 31 inches
- Mass Weight: 4 pounds
- Brace Height: 6.75 inches
- Draw Length: 24.5 to 31.5 inches
- Draw Weight: 50, 60 and 70 pounds
DIAMOND Core
Weighin in at a mere 3.2 lbs and shooting 313 fp the Core is a great buy. It’s advantageous for the hunter who hikes a lot through its lightweight design. The Core also has rotating modules which allow for quick and easy draw length adjustments..
- MSRP: $499
- Speed: 313 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 31 inches
- Mass Weight: 3.2 pounds
- Brace Height: 7.25 inches
- Draw Length: 25 to 30 inches
- Draw Weight: 40 to 70 pounds
PARKER Kodiak
The Kodiak is made in America and features pretty cool things like the high performance single cam, adjustable back-wall and extreme parallel limb design. This is another great choice for someone who is looking to keep their purchase under $400. This bow, with a well-placed shot, will take down whatever you’re chasing.
- MSRP: $399
- Speed: 320 fps
- Axle-to-Axle: 30 inches
- Mass Weight: 3.75 pounds
- Brace Height: 7.5 inches
- Draw Length: 26 to 31 inches
- Draw Weight: 50 to 60 or 60 to 70 pounds
BONUS GEAR TIP
Regardless of which bow you purchase you’ll want to protect it well and find an easy way to transport it in the field. The CamBow, made by Alpine Innovations, is a great way to lug your bow around while keeping it safe. It’s the only bow sling on the market that allows you to shoot with the sling still attached to the bow. It’s a great product. . I’ve tried it. I like it. I use it. I’m honest when it comes to reviews. So, that said, the only thing I’m not pleased with is the noisy Velcro. A quieter alternative would have been nice.
Conclusion
Times are tough right now. Not everyone has a money tree growing in their front yard and everyone is on a budget. This list of bows addresses that fact and will hopefully direct those who want to keep their bow purchases in a reasonable range. We’re blue-collar bowhunters, these are blow-collar bows and they both perform pretty darn well.
