Editors' review
For those in love with the Bowtech platform, the newest Reckoning 38 may be the best bow for those wanting to get absolutely serious about target archery. This rig is a 38-inch axle-to-axle bow with a 7 ⅛-inch brace height flinging arrows at a reasonable 325 feet per second. The Deadlock cam system is a unique spin on some pretty old technology, but allows shooters to fully adjust the cam left and right without a bow press, for a perfect tune while standing on the line. The draw length is also adjustable from 27-32-inches, also without a bow press. The flip disc technology also allows shooters to go with a high or low let-off option, truly giving shooters the ability to make this bow feel however they want it to. The Clutch grip is also modular allowing shooters to get the best option to fit their hand and comfort level without having to add a bunch of grip tape to get the perfect feeling. For those wanting a spot shooter, or a wonderful 3D bow, all in one package, it will be tough to look past all the amazing features and shootability the Bowtech Reckoning 38 has to offer. The bow is a bit strange looking, although that does not factor into how the bow shoots all that much. It is also competitively priced for a target rig with an MSRP of $1699. However, that price is really intimidating, especially for those just wanting to get started in target archery.
Finish
It has been a while since Bowtech experienced major finish options with their rigs, however it still remains an area many consider when looking at a new Bowtech. Fortunately the Reckoning 38 looks awesome! The finish is well applied, looks great, and actually covers all the surfaces it should after dipped. The finish options look sweet as well, and although a company will never please everyone, the seven colors really do look great. Shooters can get the Reckoning in Black, Glacier White, Caught Red Handed, Blue Me Away, Hyper Green Smoke Grey, and OD Green. Each of the seven options come with the limbs matched to the riser to give a uniform look. Bowtech proudly displays the brand and model names on the bow, but not in an overpowering way, and it just blends in nicely to the design of the bow overall. It would be nice to see some additional colors available, but what is offered looks great and gives shooters a decent number of choices to choose from.
Riser
The Reckoning 38 riser is a bit strange looking in all honesty. For some shooters on online forums, they claim it may even be the reason to not get the bow altogether. The riser is minimally reflexed, and almost perfectly vertical giving the bow a stable hold on target and a pretty forgiving brace height of 7 ⅛-inches long. The riser also has a fair amount of cutouts as well getting the bow to an overall mass weight of 4.9-pounds before anything is added. This weight is a decent weight for a target bow, and has a pretty balanced feeling as well. Bowtech also has the Orbit dampeners that can be added or stacked around the riser at several different attachment locations. Although many will add the dampeners to the lower half of the riser, they can be added up top to either side of the riser also. Shooters can also add stabilizers and side rods where they want it too.The cable containment system is also named after the Deadlock technology. The rod is flexible, has rollers to add to the smoothness of the draw cycle. and features a dampener to keep things feeling as vibration free as possible after the arrow is released.
Grip
The Reckoning 38 gets the standard Bowtech Clutch grip. This is a modular based grip system, which allows shooters to pick the perfect feeling grip for them. The grip slides in the back of the riser, and adjusts the angle and feel of what fits against the shooter's hand. Although the thickness is the same throughout, the ability for shooters to choose a high, or a lower profile, more neutral wrist position with the factory grips is a cool option. The grip area is a really personal preference area of the bow, and giving shooters the ability to choose a different factory grip is not always something provided. The width thickness of each choice feels pretty awesome to be honest, and should not get many complaints. It just feels like it fits where it should, and gives a really nice feeling in the shooter's hand provided the proper grip technique is being used. Unlike the hunting bows, shooters will get both options right out of the box, although different colors will need to be purchased separately if desired.
Limbs
Split limbs are the chosen limbs for the Reckoning 38, which lines up with the other flagship models coming out of the Bowtech factory. For draw weight, shooters can go with 50, 60, or 70-pound options, which have a ten-pound increment adjustment available. The limbs do not come from the factory with installed limb dampeners, but it still feels pretty great even without that in regards to the overall vibration and sound after the arrow has been fired. Perhaps the area of most concern is the Deadlock Pockets, which marry the limbs to the riser. These pockets are absolutely rock steady in keeping everything in the tightest of tolerances. Once adjusted to the proper draw weight, shooters will lock the limbs down, and be absolutely confident everything will remain exactly where it is. The limb pockets also look like Bowtech pockets from the past as well with a couple connection points on the top and bottom. The riser is pretty vertical, and the pockets allow the limbs to break off that kind of riser to give the shape and function engineers thought up.
Eccentric System
The Bowtech Reckoning 38 gets the Deadlock Cam System, which is a really awesome cam allowing shooters to fine tune every aspect of the draw cycle, all without needing a bow press. Most adjustments can literally be made while standing on the line firing arrows, and although that will more than likely never happen, it is a great option to have for those serious target guys who love to tinker. For starters, the cams have a rotating module system for draw length adjustments. These are of course available in half-inch increments. They also shoot pretty great speeds for a larger framed target rig with an IBO speed rating up to 325 feet per second. So aside from the standard adjustments, the Deadlock Cam also has the tried and true flip disc technology, which allows shooters to swap the module over to achieve a higher or lower let-off. The standard let-off options are 70, 75, or 80%. Those wanting additional tweaks to that setting can also adjust the draw stop peg to get the desired let-off as well. Giving shooters the perfect ability to fine tune the valley and let-off is an awesome feature, especially for target archers who tend to be on the picky side when it comes to adjusting their equipment and getting it to shoot exactly how they would like it to. The best feature of the Deadlock Cams relates to the tuning of the cam, but allowing the cam to move along the axle left or right to get a perfect bullet hole. Simply using an Allen wrench to loosen, and then to adjust the cam the desired way, and tightening the whole thing back again when finished. It is that simple to perfectly tune a new Reckoning 38. That is it, job done. No need to press the bow, twist the yokes, and try again. Simply loosen, adjust, and tighten the Deadlock Cam system to get the arrow flight perfect regardless of arrows and components. Everything about the cam system tightens down as well so nothing is moving as soon as it gets where shooters want it. This type of technology should be praised and awarded, because it allows anyone to easily work on their bow without needing expensive tools. Kudos to Bowtech for such a great piece of engineering. This cam system is legit!
Draw Cycle/Shootability
The Deadlock Cam System can be whatever shooters want it to be. It can be set on the performance setting with the draw peg moved for a small valley and fast speeds, or it can be tuned with a high-let off and long valley for slower speeds, but maybe a more comfortable draw cycle. Whatever shooters want, they can tune with this bow. The rig weighs 4.9-pounds before any weight is added, and that is a pretty good starting point for a target bow. It feels really balanced as well, which will give shooters a lot of options for getting the bow to feel right holding on target and after the shot. A lot of times a bow will need added weight to correct out the balance, and then more weight to get it feeling the way a shooter would like it to. That is not the case with the Reckoning 38. After the shot, the bow feels pretty good too. It is not as dead in the hand as a hunting bow would be, nor should it be expected to be. The 38-inch bow holds well on target, and has a draw cycle based on how the shooter would like it set up. Overall, this thing feels sweet, and shoots really well.
Usage Scenarios
This is a compound bow designed for serious competitors needing every advantage they can get. This bow will be used for any style of competitive archery, specifically Vegas style spot leagues and 3D shoots. The amazing part of this bow is the level of adjustment and customization. Shooters could even have a different feeling bow for each given how easy it is to adjust everything on the Reckoning and the cam system.
Summary
The BowTech Reckoning 38 is an awesome bow, with possibly the most and easiest adjustments ever designed into a compound bow. Any archer will appreciate the level of customization the 38 allows for, but the ease of making the adjustments is probably the best feature. No bow press, no fancy tools, just some Allen wrenches and a little knowledge on what each adjustment actually does, and shooters can be well on their way to perfectly customizing their new bow and how it feels during the draw cycle and after the shot. The price is competitive for a target bow, but it is far from cheap with an MSRP of $1699. Although many shooters at the target level are sponsored, those just getting started, or needing to purchase their own rigs need to save up or plan on winning a lot to help offset the cost of the bow. The Reckoning 38 is a little goofy looking, and could have some additional color options. However, other than those two minor issues, it is really hard to find anything that would keep a target shooter from buying the Reckoning 38. It is an awesome bow, a great shooter, and well worth the investment for any serious archer.
