Compound Bow Comparator

The Bear LST is the range bow hiding inside a hunting brand's lineup - Legend Series Target, built for the aiming line rather than the treestand. It launched at $899.99 as a bare bow in blue or silver, in 45-60 and 55-70 pound brackets, and it spends that money on the things a target shooter actually uses: a long, steady 37 1/2-inch riser, a forgiving 7 1/2-inch brace, and a smooth HST hybrid cam whose DrawDial modules make draw-length changes as painless as any bow in its class. It will not win a speed contest at 320 fps, and its 70-percent let-off asks a bit more of your hold than an 80-percent target rig - but neither is the point. What I keep coming back to is how uncomplicated it is to live with: draw it, hold it, change it, repeat it, without a pro-shop trip. An excellent bow for the archer stepping into target, indoor, or 3D shooting who wants a forgiving, easily-adjusted rig without flagship money, particularly strong as a steady first "real" range bow. Buyers who want a wider draw range and a more relaxed hold should also look at the Bowtech Specialist II, while those chasing the lowest price should also look at the Mission Ballistic. Read full review...

The BowTech Specialist II can be summed up in one word: unbelievable. Everything about the bow is amazing! It shoots great, feels great, blanances well, and instills a great deal of confidence for anyone spending time with it. Perhaps the best part about the Specialist II is the price, with a suggested retail of only $799. If this bow was competitively priced over $1000, it would still have folks interested even though some other models may have more technology or customization. However, priced at $799, this bow should have all kinds of fans for 2020. Shooters can be upset there is not a top and bottom stabilizer mounting hole off the rear of the riser, and they can be disappointed the bow is too classic looking for them with the absence of cages or bridges, or a shoot through style riser. However, all of those potential concerns disappear after shooting the first arrow down range. This bow is legit, and for $799, the Specialist II may be the next value in all of target archery! Read full review...

The 2013 Mission Ballistic has everything the archer needs in a bow. With a 30.5" ATA, 7" brace height, and a very smooth draw, this bow is well-suited to fit any archery scenario from the target range to the most desolate hunting grounds. The machined riser, split limbs, and the AVS Cam system produce a very worthy 333 fps. Many shooters will overlook this rig as Mission is a subset of Matthews, and with a price tag of $499 it just it just can't be a very good bow for that price. WRONG! This bow is quiet, accurate, and fast. It is also adjustable from 26" to 30" draw length and 50# to 70# without using a bow press. If you are in the market for a new bow, give this one a try. You may find a bow that fits you while also saving a buck or two. Read full review...

• Smooth, easy draw cycle - the HST hybrid cam builds to peak without a hard hump and eases off cleanly at let-down, not jumpy from anchor to hold
• One of the simplest draw-length changes in its class - DrawDial modules retune 26.5-30 inches with a hex key and no bow press
• Adjustable, repeatable back wall - cable stops and limb stops let you set a solid target wall or soften it slightly to taste
• Steady, forgiving hold on the pin - the long 37.5-inch axle-to-axle and tall 7.5-inch brace keep the sight picture calm through a long end

• 9 custom color options
• Incorporates most of the technology available from Bowtech
• Massive draw length range from 23-32.5-inches
• MSRP of $799

• Fast, quiet, accurate
• Solid shooting platform
• Affordable

• Let-off is 70% - a touch firmer to hold than the 80% many target rigs offer, so shooters running long, high-volume sessions may want to factor in the extra holding weight

• Pretty minimalistic looks
• Would be nice to have rear mounting stabilizer bushings

• Back wall is hit-or-miss out of the box
• No real cons to mention