To all bowhunters out there

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Namibian23

New member
Hi Guys,

So I want to get into the bowhunting scene and an opppertunity has presented itself that I can buy a Mathews Black Max 2 for R3 000...

Now this bow is left-handed and includes all accessories...however the specific bow has been discontinued.

It has only been used once and is set at 80pounds.....

do you guys reckon its a good buy???

I have read some reviews and people are saying its not a bow for beginners and its not so easy to shoot,but I don't see myself getting anything remotely close in terms of price range
 
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JasonF

Sealiner
Yip the bow was discontinued in 2007. Max poundage for this bow is rated 70lbs. You say it is a left handed bow so I presume you are left handed.

Have you had your measurements taken to see what draw length you are as this specific bow is only up to a 30inch draw. What else will be supplied with the bow??? Matthews are quality bows.

I myself use a reflex ridgeline 32 and it is also discontinued but parts and accessories are still available for the bow.
 
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dorsalfin

Sealiner
Buddy, Mathews is not a bad bow but if I can give you some advice, try to get a Hoyt, best there is. Trie to get one second hand if you are concerned about the price.

About the poundage, I dont know you but I promise you, not all people can pull an 80lb bow, you need some SERIOUS power to pull that 80lb.

And as Jason said, make dead sure that the draw length is righ for you otherwise you will never be able to attain maximum accuracy, this is of cardinal importance!

If you are right handed, dont even think about a left-handed bow, you will once again never reach maximum efficiency.

Before you buy a bow, feel a few bows and if at all possible, shoot with a few. Don`t just get ``bokkoors`` and buy the first bow you can get, be sure before you buy.

My 2c
 
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Namibian23

New member
Thanx guys...yes I am left-handed....I myself cannot pull 80 pounds so will have to reduce the poundage, but my cousin who has organized the bow for me says it is very easy to do so.....the bow comes with all accessories......haven't thought about the draw length so thanks will have to check it out....hahahaha I don't know much about bows but ja to each his own in terms of the best out there....I suppose its similar to a daiwa/shimano debate......my cousin hunts with a PSE and he is adament there is nothing better...lol
 
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JasonF

Sealiner
As in all sports a person will always say his equipment is best.

Take the bow to a dealer and have them inspect the limbs for any cracks. Whilst you are there have them test the pounds on the bow as it is only rated max 70lbs unless the limbs have already been replaced. Not sure if they made a higher poundage limb for this bow.

Be very sure with the draw length as you do not want to be hit by a bow string set above 60lbs. My brother clapped his forearm with mine set at 70lbs and ended up pink purple brown and yellow with what looked like a blood blister almost the size of his forearm.

I practised for almost a year before I took my bow to the field and pointed an arrow in the direction of a animal. I shot Mon - Fri between 40 and 70 shots a day to get "bow fit".

One thing to remember when you purchase accessories you count in hundreds.

Not many guys can pull 80lbs unless you are a big boy. I have done BUT can I do it consistently? No. Firstly I am not build for it and had a shoulder operation. Secondly I won't feel confident in the field.
 
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Namibian23

New member
Thanks for the advice guys....yes it will be a long time before I hunt something with it......would never try and shoot something unless I am 100% comfortable with the bow...I think the limbs were replaced because the owner wanted to hunt buffalo with it, but I will confirm.

I think I will take it to a dealer and have it assessed before I buy it.
 
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Dingleberry

Senior Member
The Blackmax was considered a "speedbow" of it's time. The way Mathews achieved this speed was to shorten the brace height - I think it was in the region of 6 inches. This results in the arrow spending more time attached to the string before being released and therefore flies faster. The extra time on the string also means that there is more time for bad form to take effect. Six inches is a very short brace height for a beginners bow. As far as I remember, the Blackmax also didn't have as much letoff as most other bows. About 65% as opposed to 80% in other bows. This results in faster speed but also means that you are holding more weight back whilst taking aim. I still remember my buddy laughing at me while his 80lb Blackmax was biting me. This is extremely disconcerting when taking aim at an animal.

If I were you, I would have a look at a bow with a longer brace height - ie 7-8 inches, with a letoff of 80%, axle to axle above 33"with an IBO above 310fps. There are many brands out there but Bowtech, Mathews and Hoyt seem to be the leaders. As with anything, you do get what you pay for and owning a good quality bow will enable you to learn quicker and be a better hunter.
 
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Gerhard

Sealiner
Dingleberry wrote:
The Blackmax was considered a "speedbow" of it's time. The way Mathews achieved this speed was to shorten the brace height - I think it was in the region of 6 inches. This results in the arrow spending more time attached to the string before being released and therefore flies faster. The extra time on the string also means that there is more time for bad form to take effect. Six inches is a very short brace height for a beginners bow. As far as I remember, the Blackmax also didn't have as much letoff as most other bows. About 65% as opposed to 80% in other bows. This results in faster speed but also means that you are holding more weight back whilst taking aim. I still remember my buddy laughing at me while his 80lb Blackmax was biting me. This is extremely disconcerting when taking aim at an animal.

If I were you, I would have a look at a bow with a longer brace height - ie 7-8 inches, with a letoff of 80%, axle to axle above 33"with an IBO above 310fps. There are many brands out there but Bowtech, Mathews and Hoyt seem to be the leaders. As with anything, you do get what you pay for and owning a good quality bow will enable you to learn quicker and be a better hunter.
Click to expand...

+1
 
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Namibian23

New member
Hi guys so I measured my draw length and its 29.5 inches and the bow is 28 inches.....will shoot with it and see how it feels before I decide to buy......
 
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connas

New member
if i might say lol always wanted to say that hahahaha

we are in the same draw lenth category
i have a mission craze very nice bow can adjust the pounds from @9 i think till 70lbs
im shooting at 29" drawlength at the moment if i can advis you for brand new cheap bows go for a craze or the 2012 mission riot also a very nice bow i want to upgrade to a lefthanded mission riot looks like an awesome bow to have hehehehe pm me if you are intrested in a new bow will hook u up hahahahahaha i bought my bow new with all the extras all comming toe R4000.00 arrows , sight , wiskerbisquet,budd, stabilizer, monkeytails and a carry bag all i can say is the bow supprizes me each day more and more havent got the chance to take a animal with it yet seeing that i have had it for 5 months now still want to better my shooting before i go for the first trophy
 
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