predator bows

[reinmb]

#7218

I’m in the market for a new toy. I always wanted a bw recurve take down, so I finally bought one. It didnt take me long to realize that I should have bought a one piece (they are a lot lighter) I dont really want to spend $1100 on another bow. I was looking at the predator, but I’m not sure how it compares to others. There are so many out there, and as you know you cant just go try one out at a local archery shop. Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated.

[Stephen Graf]

#59698

You may want to do a search on “Predator bow” in the forums. There have been a number of threads that discussed these bows.

Check the dealer locator on the predator website as well… You may have a dealer somewhere near you.

How’s that black widow shoot?

[William Warren]

#60078

I have a Predator take down recurve, 50# @ 28″. True, the take downs usually have more mass in the riser and are heavier that a one peice. That is the trade off with being able to disassemble it for travel.
It might help to make a list of the models that interest you and then call the makers to find out who has the lightest riser if weight is an issue.
There is no doubt that my one peice bows are lighter by comparison but I find that the added weight of my take down has little bearing on how it shoots. It shoots great and I’m going to hunt and shoot with it until I’m too weak to tote it!

[LimbLover]

#60193

Every predator bow I have seen was a really smooth drawing, fast shooting bow, but the takedowns are PLANKS. By that, I mean that they are really heavy. Lots of wood.

I also notice that they need quite a bit of silencing. They make a really weird THUD sound when you shoot them. At least the take-down models do.

[William Warren]

#60402

LimbLover wrote: Every predator bow I have seen was a really smooth drawing, fast shooting bow, but the takedowns are PLANKS. By that, I mean that they are really heavy. Lots of wood.

I also notice that they need quite a bit of silencing. They make a really weird THUD sound when you shoot them. At least the take-down models do.

But it’s a pretty plank and no heavier than my Hoyt T/D. I like to think of it as strength training for my right arm. 😀
Show me a bow that does’nt twang or plunk with nothing in place to silence it. Home made wool silencers or home made fleece “tarantula” silencers coupled with leather string groove pads made mine super quiet. And of course a properly adjusted brace height.
Out of curiosity, how much does your bow weigh? My Predator weighs 3 lbs with a full quiver and set up to shoot.

[reinmb]

#60499

Steve Graf wrote: You may want to do a search on “Predator bow” in the forums. There have been a number of threads that discussed these bows.

Check the dealer locator on the predator website as well… You may have a dealer somewhere near you.

How’s that black widow shoot?

The black widow shoots good, very smooth just seems heavy for even a take down. I have two other takedowns set up with the same or like quivers that don’t seam to be near as heavy. My issues are my fault I should have done more research before ordering this model. It just goes to show you shouldn’t buy anything on looks alone.

[reinmb]

#60501

Duncan wrote: I have a Predator take down recurve, 50# @ 28″. True, the take downs usually have more mass in the riser and are heavier that a one peice. That is the trade off with being able to disassemble it for travel.
It might help to make a list of the models that interest you and then call the makers to find out who has the lightest riser if weight is an issue.
There is no doubt that my one peice bows are lighter by comparison but I find that the added weight of my take down has little bearing on how it shoots. It shoots great and I’m going to hunt and shoot with it until I’m too weak to tote it!

Dont get me wrong I’m not so weak that I cant tote it around. I just dont LOVE this bow enough to want to. I have two other take downs that I have never disassembled since I bought both of them, so buying another take down is not a must. I have a brackenburry that I love but its right handed and I made the switch to left over 15 years ago.

[reinmb]

#60505

LimbLover wrote: Every predator bow I have seen was a really smooth drawing, fast shooting bow, but the takedowns are PLANKS. By that, I mean that they are really heavy. Lots of wood.

I also notice that they need quite a bit of silencing. They make a really weird THUD sound when you shoot them. At least the take-down models do.

thanks for the info I do not want a plank. I do not need a take down. The only advantage for me to have a take down is being able to interchange the limbs for less or more weight. However I could never bring myself to spend better than half the price of a new bow on just a set of limbs.

[reinmb]

#60506

Duncan wrote: [quote=LimbLover]Every predator bow I have seen was a really smooth drawing, fast shooting bow, but the takedowns are PLANKS. By that, I mean that they are really heavy. Lots of wood.

I also notice that they need quite a bit of silencing. They make a really weird THUD sound when you shoot them. At least the take-down models do.

But it’s a pretty plank and no heavier than my Hoyt T/D. I like to think of it as strength training for my right arm. 😀
Show me a bow that does’nt twang or plunk with nothing in place to silence it. Home made wool silencers or home made fleece “tarantula” silencers coupled with leather string groove pads made mine super quiet. And of course a properly adjusted brace height.
Out of curiosity, how much does your bow weigh? My Predator weighs 3 lbs with a full quiver and set up to shoot.

I have never weighed it, but its quite a bit heavier than any of my other bows of which two are take downs and one of those is 2″ longer. I like the looks and style of the black widow that has a long bow handle. Ever shoot one of those?

[LimbLover]

#60551

Duncan wrote: But it’s a pretty plank and no heavier than my Hoyt T/D. I like to think of it as strength training for my right arm. 😀
Show me a bow that does’nt twang or plunk with nothing in place to silence it. Home made wool silencers or home made fleece “tarantula” silencers coupled with leather string groove pads made mine super quiet. And of course a properly adjusted brace height.
Out of curiosity, how much does your bow weigh? My Predator weighs 3 lbs with a full quiver and set up to shoot.

All three of the predator takedowns I’ve seen shot were silenced on the limbs and on the strings and they all made that sound. My Samick Phantom was a quieter bow. You are right though – it could be a braceheight thing.

FYI – two of them were being shot 3-finger under. Predator doesn’t tiller specially for 3-finger under shooters as an option. I have a feeling this has something to do with it.

[Brad]

#61220

I had a predator custom for awhile, and wish I still had it! Beautiful, well-made, quiet, and one of the best shooting t/d recurves out there (for me, anyway). The shelf is cut very low so the arrow is right above your knuckle, which I always thought made for “shoot where you’re looking” kind of set-up. As for physical weight of the bow… I never noticed that it was any heavier than other 3-piece t/d recurves I’ve had.

[William Warren]

#61763

I have never weighed it, but its quite a bit heavier than any of my other bows of which two are take downs and one of those is 2″ longer. I like the looks and style of the black widow that has a long bow handle. Ever shoot one of those?

Never shot a Widow.

[William Warren]

#61766

LimbLover wrote:
All three of the predator takedowns I’ve seen shot were silenced on the limbs and on the strings and they all made that sound. My Samick Phantom was a quieter bow. You are right though – it could be a braceheight thing.

FYI – two of them were being shot 3-finger under. Predator doesn’t tiller specially for 3-finger under shooters as an option. I have a feeling this has something to do with it.

Of course what sounds quiet to my old ears might sound like a thunk to your young ears.:D And we have to consider that your position while others were shooting may give you a different perspective on the sounds coming from the bow. It helps to get some one to listen while you shoot to see if it is really quiet or not.

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