Are you interested in target shooting but don’t know what bow to buy? Well don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of four bows that are not only affordable but also more than adequate for your first target shooting bow. Heres our current picks:
| Bow | IBO Speed | ATA Length | Brace Height | Draw Length | Draw Weight | Mass Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infinite Edge Pro | 320 fps | 31″ | 7″ | 13″-31″ | 5-70 pounds | 3.2 pounds |
| Bear Cruzer G2 | 315 fps | 30″ | 6.5″ | 12″-30″ | 5-70 pounds | 3.0 pounds |
| PSE Stinger MAX | 312 fps | 30″ | 7″ | 21.5″-30″ | 28-70 pounds | 4.0 pounds |
How do you pick a compound bow for target shooting? For starters you need to feel comfortable shooting the bow you choose and ultimately you have to find a bow that fits you properly. Basically, a target bow can be any bow you choose. You could use a hunting bow or one specially made for target archery.
What you are looking for is a more accurate/forgiving bow. Larger brace height and potentially a longer ATA (axle-to-axle length) are a few things to consider. These generally give you the accuracy and forgiveness you should be looking for in a target bow.
You can easily spend a lot of money on bows and equipment. Keep that money for later on when you have more experience under your belt, trust me! These bows we reviewed here will be good for starting out with, will last you a long time, and can get you shooting. Let’s make sure the bow you choose bow is adjustable for both draw length and draw weight. You don’t want to lock yourself in, and you’ll want to make many adjustments as you learn what fits you.
Do you plan not only to shoot indoors (20 yards NFAA regulations, no more than 300fps!) but want to attend 3D archery events or outdoor tournaments? Some organizations won’t allow camouflage colors on the bow or your clothing! These are rules you’ll want to know before choosing your bows color. There’s also no real need to shoot with 70 lbs of draw weight at targets 18 meters/20 yards away (plus Indoor FITA regulations allow only up to 60lbs draw weight). If you are serious about participating in tournaments and thats your aim, check the regulations and choose a bow to meet them. If not, pick whichever bow fits you, is visually appealing to you, or is within your budget. Let’s start off with our favorite pick of the bunch:
Best Overall: Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro
The Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package has more pre-purchase options than most other products in this category. There are different models to suit a right-hand or left-hand orientated archer. The fit and finish were quite top notch and the bow appeared well put together with very good quality control. This bow is available in Black, Pink Blaze, and Mossy Oak.
For draw weight settings, the Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro is adjustable from just 5 lbs right up to 70 lbs. The level of flexibility in the draw weight is quite remarkable and one of the major selling points of this bow.
Additionally, the 13”-31” range of draw length adjustability allows for different settings – This bow will be a good fit for kids or smaller adults too! It can grow with the archer.
To adjust the Edge Pro to your draw weight settings, simply turn its limb bolts using an Allen Wrench. The same is true for adjusting draw length – after removing the cam system modules, simply rotate them to your desired setting. With easy adjustment for both and the large ranges in weight and length, it’s almost all but guaranteed to fit you.
Published Specs Infinite Edge Pro
| Let-Off: 80 percent | Draw Weights: 5 to 70 pounds |
| Weight: 3.2 pounds | Draw Lengths: 13 to 31 inches |
| Brace Height: 7 inches | Finishes: Black Ops, Mossy Oak Country |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 31 inches | Suggested Retail: Check Price |
| Speed: 310 fps |
PROS:
- Draw weight adjustable from 5 lbs to 70 lbs
- 5-inch light stabilizer
- Wrist sling
- Minimal Hand Shock
- Right or left-hand orientation
- Three color choices
- Replaceable parts
CONS:
- Some Archers Might Find The Grip Bulky
- The Tube-Style Peep Sight Could Be Prone To Breakage In Frigid Temperatures
Conclusion
This bow comes fully outfitted with everything you need to hit the range. Sight, arrow rest, quiver, stabilizer, string loop, and wrist strap. It’s all there! When we tested the EdgePro, we found the bow user-friendly, accurate, and affordable.
It had an extremely smooth draw cycle and a rock-solid back wall – helping you with overall accuracy.
This bow is the best bow for target shooting on our list because of its versatility; plus, it has a forgiving brace height of 7″ and an ATA of 31″. A great bow for new target archers. Check out our in-depth review and article click here.
Best Budget: Bear Archery Cruzer G2
We had a chance to test the Cruzer G2 at a range and I must say that this bow’s construction is on par with many premium price point bows. The range of adjustability is tremendous. 5 to 70 pounds draw weight, and 12 to 30 inches draw length make this bow a great fit for almost every archer around. The brace height is 6.5 inches, and the weight of this bow (without accessories) is only 3 pounds. It is hard to describe the overall feel of this bow until you hold it in your hand. We had a lot of fun at the range with this bow and we think it deserves its place as #2 on our list.
Published Specs Bear Cruzer G2
| Let-Off: 70 percent | Draw Weights: 5 to 70 pounds |
| Weight: 3.0 pounds | Draw Lengths: 12 to 30 inches |
| Brace Height: 6.5 inches | Finishes:Realtree Edge, TrueTimber Kanati, Moonshine Muddy Girl, Toxic, Undertow, Wildfire |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 30 inches | Suggested Retail: Check Price |
| Speed: 315 fps |
PROS:
- Lightweight (3.0 pounds)
- Very adjustable draw lengths
- Good accessoires included
- Sufficient arrow speed
CONS:
- Let-off only 70%
- A touch shorter ATA than #1
- Brace height at 6.5″
Conclusion
This bow has one of the toughest limbs in the industry! They are split limbs and composed of EnduraFiber which offers a substantial reflex action and increased stability and longevity—the perfect bow for every skill level with a wide range of adjustability. If all this tickles your fancy, be sure to read our in-depth review on the Cruzer G2.
3. PSE Archery Stinger MAX
PSE Stinger MAX
The Stinger Max has a reputation for being extremely user-friendly and smooth shooting. We had a chance to test the bow and had that exact experience. If you want to read our in-depth click here: PSE Stinger MAX review. The Stinger MAX offers a generous brace height of 7″, making it a forgiving bow well usable for target shooting.
The bow is somewhat compact with an ATA measurement of 30″. This makes the PSE MAX ideal for most hunting endeavors, too. Due to its forgiving overall set-up, the bow is ideal for archers of all experience levels.
One thing to keep in mind, though, the draw weight is not as adjustable as with other bows on our list. The minimum draw weight is 55 pounds – smaller framed youth archers might not find this bow being a good fit!
Published Specs PSE Stinger MAX
| Let-Off: 80 percent | Draw Weights: 28 to 70 pounds |
| Weight: 4 pounds | Draw Lengths: 21.5 to 30 inches |
| Brace Height: 7 inches | Finishes: Black, TrueTimber Strata |
| Axle-to-Axle Length: 30 inches | Suggested Retail: Check Price |
| Speed: 304-312 fps |
PROS:
- Smooth Draw Cycle
- Many accessories included
- Solid back wall
- Forgiving brace height
CONS:
- Not suitable for youth
- Short Axle-To-Axle
Conclusion
This is a great all-around bow, suitable for target shooting and hunting. It has a moderate price point and offers a great level of shootability. It’s definitely one of the best target-shooting bows on our list! Hats off to PSE for producing a fantastic bow. Best part about it? It won’t drain your bank account. A couple more bucks gets you a fully outfit bow ready for the range (or the tree) and it can be adjusted to fit you, me, my wife, or my teenage kids. If you want to read our in-depth click here: PSE Stinger MAX review.
Final Tip: Archery Target
With so many different types of archery targets on the market. It is important to know what type of target you want before making a purchase. The first thing to consider is the type of bow you use for target practice. Maybe you want to practice with a 3D Target, which is more fun than shooting at some plain block, foam target, or bag target. The type of target best suited to your needs will depend on what bow and style you use and other factors, such as the length of time the target will be used or whether it should primarily be used indoors or outdoors.
If you shoot a target compound bow, you should choose a target made specifically for compounds. Compound Bows tend to be more powerful and, hence, have a bigger impact on the target. If you are shooting a recurve bow, your targets will last longer and you don’t have as much concern.
Be sure to check out our article on the best archery targets, if you haven’t yet!
