carbon vs aluminum Bows

[jayquiver]

Hey guys

I have only ever owned Hoyt Carbon Bows. Mainly because thats what I started with and stayed with.

I shot a Bowtech, Reign 7, a little while ago and liked in a lot. I am a hunter who shoots a little 3D for fun. I also like the price of the Aluminum bows.

I have heard the Aluminum are very cold in the winter, which is my main concern. How much colder are they then carbon bows? Any tips to make them easier to hold on the cold days?

If you've shot both in the cold I would like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

[Lefty-Canuck]

They are colder yes, but that's not enough for me to justify the hefty price tag of many Carbon bows.

You can also wrap the handle in thin racquet tape and alleviate the cold touch, or wear a thin glove and get used to shooting with it.

I use large mitts w/hand warmers that I take off and shoot with bare hands in the cold...right into December.

LC

[Twisted Canuck]

Technically, I believe the carbon and aluminum are both at the same ambient temperature when outside, the aluminum is not any colder. It's just that aluminum is a much better conductor of heat than the carbon, so it will feel colder as it is drawing the heat out of you. Anyway, I just wear a glove if it's that cold. I like my aluminum riser hoyt.

[The moose]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

They are colder yes, but that's not enough for me to justify the hefty price tag of many Carbon bows.

You can also wrap the handle in thin racquet tape and alleviate the cold touch, or wear a thin glove and get used to shooting with it.

I use large mitts w/hand warmers that I take off and shoot with bare hands in the cold...right into December.

LC

This. Big mitts, only way to go

[Kurt505]

If it's in the budget, and has the Cam's you like, I'd go carbon every time.

I don't have a carbon bow at the moment, but that's just because Hoyt hasn't made a cam I like since about 2013.

[normanrd]

I was hesitant about the carbon bow thing and used aluminum bows for the first 20 or so years of archery hunting. I then got the opportunity to use a carbon bow for hunting 3 seasons ago and I will never go back. I still use the the lite glove inside of the big Mitt but now I can hold my carbon bow for very long period of time with the thin glove on when I need to, unlike the aluminum bows where sooner than later my hand will get cold. I do not need to alter the grip in any way by wrapping the thing with tape or whatever to make it bearable to use. I put side plates on my Hoyt carbon bow out if the box and don't worry about it. I know I have all the bases covered

The price is steep though, there is no doubt about that, but if you can afford it and the bow suits you I would stay with what you know.

Jmo

Norm

[Bonescreek]

Don't mean to side track the post, but thought it was worth mentioning.
If you know your gonna be hunting in very cold weather, don't forget that
nocks on your arrows are a weak point.

Many years ago when I set out on a deer hunt in Feb. (late season) that year,
I arrived at the state ground about 6:30am and the outside temps. were about
-17 F.

I parked the truck, unloaded all the geer, bow from the case, arrows in the quiver, strapped the release on my wrist. Closed and locked the truck door.
Picked up the bow, nocked an arrow and heard a funny snap.

The temp. change from the heated cab to the outside temp. of -17 F made the nock brittle.

Only way to prevent a problem like this is to keep your arrows outside the
night before and stow them in the pickup bed on your way to hunt.

This only ever happened when hunting extreamly cold winter seasons.
Long story short, if your concerned about the bow being too cold to hold..
Don't forget the nocks can't take it either.

[Bonescreek]

If I could afford it I'd love to have a carbon bow to be able to take advantage
of the riser weight loss, to be able to better balance out a heavier sight and
longer heavier stab.

That's why I would want a carbon bow.

[jayquiver]

thanks guys. good tips here.

Got my moose tag this year in 503 (archery until the end of October, then rifle). So hopefully I can get it done with the bow before it gets really cold.

I have a hard time sitting still when its colder then -10 for long periods. That is usually when I grab the rifle and go for a walk.