Axle to Axle Length - Shorter or Longer, Which Is The Best?

Over the past few years, we've seen many flagship bows released with a "long" axle to axle version, as well as a "short" axle to axle version. In this video, Justin goes over the pros and cons of long and short axle to axle bows.
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[@fuenstock]

Would like to see a accuracy test of a short and long bow back to back at hunting distances to see if bow length makes a difference in accuracy!

[@godlyk3]

Just what i was looking for. Thank you.

[@casualobserver77]

I shot a 31" axle to axle pse evolve bow for years. Last season I switched to a 33" bowtech revolt x and it is amazing. The pse evolve cams are awesome, but the longer ATA is much more forgiving. Especially at longer ranges...

[@richarddean3154]

I have a 2010 Mathews Drenalin LD that I relegated to backup status when I bought a BowTech Revolt X for my 50th birthday (2020). I love the Drenalin and killed a pile of animals with it. The BowTech performs better, but the 37inch ATA of the Drenalin shoots better for me. My next bow will have a longer ATA. Great video. Thank you for putting it together.

[@bowhuntordie]

Thanks!

[@ThatJamesGuy88]

One last point-modern bows with big cams have “better” string angles than bows with small cams at the same ATA. My 2018 Mathews Triax is very similar to my 2013 Parker UltraLite30+.

[@vincelong9660]

34" PSE EVO with a 31.5" DL. for me.

[@PBS-nm1uu]

thanks for the info, helped me make up my mind. for my new bow/

[@OutdoorShellback]

Got a brand new V3 27 and thought I'd absolutely love it just for its maneuverability. After months of shooting I decided it just never fit my face due to the sharp angle and my 29" DL and I just never felt 100% comfy. Because of all that I never maintained any consistent accuracy. Traded a guy for the exact setup but in the 31" and it's a completely different story. Never appreciated the importance of the string angle before then, and now I get it.

[@sipple31]

Wow, I can relate. Same DL. I shot both at the shop and couldn't really tell a difference blind baling... so I thought "what the heck", might as well have the short one for maneuverability. Getting it home and tuning it was a completely different story... but I did stick with it. I had to buy the top hat set to get it paper tuned. I had Vapor Trail build me a custom string with the top brass and servings condensed by about 3/4" so that I could slide the peep higher and make it overall more comfortable. I think I had to try 4-5 different peeps before I found one that the steep angle worked out. I was not prepared to have to go through so much... but am now shooting it quite well. If I had to do it all over again I would get the 31.

[@aymanjoudar5425]

Man, I like you already, you talk logic very LOGICAL. I do not think there is one size bow for EVERY situation. I think each hunter should have more than one bow, depending on hunting situation and techniq. Also dependant on each hunter physical trait, a 5 4 would not be same as 6 4 height hunter... Good feed thanks

[@PukaHeadMan]

Question: is there a lot of difference between the bows used in the Olympics compared to bows you guys use for hunting?

[@2ndAveScents]

Yes, the Olympics are not currently using compound bows which are the ones you see with wheels or “cams” that allow for a reduction in draw force requirement at full draw, making aiming easier and allowing for much more speed and kinetic energy than a recurve or Olympic style bow at a given distance. Recurve bows are quite different from compounds and only use one string that connects the tips of the limbs. The draw force is consistent throughout the draw cycle and at full draw the weight is at maximum, making aiming much more difficult. They also shoot with their fingers using a finger tab, while compound archers use a mechanical release, either handheld or wrist strap. The sights are different, as the aperture on recurve is much smaller and the sight requires much more travel for the more parabolic trajectory of recurve bows. The arrows are different as well. Compounds use much stiffer arrows with less precise spine stiffness requirements, recurves have to be perfectly tuned with the spine of the arrow to achieve consistency. Compounds use arrow launchers or arrow rests that either drop away or are made of spring steel to get the arrow above the shelf and provide clearance for the fletching. There are other differences as well but idk how detailed you want to get lol. Hope that answers your question.

[@jjsemperfi]

I can successfully sneak up on animals and get within about 2-3 miles normally. Maybe I need a 100" ATA 200 lb bow?

[@marcushopson848]

New to bow hunting… picked up a Mathew’s halon x comp (37”) for a killer deal and feel as if it’s good enough for hunting I guess.. heard it’s been done before and thought “why not”. Love the bow so far but wondered if anyone has some insight of hunting with a 37 ata bow.

[@brandonsmith7864]

I was hoping for a test. Maybe Justin and a pro.

[@Nathan-xx5wt]

I don't recall you stating anything about brace height. That has more to do with forgiveness of a bow than the ATA. I am going to date myself here. I used to shoot a PSE Baby G force. It had a pretty short brace height due to the riser having a pronounced reflex to it back to the shooter. It was a 36in. ATA bow. These newer bows tend to have a more straight riser resulting in better brace height measurements. I remember getting asked by a Mathews dealer back when I was shooting that PSE how I shot it so well. I said don't know I just shoot it! LOL.

[@Kjklump]

I struggled with the sub 30" bows for several seasons because I thought that was what ever one else was shooting. I switched to a 33" bow and it just makes shooting so much easier for me. I haven't really seen any issues with the increase in length other than a ground blind ( which I can't stand any way) but I also use a longbow so I guess 33" compared to 60" doesn't seem long.

[@the_atomic_punk487]

Did you have trouble shooting the 33 out of a ground blind? Could you shoot it?

[@Kjklump]

@@the_atomic_punk487 I never ended up shooting it out of a ground blind. But it only adds 1 1/2 to 2 inches up top so it shouldn't be an issue

[@the_atomic_punk487]

@@Kjklump I saddle hunt as well and am concerned about the longer ata, shoot a 29 ata now but just feels awkward finding the peep and achieving solid anchor.

[@Kjklump]

@@the_atomic_punk487 I saddle hunt with a 33 ata compound and a 58" recurve. It won't be an issue

[@the_atomic_punk487]

@@Kjklump thanks man

[@rogerramjet7567]

String angle is it guys. Feel also better with longer ata.

[@outdoorwarvetitsavedmylife7094]

I wish i had the money for a 31 vxr cause i have the 28

[@hunterbernarde365]

I just picked up a Matthews V3 27 inch

[@bowhuntordie]

How do you like it so far?

[@harleyhunter68]

i have the v3 31 and now the v3x 33. both shot great but with a 30.5” draw length i found the string angle was so much better. also after 34 years of bow hunting and owning dozens and dozens of bow across all manufacturers, generally i could get longer bows to tune quicker

[@johnhildenbrand2642]

Lol, competition archery accuracy is simply not necessary when hunting...it won't hurt anything to get that extra accuracy, but vitals are vitals and the size doesn't really change

[@aaronbuehler1270]

just bought a V3X 29... at my 29 inch draw length I can't get the string to touch my nose.... I thought it was string angle but you have your nose touch at a longer draw length and shorter ata on the 27..... what do you think is going on?

[@bowhuntordie]

In order to get the string to your nose, you'll probably need to adjust your hand/release anchor. Assuming that the string is a little too far away from your face, you'll need to anchor your release hand a little further back. Or you might just need to adjust your draw length if it isn't comfortable.

[@aaronbuehler1270]

@@bowhuntordie which way would I adjust draw length? longer or shorter?

[@mikhailyaremkiv]

​@@aaronbuehler1270 longer

[@pholton3300]

32, 33, and 34 inch I find the most comfortable.

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

The Mathews Creed XS was a 28 in bow from the early 2010s. My 2006 PSE Fire Flite 33 is 33 ata but has long limbs and a short riser. What’s the advantage of a long riser and short parallel limbs vs the long limb short riser like my bow. Why would I need to upgrade to such in the near future

[@bowhuntordie]

You don't necessarily "need" to upgrade your bow. If it's working fine and you are comfortable shooting it, keep using it! But the advantage of the long riser, short limbs is in performance. Bow manufacturers are getting faster speeds and better performance out of those kinds of bows compared to the older ones.

[@the_atomic_punk487]

V3x 29 and I find it uncomfortable to search for the peep, considering a 33” ata

[@mdsaddlehunter3796]

I shoot an Elite Tempo (34"), Mathews SBLD (33"), and a Z9(30")...all at a 32"DL.

[@ass_rake_258]

Allright so, I have no idea what to buy. I have a 31-32" drawlength and a Hoyt Highline is very expensive. Anyone got tips?

[@the_atomic_punk487]

Lift 33

[@ridgerunner6211]

Me I prefer a 36" to 40" a a

[@tsz374]

i vote mid-longer bows, over 33"

[@user-ws3iw6kg4i]

I envy you that you can go hunting, but I can only shoot targets in the open space of the racetrack, and be careful not to shoot horses

[@oldfatnugly]

i like 35" ata... no way id ever go under 33".... biggest reason i dont shoot mathews. im also not your average size.

[@bowhuntordie]

Have you checked out the new Mathews Atlas? 34" ATA with draw lengths from 29.5" to 34".

[@oldfatnugly]

@@bowhuntordie i had to buy a new bow last year, so my budget is about zero this year lol.... however i would love to try it out if my shop aint to busy next time im there

[@mtgoat4434]

I’m with you I shoot 36” ATA

[@torreyintahoe]

longer

[@jfarley2411]

*’laughing in 60” longbow from a saddle’* Shouldn’t we steer new bow hunters or the less proficient to the most forgiving setup? Tournament archers prefer the longer ata for a reason. Tell Mathews the people want a 32-35 ata flagship. Besides maybe the 2% of bow hunters under 5’5” no one is clamoring for sub 30” bows.

[@SellsZac]

I would love an updated version of the Traverse as a flagship.

[@jfarley2411]

@@SellsZac by *updated* do you mean you hope they add the quick connect system and an integrated rest? Lol jk they make a great bow and they’ve continued making that bow for the past 6 years or whatever now.

[@SellsZac]

@@jfarley2411 traverse didn’t have the switch weight mods either.

[@bowhuntordie]

Have you checked out the Atlas? 34" ATA with an almost 8" brace height!

[@jfarley2411]

@@SellsZac good point! That’d actually be a killer now at 75#s

[@MK-ng5fp]

short.....single cam only LOL dual cam suck