If you are an archer and you are interested in hunting live prey, you want your initial shot from your arrow to be as quiet as possible. You do not want to startle the animal and give your prey a warning of your presence before your projectile ever takes flight, as it may very well cause the prey to do what is called “jump the string.” Essentially, your selected target will hear you release your arrow and will bolt off into the woods to safety long before your shot can make contact. Now, while there is no way to eliminate all the noise that a bow produces when you are hunting, an investment in the best bow stabilizer can help in minimizing the bow vibration and noise releasing an arrow produces. A quieter shot will definitely contribute to a greater likelihood of getting that kill shot to happen.
Achieving a Quiet Shot
Even the avid archer who has been years of experience backing every single shot can benefit from buying one of the best bow stabilizer selections on the market. While some archers believe they can take down a deer or other prey by speeding up how fast the arrow actually travels, this is not really the case.
Essentially, the belief that the arrow will be able to fly fast enough to get to the animal before the sound of releasing the bow gets to the selected target is physically impossible, despite how fast the arrow might actually be moving. Consider the fact that some of the top of the line bows can release an arrow at a speed of about 400 feet per second. Next, consider that the majority of bow users are relying on equipment that allows for arrows to release at speeds between 250 and 300 feet per second. The fact that the speed of sound travels at a rate of 1088 feet per second flies in the face of the notion that any arrow will ever reach the prey before the sound produced when you release your bow.
When you release an arrow not all of the energy that comes from the tension of the bowstring releases with it. When the arrow flies, the energy that remains following the shot passes through the body of the bow and results in some sounds and vibration. The sounds that are produced are both low and high-frequency noise. The bow has an upper limb and lower limb that vibrates and makes an extremely quiet thumping noise. At the same time, the bowstring and the accessories on the bow produce additional noise, with the string vibrating at a fast rate so it produces a high frequency reverberation.
This is when buying the best bow stabilizer becomes so important. The stabilizer is capable of dampening some noise and, when coupled with a high quality silencer, you will find you can quiet the bow considerably. Hunters and tournament archers alike appreciate high quality stabilizers because the accessories come with so many benefits. For instance, in addition to taking on a bit of the vibration from a shot, the stabilizer lends to greater shot accuracy, and it helps in reducing the torque and achieving bow balance. Of course, stabilizers have the most important job of stabilizing the bow and shot.
Bow Stabilizers: The Basics
You get plenty of selection when it comes to choosing a stabilizer for your bow; the accessory is sold in various sizes, shapes, and under different brand labels. Any stabilizer you buy will have to be attached to the bow via screws. To that end, some bows are sold with a stabilizer as part of the package. If you got a stabilizer with the bow package, you can test it to see what it does are far as helping improve the accuracy of your shot and the stabilization or steadiness of the bow.
Design
At one time a bow stabilizer was of a very basic construction and manufactured with either a rubber or metal body. The stabilizer was attached to the bow with screws and with this attachment the two pieces were unified into a single body. This allowed the stabilizer and bow to share any vibration made, but it was not really effective in quieting the noise produced. In contrast, today’s stabilizers have an evolved design combining the weighted frontend, dampener made of rubber, and the metal stabilizer body. The combination of all three features allows for a significant difference in terms of sound dampening and vibration control.
Stabilizers are manufactured out of an array of materials including plastic, metal/stainless steel, and rubber or a mix of all the latter. The primary part of the stabilizer, the rod, is created out of a tube-shaped piece of material: Usually, this material is extremely light in terms of its design. ABS plastic and carbon are the two most common materials used in contemporary stabilizers, whereas older stabilizers were often made of a metal material. Many archers have demonstrated a preference for the models made of light, durable, but thin carbon material because it is durable and resistant to the wind.
Dampening Device: The best bow stabilizer will also feature a piece made of sand, gel, or rubber material: This is the dampening device. While it is true that all of the latter materials are something that will quiet the vibration of your bow, the rubber material is what you will find in the best bow stabilizers because rubber easily absorbs the shock to which it is exposed. Some stabilizers are sold with the dampener and sometimes the unit is sold separately.
Weighted: Some stabilizers are fit with a weighted front portion and this piece is most efficient if it is positioned at the stabilizer’s end and at the furthest point from your bow. In the frontend position, the weight becomes a convenient counterbalance and contributes to shot stability. With improved stability, it allows for more consistency for each shot and smaller, tighter groupings. The weight that goes with your stabilizer is usually sold with the unit. Sometimes you get more than one weight, so the counterbalance becomes adjustable.
Stabilizer Length
The best stabilizer for one archer will differ from the best model for another archer: This is because there are so many factors that go into choosing the unit and one such factor is length. If the archer is using the stabilizer to shoot at targets then a longer stabilizer is a great choice. The longer length lends to greater accuracy with each shot because there is extra stability. Hunters do not necessarily need a long stabilizer and some are actually more comfortable working with those of shorter length. The best way to decide what length is right for you is to figure out what will help you make the most accurate shot so that you also end up with a humane and ethical kill. A stabilizer as short as one inch in length may be all you need if you are shooting close range, but longer lengths are best for the hunter who plans on using blinds and stands.
Still, longer stabilizers come with some major benefits. Since many new bows today feature reflex limbs and measurements from one axle to the other equaling roughly 35 inches: This means that most stabilizers are not as necessary as they once were. A stabilizer ranging from 4 to 10 inches is sufficient for any hunting endeavors. For tight groupings with each shot, you can rely on a 6-inch stabilizer. With the combined used of the rod, dampener, and weight system, you can reduce the vibration of the bow, minimize torque, diminish hand shock, and limit noise.
Trophy Ridge Static Stabilizer
The Trophy Ridge Static Stabilizer is one of the best bow stabilizers you can buy. The unit is reasonably priced, and it features a durable, but light design. The bow stabilizer is the perfect length to give you stability and a quiet shot: It measures 6 inches in length. The stabilizer comes with two weights that are customizable for added balance and weight. A wrist sling made of braided materials comes with the stabilizer. The special design of the rod, where there are holes in the body, allow for air to move through the stabilizer if it happens to be windy outside: You can remain steady in windy conditions. The stabilizer also comes with a Ballistix Copolymer system.
The Pro Hunter Maxx Stabilizer
Bee Stinger is behind the development of the Pro Hunter Maxx Stabilizer unit. The model comes with a SIMS de-resonator and the bar is a full 10 inches in length for tighter shot grouping s with every shot. You get three one-ounce end weights for adjusting the unit. The model comes with an internal Harmonic Dampener, and a 100% Ultra-Rigid Carbon Rod. This bow stabilizer is nicely priced too, and you can get in one of 11 colors. The Pro Hunter bow stabilizer supplies you with exceptional shot control.
SAS Archery Aluminum Bow Stabilizer
The SAS Archery Aluminum Bow Stabilizer weighs all of 5.3 ounces and it measures 5 inches, 8 inches, or 11 inches. The stabilizer is fit with a dampener to reduce vibration, and it has a high quality aluminum design. The unit comes with a full draw counter balance. The unit features a unique design with holes all through it so it is something that will still lend considerable stability if you are shooting in windy conditions. The exterior is solid black in color.
In Conclusion
Whether you have a penchant for striking targets on the range, participating in archery tournaments or you crave the chance to take that kill shot when you are hunting, a stabilizer is an exceptional accessory to use with your bow. A quiet shot is vital to a successful strike on an animal, and some of the best bow stabilizer selections allow for noise and vibration dampening. With greater control over the shot and the noise it produces, there is a greater likelihood that the hunter will get more kills on various hunts.