In the last few years since I have gotten real serious into archery, and tuning my own equipment, my guns have not come out of the safe (not even for gun season). I just like shooting my bow more and would rather hunt with it. The feeling of accomplishment is much greater!

 

Sounds like he's a pretty wise. He still shoots but doesn't have to invest. Good neighbors are hard to find. Have fun.

 

If I had a friend that wanted to get into archery but didn't have roughly $1000 to for an average bow, accessories, and arrows. I would be more than happy to give or lend them some of my extra accessories till they got his own. Many of us that have been into Archery for a while could easily offset some of the cost with all of extra archery gear we have collecting dust.

If my friend really wanted to get into Archery I would have told him, just get the bow and I will give or lend you the rest of the accessories to get him started. Or even better help him buy a used bow and save some serious coin.

All that being said, most hobbies are expensive to get started. I'm sure you friend that bought the rifle would have to pay a lot of money to buy ammo and pay range fees if he wanted to shoot it as much as you shoot your bow.

The initial investment to get started in archery is high. But if you don't have the need to always have the latest, you really don't spend that much for the upkeep and practice of the sport/hobby.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

My buddy recently got into handguns. He got a nice gun for Christmas, and absolutely loves it. When I told him about shooting my bow, he started talking about the expense of archery, arrows close to $10 each, having to buy a sight, rest, etc. Told him he was correct, but I can shoot in my yard, and he can't. Last time I checked, he hasn't been to the range in 6 months, and I've shot my bow, almost daily. Too each their own, I suppose. I'm not a big gun guy, so a bow, over a firearm, was a no brainer, for me. Plus I can shoot with my grandson, in the backyard.

Matt

 

That $.30 bullet can only be shot once. That $10 arrow is reusable. Crazy how some people think isn't it?

 

That $.30 bullet can only be shot once. That $10 arrow is reusable. Crazy how some people think isn't it?

Exactly what I said to him. Not sure how many times I've shot my arrows, but I know exactly how many times he's shot his bullets!

Matt

 

I started out shooting used bows which was perfectly fine and I would still buy one if it was one I liked and fit me. The last couple I got though I bought brand new but they were the previous years model. I ended up getting them for roughly a third of their original price. It's made it possible for me to have a really nice bow for a very cheap price. Ive never been to worried about having the latest and greatest because that changes all the time. Not knocking guys that do but I can't afford it and I've had really good luck buying left overs. Just a thought

 

Showing someone the new prices is like taking an newbie to a golf center and showing him what he needs to spend on a full set of clubs, bag, shoes, balls, tees, not to mention greens fees. Most golfers trying to get someone into golf will show them the used equipment, a 7- club set rather than 16. A cheaper bag, wear tennis shoes and used balls.

Plenty of very good used bows with arrows, sight, rest, quiver for under $500.

 

This ^^^
Very easy to get set up as a newbie for either target or hunting.
I did no problem.
And one doesn't need $10 each arrow to do it.
Shop smart, No need for a Lamborghini when a nice used Chevy etc. will do just fine for starters.

 

Archery has always been too expensive if it's any consolation. But there have also always been ways to get into it a bit cheaper - buying used for example - but that has always been risky. Namely, a cheaper used bow with too-heavy limbs and the wrong drawlength, which is 95% of the used bows in the classifieds, , frequently ends up as much as a brand new bow custom fitted to you by your local shop. For that reason, I usually suggest splurging on the bow at least, so you don't end up buying it more than once.

Arrows fall into that category also, since they're actually more important than the bow. Fortunately, it's easier to find a good match on the arrow and sometimes find the right thing used.

Accessories are another matter altogether and going used there will save you a ton of money....

And yes in the end a good set of reusable arrows ends up a lot cheaper than ammo, even if you reload yourself....

lee.

 

You can still get into the game for fairly reasonable. For someone wanting to get into the sport, you can still find bows for a couple hundred dollars and be set up ready to shoot for $400 or so. You aren't going to have the latest and greatest, but you also don't need that.

 

Archery isn't as expensive to get started unless someone has to start with "The best" stuff. Example -

PSE Stinger - $350 (with set up and accessories installed)
Whisker Biscuit - $30
Xweave STL 300 arrows - $80/doz
HHA Single pin Slider - $99
Morrell Target bag - $85 (shoot in your yard)
Total price >>------> $664 (for thousands of shots as long as you don't loose all 12 arrows)

New Glock - $525
1000 rds Tula (cheapest crap you can shoot) - $150
Gun club membership - $75+
Total price - $750 (not including NICS and Registration fees)

I went with "middle of the road" price wise for everything and it seems to me like archery would be cheaper all the way around....

 

I'm a rifle and pistol shooter who recently got into archery. To me there's no comparison in terms of cost. There is a slightly higher minimum cost to get started in archery, but ongoing costs? Not even close. An afternoon at the range, not even including the range membership, can run $50-100 even with 22lr ammo these days. Shooting my handloads on average is about $1 per round. Some less, some more. That adds up fast. Having a decent gunsmith do any repair work or modifications will cost WAY more than bow work.

A basic Remington 700, not a high end model, not a bargain model, is almost $1000 just for the rifle. Then you need optics and quality optics tend to start at $500 and go up fast. If I cared about it working on a hunt when I would actually be pissed if I had a scope issue I'd probably start with a Vortex Viper or comparable. You can get cheaper, and they work, but you will see the difference. Just like you can put a $25 sight on a bow but no one's using them on the podium and if you have a hunt go bad because your cheap sight failed... Ongoing ammo costs, replacement stock since the factory ones are usually lousy, sling, safe or lock box to store it, bipod, sandbags... Then you can't shoot it in nearly as many places.

I specifically chose to do archery this year rather than firearms. Not that I don't go to the range now and then, but I wasn't buying any new equipment and I wasn't specifically learning new skills. I'd say I'm money ahead just on ammo saved and have gotten to enjoy a lot more time doing archery than I would have shooting.

One of the real big issues I see is that so many people seem to think they have to buy a high end bow. There are lots of $500-700 options out there. For $1000 you can be nicely setup, something that requires pretty careful shopping to do with a rifle and won't include a few months worth of ammo costs unless you just don't shoot it. About five years ago I put together a 308 rifle specifically for shooting prone at the range. Nothing special, it started with a Savage Model 10T from Cabelas on sale and got a Vortex Viper scope, not a PST model. Bipod, stock pad and a few other minor accessories. My total cost not counting ammo came to just over $1k. The rifle is the equivalent of a walmart or Dick's sporting goods bow, not even one of their higher end models. It's a bargain rifle that happens to be known for accuracy well above its price point. Someone trying to get into archery could buy a Powermax, drop away rest, decent sight, half dozen arrows, basic hip quiver and arrow tube, release... and be shooting in their yard or a local club for the same money

I think the issue is that people have the perception that archery should be cheaper than the same result with a firearm. It's just not and never has been from what I can tell. What's different is where you can use it and your ongoing costs. Gun guys also don't seem to have this feeling that they NEED a new gun every season or two. We might buy one that often, or more, but it's just because we want a new toy or something with a different role. A general duty deer rifle hasn't changed much in almost 100 years. Hell, mine is the one my grandfather used and he got it as a WW2 bring back that was confiscated from a hunting lodge by someone else and the date stamp on the receiver is pre WW1. All he did was remove the rear sight and add a Redfield scope. Exactly as it is would still work quite well for hunting deer almost anywhere in the US. I know guys who use 30-30's and 45-70's with iron sights for spot and stalk who use rifles significantly older than they are because they're BETTER than most available now. Newer doesn't always mean better, just different. If it worked last year and it isn't broken it will work this year.

 

High quality Guns have a way better return then any bow. They are almost always a better purchase then a bow

 

We all know if hobbies were cheap they also wouldn't be fun....

I run motorcycle trackdays/racing. I wear $3k in safety gear. Nevermind the bike, fuel, track fees, tires etc.

 

I run motorcycle trackdays/racing. I wear $3k in safety gear. Nevermind the bike, fuel, track fees, tires etc.

Right... my son and I ride dirt bikes. We just rebuilt his KX125 top end, new chain, new sprockets, 2 new tires...couple of new parts for my KX250F.... $700....whooooshhhh!!!!!! I really don't want to talk about what happens if my KX250F blows. Nor do I want to talk about the $6000 insurance premium I paid for my collarbone.

I've set up numerous 4H archers and I figure on $500 to get started: new Diamond Prism or Infinite Edge, a Tru Glo sight, Gold tip arrows, release, cheap stabilizer, wrist sling. But then they can shoot all they want and they can sell that package to the next 4H kid for $400. Can't hardly drive to the shoot, eat lunch, etc for that $100.

On adults, I buy something used for them here on AT after checking their DL and such. Got my son in law into an Alphamax 32 for $400 complete, ready to shoot. Release was $75. So, a little under $500 and he's good. Maybe he wants a different bow later... fine, we get a different bow, used, and re-sell the Alphamax. We're gonna get $300 for it, easy. Even if we threw it in the trash, we're still ahead of my dirt bike habit.

Me... I have $300 in one Alphamax, $325 in another, and $650 in the Vector Turbo. I've let a lot of newer and "better" bows go and kept these, but $650 is the most I've paid for one- the 1 year old VT and a 2-year old Alpha Elite that I resold for the same $650 6 months later. I haven't owned a new bow since 1988 when I bought a Hoyt Easton Spectra Lite Hunter.

 

Buy a recurve and a dozen arrows....

 

I have yet to go hunting, but I can't imagine myself doing it with a rifle. When the time is right, and I am ready it'll be with my bow in hand

 

A hobby is a hobby and if you like it cost takes a "back seat."

 

After shooting some top $$$ bows and some mid line bows today I realize if you do your research and go and try some bows out it’s doesn't half to be crazy’s expensive.for instance I shot the hoyt RX-1 today and the Pse drive x back to back with the same arrow and same chrono and same draw weight and draw length and both shot virtually the same speed .the drive was smoother on the draw and had less hand shock and was lighter feeling.the only big difference was price the drive x was $500 and RX-1 was $1500 .X

 

I’m at $230 per rear tire and each one lasts about three track days so I feel your pain. I also feel your collarbone pain, literally. I severely separated my shoulder this June. Hit my deductible pretty quick. But I do love it.

The archery bug bit me more this season than in the past. Now I’m looking for my first used target bow.

 

I used to love gun hunting and burning up ammo on targets, until I got my first compound bow,that was 1979, now I have no interest in gun hunting or shooting guns. The only use I have for guns is for home protection.

 

Its all what you make it and to what level you decide to get into it. In my opinion getting into archery is incredibly cheap into comparison to many other, especially shooting sports.

 

a bow is only as good as the guy shooting it. That being said, anyone can start shooting for far under 1000 dollars.

 

you can get a 10 year old bow for pocket change off craig's list. Why start with a new $1K bow?

 

i am 72 and just shoot informal target at my local gun club, as i live in a condo. gun shooting doesn't start till 9 am so i go early set up my muzzle loader stuff and then go shoot arrows. i still buy old bows on ebay for low $, mostly mathews.

 

I used to shoot firearms competitively but gave it up around 10 years ago and started fishing seriously. Recently had the "itch" to get back into shooting and stopped cold when I saw current prices for ammo and/or components. To say that prices have gone though the roof is an understatement. Decided I need to look for something else to do and took a look at archery. No, it's not cheap initially but when I look at replacing the guns I sold when I quit previously it's not prohibitive. The thing that really appealed to me was that once the initial equipment cost was incurred the $$ amount to keep shooting is relatively low. An added plus, as previously mentioned, is that I can shoot in my backyard anytime I want. Never could do that with guns. Shot my first indoor tournament last Saturday and had a great time. I believe I'm hooked!

 

Was away from archery for 40 years, Got back into it 2.5 years ago. Started off with a combo set from bowtech to see if my archery itch was still there. It cost me approx 500 bucks. Well still at it and love it. Had to get a part time job to support. Have 3 high end bows from hoyt and everything that goes with it. All i'am saying you can go cheap or expensive.

 

Bow is so much more rewarding