2009 Bowtech Diamond Stud

Background

I've been using a Martin Cougar wheelbow set at 76lbs, fingers release, since 1994. Decided to upgrade to something a little more modern. I've poked holes in couple Elk, and I don't for one moment think that a new bow is required for hunting. But I did a 3D shoot with my son and he convinced me to upgrade from my "Moses" bow (ya know - Moses carried it in the wilderness for 40years).

I went to Kutch Archery of Yamhil Oregon and told them "I'm a hunter and I like to do 3D shoots. I want a RH, 70lb Diamond stud. I'm paying for your judgment so set it up". And the following is what they put together.

Setup and Data

2009 Bowtech Diamond Stud single-cam bow. RH, 70lb

Setup accessories:

• HHA OL 5000 - single pin adjustable sight

• Ripcord - fall away rest

• Diamond 6 arrow quiver - twist lock mounting

• Tru-fire Black Talon release - D-loop side grabber, manual reset, adjustable trigger

Results from my Chrony Alpha-Master with a range of arrow weights (finished weight includes 100gr field tip)

1. Beman ICS Hunter, 300 spine, 445gr finished weight

2. Beman Carbonhawk 16/64, 75/85 spine, 460gr finished weight

3. Beman ICS CamoHunter, 300 spine, 490gr finished weight

4. Beman ICS Hunter, 340 spine, 422gr finished weight

5. Gold Tip Pro Hunter 5575 spine, 380gr finished weight.

** I expected the lighter arrow to shoot faster. My theory is that the softer spine is less efficient. (or my Chrony had a senior moment - but I repeated it a dozen times)

The single pin sight is excellent. Very easy to adjust I've got it marked from 20yds out to 80yds. Up until now I've been a 3 pin fiber man. I can't see ever going back to a multi-pin sight.

Shooting Impressions

Understand that I don't have a wealth of Bow experience. I can compare the draw cycle to my Martin Cougar wheelbow (76lbs) - smooth right up until you hit the wall. I'm not a tiny fellow (3'37"), so I have the Stud turned all the way up. I think it draws smoother than my son's Parker which is also maxed. I haven't made intelligent use of the adjustable wall yet, but I will.

I'm about half deaf, so I'm not a good judge of noise, and I don't have a DB meter handy. I've used the jaw-type release and the side-grabber. This particular side-grabber is the perfect "breaks like a glass rod".

The shot is what sold me on this bow. I had a chance to shoot a Stud and Black Ice at Cabelas. When they say there's no vibration, no jumping, no shock - well it's true. I don't think I'll ever put a wrist sling on it as the bow just sits there and very slowly rotates foward and down after the shot. And I tend to shoot open-handed, a habit I developed shooting the Martin.

80yds is not a problem. Maybe even 100yds is possible as I might have that much room with the sight. I had a 70yd group that was embarrassingly good.

Ripcord Fall Away Rest

See below for some pictures and verbiage about setting up the Ripcord fall away rest. I'm using it in a slightly different manner. This setup paper tuned perfectly. I chose to tune it for the 340 spine Beman, but the 300 spine was only a hair nock high.

This is the original Ripcord rest setup by the Pro-shop. Unfortunately there was a little fletching contact if I didn't load cock-fletch up. Since I'm a hunter, I wanted to be able to nock an arrow in the almost-dark without worrying about fletch orientation. So this had to change.

Notice that the launcher arm is mounted with the first set of holes.

Also notice the vertical adjustment of the Ripcord body (pretty much neutral)

I emailed Ripcord and they promptly replied telling me to mount it so that the launcher lays flat above the riser shelf, without contacting it. And to use the stick on arrow guide.

I was worried that getting above the centerline for the nock point would cause me grief and I couldn't see how one could possibly mount the Ripcord on this bow as suggested without ending up 1/4" above the berger holes. Sometimes surfing the web solves the problems, this time I got nowhere. I'm pretty sure that the berger holes are closer to the shelf than on other bows - but this is the first short ATA bow I've owned.

So I went back to the shop and we fiddled with the rest. The Pro-shop thought that the rubber stick on arrow guide was a waste of time, and convinced me that we should mount the Ripcord so that the launcher arms act as an arrow guide. Since that is what I paid a Pro-shop for, I listened and agreed. The following pictures show how it was done.

Notice that the Ripcord body has been lowered. (also I don't use the top capture bar - just seemed like a solution looking for a problem)

Notice that the launcher is mounted on the second set of holes. And notice the pad - the price I paid for using the Ripcord this way. Is it noisy? No. Would it be quieter with the launcher not whacking the riser? Certainly. But I have to put noise in perspective of the total shot and the launcher isn't close to being the main noise source.

The D-Loop was raised a bit and the arrow on the rest cuts through the center of the berger holes.

The following are some basic pictures

Broken Quiver